Comments for UniversityProbe.org - a critical forum on Research Universities, their finances, their governance, ..., their future http://universityprobe.org - a critical forum on Research Universities, their finances, their governance, ..., their future Thu, 17 May 2012 14:49:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Occupy Education Northern California by Nayara http://universityprobe.org/2012/04/occupy-education-northern-california/comment-page-1/#comment-3865 Nayara Thu, 17 May 2012 14:49:08 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=1010#comment-3865 Bill,I don't think it's a coincidence that you never saw Tea Party prstoeters bound and dragged at their gatherings, despite the fact that they were armed and held signs referring to our president as a Nazi or indicating the Tree of Liberty might need to be refreshed. This is because nobody in the establishment found them to be a threat. In fact, they are an asset. It should be telling that when people gather for a true cause, the suppression of coverage, of information and of the ability to gather itself begins. Sadly, it is spun as an angry mob or a bunch of disenfranchised hippies trying to get their 15 minutes of fame. The same dismissive tone that brushes off the needs of the people for the sake of the needs of the almighty corporations, who we would be unable to live without.Thanks, as always, for reading, for responding, and for fighting the good fight. Bill,I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you never saw Tea Party prstoeters bound and dragged at their gatherings, despite the fact that they were armed and held signs referring to our president as a Nazi or indicating the Tree of Liberty might need to be refreshed. This is because nobody in the establishment found them to be a threat. In fact, they are an asset. It should be telling that when people gather for a true cause, the suppression of coverage, of information and of the ability to gather itself begins. Sadly, it is spun as an angry mob or a bunch of disenfranchised hippies trying to get their 15 minutes of fame. The same dismissive tone that brushes off the needs of the people for the sake of the needs of the almighty corporations, who we would be unable to live without.Thanks, as always, for reading, for responding, and for fighting the good fight.

]]> Comment on Occupy Education Northern California by Mike S. http://universityprobe.org/2012/04/occupy-education-northern-california/comment-page-1/#comment-3851 Mike S. Fri, 11 May 2012 05:29:47 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=1010#comment-3851 Gennie, what part of this didn't you understand? "[t]he statement advocates taking the issues to the populace at large, in the face of a political system which no longer represents the interests of the majority of its constituency. At the same time, the document does not call for action which illicitly negates or illicitly sidesteps the election of public officials within the existing system." as to this specifically: "In other words, we believe we can’t convince you by reasoning with you, so we’re going to act to get our desires unilaterally." what part of this didn't you understand? "[t]he document was crafted by discussion among teachers, students and citizens, that is by the very people effected by these issues and who joined in the discussion freely and of their own volition." How does reasoned discussion between interested parties amount to "we believe we can’t convince you by reasoning with you"? You quote directly from the blog post but in so doing you attribute meaning which is not found in the cited portions of the post; indeed you attribute meaning which is in no way reasonably found in the language of the post. You refused to respond to my comments on substantive grounds: how is my understanding of the post invalid or less reasonable than your own? Given that failure to engage on substance, it is difficult to entertain your comments has having been made in good faith. Gennie,
what part of this didn’t you understand?
“[t]he statement advocates taking the issues to the populace at large, in the face of a political system which no longer represents the interests of the majority of its constituency. At the same time, the document does not call for action which illicitly negates or illicitly sidesteps the election of public officials within the existing system.”

as to this specifically:
“In other words, we believe we can’t convince you by reasoning with you, so we’re going to act to get our desires unilaterally.”
what part of this didn’t you understand?
“[t]he document was crafted by discussion among teachers, students and citizens, that is by the very people effected by these issues and who joined in the discussion freely and of their own volition.”
How does reasoned discussion between interested parties amount to “we believe we can’t convince you by reasoning with you”?

You quote directly from the blog post but in so doing you attribute meaning which is not found in the cited portions of the post; indeed you attribute meaning which is in no way reasonably found in the language of the post. You refused to respond to my comments on substantive grounds: how is my understanding of the post invalid or less reasonable than your own?

