Koch's role in hiring decisions at Florida State University raises questions

[Political Junky]

Big Education Ape: Billionaire's role in hiring decisions at Florida State University raises questions - St. Petersburg Times

A conservative billionaire who opposes government meddling in business has bought a rare commodity: the right to interfere in faculty hiring at a publicly funded university.

A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting "political economy and free enterprise."
<more>

 

[initforme]

This is sick. I remember when scott walker got his call from a fake Koch....he sure stood up and gave attention to that call. Another example of inarguable plutocracy in this once great nation.

 

[Oddball]

 

[Trajan]

q- if say someone funds a chair at a Univ. for the study of whatever, should they have say in how the money is used?

 

[Toro]

My peeps!

q- if say someone funds a chair at a Univ. for the study of whatever, should they have say in how the money is used?

I thought so.



Go Noles!

 

[sparky]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trajan
q- if say someone funds a chair at a Univ. for the study of whatever, should they have say in how the money is used?

right on down to partisanship.......


Under the agreement with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, however, faculty only retain the illusion of control. The contract specifies that an advisory committee appointed by Koch decides which candidates should be considered. The foundation can also withdraw its funding if it&#8217;s not happy with the faculty&#8217;s choice or if the hires don&#8217;t meet &#8220;objectives&#8221; set by Koch during annual evaluations.
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/10/koch-florida-state/

Koch wasted little time in asserting his influence. In 2009, he denied 60 percent of the faculty&#8217;s suggestions to fill the positions in the new programs, called the Study of Political Economy and Free Enterprise (SPEFE) and Excellence in Economics Education (EEE). The hires that were made were agreed upon by Koch and the department&#8217;s faculty.