ABC put up a cute little story advising folks how to keep it together after the election and in essence not rub it in.
ABC hasn’t exactly set a good example over the past ten plus years…
ABC tells us not to rub it in
Neanderthalophobia is an ugly thing
I cannot confirm or deneigh that I have Neanderthal DNA in my makeup. However, the latest scientific research has pointed out that many with european ancestory actually have some and — oddly enough — it may actuallybe harmless. So, on behalf of all of those with possibly some Neanderthal ancestry, I object to her ‘homo sapien centric world view’ that is so free to use a biological fact as an epithet! With actions such as these, it is hard not to understand why the institution of higher learning has fallen in the eyes of the American people.
So why is academia failing us?
Recently, the AAUP ( the American Association of University Professors) presented an award to the President of Trinity Washington University Patricia Ann McGuire for her outstanding contribution to ‘academic freedom.’ When any organization holds someone up for acclaim, it is worth seeing who she really is and what goes on at her university?
You may not have heard of tiny Trinity Washington University ? Well, you are not alone. This is a small Catholic school of 1700 students accepting 74% of their applicants, which – let’s be kind – means they are ‘less selective.’ Nancy Pelosi is an alumna and are we surprised? Ms. McGuire holds a bachelors and a degree in law. BTW, the closest she ever got to teaching was as an adjunct professor (read part time).
When Ms. McGuire, in addressing graduates only months after 911, she delivered a lengthy speech which I have linked, but here is an interesting and revealing segment (May 2002):
“…Where is that energy today? Where are the voices of the universities in this time of war and global danger? Where is the exuberant exercise of free speech in a raucous debate over the conduct of this new war? Do we have it in us to be as passionate about the ethics of the camp in Guantanamo as we can be about parking on campus? Where is the expression of outrage over the increasingly ominous threats to civil liberties in the name of national security? New federal regulations treat international students with suspicion and limit their fields of study… It’s high time for a little outrage.”
You can read more about Ms. Patricia Ann McGuire on her many Presidential Blogs. Here are a couple of provocative thoughts in her most recent blog:
On President Obama:
“President Obama is one of the most thoughtful, intellectual presidents we’ve ever had. But he’s surrounded by political operatives who repress his ability to exert true leadership on tough topics like race because they are afraid that he will be perceived as “too Black” or “too liberal.” Well, heck. He needs to be himself. He needs to liberate himself from those advisors who are making him plain vanilla. That’s not what the voters ordered in 2008, and not what they want now.”
On the greatest threat to education:
“No, the greatest educational threat today is that people who are already well educated are acting like ignorant Neanderthals, abandoning the most fundamental principles of liberal education — “liberal” in the true academic sense of the large perspectives of the liberal arts, not as a political word (yet) — in favor of the most narrow-minded anti-intellectual hate-stirring race-baiting views of the polity and community life.”
The only question I have to ask Ms. Patricia is whose academic freedom are you protecting, your own? One doesn’t have to read too many of the Trinity President’s Blogs to realize that ‘free speech’ may be limited to the University President and that a severe penalty may be applied on all others. I wonder how she handles disagreement and discussion? I found a couple of items in their lengthy ‘rules’ sections that seem to get to the core of this issue:
Here are some of the rather vague rules of conduct governing behavior:
“Students who speak to faculty members or other students during class periods in ways that are disrespectful and disruptive will be dismissed from the course without reimbursement, and in such cases the students may incur an “F” grade as well as additional penalties.”
“In keeping with its historic mission as a Catholic college with a special emphasis on women and action for social justice…”
SUMMARY
In an age when the free expression of ideas should be encouraged in academia, referring to those who you disagree with as ‘Neanderthals’ establishes a high bar of intolerance one must pass or remain silent in order to survive on campus.
The AAUP made a very poor decision and I truely wonder if Ms. McGuire was the best they could find? The AAUP should have chosen as a supporter of ‘academic freedom’, someone who encourages and nurtures all sides of a debate and supports free speech for faculty, staff and students. Yes, Ms. McGuire is entitled to her ‘free speech’, but using her position as a bully pulpet casts a shadow of censorship and intimidation on any campus.
Try to do better next time.
tune in, turn on and drop out?
First, NO, I am not voting for Proposition 19 and YES, I know that there is a good chance it will — unfortunately — pass in California. The history of drugs in America is hard to find on the internet. So, if you read everything on-line , you might believe we have never been in this position before…a time when drugs were legal. I find it darkly amusing to read the articles and blogs on this subject, it’s kinda like listening to a bunch of kids acting as though they just invented sex.
In reading what’s out there, I am reminded of George Santayana’s almost cliche quote: “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Addiction in America has been a long standing challenge that finally received national and local attention after the country was unable to find enough non addicted men to serve in World War 1. However, local, state and the federal governments did impose a few draconian solutions. Often after times of extreme indulgence comes times of repression and it usually isn’t pretty. We may not like where this future takes us.
