Discussion depicts academic freedom in good light

In keeping with the spirit of the year-long celebration of IU biologist Alfred Kinsey, the American Association of University Professors held a discussion exploring the moral rights, traditions and other issues of academic freedom at IU.\nThe discussion, which began at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the IU Law School's Moot Court Room, was discussed by a panel of three academics representing the AAUP and was moderated by IU Physics Professor and President of the University's AAUP chapter Bennet B. Brabson.\n"Academic freedom is the bedrock of University life, just as freedom of speech is the foundation of American democracy," Brabson said, quoting remarks made by IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm.\nBrabson said the discussion was broken down into three parts -- the history of academic freedom as it relates to IU, the way academic freedom exists now, and where it is going.\nIU professor of philosophy of science Jim Capshew was the first speaker, delivering remarks lasting 25 minutes. In his prepared statement to the audience, Capshew gave a history of the professional, but not cordial level of the relationship between Herman B Wells, who went from dean of the business school to IU president in just five years, as well as Capshew's relationship with Kinsey.\nOf the situation sparked by Kinsey's research that embroiled the University under Wells, Capshew alluded to comments Wells had made to Capshew during a period when Capshew was biographing Wells. He seemed to feel Wells backed Kinsey and his research not only because it was the right thing to do, but also because he feared the repercussions if he lost the trust of the faculty by not backing them when things got tough.\nCapshew also recounted a statement made by Kinsey saying he felt like a "modern-day Galileo" suffering from academic persecution.\n"There probably isn't another University in the country that has done as much to support academic freedom," said David M. Rabban, now chair of the University of Texas School of Law and former legal counsel to the AAUP.\nIn his speech, Rabban cited several legal cases supporting academic freedom, including one similar to the recent controversy regarding the Thomas Hart Benton Mural in Woodburn Hall. \nIn a 1985 case titled Piarowsky v. Illinois Community College District, an art project involving stained glass depicting offensive material in a well-viewed area was forced to be removed. However, the provision was made so the exhibit could still be displayed, but in a less visible area.\nFormer IU English Department Chairman Mary Burgan and general secretary of the AAUP spoke in conclusion highlighting various examples of AAUP involvement in academic freedom cases around the U.S. including an incident at Lawrence Technical Institute near Detroit, Mich. \nIn the 2001 incident, Burgan said a professor, who was the president of AAUP at his respective chapter, was essentially placed under "house arrest" in his office and not allowed to leave the campus without written permission.\nAfter the involvement of the AAUP, the professor found work at another place of learning -- after winning a six figure cash settlement.\nIn her talk, Burgan also discussed the three greatest challenges of academic freedom in the United States. \nThese issues include ensuring a diverse faculty that isn't afraid of breaking norms and performing controversial research. Burgan also cited the rift between tenured, non-tenured, full-time, and part-time faculty members indicating full-time, tenured faculty members may benefit more from the blessings of academic freedom than their non-tenured, part-time colleagues.\nBurgan also cited the managerial culture in universities saying some, like Lawrence Tech, behave too much like corporations and strike out against those who would "rock-the-boat"