Monday, April 23, 2012

My University? Really?

So this is what I spent most of my Friday -- which you will remember was the National Day of Silence, right? -- writing emails and posts on FB about:

Jennifer Braly, a transgender UAFS student, was scheduled to give a guest lecture for Dr. Laura King’s General Psychology class on Friday, April 20th at 9AM. The lecture coincided with the class unit on gender and sexuality. Thursday afternoon, Ms. Braly received an email from Dr. Rita Barrett, Associate Professor of Psychology and Department Chair, which, according to Ms. Braly said,

“All of my faculty are now diligently preparing for the closure of the semester. They must be in compliance with their syllabi, grading, final exams, graduation exercises, etc. and it is impossible to afford more class time to accommodate an additional speaker at one week before finals.Therefore, your scheduled speaking engagements in any course in my department (PSYC, CJ, SOCI, ANTH) have been cancelled. This includes the two scheduled for tomorrow Friday April 20th in Dr. Laura King’s classes.”

Ms. Braly spoke with Dr. King after receiving the email and the two decided to go ahead with the lecture. Before class began, Dr. Henry Rinne, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, requested to speak with Ms. Braly in his office. Despite a letter of recommendation from Dr. Nicha Otero, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, according to Ms. Braly, she was told by Dr. Rinne that she would not be allowed to speak in any classroom at this University from that day forward. Ms. Braly reports that Dr. Rinne cited a lack of qualification to lecture in a University setting as the reasoning behind this decision.

(From the LionsChronicle, story written by Melanie Stout and J. Barnhardt)

It's hardly the first time that we've had issues like this on our university, or with this administration. But it's the first time that the lines have been so bright, the violation of academic freedom and civil liberties so clear.


We're all kind of caught between shock and fury here.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Dr. Rinne?! Holy crap.... I'm not sure if I'm shocked or angry.

Jennifer said...

I am Jennifer Braly and I just wanted to say thank you for the support.

delagar said...

It shouldn't be happening, Jennifer. I'm appalled it is, and so is every other professor and student I talk to.

Anonymous said...

What Jennifer forgets to leave out is, HE is a 38 year old MAN, he tried to room with an 18 year old female student at an on campus housing facility. HE mentioned to her that HE still had all of his male parts and enjoyed both men and women lovers... The students had every right to say whatever they wanted rather "Russ", that His name by the way liked it or not...

delagar said...

Anonymous, bless your heart. We know what causes ignorance now. Seek a cure and you can be helped.

Anonymous said...

INeed a cure haha... you people are the ones that need to be cured. A man can not wake up one day and declare that he is a woman haha... It don't work like that. You don't see people clamming to be frogs now do you... If your born a man you will die a man no matter what kind of sick shit you to to try and become a woman It will never happen... So once again take your own advice and get some help because people like you are what is destroying this country

delagar said...

True or false, Anonymous:

(1) If women get equal rights with men it will destroy the country.

(2) If black people are allowed to vote and own property it will destroy the country.

(3) If we reduce the working day to eight hours and do away with child labor it will destroy the country.

(4) If we admit gay people are human beings with human rights it will destroy the country.

(5) If people like you get some education and give up on hating everyone who isn't exactly like you it will destroy the country.

Anonymous said...

Never said any thing bad about gay people but being gay and being a tranny is two diffrent things.. And actualy I am a student a the very university this happens at so pretty sure I'm working on the whole education thing... But your failed atemps to try and make me look bad, still does not answer who a man could ever become a women... And yes this does destroy our country by progecting to future generations that this sick behavior is acceptable

Anonymous said...

it's not ethical for someone who is defined by the universitys text books as having A severe psychological Disorder, too teach in a class that students that are paying the university to be taught by professionals

delagar said...

I'm glad you're getting educated. Keep working on it. You'll get there.