James Sherley promised that he would go on a hunger strike if he was not granted tenure at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When he was denied on Monday the strike began.

Sherley plans to spend each morning outside of MIT provost L. Rafael Reif's office and his afternoons in his lab working on his research -- all the while not consuming anything but water, vitamins and electrolyte supplements.

Sherley has been active in the stem cell debate, saying it is unethical to use embryonic stem cells. He said adult stem cells should be used instead. The 49 year old said using embryonic stem cells is the same as taking a baby's life.

Sherley said racism is playing a factor in the university's decision to deny him tenure. The university, however, said a very limited number of professors receive tenure and that the decision was partially made using input from experts outside of MIT.

MIT Chancellor Phillip Clay said, "He didn't come up to the standard we expect based on those inputs from the outside."