(no subject)

[pearwaldorf]

Totally fucking unimpressed. So I pick up this edition of the Vanguard (our shit-ass school newspaper), and I find out one of my favorite professors is on the verge of being fired. What really fucking smarts is the head of the Black Studies department basically stabbed him in the back when he came up for tenure, and instead recommended his termination. I mean, what the hell, people? Ridwan Nytagodien is one of the most interesting, funny, human professors at this fucking university. (He has also forever endeared himself to me after I learned he got drunk once and pissed on Cecil Rhodes's grave) Apparently in the school's quest to become respectable they're going to take out every faculty member who doesn't conform to their definitions of acceptable tokenism. In the fucking Black Studies department. Which was finally upgraded to a major last year due to the efforts of the students Ridwan brought into the department. Who will leave if he goes.

It's so fucking stupid, and another example of the mismanagement and disappointment this school has dealt me and so many other students.

Comments

[lubaya.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, I love Ridwan!!! He is one of my favorite people ever. Is there anything we can do?

[sonatine.livejournal.com]

Yes indeedy. You can email Provost Mary Kay Tetreault at tetreaultmk@pdx.edu, and President Bernstine at bernstined@pdx.edu and voice your displeasure. Also, the nice people at saveridwansjob@hotmail.com request that you cc them a copy so they have a record of all the letters.

[lubaya.livejournal.com]

Why in the world would the Black Studies dep't recommend his termination? I mean, really? That's tres bizarre.

[sonatine.livejournal.com]

Well, the horse's mouth calls it some sort of political thing. I mean, it's pretty well-known the administration doesn't like him much, for whatever reason, and I think the head of the Black Studies department is attempting to take advantage of that by recommending his termination. Which is a sad thing, because Ridwan is the heart and soul of the department. God knows *I* wouldn't take be taking in the department if it weren't for him.

Have you written those letters yet? Not to rush you, but I think the Provost makes her decision on Friday.

[lubaya.livejournal.com]

Yep, I sent the letter off yesterday afternoon -- I just wanted to be aware of everything about the situation so I could write something semi-intelligent. But reading those articles helped with that, too. ;) So, will students and the public find out the decision today as well? I'm waiting with bated breath...