On Collegiality

I would like to return to a portion of a comment in the CHE thread on tenure: What the faculty lack (and what is helping to erode the academic freedom and tenure system) is collegiality. No, not in the sense used by administrators (and faculty) to deny an outspoken faculty member tenure. Real collegiality — … More On Collegiality

Bar Zero

I have referred to parish prison as Abu Ghraib, but really we do not have those conditions. From the windows we can wave to festival revelers. The prettiest women have the most confidence of anyone, and they wave right back. I was even let out to go down the street to my ceramics studio. I … More Bar Zero

I Object

I People are very critical of women who are being abused physically. Why do they not just leave … why do they then get into another abusive relationship … and on, and on. “They are sick, that is why!” shouts the chorus in glee. The chorus forgets to consider how many predators there are, and … More I Object

Memorandum 7

To all male faculty: I used to feel sorry for you because of your boorish behavior. Poor guy, ugly and unpopular in school, father just like him, mother didn’t teach him manners, had to become a professor because he wasn’t personable enough for any other kind of job, I would think. I would try to … More Memorandum 7

Memorandum 5

To all deans, chairs, and directors: I realize that at home with your families – with your young children and your wives whom you met when you had them in your classes and who teach high school or community college courses – your wisdom appears to parallel that of Solomon, and your logic, that of … More Memorandum 5

Memorandum 2

To all students with cute nicknames: The time to introduce these nicknames to me or to the class is not when you are in a desperate circumstance and need a special favor. The effort to portray yourself as a kitten or puppy by suddenly beginning to sign your e-mails “Mikey” or “‘Becca” is very transparent. … More Memorandum 2

On Sincerity

Over a year ago I had an argument with a blogger in which he accused me of insincerity. One of his blog friends looked at the exchange and said that actually, I was sincere “to a fault.” This was very interesting and I have thought about it since from time to time. I was first … More On Sincerity

On Being Up to Date

On a quite different event from the one I am about to discuss, one “Mr. Eugene Debs” writes: You are the master of nothing! There is one master, and he is King Jay-sus! And there is no other!” …..And the audience rose to their feet and applauded. Laughing. Uproariously. As though the thought vastly delighted … More On Being Up to Date