Last year, Fresno State took heat for canceling the search for the Edward Said Professorship in the Middle East Studies Program. The school said the search committee was not formed properly and halted the effort nearly seven months after it started.
Despite Fresno State’s reasoning, many called the decision racially motivated, based on the characteristics of the finalists. Fresno State denied that allegation and also said that the search was not called off because of pressure from Jewish groups.
Fresno State President Joseph Castro said the search would reconvene in 2018. University spokeswoman Patti Waid now says the search will launch in fall 2019.