Professor fired over Va. Tech discussion

Dreamer128 · 04-23-2007, 05:10 PM

BOSTON - An adjunct professor was fired after leading a classroom discussion about the Virginia Tech shootings in which he pointed a marker at some students and said "pow."

The five-minute demonstration at Emmanuel College on Wednesday, two days after a student killed 32 people on the Virginia Tech campus, included a discussion of gun control, whether to respond to violence with violence, and the public's "celebration of victimhood," said the professor, Nicholas Winset.

During the demonstration, Winset pretended to shoot some students. Then one student pretended to shoot Winset to illustrate his point that the gunman might have been stopped had another student or faculty member been armed.

"A classroom is supposed to be a place for academic exploration," Winset, who taught financial accounting, told the Boston Herald.

He said administrators had asked the faculty to engage students on the issue. But on Friday, he got a letter saying he was fired and ordering him to stay off campus.

Winset, 37, argued that the Catholic liberal arts school was stifling free discussion by firing him, and he said the move would have a "chilling effect" on open debate. He posted an 18-minute video on the online site YouTube defending his action.

The college issued a statement saying: "Emmanuel College has clear standards of classroom and campus conduct, and does not in any way condone the use of discriminatory or obscene language."

Student Junny Lee, 19, told The Boston Globe that most students didn't appear to find Winset's demonstration offensive.

(Source: http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dw....3a90b169.html )

pritchke · 04-23-2007, 05:29 PM

Personally, I thought that was a pretty lame reason to fire the guy. They were having an open discussion. I don't think firing the guy will end up saving one life.

[ 04-23-2007, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

johnny · 04-23-2007, 07:41 PM

Time to sue someone i guess.

Aragorn1 · 04-23-2007, 07:47 PM

Its certainly disturbing that free speech in universities is being curtailed in this manner. I often play devil's advocate in tutorials etc to advance discussion, challenge peoples' stances etc, even if the arguments I put forward don't represent my own opinions. I would hate to think that I could be disciplined for such things.

wellard · 04-23-2007, 08:18 PM

Teacher who connects with his pupils and engages them in discussion on great issues of the day is a bad teacher? ...... way to go!

Lord of Alcohol · 04-23-2007, 08:39 PM

But he may have offended one person. Thats unacceptable, the views of the one outway the views of everyone else.

Felix The Assassin · 04-23-2007, 11:38 PM

Then where is the justice in utilitarianism?

Aragorn1 · 04-24-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lord of Alcohol:
But he may have offended one person. Thats unacceptable, the views of the one outway the views of everyone else.

I assume this is sarcasm...

Iron Greasel · 04-24-2007, 09:41 AM

That is hideous! They just fired him! In a civilized society he would have at lest had a chance to be heard and defend his position.

04-23-2007, 07:41 PM	#3
johnny 40th Level Warrior Join Date: April 15, 2002 Location: Utrecht The Netherlands Age: 58 Posts: 16,981	Time to sue someone i guess. __________________

04-23-2007, 08:18 PM	#5
wellard Dracolisk Join Date: November 1, 2002 Location: Australia ..... G\'day! Posts: 6,123	Teacher who connects with his pupils and engages them in discussion on great issues of the day is a bad teacher? ...... way to go! __________________ fossils - natures way of laughing at creationists for over 3 billion years

04-23-2007, 08:39 PM	#6
Lord of Alcohol Xanathar Thieves Guild Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Charlotte,NC Age: 60 Posts: 4,570	But he may have offended one person. Thats unacceptable, the views of the one outway the views of everyone else. __________________ No

04-23-2007, 11:38 PM	#7
Felix The Assassin The Dreadnoks Join Date: September 27, 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 61 Posts: 3,608	Then where is the justice in utilitarianism? __________________ The Lizzie Palmer Tribute Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy 35th President of The United States The Last Shot Honor The Fallen Jesus died for our sins, and American Soldiers died for our freedom. If you don't stand behind our Soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them.

04-24-2007, 09:41 AM	#9
Iron Greasel Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 13, 2004 Location: Finland Age: 35 Posts: 1,701	That is hideous! They just fired him! In a civilized society he would have at lest had a chance to be heard and defend his position. __________________

04-23-2007, 05:10 PM	#1
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 39 Posts: 6,136	BOSTON - An adjunct professor was fired after leading a classroom discussion about the Virginia Tech shootings in which he pointed a marker at some students and said "pow." The five-minute demonstration at Emmanuel College on Wednesday, two days after a student killed 32 people on the Virginia Tech campus, included a discussion of gun control, whether to respond to violence with violence, and the public's "celebration of victimhood," said the professor, Nicholas Winset. During the demonstration, Winset pretended to shoot some students. Then one student pretended to shoot Winset to illustrate his point that the gunman might have been stopped had another student or faculty member been armed. "A classroom is supposed to be a place for academic exploration," Winset, who taught financial accounting, told the Boston Herald. He said administrators had asked the faculty to engage students on the issue. But on Friday, he got a letter saying he was fired and ordering him to stay off campus. Winset, 37, argued that the Catholic liberal arts school was stifling free discussion by firing him, and he said the move would have a "chilling effect" on open debate. He posted an 18-minute video on the online site YouTube defending his action. The college issued a statement saying: "Emmanuel College has clear standards of classroom and campus conduct, and does not in any way condone the use of discriminatory or obscene language." Student Junny Lee, 19, told The Boston Globe that most students didn't appear to find Winset's demonstration offensive. (Source: http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dw....3a90b169.html )

04-23-2007, 05:29 PM	#2
pritchke Bastet - Egyptian Cat Goddess Join Date: September 5, 2001 Location: Calgary, AB Age: 49 Posts: 3,491	Personally, I thought that was a pretty lame reason to fire the guy. They were having an open discussion. I don't think firing the guy will end up saving one life. [ 04-23-2007, 05:31 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

04-23-2007, 07:47 PM	#4
Aragorn1 Symbol of Cyric Join Date: July 3, 2001 Location: Cornwall England Age: 36 Posts: 1,197	Its certainly disturbing that free speech in universities is being curtailed in this manner. I often play devil's advocate in tutorials etc to advance discussion, challenge peoples' stances etc, even if the arguments I put forward don't represent my own opinions. I would hate to think that I could be disciplined for such things.

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