I am aware that I am getting older, and therefore have less patience. But is it really that important where I or you were when John Lennon died? Thirty years after his untimely death this still seems to be an important question for some. I guess I need to ask why. John wrote some very nice tunes. A major thinker he was not. His activities in retrospect, seem a little tawdry, a little silly, and often downright foolish. I keep hoping the baby boomers will grow up, but my hopes are dashed repeatedly. I am left with the awful image of 90 year olds tottering in the old-age home to the streaming sounds of Satisfaction (yes, I know this is Mick’s and not John’s) and I want to hold your hand. Help!!
I student of mine is applying for a job. Here is some of the verbiage on the job description page: “Strengthened by Diversity GCSU is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative-Action Institution committed to cultural, racial and multi-ethnic communities and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is expected that successful candidates share in this commitment.” I note that they don’t ask if the candidate is committed to quality scholarship, opposed to smoking, and being committed to rooting out obesity. How lacking in inclusivity!
A project I have been imaging for a long time is now actually a reality. The Center for the Study of American Ideals and Culture has received its first funding, from the new Apgar Foundation. With this first seed money, we can now get this enterprise off the ground. I must admit I am quite proud, as they said that of the forty or so applications they requested, ours was the best.
Here is the mission statement: The Center for the Study of American Ideals and Culture at the University of Arizona will provide the leaders of the future with an ennobling vision, a sense of a larger purpose and a higher calling, through an understanding of the theoretical foundations of American institutions and culture. With the management and direction of a new undergraduate major, the development of curricular and pedagogical innovation, research, performance, and public outreach, the Center will restore balance in the dialogue over the value of the heritage of Western civilization, the development of the American polity, and the expression of the American soul through the arts. Founded and directed by composer Daniel Asia, the new program will combat the rising ignorance of the American intellectual experience, especially of the philosophical principles of the founding of America, science and religion and its interaction with social policy, and of high culture, especially the rich legacy of high art and music.” Comments, as well as million dollar gifts, are appreciated.
So the Provost sent out a year end wrap-up. For those of you who don’t know, it hasn’t been good year for academe, particularly here in Arizona. The income side of the fiscal picture is a disaster. Have the tough questions been asked in response to this unpleasant picture? Of course not. Instead we get the following: “UA is the center of and model of environmental sustainability, both as a facility and in research excellence.”
In the fall, our UA facility was listed as one of the most environmentally sensitive campuses in the nation in The Sustainable Endowments Institute’s “College Sustainability Report Card 2010.” This citing compliments the National Wildlife Federation’s “Campus Ecology” program that identified our University two years ago as one of six U.S. universities and colleges from more than 1,000 as having exemplary, campus-wide sustainability programs.”
Whoa! I guess big-time partying is now called “Wildlife”. And we are called the Wildcats. Who would have thunk it.
We are proud of our institutional innovative projects that minimize the University’s environmental footprint. It is gratifying to see our students are taking charge of their own future by pushing to make the campus and the surrounding community a greener place to study, work and live.
I have recently finished an article for a future Academic Questions on the difficult place in which Classical Music finds itself in the Academy. I also suggest that the problem is a symptomatic of a larger societal one.
I was asked to give some anecdotes for the article, and didn’t come up with any good ones. In giving a talk a few nights ago I realized I did in fact remember one, that since it won’t be in the article, I relate here.
Last summer I gave a talk to a talented group of students who are hoping to become future entrepreneurs. As an opening question, I asked if they knew of any American composers of classical music. I thought they might mention Copland, Gershwin, Bernstein, or perhaps even Glass or Adams. After a long silence, a bold student finally answered–John Williams.
And a question to you. I notice that many of my very sophisticated friends feel uncomfortable with classical music, and in particular, that of a more recent vintage. They don’t feel this way about movies, theatre, or the visual arts. Why is this the case? I have various hypotheses, which I will elaborate on at a latter time. In the meantime, let me know your thoughts on the subject.
The Arizona Association of Scholars will be hosting a talk by Robert Maranto on “The Politically Correct University” (his most recent book) next week at the University of Arizona. I have been busy sending out emails to folks to let them know about this. I just hit the Student Life website. Just so you know, Sarah Casares is in charge of Student Behavioral Education, Hannah Lozon is in charge of Social Justice Education, and Jill Burchell is in charge of Sustainability Education. I wonder if these residence employees will attend?
Ward Connerly spoke at the University of Arizona just a few weeks ago. He was masterly.
At five minutes before his talk was to begin there were only five people in the audience. At the start there were between seventy-five and one hundred. It was clear that a huge majority thought they stood in opposition to his views. There were those with placards, who thankfully remained entirely civil throughout.
Ward spoke calmly and cooly stating his primary thesis over and over from every angle: Discrimination hardly exists in this country presently. If you work hard you can achieve. Aid should be provided to low income folks no matter what race creed, religion, etc. He deflected or absorbed hostility, never projecting it back at his questioner. A lot of people were thinking hard as they left. Isn’t this just what should happen on a university campus, but happens so infrequently?!
So, for the first event of the Arizona Association of Scholars, Ward Connerly will be our guest. Being a strong believer in open dialogue I forwarded a press release to many student organizations on campus. Here is one response:
To: Daniel, Arturo, Andrea, Lorenzo, Socorro, and David
I didn’t want to explain all of this to the greater email list, but I’m just sending this to a few leaders on campus:
Ward Connerly (for those who may not be familiar) was a key opponent of Affirmative Action when the University of Michigan defended its admissions process to the Supreme Court in the late 1990s. As chair of Alianza (Latino student organization) at the University of Michigan during the Affirmative Action cases, I can attest that, frankly, his advocacy can do more potential damage for student of color resources on campus than the cultural center restructuring plans. So, I urge you to research Connerly’s track record, attend the talk, and let your voices be heard.
If you think it would help, I’d be glad to address your organizations, just let me know.
Thanks,
Maurice
Jeepers, so much for free inquiry and open dialogue, which now seems to be a dangerous commodity.
The Arizona Affirmative Action Initiative will be on the ballot in a few weeks. In conjunction with this, the newly re-constituted (think orange juice) AZ Association of Scholars has invited Ward Connerly, the initiator of these state wide referendums, to the campus of the University of Arizona. His presentation will take place October 28, Wednesday, 4-5:30 in Holsclaw Hall, which is in the Music Bldg. Come one, come all!! You can even fly in for the event, as Tucson is gorgeous this time of year.
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