Becker's inclusion in book is a mark of Horowitz's sloppiness
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Letters
As a Truman alum and a faculty development professional at another university, I find myself concerned about hearing a Truman professor has made the list in Horowitz's book about the "most dangerous academics" in America [March 2 issue of the Index]. By his own admission, Horowitz included Dr. Becker in the book without clear evidence and careful research, a mark of intellectual sloppiness that itself makes this attack on higher education both ironic and baseless.
At my own university, Ball State University, a peace and conflict studies professor was added to Horowitz's list in part because of one student's complaints (to Horowitz, not the university) of a bias against the war in Iraq. The professor is legally prohibited from discussing the complaint and its context because of student privacy rights, but that didn't stop Horowitz from condemning this fine teacher without the facts.
I agree that professors do have an obligation to behave responsibly in the classroom by promoting multiple perspectives and not using their faculty positions as bully pulpits. But everyone in higher education must fight against people like Horowitz who condemn professors without evidence and who seek legal limitations on faculty rights to academic freedom in the name of fairness for all. We should work together to expand the rich dialogue of ideas in the classroom, not impose Horowitz's unsupported views of what should happen in those classes.
Greg Siering
Alumnus
At my own university, Ball State University, a peace and conflict studies professor was added to Horowitz's list in part because of one student's complaints (to Horowitz, not the university) of a bias against the war in Iraq. The professor is legally prohibited from discussing the complaint and its context because of student privacy rights, but that didn't stop Horowitz from condemning this fine teacher without the facts.
I agree that professors do have an obligation to behave responsibly in the classroom by promoting multiple perspectives and not using their faculty positions as bully pulpits. But everyone in higher education must fight against people like Horowitz who condemn professors without evidence and who seek legal limitations on faculty rights to academic freedom in the name of fairness for all. We should work together to expand the rich dialogue of ideas in the classroom, not impose Horowitz's unsupported views of what should happen in those classes.
Greg Siering
Alumnus