FSU and Koch donation w/strings attached

30ashopper and Idlewind: It is useless for us to express our opinions regarding higher education, although it may be fun for us to do so, in this forum because we are talking only to those whose minds are unchangable. All others cannot even view the discussion, which in this case, has been lively on both sides. I have very strong opinions on the education of our students and to say they differ with most of those posting here would be an understatement. Hopefully, students attending institutions of higher learning, will have enough sense to be able to judge and discern for themselves whether what they are being taught, or subjected to if you prefer, is what the real world is all about. The fact that our institutions of higher learning are fraught with professors teaching the liberal philosophy is a given. It was happening when I attended my classes several years ago. We need to be exposed to both sides of an issue for a fair and equitable assessment of it to be made.
My assessment of our political, educational and cultural systems comes from years of observation and education. I would be silly, indeed, if I did not have something other than op-ed pieces and other opinionated presentations that cause me to form my opinions and beliefs. Each person has their own method of determining what they think is right. Mine happens to be the capitalistic and free system of government with which I grew up and was observed all of my life.
I am sorry, but I see some indication of what I have believed and supported changing. I hope it is not so. More importantly, it is not the college student I am so concerned about. It is the elementary through high school student. They need to see all sides of an issue not just one and they don't deserve to be brain washed. If this sounds harsh, so be it, but in too many places that is exactly what seems to be happening today.

30ashopper and Idlewind: It is useless for us to express our opinions regarding higher education, although it may be fun for us to do so, in this forum because we are talking only to those whose minds are unchangable. All others cannot even view the discussion, which in this case, has been lively on both sides. I have very strong opinions on the education of our students and to say they differ with most of those posting here would be an understatement. Hopefully, students attending institutions of higher learning, will have enough sense to be able to judge and discern for themselves whether what they are being taught, or subjected to if you prefer, is what the real world is all about. The fact that our institutions of higher learning are fraught with professors teaching the liberal philosophy is a given. It was happening when I attended my classes several years ago. We need to be exposed to both sides of an issue for a fair and equitable assessment of it to be made.
My assessment of our political, educational and cultural systems comes from years of observation and education. I would be silly, indeed, if I did not have something other than op-ed pieces and other opinionated presentations that cause me to form my opinions and beliefs. Each person has their own method of determining what they think is right. Mine happens to be the capitalistic and free system of government with which I grew up and was observed all of my life.
I am sorry, but I see some indication of what I have believed and supported changing. I hope it is not so. More importantly, it is not the college student I am so concerned about. It is the elementary through high school student. They need to see all sides of an issue not just one and they don't deserve to be brain washed. If this sounds harsh, so be it, but in too many places that is exactly what seems to be happening today.

Nicely done Andy!

6 Universities With Far-Right Academic Centers Funded by Koch Industries:
George Mason U, Clemson, West Virginia U, Brown U, Troy U, Utah State U, .... now FSU?

"Koch virtually owns much of George Mason University, another public university, through grants and direct control over think tanks within the school. For instance, Koch controls the Mercatus Center of George Mason University, an institute that set much of the Bush administration’s environmental deregulation policy. And similar conditional agreements have been made with schools like Clemson and West Virginia University. ThinkProgress has analyzed data from the Charles Koch Foundation, and found that this trend is actually much larger than previously known. Many of the Koch university grants finance far right, pro-polluter professors, and dictate that students read Charles Koch’s book as part of their academic study

Koch is still a dominate player when it comes to meddling with academic integrity. Part of the effort is coordinated through operatives like Richard Fink, who doubles as a vice president at Koch’s corporate lobbying office. Through an organization called the Association of Private Enterprise Education, Koch organizes these corporate-funded university departments into a powerful intellectual movement. The organization allows Koch staffers in Washington DC to request certain types of studies, interfere with hiring decisions, and reward loyal free market academics with hefty research grants."

http://www.alternet.org/newsandview...c_centers_at_universities_across_the_country/


Here's a petition to sign for those who wish. It petitions FSU President Eric Barron -asking him to cancel the deal with the Koch brothers and protect academic freedom.

https://secure3.convio.net/pn/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1077&s_src=fb


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Yes, college campuses and college towns tend to be more liberal places - because they have large groups of college students.

That does not mean that the faculty, staff, administration, or the curriculum are "politically liberal". It varies by college, but typically college faculty are pretty conservative - more conservative the higher up they are.

This issue is not a conservative/liberal one. It is that someone is interfering in our education system and not allowing the college/staff to teach what they want.

That should bother everyone - even those so caught up in the "us versus them" rhetoric that they can't see any issue as non-partisan.

I think it's great that Koch is donating money to colleges and to fund cancer research. I just want him to do it without any strings attached. If he truly is a believer in the free market then he should believe that the best ideas and the truth would prevail ........... without his interference.

By adding these conditions he is doing the same thing to our colleges/education that corporations and politicians are doing to our economy - skewing the field and manipulating the markets and data so they are anything but "free".

I think it's great that Koch is donating money to colleges and to fund cancer research. I just want him to do it without any strings attached. If he truly is a believer in the free market then he should believe that the best ideas would prevail ........... without his interference.

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They already contribute to higher education without strings attached.....its called taxes. If they want to give above what is required they have every right to attach whatever strings they want; after all it is their money. If the institution does not wish to accept then so be it, they can always find one that will.

😱Unbelievable, would this also apply to political donations?

Do you honestly believe that people on either side give money to campaigns without strings? Guess we will hear any day that Soros has given to the Palin campaign.

Do you honestly believe that people on either side give money to campaigns without strings? Guess we will hear any day that Soros has given to the Palin campaign.

Donations are given to causes one believes in or admires for the the work being done be it political, charity, religion etc. A reputable organization would turn the money down if so called "strings" were attached to the donation. What I find troubling is that you, and this is your quote:

they have every right to attach whatever strings they want; after all it is their money

feel this is acceptable.

Donations are given to causes one believes in or admires for the the work being done be it political, charity, religion etc. A reputable organization would turn the money down if so called "strings" were attached to the donation. What I find troubling is that you, and this is your quote: feel this is acceptable.

It's their money and they can choose to attach strings or conditions to it prior to donating if they want. Simply because it is theirs. It is up to the receiving party as to whether they wish to accept the terms or not. If Soros offered me a million dollars but I had to become a liberal that is certainly his right. Because the money offered is his property. It would also be my right to tell him to take his money and put it where the sun does not shine. Because I have every right to take it or leave it.
What I find troubling is your total lack of understanding of personal property rights, freedom of expression and self-determination.

It's their money and they can choose to attach strings or conditions to it prior to donating if they want. Simply because it is theirs. It is up to the receiving party as to whether they wish to accept the terms or not. If Soros offered me a million dollars but I had to become a liberal that is certainly his right. Because the money offered is his property. It would also be my right to tell him to take his money and put it where the sun does not shine. Because I have every right to take it or leave it.
What I find troubling is your total lack of understanding of personal property rights, freedom of expression and self-determination.

None of these apply to this discussion.

Still F$U. :lol:

http://blog.reidreport.com/2011/05/...concerns-about-koch-funding-strings-attached/

Most troubling to FSU’s provost, whose office had to sign off on the contract, were terms that allowed Koch to stop funding the program if faculty hired with its money were not complying with its goals. Traditionally, gifts to universities come with few strings attached and are irrevocable, meaning they can’t be withdrawn.

I think we haven't heard the last of this...