tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post3690185776681553255..comments2024-03-28T03:25:49.943-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: Ruled out of Oord-erKen Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-2865876117258471942015-06-29T08:22:43.620-04:002015-06-29T08:22:43.620-04:00Donors are a standard go-to when explaining situat...Donors are a standard go-to when explaining situations like this--and, I think, mostly irrelevant. To the extent that your donor base represents your base of stake-holders, their opinions are certainly relevant, but the tiny proportion of money they represent to most schools pails in comparison to tuition dollars. <br /><br />Besides, for evangelical universities ideology and mission fit really are important--more important than monetary considerations. Think how quickly those of us who work outside the classroom would receive our notice if we publicly revealed a mission conflict. <br /><br />When we see these sorts of staffing decisions applied to faculty, there is usually considerably more reticence than in cases involving staff or administrators. I believe that demonstrates a respect for the value of diverse opinions within the faculties of these schools (or it shows the greater power of the faculty--which, in itself, reveals the priorities int eh structure of the institutions). <br /><br /> Staff members like me don't represent anything like the potential financial impact (for good or ill) of a high-profile professor, and staff and administrators are released (usually rapidly) for public mission incompatibilities. That's not because of a fear of donors.<br /><br />Is it just possible that these institutions care about philosophy and world view and think about the impact of certain ideologies? I think we should give them some credit regarding motivations--whether we agree with the decision or not.Randy Dewingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-53213692549606216152015-06-28T11:32:48.618-04:002015-06-28T11:32:48.618-04:00I'm an outsider to this whole situation, but i...I'm an outsider to this whole situation, but it screams to me that this is an economic decision in that some big donors are unhappy with his theological openness, so he was let go of of self-preservation.<br /><br />If any of that is at play, it's abhorrent and completely backwards. Education is not useful when it seeks to indoctrinate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com