Editorials
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Faculty faults are not sacrosanct
THE GLIMMER OF another revolution on college campuses across the nation is glowing faintly. At present, it is only a spark, and those who hope it will be extinguished before it bursts into flame are probably legion.
Kingman Brewster, president of Yale University, announced recently that he is appointing a committee of honor graduates to evaluate professors in the classroom. He courageously took this action in response to student protest last year over the dismissal of a professor who was a victim of the "publish or perish" dictum. Faced with indignant student protest, the administration admitted that perhaps the most precious asset of a university is a professor who can teach. I stress the word teach—not lecture from a textbook, or enumerate statistics, or make vague pronouncements, or strangle students with busywork, but teach—present education as an exciting, refreshing experience.
THIS PAST WEEK, 600 professors at the University of Washington were graded by students. Only 34 faculty members rated "A".
Why shouldn't KU be the next university whose faculty members admit they are courageous and tolerant enough to submit to student evaluation?
How valid is the often heard campus complaint, "I know there must be some good professors at KU, but I've missed every one of them?"
IT IS NEITHER a myth nor an unfounded charge that a portion of KU's faculty members are crashing bores in the classroom, however distinguished their
scholarly accomplishments or however respected they are by their colleagues.
These professors, if we are to judge them by their prolific publication and complement of academic degrees, possess a vast store of knowledge. The pity is that they are clutching it to themselves, imparting it only in monographs, or presenting it in such an esoteric or pedantic manner that they cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be called teachers.
THERE ARE STUDENTS on this campus, possibly an unfortunate majority, who have spent at least 15 hours, or the equivalent of an entire semester, in courses that they, with reason, consider of absolutely no benefit. The disappointment does not always stem from resentment of a heavy study load, or the knowledge that they are only fulfilling a requirement, or the fact that they can see no particular value in the course in terms of a career.
These students have simply experienced utter, absolute, incredible boredom.
Every course has potential value. But potential cannot be realized without the desire to achieve it. And no matter how valuable or stimulating a course could be, if the material is not presented with enthusiasm and interest, it is wasted. The student receives no encouragement or impetus to study independently, to think, to question, to find answers. He does not enjoy the intellectual or educational experience. Attendance in class becomes drudgery. The professor wastes his time because he is attempting to climb a
wall of resentment, boredom, anger or frustration that is insurmountable.
ARE ALL OF us sticking our heads in the sand? Are we apathetic? Would we prefer to resign ourselves to the fact that there is deadwood on the faculty? Or are we just frightened?
I am not advocating a wild-eyed witch hunt of the inept, insipid, inadequate, incompetent or boring faculty members. I am not suggesting that anyone so rated by students should be released from the University. Tenure is, after all, sacred.
I would hope that the professors who were criticized would realize that the criticism was sincere, honest and constructive and that the professors would accordingly subject themselves to intensive self-examination.
AN EXTENSIVE CANVASS of students would provide a sampling of student opinion, but how valid would it be? A student who received a failing grade might be tempted to grade his professor accordingly. No one could guarantee that the answers would be honest and sympathetic appraisals.
Mr. Brewster appointed only honor graduates to his committee. At KU, perhaps the dean of each school could objectively select two undergraduates and two alumni to join a university-wide evaluation committee.
Who is better qualified to determine a professor's worth as an educator than his present and former students? In this area, responsible student opinion should be respected.
— Karen Lambert
The People Say...
Value of protests DEAR EDITOR,
In contradiction to the recent reports cited in the Daily Kansan to the effect that anti-draft and anti-war protests have failed, I should like to contend that they have succeeded. The argument that the overwhelming majority of the American people support the draft is paradoxical. For if it were the case that the draft was so well supported, then it would cease to exist, as the need for a compulsory service is incompatible with a high degree of endorsement. The claim that people are solidly behind the draft is tantamount to the claim that people need to be forced to do that which they would want to do of their own accord.
THOSE WHO POINT to the failure of the anti-war protests are also involved in a contradiction, for if the anti-war protests are a failure, then the adverse effects for which these demonstrations are allegedly responsible could not come about. On the contrary, I maintain, the antiwar protests are a success for the results they bring about are the exact opposite of those envisioned by the people who are unsympathetic to the demonstrators.
The central argument of those who oppose the anti-war protests is that the demonstrations undermine our efforts in
Viet Nam and precipitate not peace but war. But this argument assumes that war is the only solution to international conflict, and therefore any amelioration of war is playing into the hands of the opposition, who also hold that war is the only mode of resolving disagreement.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS
"REMEMBER — AFTER TH'MOVIE DON'T LET HIM TALK YOU
INTO GOING TO HIS APARTMENT TO SEE HIS FINGERING."
I DO NOT think that war is the sole arbiter of international altercation, and I have no doubt but that within the enemy ranks there are persons who share my views. The supporters of the administration are surely right in arguing that the effect abroad of our demonstrations is the growing awareness that the American populace is not solidly in back of the policy of the administration. But, unlike the defenders of our policy, I see this as a good thing. For, when foreign countries realize that all Americans are not unanimously united in their support of government policy, they will strive to find peaceful means towards the solution of international conflicts, rather than relying solely on war, which would be their only alternative if they were to believe that the United States herself accepted no other remedy.
Our demonstrations are the best means at our disposal to effect peace in the world and prove to the world that America is not the imperialist war-monger that she is made out to be. The expression of our body politic is the inroad to rebuilding American prestige abroad and giving substance to the claim that this country stands for freedom.
Robert E. Allinson New Haven, Conn.
2
Daily Kansan
Friday, November 5, 1965
On The Side...
President Johnson has promised mayor-elect Lindsay White House assistance to make New York City a better place to live. We hope he doesn't intend to replace the Hotel Pierre, the Forum of the Twelve Caesars restaurant and Lincoln Center for the performing Arts with the Highway 66 Motel, the Texas Bartle-ue and a Wild West show.
★★
We thought bridges were built over water, not on the lawns of art museums.
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KRAUSE
Who says Lawrence isn't a seat of cultural activity? In what other Midwestern town do the local movie houses feature Elvis Presley and a dog movie simultaneously.
★ ★ ★
The Marine Corps (God bless 'em) says we should send food, medicine, clothing and et cetera to the Vietnamese to help ease their suffering. How about calling back U.S. soldiers to ease our suffering?
★★★
New York electing a Republican mayor is like Boston electing a Protestant anything.
★ ★ ★
If you think there is separation between church and state in Kansas, you're a bit confused. A state representative of our acquaintance says the only reason there aren't bars here is because few representatives or senators will back a view that is contrary to the beliefs (religious) of their constituents. Something about being re-elected. It would be like the Pope legalizing artificial methods of birth control.
★ ★ ★
Our favorite freshman coed can't decide whether to go Greek or stay independent and grow long hair. Being Greek, actually, has reverse snob appeal and can be considered "camp," because fewer and fewer persons, nationally, are joining the organizations. — Harry Krause
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