Dean Mary Lu Bilek stepped down as the dean of CUNY Law yesterday, having served in the position since 2016. There has been plenty of coverage around this event which I will not rehash here. I have only positive things to say about Bilek and her commitment to both CUNY and the values that drive the institution. Bilek joined the law school in 1985 , two years after it opened, and has remained on the faculty since, except for a stint as dean at UMass Law. CUNY Professor Eduardo Capulong was named interim dean. Capulong holds a JD from CUNY.
Mary Lu Bilek Steps Down as Dean of CUNY Law; Capulong Named Interim
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I want to mention I may have never become a law professor without the support of of Mary Lu and Ruthann Robson. I recall when I was interviewing at CUNY a lifetime ago, and I was utterly bombing my interview. They could tell I was nervous, and in such a kind and non-male-like gesture, they pulled me aside and reminded my to be myself and tell my story. The advice was invaluable and helped me become the pugnacious scholar I am today. While I will not comment on the events relating to her Mary Lu's resignation, I will always appreciate her for her friendship and mentorship.
There is some tension between the zero tolerance demand for termination upon a single slip up and critical race theory's recognition that all are, at some level, consciously or not, racist. For would be Robespierres, remember there is a Thermidor.
The French Revolution allusion is quite apt. Has the Cancel Culture begun to devour its own?