Spring Break
Forum to focus on academic freedom
Kelly Crement / Staff Photographer
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: News
The floor for discussion on academic freedom is the focal point of the University Professionals of Illinois and Faculty Senate forum "Academic Freedom in the Age of Information Technology and the Industrial Model of Education."
The forum was named that because of the context these aspects of modern society create for the exercise of free inquiry and expression, said Charles Delman, Eastern chapter president.
"Information technology has greatly reduced the privacy of what goes on in a classroom or any other setting, and it has also greatly increased the dispersal of information," he said.
The forum will focus on academic freedom and what its boundaries are.
Gary Aylesworth, a philosophy professor, is the opening panelist.
Aylesworth will speak about the rights and responsibilities of teachers when they share their ideas and findings.
Jocelyn Tipton, a librarian from Booth Library, will discuss how academic freedom affects students and their use of library services.
"Our other panelists will discuss academic freedom issues that relate to their experiences in the classroom or particular concerns they have in this regard," Delman said.
Delman encourages students to attend because academic freedom decides the type of education students receive.
He also stressed with student participation, faculty better understand the concerns students have about academic freedom.
"We hope that many topics will be raised by the audience," Delman said. "The plan is to have the presentations by the panelists be very brief, allowing for a lot of interchange with the audience."
Information technology has increased the distribution of information and reduced the privacy of what goes on in classrooms.
Delman said comments on Web sites like RateMyProfessors.com and the ability to record professors without their knowledge compromises academic freedom and changes the student/professor relationship.
"Forums are sponsored by the University Professionals of Illinois, which is a union that represents faculty and academic support professionals, and the EIU Faculty Senate," Delman said.
The forum is at 7 p.m. in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
Kelly Crement can be reached at 581-7942 or DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
The forum was named that because of the context these aspects of modern society create for the exercise of free inquiry and expression, said Charles Delman, Eastern chapter president.
"Information technology has greatly reduced the privacy of what goes on in a classroom or any other setting, and it has also greatly increased the dispersal of information," he said.
The forum will focus on academic freedom and what its boundaries are.
Gary Aylesworth, a philosophy professor, is the opening panelist.
Aylesworth will speak about the rights and responsibilities of teachers when they share their ideas and findings.
Jocelyn Tipton, a librarian from Booth Library, will discuss how academic freedom affects students and their use of library services.
"Our other panelists will discuss academic freedom issues that relate to their experiences in the classroom or particular concerns they have in this regard," Delman said.
Delman encourages students to attend because academic freedom decides the type of education students receive.
He also stressed with student participation, faculty better understand the concerns students have about academic freedom.
"We hope that many topics will be raised by the audience," Delman said. "The plan is to have the presentations by the panelists be very brief, allowing for a lot of interchange with the audience."
Information technology has increased the distribution of information and reduced the privacy of what goes on in classrooms.
Delman said comments on Web sites like RateMyProfessors.com and the ability to record professors without their knowledge compromises academic freedom and changes the student/professor relationship.
"Forums are sponsored by the University Professionals of Illinois, which is a union that represents faculty and academic support professionals, and the EIU Faculty Senate," Delman said.
The forum is at 7 p.m. in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.
Kelly Crement can be reached at 581-7942 or DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kalen Smith
posted 3/09/09 @ 10:17 PM CST
Good point. I never really thought of the concerns that could have been raised by a site like RateMyProfessors, but I guess it makes sense.
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