Given that failure to engage on substance, it is difficult to entertain your comments has having been made in good faith.

]]> Comment on Occupy Education Northern California by Gennie http://universityprobe.org/2012/04/occupy-education-northern-california/comment-page-1/#comment-3842 Gennie Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:48:27 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=1010#comment-3842 "We will no longer plead with politicians who act in the economic interests of the 1%, and we will no longer buy into the false notion of “shared sacrifice.” In other words, we're right, and the voters who elected those politicians are wrong. "We intend to stop the corporate program to privatize education by carrying out actions that positively embody the above principles." In other words, we believe we can't convince you by reasoning with you, so we're going to act to get our desires unilaterally. “We will no longer plead with politicians who act in the economic interests of the 1%, and we will no longer buy into the false notion of “shared sacrifice.”

In other words, we’re right, and the voters who elected those politicians are wrong.

“We intend to stop the corporate program to privatize education by carrying out actions that positively embody the above principles.”

In other words, we believe we can’t convince you by reasoning with you, so we’re going to act to get our desires unilaterally.

]]> Comment on Occupy Education Northern California by Mike S. http://universityprobe.org/2012/04/occupy-education-northern-california/comment-page-1/#comment-3841 Mike S. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:45:35 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=1010#comment-3841 Gennie, Please explain why you believe this statement to be both 'undemocratic' and 'anti-intellectual'. Clearly you are incorrect on both counts: As to the first: the document was crafted by discussion among teachers, students and citizens, that is by the very people effected by these issues and who joined in the discussion freely and of their own volition. Furthermore, the statement advocates taking the issues to the populace at large, in the face of a political system which no longer represents the interests of the majority of its constituency. At the same time, the document does not call for action which illicitly negates or illicitly sidesteps the election of public officials within the existing system. In total, this would seem to be a very democratic approach. As to the second: the document promotes the notion of free, accessible education to all who seek it. That proposition cannot be reconciled with the label 'anti-intellectual'. Gennie,
Please explain why you believe this statement to be both ‘undemocratic’ and ‘anti-intellectual’.

Clearly you are incorrect on both counts:

As to the first: the document was crafted by discussion among teachers, students and citizens, that is by the very people effected by these issues and who joined in the discussion freely and of their own volition. Furthermore, the statement advocates taking the issues to the populace at large, in the face of a political system which no longer represents the interests of the majority of its constituency. At the same time, the document does not call for action which illicitly negates or illicitly sidesteps the election of public officials within the existing system. In total, this would seem to be a very democratic approach.

As to the second: the document promotes the notion of free, accessible education to all who seek it. That proposition cannot be reconciled with the label ‘anti-intellectual’.

]]> Comment on Occupy Education Northern California by Gennie http://universityprobe.org/2012/04/occupy-education-northern-california/comment-page-1/#comment-3840 Gennie Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:01:18 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=1010#comment-3840 What an amazingly undemocratic & anti-intellectual statement! Charlie, I'm surprised you'd be "involved" with them. What an amazingly undemocratic & anti-intellectual statement! Charlie, I’m surprised you’d be “involved” with them.

]]> Comment on President Yudof’s Principles re Police Behavior by Jeannie http://universityprobe.org/2012/01/president-yudofs-principles-re-police-behavior/comment-page-1/#comment-3816 Jeannie Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:01:41 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=992#comment-3816 Absolutely first rate and copper-bottoemd, gentlemen! Absolutely first rate and copper-bottoemd, gentlemen!

