Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Get the Koch Bros. out of FSU

Get the Koch Bros. out of FSU

Posted on Get the Koch Brothers our of FSU Facebook by |Sandy Goldcross

This will be coming to a university near you soon if we don't stop this. Gov. Scott just appointed a board member to Daytona State College who worked on his election campaign in Volusia/Flagler County. What other boards do you think Gov. Scott and the Koch bros. are padding? Universities and colleges are always looking for deep pockets!
Get the Koch Bros. out of FSU
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Info Page:

A Facebook effort urging FSU to cancel its arrangement with the Koch Brothers.
Description
A conservative billionaire who opposes government meddling in business has bought a rare commodity: the right to interfere in faculty hiring at a publicly funded university.

A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting "political economy and free enterprise."

Traditionally, university donors have little official input into choosing the person who fills a chair they've funded. The power of university faculty and officials to choose professors without outside interference is considered a hallmark of academic freedom.

Under the agreement with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, however, faculty only retain the illusion of control. The contract specifies that an advisory committee appointed by Koch decides which candidates should be considered. The foundation can also withdraw its funding if it's not happy with the faculty's choice or if the hires don't meet "objectives" set by Koch during annual evaluations.

If you believe in true academic freedom, join this Facebook page in protest of FSU"s arrangement with the Koch brothers. (read less)