Business Case Studies & Business Publications

University Presidents in Crisis

Murray, Meghan, Co...

Case

University Presidents in Crisis

Murray, Meghan; Connell, Aidan

E-0506 | Published May 20, 2024 | 19 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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Learning Objectives

The case protagonist is preparing for her final interview to be spokesperson for the Institute Office of Communications at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The case is set during a time in which many university presidents are in the spotlight of the debate of freedom of speech on campuses, which includes student and donor debate about the war between Israel and Hamas that started in October 2023. On the morning of January 3, 2024, a news article specifically mentioned MIT’s president being under scrutiny. The case requires students to consider the financial models of US institutions of higher education, the role of a university president, and crisis communications. Instructors can use this case in multiple ways, but a clear focus is the communications strategy for MIT. When the university needed to send a message to its community, the case protagonist would be instrumental in deciding who should deliver the message, what the message would be, and which channel(s) MIT would use.