tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post2873009136523519692..comments2024-02-24T05:19:10.949-05:00Comments on Durham-in-Wonderland: Paula McClain: No Means Nokcjohnson9http://www.blogger.com/profile/09625813296986996867noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-52393875791887203802007-06-20T15:12:00.000-04:002007-06-20T15:12:00.000-04:00I wouldn't mind the recommendation to limit athlet...I wouldn't mind the recommendation to limit athletic admits at the "low end" so long as the same rigorous policy were applied to the qualifications of all faculty hiring -- and promotion -- across the spectrum of departments and programs. What are the chances of this ever happening? Nil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-52467467298040738712007-06-13T05:20:00.000-04:002007-06-13T05:20:00.000-04:00I invite you to compare McClain's publishing recor...I invite you to compare McClain's publishing record, especially in terms of peer reviewed journal articles, with any other Full Professor in a top 10 Department in the country (Duke PS is usually ranked top 10 in said rankings).<BR/><BR/>You will see her record is fairly weak. Lots of publications in second or third tier journals, barely anything in top journals (and the few things she has in top journals are either co-authored or review pieces).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-12006128361073247982007-03-05T10:45:00.000-05:002007-03-05T10:45:00.000-05:00rod allison, Detroit said... Looks like McClain...<I><BR/> rod allison, Detroit said...<BR/><BR/> Looks like McClain is the one who can't adjust to change.<BR/><BR/> After the "listening" ad, as the facts came out and it became evident that the case she based her position on was nothing but a false accusation, she refused to change her position.<BR/><BR/> Is she too old? Or maybe just too racist.<BR/><BR/> Mar 5, 2007 6:03:00 AM <BR/></I><BR/><BR/>She is too inexperienced to understand how dumb her comments make her sound, and too insecure to change her earlier mistaken stance. It is the price paid by the Duke faculty for electing someone for symbolism rather than for the candidate's qualifications. Now Professor McClain has to go and address people whose goodwill she needs, after initially insulting them. Not a good beginning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-92115300855071537192007-03-05T06:03:00.000-05:002007-03-05T06:03:00.000-05:00Looks like McClain is the one who can't adjust to...Looks like McClain is the one who can't adjust to change.<BR/><BR/>After the "listening" ad, as the facts came out and it became evident that the case she based her position on was nothing but a false accusation, she refused to change her position.<BR/><BR/>Is she too old? Or maybe just too racist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-13854251905555507372007-03-05T03:47:00.000-05:002007-03-05T03:47:00.000-05:00Duke '86 said> "Can anyone think of a reason Duke ...Duke '86 said> <BR/><I>"Can anyone think of a reason Duke students shouldn't boycott McClain and other members of the Group of 88's classes?"</I><BR/><BR/>If someone is a good professor and has a class that is interesting and pertinent to my interests and area of study, I would take still that professor's class.<BR/><BR/>One of 88 was a classmate of mine and she was bright, kind, energetic and immensely humorous. Unless she has changed drastically, I think she probably is a fine professor. A former professor of mine signed the follow-up statement and she was a knowledgeable and engaging professor who noticed when I was absent from a class or two. <BR/><BR/>I'm disappointed they signed those statements and it does make me question their judgment and thought processes. If I am paying for a Duke education, though, I am going to take classes by the best, with little regard for their signing statements. Admittedly, it seems like a higher percentage of the best most rigorous thinkers/teachers are probably those who did not sign the statements.<BR/><BR/>And I do not like McClain's rip on alumni.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-67178518418715881952007-03-05T01:39:00.000-05:002007-03-05T01:39:00.000-05:007:23Don’t know who said that - but the nightmare h...7:23<BR/>Don’t know who said that - but the nightmare has already been in existence for a while, thanks to PC, multiculturalism, etc. <BR/> “The Textbook League” has been around for a while and parents who prefer their children learn fact rather than PC fiction may want to browse their site for reviews of the textbooks being used in schools (and don’t think private schools are immune). <BR/><A HREF="http://www.textbookleague.org/93fakes.htm" REL="nofollow">Victimism</A><BR/>When I toured East Germany years ago (while in college), we were warned in advance to not roll our eyes or gasp at the historical inaccuracies stated by our tour guides. It was not easy, but the price of touring was to accept the propaganda. I never imagined that one day I would see the same thing to such a degree in my own country - perversion of fact in order to serve an agenda.