Posted on 07/12/2006 10:27:03 AM PDT by oxcart
UA adjunct professor resigns over blog comments
Deborah Frisch, a former adjunct professor in the Psychology department, resigned Saturday when comments she posted on a political blog caused hundreds of e-mails to the department asking for her termination.
Frisch first wrote comments about the U.S. military occupation in Iraq on June 5 on proteinwisdom.com, a Web log written by Colorado resident Jeff Goldstein.
Frisch said the tone of the exchanges caused by her comment between herself, Goldstein and other's who were commenting on the blog, began with a joking and playful tone, but had "degenerated" by July 7.
Frisch made a comment referring to the murder of Jon Benet Ramsey, saying she wouldn't feel bad if Goldstein's son faced a similar fate. Frisch said that she now feels she "crossed the line."
She said that professors are held to higher standard of political debate that her comments were inappropriate.
"I regret involving the university," Frisch said.
Frisch said she was surprised the blog comments had spurred hundreds of e-mails and blog postings calling for her to be fired from the UA.
She said she believes another blog posting at www.blackfive.net, acted as a "megaphone," which called for people to contact the UA psychology department.
Frisch said although she decided to resign from her temporary position, she said she hasn't been "silenced," but she will take a break from blogging and posting on blogs for a while.
"I can use my words more constructively," Frisch said.
Alfred Kaszniak, head of the psychology department, wrote in an e-mail that he had received numerous e-mails about Frisch over the weekend from people outside of the UA and the state, but had "virtually none" by Tuesday afternoon.
Allison Vaillencourt, associate vice president of human resources, said the UA's Handbook for Appointed Personnel does offer guidance regarding professional conduct, but that the UA does not have policies that would affect the freedom of speech of employees.
(((UP DATE PING)))
PING
On the internet, no one can tell if you're a dog.<p.On the other hand, we can tell if you're a bitc ... can I post that?
Try again:
On the internet, no one can tell if you're a dog.
On the other hand, we can tell if you're a bitc ... can I post that?
Good Riddance to that miserable skank. UofA has just raised its IQ.
Idiot with a degree.
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