The Shame of Harding University

I’ll disagree with the last part of David’s comment. Harding is irredeemable. The financial irresponsibility of the University has created a situation in which it is in such dire need of money that it will whore out any and all aspects of the social and academic environments in exchange for contributions from hateful yet wealthy alumni. It isn’t going to change because the type of “university” that it fancies itself to be is a logistical impossibility. I am ashamed of my participation in this academic farce. There is an undeniable (yet small) circle of true intellectuals of all religious and political stripes, and that allowed me to somehow survive a generally unpleasant four year stint in the place where thousand are forced to live like the Politburo wants them to. I dealt with the annoyance of being censored while at Harding, but I can scarcely imagine the frustration of those who have built their lives there. They can take HU hero Dick Cheney’s advice to Pat Leahy. I wish for nothing but its destruction.

Its either my generally combative and disagreeable personality or your far left yet oddly religious views. Either/or.

I count the moments I spend in front of a classroom at Harding University as some of the greatest moments of my life.

There are people who would give anything to have my job. I teach and interact with some of the brightest and most talented people in the world.

Unfortunately, there are many people who see me as an adoration and a threat to Christian education.

But, for the record, I was not “pressured” into changing my blog from “public” to “private” status.

I made this decision on my own as the result of the general frustration I have with members of our fellowship who want to make a spiritual judgment about me based on my political views.

In the last few days, much of that angst has been directed toward my employer and, as a result, toward me as well.

I would much rather have a private conversation about things that are important to me than a public conversation that leads to additional complaints about me to the Harding University administration.

I envy your independence and youthful energy. Keep up the good work and I’ll see you in the “private” zone.

Disgusting. The world and the blogosphere need Mark. Especially in this political year. We’re about to witness history if Obama gets elected and only a few will be able to discuss this on his site.

Talk about Gnat Straining 101.

Best of luck to you Mark.

Roland-

It’s all well and good to make a comment, but don’t come here and in one fell swoop label every commenter here immature and naive. Just because we may believe in academic freedom of expression despite conservative pressures that give your jolly bits a jump, it does not mean we are naive.

I will agree that simply being a university professor does not allow one to say whatever he or she wants. A professor cannot make terroristic threats, he or she cannot sexually comment about students or colleagues; but the professor must be able to offer different thoughts to the discourse–whether it be political, religious, or academic. A university cannot stifle the discourse and consider itself a serious academic institution.

I would suggest that you attempt to understand academia–it’s not the real world pal.

I’m feeling the need to stand up a bit for our beloved institution of higher learning. Yes, I abhor the way the administration is dealing with this situation, and it’s a crying shame that freedom of speech does not seem to extend to an academic institution. I certainly would have handled the situation differently, and I sincerely hope that in the future Harding changes its rather partisan stance and focuses more on academics.

However, I firmly believe that Harding University has provided me with an excellent education, thanks to the many fantastic professors it employs such as Dr. Elrod. I think the very fact that we are all here, having open conversations with intelligent people around the world on this rather liberal blog, proves that Harding is doing something right, even if the product was not necessarily its intent.

I have grown tremendously in my time at Harding– spiritually, mentally, emotionally– I’m not sure whether this is because of or in spite of Harding, but I have grown nonetheless, and so I am thankful. I will be proud to graduate with my bachelors degrees as an HU Bison.

I rejoice that such issues are at last being raised at Harding, and from within Harding. I am a graduate of Harding, l957, and it is little short of staggering to know that, more or less, the attitudes obtaining then have officially continued to prevail: an absence of toleration of academci freedom on the part of faculty, with the result that students left/leave Harding in many respect simply indoctrnated, not educated in any real traditional sense. Fortunately, for my graduate work I went to a state university and breathed a new ether, one of mental freedom and a passionate respect for intellectual inquiry. I have never supported Harding financially because of its seeing itself as a bastion promoting a right-wing political ideology. And I don’t have much respect for a religious faith that is founded in and protected by progaganda. I hope that you and other blogs like you reflecting this new spirit will continue and REFUSE to be intimidated by the old guard. I feel a great appreciation of your couratge.

Read this late, but Kolby, there are amazing domestic beers that you should try. For example Three Floyds brewery out of Indiana and Dogfish Head brewery out of Delaware make some amazing beers. If you like IPA, go for Dogfish Head’s 90 minute IPA. Imported can be good, but they usually keep the good stuff for themselves and send us the crap.

Interesting discussion. I knew many gay students at HU in the 1980’s. It has changed a great deal since then-not sure it has evolved or just more expensive. I will be back for more insight.