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Campus controversy can be a sign of university vitality

Re: Leave politics out of faculty hiring choices, March 10.

As Eckerd College president Don Eastman argued, it is a silly and dangerous idea for any democracy to try to legislate some kind of political "balance" in academe, if we view education as the unfettered pursuit of truth. But his evidence for the lack of need for legislative meddling is shockingly wrong, and may in fact support exactly the position he opposes. Absence of complaints is not evidence for the presence of active learning or an environment of independent and critical thinking. But it may be evidence for apathy or the suppression of controversy in the name of collegiality.

As one who spent more than 40 years professionally as a teacher, administrator and college president, as Eastman, "in four colleges and universities, public and private," I can assure you that students and faculty frequently lodge complaints, formal and informal, about what they perceive as ideological biases. That is what makes the campus a lively place. It is the working through these feelings, sometimes anger, that makes teaching a rewarding, but difficult, job and administration a constant challenge.

My advice to college presidents is always be grateful for those controversies that keep you up at night, for they are the vital signs of life in academe.

Arrogance and academic meddling

Re: Hammering higher ed.

Thank you for your insightful March 10 editorial. It clearly documents numerous unfortunate happenings critical to the existence and future of our institutions of higher education. Having been a professor at four universities (the last 25 years, and currently a distinguished research professor at the University of South Florida Tampa campus), it is my view that your editorial's discussion of the phenomena of "arrogance" and "respect" is extremely poignant.

There is a legendary story about the time (about six or so decades ago) when one of the Ivy League universities hired a new, young, energetic president who thought he knew everything there was to know about universities. He convened a meeting of the faculty and told them where the university was going, concluding with, in effect, "And I want you to follow where the university is going." One of the older faculty members in the back of the room stood up and said, "Ah, Mr. President, we are the university."

The financial control and micromanagement of our universities on behalf of elected, arrogant officials, not only stretch and endanger their existence as "universities," but also meaningfully contribute to the growing apathy and despair among their faculty. In terms of the essence of our universities, it's sad to think that more and more students might be learning from "I don't care anymore" professors - the core and foundation of the essence of our universities.

Giving rewards makes sense

School funding and teacher bonuses have been tied to higher student scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Some administrators are attempting to boost student performance through the use of celebrations, trophies and prizes. Concerns have been expressed that these rewards may decrease the intrinsic motivation of students. There is simply no scientific research to support this notion.

It is important to reinforce appropriate behaviors including attendance, social interactions and academic achievement. Reinforcement strategies make learning fun, reduce errors, improve test scores and help students feel successful. Educators need not use such strategies when students are already effective at self-monitoring and self-reinforcement. But students who are less successful in school may require a short-term "jump start" to reward improvements, teach self-management skills and get connected to natural reinforcers such as praise and good grades. Another important benefit of reinforcement procedures is the reduced use of punitive disciplinary methods.

Brutality and fear don't work

Re: Boot camp has few successes, March 11.

All the boot camp supporters are puzzled, disappointed and confused over the "mystery" of the large recidivism rate of the camps.

There should be no mystery at all. The boot camps have failed to deter crime for the same reason that the death penalty has failed to deter murder, and that is the age-old and mistaken belief that institutionalized brutality by the state deters crime through instilling fear.

In fact, it has the opposite effect. In the case of boot camps, the inmate rationalizes that if the state deems brutality is acceptable and uses it, then it must be okay for him to use it since the wisdom of the state could not possibly be wrong.

The same type of rationalization goes on in the mind of a murderer as regards the death penalty. That is why it is no deterrent.

Boot camp failures were unquestioned

Re: Boot camp has few successes, March 11

A disappointed Pinellas County Sheriff Jim Coats just learned that his expensive juvenile boot camp has had a near 90 percent failure rate during its 12-year history. Bob Stewart, Pinellas County commissioner, was "stunned."

Stunned? Each year, the sheriff requests public dollars from the County Commission for the Pinellas County boot camp. Did Stewart ever ask if this was public money spent wisely? Did any of the county commissioners ask?

Commissioners Calvin Harris and Ken Welch, as well as Sheriff Coats, should be keenly aware of the boot camp failings. After all, they are members of the Circuit 6 Juvenile Justice Board. This board also includes State Attorney Bernie McCabe, Public Defender Bob Dillinger, Judge Marion Fleming and a dozen other key players in juvenile justice issues. The board meets quarterly to "advise and direct" the Department of Juvenile Justice.

I've attended these board meetings as a citizen observer for the past two years and not once has there been any discussion regarding cost or effectiveness of the Pinellas boot camp. As an advocate for youth rights, I find it extremely frustrating to watch these hasty meetings where I've never heard the board discuss any critical issue. Several board members regularly play with their Blackberrys and most seem anxious to adjourn the meetings in less than 90 minutes.

Close the costly, ineffective Pinellas boot camp! Treat youth with dignity and respect rather than fear and force. The outcome will be astounding!

Impeachment nightmare

I have observed an increasing number of comments in the news about how George W. Bush should be impeached. He undoubtedly is the worst president we have ever had in this country, at least in modern times. There is no arguing about that! However, we need to be careful about what we wish for.

We could end up in deeper trouble if "the puppeteer" succeeded "the puppet." Think about it.

[Last modified March 16, 2006, 02:00:27]