The Brian Lehrer Show When Wall Street & University Boards Meet
May 5, 2025
Scott Bok, former board chair of the University of Pennsylvania and CEO of Greenhill & Co., shares his remarkable journey through Wall Street's highs and lows. He delves into the critical interplay between financial markets and university governance, emphasizing corporate influence in education and its risks. Bok discusses the pressures institutions face regarding free speech and diversity amid political tensions, and reflects on the ripple effects of major financial crises, spotlighting their impact on the public and the evolving landscape of elite universities.
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Penn Crisis as Corporate Takeover
- The Penn board crisis resembled a corporate takeover using activist tactics.
- This reflects Wall Street's growing pervasive influence in American institutions.
Code of Conduct on Free Speech
- Penn's student code of conduct protects speech with few exceptions.
- President McGill's legalistic answer reflected the technical challenges of balancing speech and conduct.
Universities Under Broad Political Attack
- US universities face an aggressive political attack beyond free speech issues.
- The attack aims to fundamentally change elite higher education structures.