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-64251906794565775682007-03-05T00:00:00.000-05:002007-03-05T00:00:00.000-05:00I think Paula McClain underestimates how easy chan...I think Paula McClain underestimates how easy change can be for the people who came through Duke years ago (alums)and how capable they are of making changes. Clearly for an employee like McClain, who would probably leave Duke for a bigger paycheck, tradition has no importance and alumni are perceived as anachronisms. The Trustees need to be aware of her patronizing attitude toward alumni.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-43414586531928974382007-03-04T23:46:00.000-05:002007-03-04T23:46:00.000-05:00Very thoughtful post, 9:35 a.m.Very thoughtful post, 9:35 a.m.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-50041462902350128782007-03-04T22:45:00.000-05:002007-03-04T22:45:00.000-05:00University types live in a different world and oft...University types live in a different world and often look down on those of us that are outside that world. The town/gown conflict continues. The problem with the professors is that they do not respect those of us that have achieved success in life. Alums that have had fulfilling and rewarding lives certainly have a right to comment on the courses of study proposed by these goof balls. Most successful people have to change with the times, keep open minds and adapt. Why I have even learned how to use a computerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-17857713889171840122007-03-04T22:39:00.000-05:002007-03-04T22:39:00.000-05:00Duke must be a great university to overcome the in...Duke must be a great university to overcome the intellectual drivel of the leftist professors, the weak leadership of Brodhead, the remote oversight of the trustees, the utter corruption of Durham, the framing of lacrosse players by Nifong and his enablers, et al.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-24486287602076708192007-03-04T22:08:00.000-05:002007-03-04T22:08:00.000-05:00Maybe Duke should launch a faculty intramural spor...Maybe Duke should launch a faculty intramural sports league, with mandatory participation. Failure to participate will result in termination.<BR/><BR/>After all, if students need to be indoctrinated on the benefits of a narrow-minded "diversity", I think it's fair that faculty should learn of the positive benefits of athletic competition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-90326619707622222032007-03-04T21:57:00.000-05:002007-03-04T21:57:00.000-05:00Accreditation for Duke UniversityDuke is in the mi...Accreditation for Duke University<BR/><BR/>Duke is in the middle of preparing for their next accreditation visit schedule sometime in 2009 - Which is, in university time, right around the corner.<BR/><BR/>The Southern Association of Colleges and School will make the accreditation visit. <BR/>http://www.sacs.org/<BR/><BR/>Information about the process that is well underway at Duke can be found at the URL below<BR/><BR/>Duke University - Office of the Provost <BR/>http://provost.duke.edu/accred/<BR/><BR/>There are faculty committees working on the Quality Enhancement Plan [QEP] (self-study on a topic dealing with student learning) component of the accreditation process... Now.<BR/><BR/>Another component of the accreditation process is community input and I would imagine obviously, that Duke Alumni are an obvious 'community' that can comment.<BR/><BR/>The timing here is wonderful. <BR/><BR/>And Paula McClain is the Chair of Duke's Academic Council (Faculty Senate). Just Amazing. <BR/><BR/>GPGary Packwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05177986821224068759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-59291411017125920432007-03-04T21:50:00.000-05:002007-03-04T21:50:00.000-05:00Brodhead is from Yale. If he comes up against Coac...Brodhead is from Yale. If he comes up against Coach K in an effort to remake Duke sports into Yale sports he may find out that he is no longer in New Haven. I would like to see Brodhead try to gut the Blue Devils basketball program - he will be the one who is heading for disembowelment. The Iron Dukes are rich and powerful, do not mess with Duke basketball. <BR/><BR/>But that is not likely to play out an any way that is helpful to the current situation. Brodhead is in nominal charge, the case against the Lacrosse team drags on, Nifong still goes to work, and not much changes around here...