UPDATE: click to listen to Adam Kissel’s complete Audio of his presentation at Cal Poly
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education has a 7 year history in working with Cal Poly starting with the now famous Steve Hinkle case. Steve Hinkle beat Cal Poly in Federal Court and proved that even large institutions must follow the law.
Yesterday, Adam Kissel of F.I.R.E. met with three administrators, but to be honest, he actually ‘dropped’ by one who had an ‘open’ spot on their calendar. To me, it sounded like the administrators really didn’t get this ‘constitutional rights’ stuff and at a minimum, they seemed to disagree with all of it! wow…. sounds like more fun with Cal Poly down the road.
Here is a link to the Adam Kissel event and further link to F.I.R.E.’s complete history with Cal Poly… which — unfortunately — is not over.
Thanks to all who are working to change the Cal Poly culture, even if it turns out to be one federal lawsuit at a time.
Roger Freberg
My View: The University as ‘PARENT?’… We all expected that when the state determined adulthood began at 18 that this would open the door to students for self determination, greater responsibility and authority over themselves. However, many universities — and I believe Cal Poly to be one of them — act as though it is now their ‘parental’ role to step in to change and mold the values of incoming students to fit their grand socio-political view… using coercion and harsh discipline to ensure compliance. This is ethically troublesome and morally repugnant although is clearly part of the Cal Poly culture.
Years ago, a fellow faculty member once told me that ‘Cal Poly rewards compliance and not achievement’. I still wince a bit when I see sycophants rewarded and those of achievement ignored…. unfortunately, I believe this value still permeates the Cal Poly administrative culture from top to bottom.
It appears to me that Cal Poly’s most cherished goal of education is not achievement, but compliance.