Hofstra professor facing possible termination over discrimination claim for saying ‘word salad’

Nypost · 🇺🇸 public United States · Aug 22, 2026 · 563 words · By David Spector

Political Polarization in Academia Academic Freedom vs. Discrimination

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What to know about Political Polarization in Academia

Hofstra professor facing possible termination over discrimination claim for saying ‘word salad’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 11

Techniques found 2

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center50%

Right50%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Hofstra professor facing possible termination over discrimination claim for saying ‘word salad’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The New York Post on Google A Hofstra University political science professor has been trapped in a nearly one-year investigatory nightmare after a colleague reported him for racial discrimination for using the phrase “word salad.” Professor Richard…

Common ground

3, 2025 faculty meeting about proposed new courses at the private Long Island University.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Political Polarization in Academia story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that The university’s Human Resources Department Vice President Denise Cunningham told Himelfarb in mid-February there was “reasonable cause” that he had disparaged Slabodsky’s ethnicity, and the probe was launched?
How does this story connect Political Polarization in Academia with Academic Freedom vs. Discrimination over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/22/us-news/hofstra-professor-facing-termination-for-u…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 95% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Name Calling / Labeling 85% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 11 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 8

info Single Source 2

schedule Pending 1

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Claim 1: “The university’s Human Resources Department Vice President Denise Cunningham told Himelfarb in mid-February there was “reasonable cause” that he had disparaged Slabodsky’s ethnicity, and the probe was launched.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for claim 5 consists of irrelevant search results about 'Central Time Zone' and does not mention Denise Cunningham or the HR investigation details.

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web search NEUTRAL — The Central Time Zone is a time zone in parts of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, and a few Caribbean Islands. [1] It is one hour behind the Eastern Time Zone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Time_Zone

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web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Exact time now, time zone, time difference, sunrise/sunset time and key facts for Central Time (CT).
https://time.is/CT

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web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · See the current Central Time right now with a live CST/CDT clock, date, UTC offset, and city comparison tool for the US Central Time Zone.
https://timeandcalendars.com/current-central-time

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Claim 2: “The case was kicked up to the University Harassment Board, an ad-hoc committee that would have the power to recommend the university president Dr. Susan Poser fire Himelfarb despite his tenured status”

CORROBORATED

Evidence confirms the involvement of President Susan Posner and the potential for dismissal/investigation regarding Professor Himelfarb.

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web search NEUTRAL — Political Science Professor Richard Himelfarb speaking, with books and a Republican elephant figure visible in the background. Political Science professor Richard Himelfarb is being investigated for u…
https://nypost.com/2026/08/22/us-news/hofstra-professor-faci…

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web search NEUTRAL — Hofstra University political science professor Richard Himelfarb. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca. Himelfarb learned from Hofstra officials in April that Slabodsky had requested an “informal re…
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/fire-hofstra-u…

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web search NEUTRAL — Urge Hofstra University President Susan Posner to end the university’s baseless investigation into Richard Himelfarb for alleged discriminatory harassment.
https://www.fire.org/get-involved/take-action/criticize-cour…

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Claim 3: “Santiago Slabodsky, the chair of the school’s Jewish Studies program, sparked an outcry when he proposed two courses — one on conspiracy theories and another tying religion to “revolutionary movements in Latin America” be taught in his department”

CORROBORATED

Web search results explicitly identify Santiago Slabodsky as the chair of the Jewish Studies program and describe his proposal for courses on conspiracy theories and revolutionary movements in Latin America.

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web search NEUTRAL — Santiago Slabodsky, the chair of the school’s Jewish Studies program, sparked an outcry when he proposed two courses — one on conspiracy theories and another tying religion to “revolutionary movements…
https://nypost.com/2026/08/22/us-news/hofstra-professor-faci…

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web search NEUTRAL — Professor Jason Arday, of Cambridge University; Hofstra University Professors Santiago Slabodsky and Richard Himelfarb. The incident that forms the basis of this “write-up,” in local Ghanaian speak or…
https://www.modernghana.com/news/1523212/who-said-this-is-a-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Hofstra University Professor Richard Himelfarb is now under investigation for leveling the same criticism against a colleague's remarks in a faculty meeting. After Himelfarb used the common term to cr…
https://jonathanturley.org/2026/06/19/tossed-or-chopped-hofs…

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Claim 4: “After the rant, Himelfarb called out his colleague, saying, “That is complete word salad; I don’t understand a thing Professor Slabodsky said.””

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources quote Himelfarb as saying, 'That is complete word salad; I don’t understand a thing Professor Slabodsky said.'

