Benjamin Hernandez
Staff Reporter
benjamin.hernandez@yale.edu
Benjamin Hernandez covers Woodbridge Hall, the President's Office. He previously reported on international affairs at Yale. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, he is a sophomore in Trumbull College majoring in Global Affairs.
Author Archive
BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
Salovey breaks with peer University presidents’ indirect answers, updates response to hypothetical question from House antisemitism hearing

In a Thursday statement to the News, Yale President Peter Salovey updated his response to a question asked to three peer presidents during the Tuesday Congressional hearing on campus antisemitism; he suggested in his full answer that calls for genocide of the Jewish people would violate Yale’s policies. Salovey’s response is more forceful than those of the three other presidents, whose institutions are now facing a Congressional investigation into campus antisemitism.

December 7, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
Salovey promises MENA space and announces permanent security at Slifka, notes one campus report of ‘physical confrontations and violence’ related to Israel-Hamas war

A Thursday morning email to the Yale community by University President Peter Salovey outlined a series of actions that Yale will take to address antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus. Among the actions is also the hiring of a second Muslim chaplain and the announcement of increased funding for kosher dining at Slifka.

December 7, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
Salovey’s answers to questions asked of university presidents in recent House antisemitism hearing

University President Peter Salovey was not called to represent Yale in the hearing held by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, at which the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT testified. He told the News that he does not know why he was not asked to testify.

December 7, 2023

The façade of Woodbridge Hall in the daylight.
BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ & ESMA OKUTAN
Palestinian and Muslim students express safety concerns after man shoots Palestinian students in Vermont

Three Palestinian college students were shot in Vermont last week, amplifying fear and concerns among students on campus.

December 1, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ & ARIELA LOPEZ
Yale Press ends decades-long partnership

Publishing house W.W. Norton will take over fulfillment and sales from TriLiteral LLC for the Yale University Press for titles published starting January 2025.

December 1, 2023

BEN RAAB & BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
Over 1,400 alumni, faculty and parents sign letter calling on Yale to combat antisemitism

University alumni, faculty and parents urged administrators in a Nov. 20 letter to take action against what they called a “tidal wave of antisemitism” moving through campus.

November 28, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
Salovey, five others receive George H. W. Bush Lifetime of Leadership award from Yale Athletics

Yale’s Athletic Department awarded five alumni, as well as University President Peter Salovey, its highest honor for their distinguished careers in public service, education, government, business, science and technology and the arts.

November 28, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
University blocks large posters, possible protests at Yale-Harvard game

The University did not directly respond to questions on whether growing campus tensions related to the war in Israel and Gaza prompted the policy updates, which administrators sent in a Friday morning email to students.

November 17, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
Donor publicly withdraws support, alumni raise concerns in wake of alleged anti-Israel event at Yale

In an email to those involved in coordinating fundraising for the University, Yale Alumni Fund managing director wrote about a “growing number of alumni” voicing concerns following a controversial Nov. 6 panel discussion and ensuing opinion column in the Wall Street Journal. At least one alumnus has decided to halt his annual donations — which he described as “minor” — to the University.

November 14, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
Presidential Search Student Advisory Council to host listening sessions for students in coming weeks

In an email to students, the Presidential Search Student Advisory Council announced a series of forthcoming listening sessions, in which they will hear students’ priorities about the University’s next leader.

November 8, 2023

BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ
‘Despairingly slow’ progress: Experts weigh in on diversity in higher education amid high presidential turnover

University President Peter Salovey’s approaching departure from the role comes amid a national pattern of college and university president turnover. According to three higher education experts who spoke to the News, experts say the time is apt for institutions to consider diversity while looking to fill vacancies.

November 8, 2023