Topic: New York University

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City, faces scrutiny over his 2009 Columbia University application. Mayor Eric Adams' camp accused Mamdani of fraud for identifying as African-American and Asian on the application. Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda of South Asian descent, defended the choice as a reflection of his complex background.

Students at Columbia University established a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" to demand the university divest from companies with ties to Israel. The protests led to mass arrests and suspensions, which participants claim has only galvanized the movement. The hosts argue that these campus "struggle sessions" serve as a distraction from the underlying geopolitical and resource-driven motivations of the conflict.

A 21-year-old Cornell University student, Patrick Dai, was arrested for making violent anti-Semitic threats online. Dai allegedly threatened to kill Jewish students and attack a kosher dining hall on campus. The incident has led to increased security by New York State Police at the Cornell Center for Jewish Living and has been condemned by the Biden-Harris administration.

A major scandal has emerged at Rockefeller University involving the late Dr. Reginald Archibald, who is accused of abusing over 1,000 child patients over several decades. Victims allege that Archibald took inappropriate photos under the guise of medical research. The university reportedly knew of complaints as early as the 1990s but did not notify former patients until October 2018, leading to widespread outrage and legal action.

Yamiche Alcindor's professional resume is examined, including her work for The New York Times and her receipt of the Syracuse University Toner Prize. Her role as a replacement for Gwen Ifill on PBS is discussed. The commentary focuses on her journalistic credentials and her reporting on the controversial Iran-Contra pardons associated with William Barr.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is criticized for using profanity during a public forum at New York University. The hosts analyze the audience's applause for her use of the "F-word" and link it to a broader trend of "Dimension B" politicians using vulgarity to appear "hip" or "authentic."

A study from New York University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine finds that 46.6% of 4,600 girls surveyed in New York reported having same-sex relationships. The hosts discuss whether this is a new trend or simply a reflection of long-standing social behaviors. They briefly speculate on environmental factors like the chemical Atrazine before dismissing the data as potentially unremarkable.

The hosts conclude the discussion on net neutrality by explaining the technical difference between peering and transit. They preview upcoming topics for the Sunday show, including Singularity University and aviation news, before signing off for the episode.