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-34176049201876938272007-03-04T21:48:00.000-05:002007-03-04T21:48:00.000-05:00Can anyone think of a reason Duke students shouldn...Can anyone think of a reason Duke students shouldn't boycott McClain and other members of the Group of 88's classes?<BR/><BR/>No.<BR/><BR/>It would be the best way to .............See Ya!Duke '86https://www.blogger.com/profile/17215111869242209002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-58677163343196727052007-03-04T21:06:00.000-05:002007-03-04T21:06:00.000-05:00Are other alums as offended as I am by Ms. McClain...<I><BR/>Are other alums as offended as I am by Ms. McClain's ageism?<BR/><BR/>Mar 4, 2007 2:48:00 PM <BR/></I><BR/><BR/>Yes, deeply so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-59427422792339013592007-03-04T20:51:00.000-05:002007-03-04T20:51:00.000-05:00Anonymous said... Does anyone know what the rol...<I><BR/> Anonymous said...<BR/><BR/> Does anyone know what the role of the Duke Academic Council is?<BR/><BR/> Mar 4, 2007 12:59:00 PM <BR/></I><BR/><BR/>The Academic Council at Duke is roughly equivalent to what is called the Faculty Senate at other institutions. The academic council is supposed to represent the views of the faculty on all matters of importance to the University. In some past years it has functioned effectively to bring forward academic interests, often by appointing well qualified faculty to specific university committees. The Chair of the Academic Council (Professor McClain will become chair in a few months) speaks for the faculty on many occasions, such as at some trustee meetings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-28530963371162447712007-03-04T20:38:00.000-05:002007-03-04T20:38:00.000-05:00It is unfortunate that Professor McClain begins he...It is unfortunate that Professor McClain begins her term with what can be understood as an attack on alumni. She insults people she has never met whose thoughts she does not know, yet many of these same alumni are people who have helped Duke greatly, and continue to do so, with little or no recognition in return. One wonders if Professor McClain has any idea what she is doing. She most certainly is not representing the whole Duke faculty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-44098222176137747502007-03-04T19:23:00.000-05:002007-03-04T19:23:00.000-05:00Who said the following?"This kind of thing is frig...Who said the following?<BR/><BR/>"This kind of thing is frightening to me, because it often gives me the feeling that the very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. After all, the chances are that those lies, or at any rate similar lies, will pass into history. . . . The implied objective of this line of thought is a nightmare world in which the Leader, or some ruling clique, controls not only the future but the past. If the Leader says of such and such an event, “It never happened”–well, it never happened. If he says that two and two are five–well, two and two are five."<BR/><BR/>1. Richard Brodhead<BR/>2. Jozef Stalin<BR/>3. Paula McClain<BR/>4. Ronald Reagan<BR/>5. Peter Wood<BR/>6. Ward Churchill<BR/>7. Amanda Marcotte<BR/>8. George Orwell<BR/>9. Were it ever said, it was misinterpreted and the clarifying statement was: NO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-46830286651142585432007-03-04T18:34:00.000-05:002007-03-04T18:34:00.000-05:00"The reality is the world is changing, the country..."The reality is the world is changing, the country is changing, and we have to change. If Duke wants to remain competitive and remain a top-notch institution, it’s got to change with the times"<BR/><BR/>This makes more sense once you realize these professors think the times we're moving out of are the 1950's.<BR/><BR/>M. JonesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-72416794890143740552007-03-04T17:38:00.000-05:002007-03-04T17:38:00.000-05:00Campus Culture Initiative? Why dont' they call it ...Campus Culture Initiative? <BR/>Why dont' they call it what it really is; Social Engineering Initiative with a Concentration in Athletics and Alcohol Prohibition!<BR/><BR/>The CCI is just a way to address Duke Athletes without looking like they are just addressing Duke Athletes.<BR/>How else can one explain the overlooked fact that in 2006 the DUKE STUDENT ATHLETE GRADUATION RATE WAS 91%. DUKE LED ALL SCHOOLS!<BR/><BR/>The CCI says: "Students who spend more time partying & binge drinking tend to devote significantly less time to studying and have significantly less academic performance in comparison to other students."<BR/>91% doesn't sound like a problem with drinking, partying, studying or playing a sport!<BR/><BR/>Duke's "black" graduation rate (for those who feel the need to segregate one graduation rate from another)was 87%!