Category: Cal Poly

Cal Poly and their foibles

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standing room only for F.I.R.E. at Cal Poly

UPDATE: click to  listen to Adam Kissel’s complete Audio of his presentation at Cal Poly

standing room only greets the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
with fifteen minutes to go before it was scheduled to start, the room was filling up!

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.

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lighting a FIRE under Cal Poly

Cal Poly under FIRE

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has had an ignominious history of curtailing constitutionally protected free speech often — in my humble opinion — politically motivated. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education  (FIRE) picked up the challenge of putting Cal Poly back on course, but it is an on-going process.

READ here about the Cal Poly story.

Adam Kissel of FIRE will be speaking this week at Cal Poly, visiting classes, touring the university and hopefully working with administrators in a proactive manner. Hopefully, Cal Poly will meet with Adam as not all challenges need to be met in federal court.

Thanks for coming, Adam!

Roger Freberg

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food for thought

food4thought 001

I remember with great fondness those people in my life who brought food to a gathering. Their unspoken generosity was always endearing. I particularly remember teachers and coaches who would celebrate an occasion or emphasize a lesson by breaking bread with the rest of us. What always amazed me is that I remembered everything and took a lot more away with me from the situation than I expected. That day, I would learn a lot and it would always bring a smile.

In our family, we have always found the best social lubricant is great food. Only the most stubbornly obstinate would not smile  over a piece of Baklava or a nutty-fudgy-brownie! So besides bringing chocolate for Halloween my three teachers (Laura and Karen … and Kristin soon) sometimes accentuate the positive in class with a sweet something.

Pictured above are wonderful brownies that Laura is taking to her honors students in Psychology class today.

Thanks to all the teachers who make this difference.

Roger

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cal poly and looking in the mirror

"when you look in the mirror, it's nice to like what you see"
"when you look in the mirror, it's nice to like what you see"

In a local  web site and in  Cal Poly’s student newspaper , each reported that the proposed joint venture between Cal Poly and Saudi Arabia failed – in as much as a contract was never signed. This was a project that was doomed as soon as it went public and the real question is why it took so long to die?

The Cal Poly student newspaper gave no apology or admission of wrong doing by the administration … the only thing really reported was of the project contract’s failure to be signed. Admitting one’s mistake is the first step to ensuring it won’t happen again…. or is it they just regret being caught?

“Noori’s assistant, Jo Ernest, stated that “the agreement was not signed by all the parties,” and consequently did not come to fruition.

Dean Noori was unavailable comment on the apparent end to the collaborative effort.”

I am not convinced that the project is dead, I think it has merely gone underground and time will tell if it resurrects itself in some form or fashion. I do not feel like gloating as far too many whistle blowers risked their careers to bring this information to the public eye and for that many of us thank them sincerely.

Hopefully, Cal Poly will begin the process of looking in the mirror and making the necessary changes until they like what the rest of us want to see…. and this — IMHO — starts at the top.

Roger Freberg

Here’s one of  my last posts on the subject with links for those who missed all the fun

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a fond tribute to Harris Ranch Beef & Cal Poly’s program

when only the best ingredients will do!
when only the best ingredients will do!

When I cook, which is always, I am aware that it is the choice of ingredients that can make all the difference in the outcome of the meal. Yes, there are ways you can salvage a poor cut of meat through exotic preparation, but in reality, it is so much better to start off with the best.

Three kinds of meat and poultry rank high on my scale: 1) those that you grow and oversee their development yourself, 2) buying from a ethical producer (like Cal Poly’s Meat market… read about their program) or 3) buying from a brand name you know for quality and integrity…. like Harris Ranch.

Obviously preparation is another key to the final product. I was once complimented on the cut of  rib eye we were barbecuing for a large group of friends…. and they asked where they also could get a cut like that. In this case, it was as simple as buying a standing 7 rib section, taking out the bone and making 2″ cuts yourself… sometimes, it can be all too simple. Plus, recently cut meat looks fresher….

In any event, if any meat is going to be one of the focal points of your special meal, then it is important to find the best.

Roger Freberg

oh yes, neither Cal Poly or Harris Ranch paid me for this plug… but I’ll accept donations!  😉