Wow, I hadn't heard about this. Looks like they already reversed
their decision, thanks to a private donation. Here's an update: http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=14626&TypeID=1
-Alison (WSU alumna, MS 2004)
On May 27, 2009, at 11:09 PM, Elan Shapiro wrote:
Make a Call for Academic Freedom
Last week, Washington State University announced that it was
pulling Michael Pollan's best-selling book The Omnivore's Dilemma
from its required Common Reading Program for all incoming freshman
due to pressure from corporate agribusiness.
This type of censorship cannot stand!
In March of this year, a university committee had selected Pollan's
book, which takes a careful look at how America produces its food,
and decided that it was an excellent choice for the student body of
the land grant university.
Unfortunately, WSU administrators later removed the book from the
required common reading program. While top WSU officials attributed
removal of Pollan's book from the reading program to hard financial
times, despite the fact the 4,000 copies of the book have already
been purchased, some faculty members have spoken out.
End Corporate Influence and Fear at America's Land Grant Universities
One WSU professor, quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education -
anonymously, for fear of losing their job, stated that Pollan's
book was pulled "because of the politics of the agriculture
industryŠand that President Floyd decided that this was not a
battle he wanted to wage."
It's time that this type of corporate control over land grant
education and research end.
We believe that academic freedom and vigorous debate on all
intellectual issues should be encouraged at every university,
especially land grant universities charged with turning out the
next generation of leaders of 21st century agriculture.
If you want university research to be free of the corruptive
influence of corporate agribusiness, you need to call or write today.
Stand up for Michael Pollan and Academic Freedom!
Let WSU President Elson Floyd know that you support the
university's original decision for all incoming freshman to read
The Omnivore's Dilemma and believe he should honor that commitment.
Sustainably Yours,
Food Democracy Now!
If you'd like to see Food Democracy Now!'s grassroots work
continue, <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FoodDemocracyNow/894cc55fc0/11fcdc03f4/40b1101751/page_id=9%20
>please consider donating as little as $10 or $25. We appreciate
your support!
<http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/?page_id=9>http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/?page_id=9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FoodDemocracyNow/894cc55fc0/11fcdc03f4/5dc4c7822e/page_id=364
>Write or Call WSU President Elson Floyd Today at:
Washington State University
Office of the President - President Elson Floyd
Phone Number: 509-335-6666
Sample Phone Script:
Please tell WSU President Floyd to:
I'm calling today to ask the President Floyd stand firm on academic
freedom and include The Omnivore's Dilemma in the university's
Common Reading Program.
It's important that students at land grant universities be exposed
to all ideas, especially those that challenge the orthodoxies of
our times. Academic freedom at universities and freedom of speech
are the foundation of a democracy and I believe that The Omnivore's
Dilemma is a crucial part of the ongoing debate in society about
how food is produced in America and its impact on our nation's
citizens.
We encourage all interactions with WSU staff, whether written or
spoken to be polite and respectful.
Email: <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Sample Letter:
Subject: Support Michael Pollan and Academic Freedom
Dear President Floyd,
I appreciate Washington State University's original decision to
select Michael Pollan's award-winning book The Omnivore's Dilemma
to be read by all incoming freshman as part of the university's
Common Reading Program.
Pollan's work is important, not because it takes a critical look at
industrial agriculture, as it has been commonly portrayed in the
media, but because Pollan gives a rational critique of organic
practices and companies as well.
Regretfully, that original decision to include this important book,
which was hailed by WSU scholars and students alike, has been
reversed because of undue industry pressure. Since 4,000 copies of
the book have already been bought, it would not only be a crime
against academic freedom, but it would be financially wasteful as
well.
Today, I join with thousands of Americans across the country asking
that you stand up for intellectual honesty and academic freedom by
reinstating the decision to allow all incoming freshman to read
this harmless, yet wonderful book so they can make the decision
themselves.
It's a shame that WSU's freshman may be denied the opportunity to
read this important book as a result of industry influence.
We stand behind you to make the right decision and let academic
freedom ring, please reinstate Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's
Dilemma into the Common Reading Program.
Sincerely,
[Your name here
City, State]
If you like you can:
Invite President Floyd to an event to speak on academic freedom <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FoodDemocracyNow/894cc55fc0/11fcdc03f4/be11c76bfb/FormID=1
>you can contact him here: <http://pubforms.wsu.edu/president/renderer.aspx?FormID=1
>http://pubforms.wsu.edu/president/renderer.aspx?FormID=1
Phone: 509/335-7932 or
Email: <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Sources:
1. WSU Selects "Omnivore's Dilemma" as 2009 Common Reading Book for
Freshmen - March 26, 2009
<http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=14154&PageID=&ReferrerCode=uggc%3A%2F%2Fjjj.jfharjf.jfh.rqh%2Fcntrf%2Ffrnepu.nfc%3FCntrVQ%3D%26Xrljbeqf%3Dzvpunry+cbyyna
>http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=14154&PageID=&ReferrerCode=uggc%3A%2F%2Fjjj.jfharjf.jfh.rqh%2Fcntrf%2Ffrnepu.nfc%3FCntrVQ%3D%26Xrljbeqf%3Dzvpunry+cbyyna
2. WSU Common Reading Program - Cans Michael Pollan's The
Omnivore's Dilemma - May 1, 2009
<http://commonreading.wsu.edu>http://commonreading.wsu.edu/
3. WSU's Book Controversy Shines Light on Big Ag's Influence on
Land Grant Schools - May 23, 2009
<http://www.livablefutureblog.com/2009/05/wsus-book-controversy-shines-light-on-big-ags-influence-on-land-grant-schools/
>http://www.livablefutureblog.com/2009/05/wsus-book-controversy-shines-light-on-big-ags-influence-on-land-grant-schools/
4. Washington State's Dilemma: How to Serve Up a Book Criticizing
the Food Industry - May 21, 2009
<http://chronicle.com/daily/2009/05/18512n.htm>http://chronicle.com/daily/2009/05/18512n.htm
5. Washington State University - Say It Isn't So. Hey, Michael
Pollan, I'll Pay Your Way to Pullman
<http://www.marlerblog.com/2009/05/articles/lawyer-oped/washington-state-university-say-it-isnt-so-hey-michael-pollan-ill-pay-your-way-to-pullman/
>http://www.marlerblog.com/2009/05/articles/lawyer-oped/washington-state-university-say-it-isnt-so-hey-michael-pollan-ill-pay-your-way-to-pullman/
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Alison Fromme
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