However, sad to say, but sometimes, things have to get a bit worse, before they have a chance at getting better…. however, I am not convinced, I am still voting NO …
inclusive excellence aint what they say it is
Before addressing the official responses to Brendan Pringle’s recent opinion piece on “inclusive excellence” in the Mustang Daily, I’d like to make a personal note to Cal Poly administrators David Conn and Cornel Morton: I would suggest approaching this and any subject in your public comments by arguing the merits of your side of the case, not attacking the student-author in question, as many view this as unnecessarily intimidating, threatening and unprofessional…. Or as they say, ‘pick on someone your own size.’ After all, universities are all about teaching critical thinking, and the collective power of two Vice Presidents coming down in a very personal way against one student seems unfair.
Getting back to the issues, I wonder how many Cal Poly faculty are aware that the program of ‘Inclusive Excellence’ – as applied by other universities following the same AACU approach – views “selectivity” on the part of elite universities as “bad,” and ignores the SAT scores and grade point averages of certain applicants in order to grant admission. I am sure most faculty do not want to offer remedial education, nor do they wish to flunk unprepared students.
Here’s how Cornell Morton and David Conn spun the Inclusive Excellence discussion in a letter that I could not find on-line and only in the student newspaper hard copy! ( I thought you two would be proud of such a piece?)
Let’s parse one of the bits of illogic used by others in defending this program in the Mustang Daily:
1) …on whether their high schools are wealthy enough to offer AP courses
2) or the advantage of having parents who can afford to pay for SAT coaching.”
These statements border on the absurd. First, many universities ask high schools to send transcripts with the higher grade point averages from AP classes already factored out. Besides, high GPAs are not a problem at culturally disadvantaged schools—quite the opposite. The student with a 4.0 at a poor school might not be as well prepared for college as a student with a 3.0 from a good school. The whole purpose of using a standardized test like the SAT is to control for just that situation. Secondly, SAT coaching does not jump a student’s score from 700 to 1600 and is a much overrated factor, if a factor at all, except to all who are trying to get every last point.
The SAT and the SAT2 (Achievement Tests), like any classroom exams, have been much maligned by those who believe that they are a barrier to entry to whatever they want to do. Sometimes, you have to pass the test to pass the course. The problem, for those who want to ignore their results, is that these tests are excellent predictors for college performance, which is all they were ever supposed to do. The achievement tests (SAT2) measure many basic skills, like competence in math, science, and English, without which any student would have an impossible time of securing a degree in a quality major.
Here are two links that support the value of the SAT and SAT2 in college admission:
2009 SAT scores National by demographic
I do not suppose that we should be developing majors of lower academic caliber for the new arrivals? Doesn’t Cal Poly have enough of those already?
The California Master Plan of higher education was developed to grant admission based on a multi-tiered system: the best and the brightest would have an opportunity to attend a U.C., the next tier was the C.S.U., and for those who still needed to sharpen their skills before trying for the brass ring, there was the community college. Consequently, opening up Cal Poly to accept students who should learn the elementary skills of reading, math and science by first attending a community college is ill-advised.
Cornel and David, we’re all for fair play and diversity, but your comments about “a retreat from a merit system” are too vague. Please give us your explicit promise that you will not deviate from use of GPA and SAT data to meet your goals.
This is a really bad idea. Work harder, Chip.
Roger Freberg
anybody but google
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UPDATE: 03/01/10 … blog up on google… for now. 😉
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I think the Google business plan should be looked at very closely. I find it a bit disturbing and what I hear on the grapevine should concern more than just me. I ‘hear’ that they are strong arming universities into accepting their various ‘services’ all or none. Also a lot has been made about Google banning various web sites, some allegedly for political reasons.
I have noted the off again and on again status of my blog and certain local news with Google, particularly on certain issues concerning Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo. Google appears to be screening out any stories or blogs that paint Cal Poly in a negative light. I know what others are saying about Cal Poly and I know what comes up on Google about Cal Poly…. and there is a difference. Google nicely allows you to set up an ‘alert’ on anyone or anything , so I get ‘alerted’ whenever Cal Poly comes up on the web. I’ve seen nothing on any of the ‘sensitive or potentially controversial issues’ surrounding Cal Poly as of late. I wonder why?
So, you may wonder why should you care? Because the person who controls the flow of information controls power … besides, I don’t trust anyone whose motto is ‘do no harm.’ If they are doing this helpful service for Cal Poly, who else?
Maybe they should change their motto to “TRUST ME.”
Roger Freberg
Personally, I use BING, Yahoo, Alta Vista and virtually anyone else… and maybe, so should you.