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FSU and Koch donation w/strings attached

Rita avatar
Ritamargarita brocolia
2,699 views
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“Traditionally, university donors have little official input into choosing the person who fills a chair they've funded.

Under the agreement with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, however, faculty only retain the illusion of control. The contract specifies that an advisory committee appointed by Koch decides which candidates should be considered. ... “

So Koch gets to choose profs who line up with his views. What’s wrong with this picture? ..:angry:
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http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/05/charles-koch-florida-state-academic-freedom


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Replies

63
beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach Fanatic
#27
Not that I don't trust you, but please provide a (within acceptable copyright law length) quote from the story since it's behind a paywall that says that the relevant faculty governing body of FSU is happy with this decision.
beachFoolBeach Fanatic
#28




It wasn't FSU then. My guess is that it was Florida Women's College which, as I remember, was the name before it became Florida State University.
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Florida State College for Women to be exact.

Of course, grandmama insisted all of her daughters attend a Methodist women's college, Wesleyan.

My mother had a Wesleyan roommate from Tennessee whose high school biology book had evolution scissorred out.

Mama was a Republican who believed in evolution. You could do that back in the day.

Edited

30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#29
Not that I don't trust you, but please provide a (within acceptable copyright law length) quote from the story since it's behind a paywall that says that the relevant faculty governing body of FSU is happy with this decision.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/busine...ns-at-florida-state-university-raises/1168680

Would the opinion of chairman of the economics department at FSU sufficiently calm your curiosity?

Edited

GoodWitch58Beach Fanatic
#31
I really hope that the St. Pete Times reporter got the story wrong...that would mean that my school has not lost something important in the ethics area...on the other hand, the Times reporter was reporting on an OpEd piece written by two distinguished FSU professors...and I know both of them, and I would have to hear them say that the article they wrote was wrong before I would believe it.

And, what else do you expect the chairman of the department to say? He is in CYA mode about now...
Rita avatar
Ritamargarita brocoliaAuthor
#32




It wasn't FSU then. My guess is that it was Florida Women's College which, as I remember, was the name before it became Florida State University.
----------------------------------------------------------------
​


Florida State College for Women to be exact.

Of course, grandmama insisted all of her daughters attend a Methodist women's college, Wesleyan.

My mother had a Wesleyan roommate from Tennessee whose high school biology book had evolution scissorred out.

Mama was a Republican who believed in evolution. You could do that back in the day.


We're so lucky in TX that we have a State Board of Education that is trying to approve an online biology textbook that pushes creationism. *sarcasm*

Supposedly it attempts to justify the existence of a higher being while avoiding direct mention of God or the Bible.

Even in 2011, we're probably lucky in TX that teachers are still allowed to teach evolution. Who knows how long that will last........
poppyBanned
#33
As usual the liberal media did not get the story right. Suprise, suprise.

The story being accurate is secondary to the fact that the argument was is it right or wrong and YOU and the other conservatives defended the practice while every liberal opposed it. Surprise, surprise.
Rita avatar
Ritamargarita brocoliaAuthor
#34
I really hope that the St. Pete Times reporter got the story wrong...that would mean that my school has not lost something important in the ethics area...on the other hand, the Times reporter was reporting on an OpEd piece written by two distinguished FSU professors...and I know both of them, and I would have to hear them say that the article they wrote was wrong before I would believe it.

And, what else do you expect the chairman of the department to say? He is in CYA mode about now...

I can envision the "CYA mode" kicking into high gear! This must have his department in a tailspin. This would seem to be an article that in time will be verifiable one way or the other as to facts.
poppyBanned
#35
The whole liberal Koch witch hunt reminds me of the birther movement.

Sounds similar to the conservatives and George Soros doesn't it.
30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#36
I really hope that the St. Pete Times reporter got the story wrong...that would mean that my school has not lost something important in the ethics area...on the other hand, the Times reporter was reporting on an OpEd piece written by two distinguished FSU professors...and I know both of them, and I would have to hear them say that the article they wrote was wrong before I would believe it.

And, what else do you expect the chairman of the department to say? He is in CYA mode about now...

Get them to join SoWal and lets have a discussion! 😀
30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#37
The story being accurate is secondary to the fact that the argument was is it right or wrong and YOU and the other conservatives defended the practice while every liberal opposed it. Surprise, surprise.

Of course we defend it, there's nothing wrong with individuals contributing money to a university to improve the quality of education in this country.
30ashopper avatar
30ashopperSoWal Insider
#38
Sounds similar to the conservatives and George Soros doesn't it.

No, just the birthers.
poppyBanned
#39
Of course we defend it, there's nothing wrong with individuals contributing money to a university to improve the quality of education in this country.

Nice try but, FAIL
Rita avatar
Ritamargarita brocoliaAuthor
#40
Here is the op ed by Bellamy & Miller:

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/...er-Universities-deal-with-political-economics


Ray Bellamy and Kent Miller: Universities deal with political economics

"A careful reading of the memorandum reveals a number of strings attached to the "gift."


* In order to preserve and safeguard the philanthropic and educational intent of the CGK Foundation … an advisory board will be created consisting of three members … chosen by CGK Foundation.

* The three senior professors must come in with tenure, and FSU must continue to fund them for at least four years past the project period.

* The Advisory Board of SPSFC and EEE is allowed to review all publicly provided material submitted by applicants for the Professorship positions.

* The Advisory Board will determine which candidates qualify to receive funding.

* No funding for a professorship position or any other affiliated program or position will be released without the review and approval of the Advisory Board.

* An undergraduate program will be devised and funded for $30,000 per year for three years. The committee responsible for the program will report to the Advisory Board.

Other strings spell out the right of the CGK Foundation to annually review the work of funded professors, publications, publicity, etc., and to pick up their marbles and go home if not satisfied.

We see all of this as seriously damaging to academic freedom."

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