Three months ago, I wrote an article that was printed in Frontpage Magazine about my experiences in Professor George Wolfe's Introduction to Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. I came forward with my story with the intent to expose the problems of academic bias and indoctrination at Ball State. I had hoped that speaking about this issue would prompt a genuine concern from the university and an expedient response by our administration. The opposite has happened.
My official letter of complaint to Students for Academic Freedom prompted a reaction from the university, but not one with any intention of taking the issue seriously. After receiving the letter from the National Campus Director for SAF, Sara Dogan, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Beverly Pitts responded. In her response, she assured Mrs. Dogan that an investigation into my concerns had been completed. Interestingly enough, this "investigation" did not include any correspondence with or any effort to contact me. How an investigator is capable of successfully completing an investigation without speaking with the alleged victim is beyond me.
Upon receipt of Provost Pitts' letter, Dogan sent a reply that has gone unanswered. At the time of this printing there has been no response to the second letter from Students for Academic Freedom and absolutely no effort made by Pitts, nor any administrator, to contact me. I have been chastised by the American Association of University Professors, Professor John Rouse, Provost Pitts and Professor Joseph Losco. Each of these folks share one thing in common, they have no interest in seriously considering the weight of my claims, their validity, nor taking any action to correct the problem.
Every action the university has taken regarding this issue makes my claims more compelling. The first professor that stood up to act as faculty advisor for a new chapter of Students for Academic Freedom was threatened by Provost Pitts. When Provost Pitts conducted her investigation she did not include me. When Professor Rouse invited me to speak in front of his class, he did not allow me to present the facts. When Professors Alves and Wolfe were invited to publicly debate, they turned down the offer. Professor Wolfe expressly wanted me to call myself a liar before he would agree to a public debate.
All of these things are true and yet the biggest fault they place on my shoulders is that I have not followed procedures within the university. First, understand that no such procedures exist for the issues I have raised. More importantly, based on their conduct, there is no reasonable expectation that they are serious about addressing this issue. As such, I will not go away. I will not be silent.
Ball State students have to be serious about this issue for the university to give it any credence. I know that I am not alone in my experiences and that others have sat through classes and in classroom environments that are just as frustrating as my own. The only way to make a positive change is to speak out when you have these experiences. If you do not feel comfortable doing so in the classroom, contact me and I will be sure your feelings are heard.
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