I appreciate this lengthy reply, CR. A couple of comments.
I was not an adjunct. Spent 6 years at one institution and 25 at a second. At the second, I was involved in decision making regarding some of the sorts of things talked about here.
As for Churchill, I've simply not kept up with the various issues involved. I gather you have and have some views. Fine. Perhaps the difference is that I don't see whatever happens with Churchill, at least to this point, as systemic. More may come out so I may change my mind.
I'm sorry to hear your comments about "subtle" ideological conformity at an institutiion of public higher education. I gather that since you are posting that here, you mean to say it is characteristic of public higher education or of higher education in general. Is that what you wish to claim?
If so, how about offering some specifics. I'm not asking for anything that would identify you or the institution, but some generalized version of the incidents which bothered you. I might agree with you.
On the more general issue of campus speech codes, I suspect we will have to disagree. I don't doubt they may be misapplied. But the attempt to improve civility on campus is both a worthy goal and some versions of speech codes are, most likely, helpful.
I could be wrong, and I could be all alone with my feelings, but I believe that when academia starts losing supporters such as me, whatever good reputation remains at large within society will be greatly diminished.
I agree. Let's talk. |