]]> Comment on President Yudof’s Principles re Police Behavior by Francisco http://universityprobe.org/2012/01/president-yudofs-principles-re-police-behavior/comment-page-1/#comment-3815 Francisco Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:55:24 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=992#comment-3815 "Campus police chiefs should be directed to show restraint when dealing with peaceful and lawful demonstrations." this rhetoric fit neatly by the side of Chancellor Birgeneau's email in which he stated that the student protesters were in fact violent because they formed a human barricade with linked arms. i think he said that "linking arms is not non-violent protest." that might be the exact quote. so Pres. Yudof says that police must restrain themselves upon meeting "peaceful demonstrations," and then Chancellor Birgeneau defines "peaceful." it's treacherous, at least. “Campus police chiefs should be directed to show restraint when dealing with peaceful and lawful demonstrations.”

this rhetoric fit neatly by the side of Chancellor Birgeneau’s email in which he stated that the student protesters were in fact violent because they formed a human barricade with linked arms.

i think he said that “linking arms is not non-violent protest.” that might be the exact quote.

so Pres. Yudof says that police must restrain themselves upon meeting “peaceful demonstrations,” and then Chancellor Birgeneau defines “peaceful.” it’s treacherous, at least.

]]> Comment on President Yudof’s Principles re Police Behavior by Milan Moravec http://universityprobe.org/2012/01/president-yudofs-principles-re-police-behavior/comment-page-1/#comment-3814 Milan Moravec Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:01:13 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=992#comment-3814 Like Coaches, University of California Campus Chancellors Who Do Not Measure Up Must Go. UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau’s campus police use brutal baton jabs on students protesting Birgeneau’s increases in tuition. UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau ($450,000 salary) is in dereliction of his duties. UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau’s campus police report to the Chancellor and the campus police take direction from the Chancellor. University of California (UC) campus chancellors vet their campus police protocols. Birgeneau allowed pepper spray and the use of batons on students in his campus police protocols. Chancellor Robert J Birgeneau must be fired for the brutal outrages on students protesting Birgeneau’s tuition increases. Opinions count, Email the UC Board of Regents marsha.kelman@ucop.edu Like Coaches, University of California Campus Chancellors Who Do Not Measure Up Must Go. UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau’s campus police use brutal baton jabs on students protesting Birgeneau’s increases in tuition. UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau ($450,000 salary) is in dereliction of his duties.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau’s campus police report to the Chancellor and the campus police take direction from the Chancellor. University of California (UC) campus chancellors vet their campus police protocols. Birgeneau allowed pepper spray and the use of batons on students in his campus police protocols.

Chancellor Robert J Birgeneau must be fired for the brutal outrages on students protesting Birgeneau’s tuition increases.

Opinions count, Email the UC Board of Regents marsha.kelman@ucop.edu

]]> Comment on How to Contact the UC Regents by Email (Yeah!) by Paul R. Chernoff http://universityprobe.org/2011/12/how-to-contact-the-uc-regents-by-email-yeah/comment-page-1/#comment-3807 Paul R. Chernoff Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:51:32 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=980#comment-3807 I'm not surprised that official bureaucratic channels are almost totally ineffective. On the other hand, a personal experience: around 1977-78 I was concerned about some issue and phoned the head of the Board of Regents at his law firm in San Francisco (sorry his name escapes me). He was quite cordial and we had a good conversation. I mentioned this to one of my colleagues who told me it was a "no-no" for a faculty member to speak directly with a regent. I was so ignorant that I had simply done the natural thing. And there you have it. My advice is to ignore the official channel and see if the individual Regents hang up the instant they learn that you're a faculty member. Paul Chernoff Professor of Mathematics UC Berkeley professional or business p think many of them I’m not surprised that official bureaucratic channels are almost totally ineffective.

On the other hand, a personal experience: around 1977-78 I was concerned about
some issue and phoned the head of the Board of Regents at his law firm in
San Francisco (sorry his name escapes me). He was quite cordial and we had a
good conversation. I mentioned this to one of my colleagues who told me
it was a “no-no” for a faculty member to speak directly with a regent. I was
so ignorant that I had simply done the natural thing. And there you have it.

