Students Forced to Sign "Vote for Obama" Pledge?

[alp227]

"Sharon Sweet, an assistant professor of mathematics at Florida's Brevard Community College, was placed on paid administrative leave at her own request after an investigation began into her pressuring her students to vote for the Democrats.
Sweet, 58, teaches at the Melbourne campus of the school. Last Thursday, a parent complained to the school about the algebra teacher's attempt to get her students to sign a pledge agreeing to support Obama and the Democrats." via Digital Journal. Turns out college students didn't like being called victims! Find out more with John Iadarola and Lisa Ferguson on TYT University!

[hourglass1]

1. shameful

is there no originality in american universities?
grover norquist already creates pledges to be signed by republicons!

[SemperEadem]

2. uh huh...

if you say so.

From the link, the students say:

Students say the teacher, who is always vocal in her support of the president, handed out bookmarks containing the pledge

I don't see where it say in there that they were forced to sign anything or that their grades hinged upon them signing.

I wonder how many of the people who called and complained actually have students in that professor's classroom?

It sounds to me like a thug parent wanted to be in the middle of the spotlight and got their buddies to make calls to the school.

[proReality]

3. If I were in college...

and my mommy or daddy called and complained about my professor, I'd be so damned embarrassed I'd never go back to class.

Really? Parents of a college student complained? Give me a break!

[NYC Liberal]

7. The professor is wrong if they did this. But I agree.

I can't imagine my parents having complained like this when I was in college! If I had an issue with it, I'd take care of it myself.

[Smilo]

4. Stupid, stupid, stupid

it makes the Dems look bad and then consider that the GOPT are always saying college is a breeding ground of liberal whatever.

[The Wielding Truth]

5. Only one biased source. Why report on this charge without investigating it?

[Bucky]

6. As a teacher at any level, you have a responsibility to help kids form their own opinions

Electioneering from a teacher's lectern is never okay. You present facts and analysis, but you do not try to compel personal political choices.

As above, we need to get all the facts in this case. But you don't even want to present the appearance of impropriety.

[momsgirl]

8. Maybe it's not true???

Can anyone say that a teacher can hold a grade over a student for voting one way or another? Is the teacher in the voting booth?
And just maybe this teacher did not do what this says...students do blow things out of proportion.

[alp227]

9. Here's an update I posted else where, and welcome to DU!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022405069