|
Apologia - Totalitarian University Ideology
This introduction and apologia (but not in any sense an apology) addresses the concerns of many public intellectuals who often worry about damaging the profession to which they have given most of their lives. However, the profession has already suffered irrevocable damage. Academic ethics now need independent inquiry by journalists and lawyers outside the academe without the existing conflicts of interest. The fourth estate can provide greater credibility and refute the findings of phony processes of self-evaluation and accreditation that presently exist at the University of Washington (UW).
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Traditionally, the public has not accepted that academic exposé describes the everyday fabric of campus life. Instead it thinks exposé relates to isolated instances of aberrant behavior and forgivingly classifies them as “mistakes”. People outside the academe have virtually no idea of the denial of due process of law and bizarre behavior by administrators that commonly exists. They do not realize that they support widespread corruption and inflated administrative salaries through exorbitant tuition and taxes. Usually, they make no connection between academic totalitarianism (cultism) and the lifetime financial and tax expenditures to which they have shackled themselves.
Things have not changed much in three centuries. Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) foretold the behavior that exists today at the University of Washington between faculty members and administrators.
Ashamed of the many frailties they feel within, all men endeavour to hide themselves, their ugly nakedness, from each other, and wrapping up the true motives of their hearts in the specious cloak of sociableness [collegiality], and their concern for the public good, they are in hopes of concealing their filthy appetites and the deformity of their desires. The Fable of the Bees (1723).
If faculty members maintain a conspiracy of silence about unlawful acts then eventually the reputation of the whole University of Washington suffers. Unfortunately, the public identifies the innocent with the guilty when details of corruption eventually surface. Ethical faculty members often ask themselves:
Should I overlook blatant abuse of office by university officials and attorneys general that cover up for them to give the appearance of justice or should I reveal what I know to insure due process and freedom of expression?
This series of articles, researched since 1989, reveals a few of many totalitarian practices at the University of Washington (UW) knowingly supported by a succession of state governors, attorney generals, regents, and presidents, to the detriment of faculty as well as students.
Governor Gary Locke, Governor, and Christine O. Gregoire, Attorney General, State of Washington, have ignored kangaroo courts that have taken place on UW campus and Gregoire has tacitly condoned the involvement of her own staff in a cover up of these unlawful activities. They have neither responded to letters nor investigated the formal complaints repeatedly lodged with them by certified mail since mid-1999. Moreover, in a conflict of interest, Gregoire informally oversees the workings of the Executive Ethics Board (EBB). [Criminal Conspiracy]
The legislature set up that board to address political machination but has since its inception worked to cover up malfeasance. Gregoire and her legal minions have thwarted any attempt at obtaining due process through investigation and prosecution by that board. Gregoire has now announced (22 Jul 03) a run for governor the same day that her close friend Gary Locke said he would not seek a third term - apparently more political incest. [The Grimaldi Affair] [Justice Delayed: Justice Denied]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Compromised
principles for
personal gain
and
academic
privilege
without merit.
|
|
|
|
Faculty members must understand that abuses need correction and that remedial action does not come from "rigorous self-evaluation." Many support the status quo and abhor investigative journalism so that they can then cover up corrupt practices when contesting public anti-funding arguments. They fail to understand that the academic self-evaluative process creates the environment that allows bureaucratic manipulation and denies due process also freedom of expression. Ethical self-evaluation requires candor not cover-up.
The attendant conspiracies of silence, the mutual condoning of wrongdoing, and the constant misuse of tenure, have spawned the evils of cultism rife at the University of Washington. President Richard L. McCormick gave lip service to shared-governance, academic self-evaluation, “multiculturalism,” and “diversity” to insure an appearance of propriety. However, his politically motivated speeches reveal nothing about the real crimes committed by his staff and the academic fraud perpetrated upon the academic community by his wife, Suzanne D. Lebsock.
[Sweet Cheat] [Oh, What a Tangled Web She Weaves]
McCormick’s tenure as president continued the new totalitarianism introduced by his predecessor William P. Gerberding. However, McCormick evidently could not cover his tracks as Gerberding did for sixteen years and left before the proverbial fan started turning. Lee L. Huntsman, Provost, has resumed the position of interim president without the attorney general considering his allegedly criminal behavior when he held the position about eight years ago. Perhaps the problem lies somewhere between history and political science.
University of Washington has a new president, Mark A. Emmert. Will he gratefully assume the position as head of the whorehouse or will he introduce some honesty and integrity to a campus ravaged by a drunken whoremonger?
Paul Trummel (Nmesis)
Associate Professor, Communication and Rhetoric (Retired)
International Federation of Journalists, Brussels (Press Card #GB 8028)
National Union of Journalists, London (Press Card #025057)
|
