05-11-2011, 04:03 PM
The dean claims the decision was not made based on the school's financial situation, but because they wanted to "boost" the econ dept.
I agree with the university financing experts interviewed for the story, this level of control is "unheard of" and "shocking."
It's one thing to give a big donation to boost a particular department, but something else entirely to demand that you be allowed to choose the profs. That should be done by the institution's staff, period. That's what they are paid for.
I'm with Dak and cbelt - the school should have and could have refused the money.
There is plenty of precedent for refusing gifts with inappropriate strings attached.
Side note - I took a fair number of econ courses in college, the profs were careful not to bring their personal political views into the lectures and taught us to look critically at all sides. I remember these profs well but couldn't tell you how they voted.
That's how it should be done, imo.
(nothing wrong with profs stating views if they want to, free speech and all...)
I agree with the university financing experts interviewed for the story, this level of control is "unheard of" and "shocking."
It's one thing to give a big donation to boost a particular department, but something else entirely to demand that you be allowed to choose the profs. That should be done by the institution's staff, period. That's what they are paid for.
I'm with Dak and cbelt - the school should have and could have refused the money.
There is plenty of precedent for refusing gifts with inappropriate strings attached.
Side note - I took a fair number of econ courses in college, the profs were careful not to bring their personal political views into the lectures and taught us to look critically at all sides. I remember these profs well but couldn't tell you how they voted.
That's how it should be done, imo.
(nothing wrong with profs stating views if they want to, free speech and all...)