Because of a recent event, I wanted to make what I hope will be three useful comments regarding Citizendium.
1) As a citizen of the US, I treasure the Constitution. Not because someone requires me to do so, but because its principles are so sound that I know it both defends and protects me. Part of the brilliance of its writers was that they understood the difference and built into it mechanisms that would allow even this founding document to be debated and changed rather than being sacred. I hope that Citizendium will also be wise in allowing all of its policies to never be set in stone or undiscussable. It is part of the basis for strong collaboration.
2 Second, as someone who has worked in academic administration for over twenty years, I am very aware that academics believe it is not only their right but their duty to speak up and speak out. They can be blunt. However, I've also learned that if you put aside the immediate emotional response long enough to listen to their comments, you can learn a great deal. Citizendium is asking for people with Ph.D.s to join it. These are not people who will lack opinions or be reticent to share them. I hope that Citzendium can tolerate this level of interaction because it will lead to a better organization.
3. Third, we lose many students from the university. Sometimes for academic reasons but often for other reasons as well. For every one who tells us they are leaving, we know that there are ten more who will just leave without comment. Those who tell us are valuable because they have information about how we can improve the environment for others. I hope that Citizendium will also ask those who leave why they are doing so and learn from it.
Finally, I would like to thank Jon Awbrey, who is apparently choosing to leave, for the energy, work and dedication that he contributed by converting and cleaning over 70 articles on text top when then managing editor, David Marshall, put out the call. Because I know Jon and the contribution he can make, I am sad that Citizendium is losing him. Susan
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
520 O'Dowd Hall
Oakland University
Rochester, Michigan 48309
Phone: 248-370-2188
Fax: 248-370-2589
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