<BR/>Of the 687 black students at Duke,89 did not graduate.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the issue the CCI should be investigating is that with a 2.45 student/teacher ratio, why isn't the graduation rate 100%?<BR/>(Duke undergrads:6,244 Duke Faculty: 2,518)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-7544947378070155462007-03-04T14:48:00.000-05:002007-03-04T14:48:00.000-05:00Recently elected Chairwoman of the Duke Faculty Co...Recently elected Chairwoman of the Duke Faculty Council, Paula McClain, will begin her term in July 2007.<BR/><BR/>On her web site, Ms. McClain notes that she is Co-Director of the Center for Studies of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender, is a member of the Provost's Diversity Task Force, and has served as chair of the Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure Committee. Perhaps here we may find an explanation for why some Duke faculty did not respond to the "Group of 88." Perhaps here we may find an explanation for the meager academic credentials of some of the 88.<BR/><BR/>In the N&O article, Ms. McClain is quoted as saying: "The reality is the world is changing, the country is changing, and we have to change. If Duke wants to remain competitive and remain a top-notch institution, it’s got to change with the times. Change is very difficult, especially for people who came through Duke years ago."<BR/><BR/>Ms. McClain is guilty of AGEISM, a serious form of discrimination that is more prevalent than ethnic and racial discrimination. Duke and other universities need to address ageism on their campuses. Old coot professors, especially white males, with lots of important ongoing research under their belts are being discriminated against as they seek employment and promotions and salary raises.<BR/><BR/>Former graduates of Duke are being told by Ms. McClain that they find difficulty changing with the times. Tell that to people like Ginny Lilly, Peter Nichols, and Ed Pratt. Ms. McClaine, they have been quite successful in keeping up with the times, but then some agenda-driven faculty may consider them to be nothing but corporate fat cats, the bane of the country.<BR/><BR/>Are you, Ms. McClain, given your research interests, capable of removing from your eyes and brain the filters of race, ethnicity, and gender? I'm curious as to what kind of change you are talking about? Please be more specific. And tell me what makes an institution "top-notch"?<BR/><BR/>Are other alums as offended as I am by Ms. McClain's ageism?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-49128751605121369472007-03-04T14:10:00.000-05:002007-03-04T14:10:00.000-05:00Wow. What a well thought out and well explained an...Wow. What a well thought out and well explained answer from McClain to a very important question.<BR/><BR/>Try this: Will I be giving any money to Duke in the near future?<BR/><BR/>No.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-1579970134619461642007-03-04T13:59:00.000-05:002007-03-04T13:59:00.000-05:00McClain's eloquent "no" echoes that potbanger's "n...McClain's eloquent "no" echoes that potbanger's "nope" when asked a similar question about rushing to judgment. <BR/><BR/>No, nope, <I>nein</I>, <I>nyet</I>. What else can these folks say - "Yes: I was an ass. I guess my whole world view is off"?<BR/><BR/>At random, some other guaranteed-to-get-a-no questions:<BR/><BR/>is there <I>any</I> action by Nifong that Joyner would not defend? <BR/><BR/>Are Nancy Grace, Cash Michaels, ThugNiggerIntellectual, et al. going to give up their meal-ticket victimolatry because of a little thing like the embarrassment of this case? <BR/><BR/>Is the NC Dem party going to alienate black voters by declaring this complete crock of a case a complete crock of a case?<BR/><BR/>Does Brodhead deserve our understanding for the "difficult situation" in which he was placed?Would Brodhead be sounding so level-headed now if he thought he could get away with simply pandering to his PC allies? Should he be president of Duke?<BR/><BR/>Is there <I>any</I> point in reading the H-S?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-62717177214750226132007-03-04T13:57:00.000-05:002007-03-04T13:57:00.000-05:00To me the most objectionable part of McClain's sta...To me the most objectionable part of McClain's statement is the swipe at Duke alumns: "Change is very difficult, especially for people who came through Duke years ago."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32542246.post-46764715498253907122007-03-04T13:54:00.001-05:002007-03-04T13:54:00.001-05:00Hehe... "discover their inner Jerry Falwells."3-po...Hehe... "discover their inner Jerry Falwells."<BR/><BR/>3-pointer.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16028054397755632614noreply@blogger.com