On Sunday 5/25/08, The Blade ran a long article on problems in the A&S College. You can click this link:
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/NEWS21/805250344/-1/ARCHIVES30
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Just a few thoughts
A question or two about our mission.
One might ask what problem was being solved when the University rewrote its mission statement? Were we not a bunch of proud, upstanding, caring folks before? Exactly what makes us a transformational force for the world? I suppose one could interpret that as anytime I meet with a student it can be a transforming experience for both of us, but did that not take place under the old mission statement? Have any of you asked your students whether they have read the mission statement? Do they understand their obligations under this document? What does celebrate human diversity really mean? There are some folks out there that I see no need in celebrating and they are incredibly diverse.
Given that I think one could drive a truck through the University's mission statement, I have, in all modesty, undertaken to rewrite the mission statement so that it is something other than a statement of truth and beauty or whatever the administration decides it means.
The University of Toledo Community claims the right to examine the past, present and future unfettered by the doctrines of governments, religions, or other dogmas, We claim the right to information, freely sought and freely shared. As such, we use as our guiding principle the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
There you have it. A document that allows for the free exchange of ideas and beliefs. It is something I thought universities were supposed to be about. And just in case you're wondering why I did not produce this when the mission statement was being discussed, I did. I got the usual thank you for your input letter.
One might ask what problem was being solved when the University rewrote its mission statement? Were we not a bunch of proud, upstanding, caring folks before? Exactly what makes us a transformational force for the world? I suppose one could interpret that as anytime I meet with a student it can be a transforming experience for both of us, but did that not take place under the old mission statement? Have any of you asked your students whether they have read the mission statement? Do they understand their obligations under this document? What does celebrate human diversity really mean? There are some folks out there that I see no need in celebrating and they are incredibly diverse.
Given that I think one could drive a truck through the University's mission statement, I have, in all modesty, undertaken to rewrite the mission statement so that it is something other than a statement of truth and beauty or whatever the administration decides it means.
The University of Toledo Community claims the right to examine the past, present and future unfettered by the doctrines of governments, religions, or other dogmas, We claim the right to information, freely sought and freely shared. As such, we use as our guiding principle the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
There you have it. A document that allows for the free exchange of ideas and beliefs. It is something I thought universities were supposed to be about. And just in case you're wondering why I did not produce this when the mission statement was being discussed, I did. I got the usual thank you for your input letter.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
What's in the Mission Statement
Okay folks, let me see if I have this straight. The Pres claims Ms Dixon's views do not line up with the Mission Statement or the Directions document. This may or may not prove to be the case although I do believe Ms Dixon views her religion as a transformational force for the world. What I find confusing is that intimidation is not in the Mission Statement either and yet the Pres still has a job. His meeting with the Arts and Sciences Council's Executive Committee consisted of five faculty and twenty-five folks in suits. Very few of these folks had anything to do with the Dean. They were there as an act of intimidation. Dr. Tinkle
Monday, May 19, 2008
Response to Michael Miller's comment in the TPF
Dear Michael,
The faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences are involved in a struggle to sustain academic integrity and faculty governance traditions in the 98-yr-old college. We are interested in creating a College in the new UT that sustains its relationship with other Colleges, serves the needs of the entire University in terms of the liberal arts, and has a strong commitment to those students of Northwest Ohio who wish to graduate with BA's, MA. and Ph.D's in the many and varied fields of the liberal arts.
We are engaging with the current administration, who took the NC vote by the representatives of 300 faculty as "just one more input" rather than consulting with us seriously. He called a public mtg to "respond" to the vote. None of this would be done by a competent administration interested in sustaining good relations with the faculty.
The lack of attribution by the Dean of some quotations in the article in the Free Press were never even mentioned in the discussions leading to the NC vote. It was rumored about, sometimes wondered about, but did not play any serious role in the decision. The faculty are fed up with incompetence and naked assertions of power. That is what the NC vote is about.
I do not know why you resigned from the advisory board. I hope it was not because of some misperception that the misappropriation in the article drove any of our decisions.
We need the Toledo press to be paying careful attention to what is happening at UT. If nothing else this administration has inspired the faculty to work together in unprecendented ways, and a stronger UT may emerge in spite of the battles currently being waged.
I assume your resignation was due to any perception of conflict of interest as a member of the press that will be covering the situation at UT.
Thank you for your attention and care in pursuing the issues at UT.
Renee
ps. I respectfully disagree with your thoughts about M. Dixon. If I were to be a racist in my personal life who did not believe persons of color should enter the University, and said so in the local press, I would deserve to be fired. I can no longer do my job with any credibility.
The faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences are involved in a struggle to sustain academic integrity and faculty governance traditions in the 98-yr-old college. We are interested in creating a College in the new UT that sustains its relationship with other Colleges, serves the needs of the entire University in terms of the liberal arts, and has a strong commitment to those students of Northwest Ohio who wish to graduate with BA's, MA. and Ph.D's in the many and varied fields of the liberal arts.
We are engaging with the current administration, who took the NC vote by the representatives of 300 faculty as "just one more input" rather than consulting with us seriously. He called a public mtg to "respond" to the vote. None of this would be done by a competent administration interested in sustaining good relations with the faculty.
The lack of attribution by the Dean of some quotations in the article in the Free Press were never even mentioned in the discussions leading to the NC vote. It was rumored about, sometimes wondered about, but did not play any serious role in the decision. The faculty are fed up with incompetence and naked assertions of power. That is what the NC vote is about.
I do not know why you resigned from the advisory board. I hope it was not because of some misperception that the misappropriation in the article drove any of our decisions.
We need the Toledo press to be paying careful attention to what is happening at UT. If nothing else this administration has inspired the faculty to work together in unprecendented ways, and a stronger UT may emerge in spite of the battles currently being waged.
I assume your resignation was due to any perception of conflict of interest as a member of the press that will be covering the situation at UT.
Thank you for your attention and care in pursuing the issues at UT.
Renee
ps. I respectfully disagree with your thoughts about M. Dixon. If I were to be a racist in my personal life who did not believe persons of color should enter the University, and said so in the local press, I would deserve to be fired. I can no longer do my job with any credibility.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Toledo Free Press and Dean Lee
Michael Miller, editor of the Free Press, addresses the accusations of plagiarism by Dean Lee at the bottom of his article and announces his resignation from the College Advisory Board. The date is May 16, and the link is here (http://www.toledofreepress.com/?id=7787).
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Local coverage of May 9 meeting
I've been asked to post links to local coverage of the President's May 9 meeting with the ASC Executive Committee (and everyone else).
WTOL.com - "Emotional and difficult" time for UT Liberal Arts program
toldeoblade.com- Look at UT Arts & Sciences sought
WTOL.com - "Emotional and difficult" time for UT Liberal Arts program
toldeoblade.com- Look at UT Arts & Sciences sought
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