Free Republic

The decision by Salem State trustees to choose a white male former state representative as the new president of the university has disappointed some faculty and ignited a simmering debate about the lack of gender and racial diversity in the top ranks of public higher education. To critics, the selection of John D. Keenan fit a troubling pattern of trustees at Massachusetts public colleges and universities turning to well-known local politicians to serve as presidents, rather than outside candidates with more experience in education.

SALEM, Mass. - Salem State University’s Twitter account was hacked late Friday night. The tweets started around 10:30 p.m. The hacker sent out racist tweets, and also applauded President Donald Trump. It lasted for about two hours before the university was able to regain control of the account and delete the tweets. The hack comes just hours before the school’s undergraduate commencement.| Boston 25 News reached out to school officials for comment. Salem State’s Facebook page says none of the tweets represent the university’s views. The school also apologized on Twitter. The university says it is looking into the hack...

It promised to be enthralling, a joint appearance of the philandering John Edwards and his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, as part of the Salem State College Series. A mob of national media was expected to attend, eager to grill Edwards in a pre-speech press conference regarding his recent admission of marital infidelity. Until yesterday, when the couple canceled their Tuesday, Sept. 23, appearance. No reason for the cancellation was given, Salem State spokeswoman Karen Cady said. "They both canceled. We contracted for both of them, and they both canceled." Political consultant Michael Goldman of Marblehead, a supporter of Edwards, had planned...

SALEM — Salem State College has been bombarded with phone calls ever since former presidential candidate John Edwards announced last Friday that he cheated on his cancer-stricken wife. They are calling Salem State, of course, because John and Elizabeth Edwards are scheduled to speak here Sept. 23. Everyone wants to know if the event has been canceled. It has not. Salem State says it has a contract and is sticking to it. Edwards also apparently is scheduled to hold a press conference. Whether one or both of those events come off, only time will tell. The first phone call to...