tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048136084556425825.post3033686153371494079..comments2022-12-11T06:55:12.917-05:00Comments on Colgate AAUP Issues: Four Points of Concern in Response to the Twenty-one Point RoadmapUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048136084556425825.post-73535623986282856732014-10-06T16:53:39.785-04:002014-10-06T16:53:39.785-04:00Professor Brubaker,
There are legitimate concerns ...Professor Brubaker,<br />There are legitimate concerns to be had about the proposals of the ACC and how they are to be implemented. Unfortunately, This statement of concern identifies few of them, and misidentifies a great deal more. I will address your concerns point by point.<br /><br />1) The Campus Climate in 2009 survey had a response rate of 60%. Even so, it identified increasing dissatisfaction and an unwelcome feeling among african-american students and non-heterosexual students, so I don't know why it should be surprising to you that the issues the ACC addresses have persisted or gotten worse. In fact, that there was a demonstration at all, and that it accumulated support from so many groups across campus should tell you that there is something wrong. Regarding anonymous social media, most of the posts on YikYak came after the protest had begun, and were not its cause, despite widespread reporting to the contrary. The problems have been identified as carefully as they can be by students. Perhaps they could have been identified more articulately and with greater impact by other groups, but they weren't, and I have seen little to suggest that this was even attempted.<br /><br />2) The proposals the ACC negotiated sweep across all aspects of University life because the problems they address sweep across all aspects of University life. Everyone in the ACC is aware that the administration has no control over YikYak, but they are pointing to it as symptomatic of larger problems. Perhaps through your teaching in the future students will be less likely to make hurtful remarks towards their fellow students, but this is unlikely, considering remarks by a professor who is still teaching in your department incited the last protest, and frankly it's a wonder that the remarks of yet another professor in your department haven't started a dozen more.<br /><br />3) Sometimes people perceive a bias when there is none, but more often, bias is ignored where it already exists. Students already do monitor their professors for bias, after all, recognizing bias is one of the most important parts of critical thinking, which is what we are here to learn. Making sure professors do not exhibit bias protects the freedom of expression, academic freedom, and rights of due process for students, which considering the previous post on this forum by Professor Johnston, are on shaky ground to begin with.<br /><br />4) If you thoroughly read the 21 points, you would be aware that those decisions not under the purview of the administration, will be referred to the relevant departments, committees, etc., for approval.<br /><br />I have my own problems with some of the points the ACC and Administration negotiated, but these programs will certainly evolve, hopefully to become more effective with time. However, quibbles with details on individual points or phrasing are a poor excuse for inaction, and yours betray a discomfort with any change, rather than a desire to change effectively.Grant Hainesnoreply@blogger.com