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — After the rant, Himelfarb called out his colleague, saying, “That is complete word salad; I don’t understand a thing Professor Slabodsky said.” The next day, Slabodsky — who was born in Argentina — fi…
https://nypost.com/2026/08/22/us-news/hofstra-professor-faci…

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web search NEUTRAL — He claimed Slabodsky then gave a lengthy response that did not address the concerns raised by the faculty members.Himelfarb said he responded: “That is complete word salad; I don’t understand a thing …
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-professor-fa…

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web search NEUTRAL — In response, Slabodsky filed a harassment complaint, alleging the phrase "word salad" is discriminatory against his accent and Latino identity. But instead of opening a dialogue, the university opened…
https://www.fire.org/news/investigated-saying-word-salad

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Claim 5: “Professor Richard Himelfarb made the remark at a Nov. 3, 2025 faculty meeting about proposed new courses at the private Long Island University.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources specify the date of the faculty meeting as November 3, 2025, and the location as Hofstra University (though one source mentions 'New York university' generally, others specify Hofstra).

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — This list of Jewish athletes in sports contains athletes who are Jewish and have attained outstanding achievements in sports. The topic of Jewish participation in sports is discussed extensively in ac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jews_in_sports

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web search NEUTRAL — Professor Richard Himelfarb made the remark at a November 3, 2025 faculty meeting held on Zoom for the college's liberal arts and sciences department, where new courses were being proposed.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/22/us-news/hofstra-professor-faci…

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web search NEUTRAL — The scenario unfolded during a faculty meeting held on November 3 of last year. Professor Santiago Slabodsky is the chair of the Jewish Studies program at Hofstra. During the meeting, Slabodsky propos…
https://www.freedomcenteroncampus.org/a-professor-called-his…

+ 1 more evidence source

schedule

Claim 6: “Hofstra University spokesperson Terry Coniglio said... “There has been no disciplinary action taken, and the matter is proceeding in accordance with Hofstra University’s established processes.””

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 7: “The Catastrophic Politics author said he’s not looking to sue or retaliate”

CORROBORATED

One source explicitly mentions 'Himelfarb said he does not intend to sue or retaliate.' While the book title 'Catastrophic Politics' isn't explicitly listed in the evidence snippets, the sentiment regarding retaliation is corroborated.

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Claim 8: “A Hofstra University political science professor has been trapped in a nearly one-year investigatory nightmare after a colleague reported him for racial discrimination for using the phrase “word salad.””

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources confirm that Hofstra University political science professor Richard Himelfarb is under investigation for racial discrimination after using the phrase 'word salad'.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, also known as Hofstra Law School and colloquially as Hofstra Law, is a law school located in Hempstead, on Long Island, in New York, United St…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_A._Deane_School_of_Law

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Hofstra Pride (formerly the Hofstra Flying Dutchmen) are composed of 17 teams representing Hofstra University in intercollegiate athletics, including men and women's basketball, cross-country runn…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofstra_Pride

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Hofstra University is a private research university in Hempstead, New York, United States. It originated in 1935 as an extension of New York University and became an independent college in 1939. Compr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofstra_University

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 9: “In May, he retained help from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) Foundation, a free speech advocacy organization, and the Academic Freedom Alliance, which is providing him with a lawyer.”

SINGLE SOURCE

While the evidence confirms FIRE's involvement in the case, the specific detail about the Academic Freedom Alliance providing a lawyer is not explicitly corroborated across multiple independent sources in the provided text, though FIRE's role is well-documented.

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web search NEUTRAL — Hofstra University professor Richard Himelfarb faces probe over remark during faculty meeting/Image: Hofstra News.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-professor-fa…

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web search NEUTRAL — Free speech rights are under threat. We hope you’ll join us in preserving this most essential quality of liberty.Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the large…
https://www.fire.org/get-involved/take-action

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Claim 10: “The next day, Slabodsky — who was born in Argentina — filed a complaint against Himelfarb alleging that the use of the term “word salad” disparaged his accent and South American heritage.”

CORROBORATED

Sources confirm Slabodsky was born in Argentina and filed a complaint alleging the term 'word salad' disparaged his accent and Latino/South American heritage.

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web search NEUTRAL — The next day, Slabodsky — who was born in Argentina — filed a complaint against Himelfarb alleging that the use of the term “word salad” disparaged his accent and South American heritage.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/22/us-news/hofstra-professor-faci…

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web search NEUTRAL — with a lawyer.Slabodsky then filed another complaint alleging retaliation after Himelfarb brought in outside support.Himelfarb said he does not intend to sue or retaliate.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-professor-fa…

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web search NEUTRAL — But whatever form of salad Santiago Slabodsky may have used in that faculty meeting last November, the first order of business is for Hofstra to stop investigating Richard Himelfarb. And while we’re w…
https://www.aei.org/commentary/nonsense-with-a-side-of-green…

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Claim 11: “Slabodsky filed a second complaint after Himelfarb retained outside help in his case, alleging retaliation.”

CORROBORATED

One of the web search results explicitly states: 'Slabodsky then filed another complaint alleging retaliation after Himelfarb brought in outside support.'

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.