My advice is to ignore the official channel and see if the individual Regents
hang up the instant they learn that you’re a faculty member.

Paul Chernoff
Professor of Mathematics
UC Berkeley
professional or business p
think many of them

]]> Comment on A Little Brain Twister by MIlan Moravec http://universityprobe.org/2011/04/a-little-brain-twister/comment-page-1/#comment-3799 MIlan Moravec Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:12:11 +0000 http://universityprobe.org/?p=913#comment-3799 Wage cocessions from University of California demonstrate commitment to Califrnians and to saving the University. The 10 University of California (UC) campuses, UCOP are not untouchable: Californians fund UC. Californians face foreclosure, unemployment, depressed wages, loss of medical, unemployment benefits, higher taxes: UC Board of Regents Regent Lansing, President Yudof demonstrated leadership by curbing wages, benefits. As a Californian, I don't care what others earn at private, public universities. If wages better elsewhere, chancellors, vice chancellors, tenured, non tenured faculty, UCOP should apply for the positions. If wages commit employees to UC, leave for better paying position. The sky above UC will not fall. California suffers from the greatest deficit modern times. UC wages, benefits must reflect California's ability to pay, not what others paid elsewhere. Campus chancellors, vice chancellors, tenured & non-tenured faculty, UCOP are replaceable by the more talented. UC faculty, chancellor vice chancellor concessions: No furloughs 18 percent reduction in UCOP salaries & $50 million cut. 18 percent prune of campus chancellors', vice chancellors' salaries. 15 percent trim of tenured faculty salaries, increased teaching load 10 percent decrease in non-tenured faculty salaries, as well as increase research, teaching load 100% elimination of all Academic Senate, Academic Council costs, wages. Rose bushes bloom after pruning. UC Board of Regents Sherry Lansing, President Yudof can bridge the public trust gap by offering reassurances that UC salaries reflect depressed wages in California. The sky will not fall on UC Californians are reasonable people. Levy no new taxes until an approved balanced budget: let the Governor/Legislature lead - make the tough-minded (not cold hearted) decisions of elected leadership. Afterwards come to public for continuing, specified taxes. Thank you for advocating for all Californians, University of California Wage cocessions from University of California demonstrate commitment to Califrnians and to saving the University.
The 10 University of California (UC) campuses, UCOP are not untouchable: Californians fund UC. Californians face foreclosure, unemployment, depressed wages, loss of medical, unemployment benefits, higher taxes: UC Board of Regents Regent Lansing, President Yudof demonstrated leadership by curbing wages, benefits. As a Californian, I don’t care what others earn at private, public universities. If wages better elsewhere, chancellors, vice chancellors, tenured, non tenured faculty, UCOP should apply for the positions. If wages commit employees to UC, leave for better paying position. The sky above UC will not fall.
California suffers from the greatest deficit modern times. UC wages, benefits must reflect California’s ability to pay, not what others paid elsewhere. Campus chancellors, vice chancellors, tenured & non-tenured faculty, UCOP are replaceable by the more talented.
UC faculty, chancellor vice chancellor concessions:
No furloughs
18 percent reduction in UCOP salaries & $50 million cut.
18 percent prune of campus chancellors’, vice chancellors’ salaries.
15 percent trim of tenured faculty salaries, increased teaching load
10 percent decrease in non-tenured faculty salaries, as well as increase research, teaching load
100% elimination of all Academic Senate, Academic Council costs, wages.

Rose bushes bloom after pruning.

UC Board of Regents Sherry Lansing, President Yudof can bridge the public trust gap by offering reassurances that UC salaries reflect depressed wages in California. The sky will not fall on UC

Californians are reasonable people. Levy no new taxes until an approved balanced budget: let the Governor/Legislature lead – make the tough-minded (not cold hearted) decisions of elected leadership. Afterwards come to public for continuing, specified taxes.

Thank you for advocating for all Californians, University of California

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