Phi Beta Kappa Rejects GMU

[MountainLaurel]

Because of their attitudes toward academic freedom, including cancelling an appearance by Michael Moore. Gonna send a letter to PBK offering them my thanks for upholding the principles of academe.

:thumbsup:

George Mason University Prof. Marion Deshmukh was feeling good last fall as she finished the school's 177-page application seeking to establish a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. The university, growing in size and reputation, counted two Nobel laureates among its faculty, new majors had been added and the library's collection had grown to more than 1 million volumes.

But the very day Deshmukh delivered the application, George Mason got some unwanted attention: Leaders of the state university in Fairfax County, under pressure from conservative Virginia lawmakers, withdrew a speaking offer to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore, the outspoken director of "Fahrenheit 9/11." The controversial cancellation of an event scheduled days before the presidential election made headlines nationwide.

University President Alan G. Merten said it was Moore's $35,000 fee, to be paid with state funds, that prompted the university to pull out, not opposition to the filmmaker's rhetoric. But Phi Beta Kappa officials apparently were not convinced: The organization, citing concerns about academic freedom, promptly rejected George Mason's application, according to university professors involved in the process.

Phi Beta Kappa's second and final rejection, which came in January after university leaders launched an appeal for another chance, was a blow to the university, which has been working to cement increasing regard for the institution. Although the flap has not rippled through the academic circles like recent controversy surrounding Ward Churchill, a professor at the University of Colorado who has been criticized for calling victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack "little Eichmanns," it has prompted debate on campus about freedom of speech and fiscal responsibility.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61736-2005Feb28.html

[TlalocW]

1. Like they wouldn't know what Moore's fee was to begin with

And chances are, Moore would have dropped it if given the chance just to speak out against Bush.

TlalocW

[MountainLaurel]

2. That's a point

Another point is that they very easily could have found someone else to balance out Moore's viewpoint. This is fucking DC after all.

A few years ago, Governor Gilmore (the one who was the head of RNC at one point) stacked the state university board of regents with pro-business, anti-intellectual neocons. Same with GMU's leadership -- the plan was for the university to exemplify a "new paradigm" of partnership between business and academia.

So, of course they're going to be beholden to their Repuke masters.

[Ian David]

4. Moore told CNN he would waive his fee for GMU

Campuses rethink, balance Moore invitation
By Aaron Bals / Daily Nebraskan
October 25, 2004

As bad as it feels to be uninvited, Michael Moore is probably getting used to it.

Since the left-leaning filmmaker launched his Slacker Uprising Tour of university campuses in September, he has caused enough controversy that several schools – the University of Nebraska-Lincoln included – pulled out on offers for him to come and speak.

<snip>

We didn’t think it was appropriate to use public monies to pay for his fee,” said Daniel Walsch, executive director of university relations at GMU. “It didn’t have anything to do with pressure or letters from state delegates or the public.”

Moore later told CNN he would waive his $35,000 appearance fee and speak for free, but Walsch said he never contacted the university.

More:
http://www.dailynebraskan.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/10/25/417c662323a4e

[Sabriel]

3. If this comes as a surprise to the GMU faculty...

..then my colleagues are more dense than I suspected. What did they expect, to be lauded for censorship? Nice example for your students!