Posted on 05/17/2007 8:26:04 AM PDT by GodGunsGuts
By: Nafeesa Syeed Associated Press May 15, 2007
DES MOINES (AP) --- Iowa State University has denied tenure to an assistant professor who has been outspoken in his views on intelligent design, prompting one group to claim he's being punished because of his views...
(Excerpt) Read more at discovery.org ...
Also, see reply #2 for a link for background info. on Dr. Gonzalez--GGG
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To: geoffroy@iastate.edu Subject: Guillermo Gonzalez Tenure Ruling
President Gregory L. Geoffroy,
I am disappointed at the University's denial of Guillermo Gonzalez tenure application. Despite the fact that Dr. Gonzalez has 68 peer-reviewed publications, he seems to be denied tenure on the basis of viewpoint discrimination. Although the University's mission statement says, "In carrying out its mission, Iowa State will increase and support diversity in the University community. Diversity enlivens the exchange of ideas, broadens scholarship, and prepares students for lifelong, productive participation in society.", it seems that this diversity does not apply to those who promote intelligent design theory.
Please do the right thing and approve Guillermo Gonzalez tenure application.
Sincerely,
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Thank you for writing to President Geoffroy about the matter involving Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez. Pres. Geoffroy has asked me to respond on his behalf because he is in the process of considering Dr. Gonzalez's appeal of the tenure decision, and it is not appropriate to comment until the appeal decision is finalized. For your information, I have outlined below the facts related to this matter.
Like most research universities, Iowa State has an extensive process of evaluating faculty for tenure. The procedure is prescribed in the Faculty Handbook (http://www.provost.iastate.edu/faculty/handbook/faculty_handbook/) and in the college and department organizational documents. The evaluation is based on the candidate's record of teaching, service and scholarly research during the time of the candidate's appointment at Iowa State, using standards and expectations set by the candidate's tenured faculty colleagues in his/her academic department. The review begins in the candidate's academic department, where a recommendation on tenure and promotion is generated by a vote of the tenured faculty. The process includes consideration of recommendations of reputable persons in the same area of study, but who are not at Iowa State. That is progressively followed by reviews by the department chair, a college-level committee, the dean of the college, and the executive vice president and provost, all of whom generate recommendations for the next level of review. The candidate's dossier and all of the recommendations are then presented to the university president, who makes a final decision. In the case of a final negative decision, the candidate has the right of appeal, using a process that is prescribed in the Faculty Handbook.
The tenure decision is one of the most important decisions that a university makes, because it means a lifetime appointment for the individual being considered, and before granting tenure, faculty and university leaders must be convinced of the candidate's promise of excellence in his/her academic discipline that will last for the duration of his/her academic career. It is a very high standard of excellence and achievement, and there are many good researchers, and good people, who fail to satisfy the demands of earning tenure.
As an assistant professor of physics and astronomy, Dr. Gonzalez was evaluated for tenure and promotion to associate professor by the tenured faculty in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. That evaluation was based on an assessment of the excellence of his teaching, service, scholarly research publications and research funding in astronomy, using standards and expectations set by the faculty in the department. The consensus of the tenured department faculty, the department chair, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the executive vice president and provost was that tenure should not be granted. On the basis of those recommendations against granting tenure and promotion at every prior level of review and the president's own review of the record, President Geoffroy notified Dr. Gonzalez in April that he would not be granted tenure and promotion to associate professor.
On May 9, Dr. Gonzalez, following university procedure, submitted to the president an appeal of the final tenure decision, and that appeal is now being considered with a decision expected to be rendered by June 6, 2007.
For more information regarding this tenure case, please follow this link:
http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2007/may/tenureFAQ.shtml
John McCarroll Executive Director Office of University Relations
Here is a link to Dr. Gonzalez published, peer reviewed papers:
http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?command=download&id=1362
Here is some background info. on Dr. Gonzalez:
ping
I did not know that the state can deny you a job based on your religious beliefs.
==I did not know that the state can deny you a job based on your religious beliefs.
The new priesthood is employed by the sate. They belong to the 1sr Church of Darwin. And they will stop at nothing to stamp out all rivals.
I did not know that the state could give you a job that allowed you to teach your religious beliefs as fact in a university.
==I did not know that the state could give you a job that allowed you to teach your religious beliefs as fact in a university.
Have you even bothered to check the facts of this case? No need to reply, the answer is obvious.
I saw the link to the Discovery Institute, so there was no need.
I did go read the link just so I could say I did, and there were some interesting things. For example, the name of his book is "The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery." The fact that it's the "Discovery Institute" is carrying his water is noted. I can imagine the connections there.
Another interesting quote: Tenure-track professors are on a probation until their seventh year, when they're eligible to apply for a permanent position. "Tenure is taken very, very seriously," McCarroll said. "You're basically granting a lifetime appointment. You're making a commitment to the individual on behalf of the university and the state of Iowa."
I wouldn't vote to allow an IDer tenure either. That would give him a lifetime clearance to preach his beliefs in science class for decades. He's not worth the risk.
The lame attempts to debunk the fundamental principles of evolution are about on par with holocaust denial. I wouldn't give David Duke tenure either.
They are beyond reasoning with. Don't bother.
Perhaps he can be a tour guide at some creationist theme park.
Do you think this deeply on every subject? /sarc
You will partially be to blame for what happens when the pendulum of science swings back (hard) in the other direction.
You mean when we return to the next Dark Ages?
I suppose you are correct that all previous educated civilizations were eventually wiped out by superstitious tribes. It's beginning even now.
I guess it's because emotion is a much more powerful motivating force than logic and reason. The attraction of superstition is easy, anyone can do it, but study and thought are hard.
==The attraction of superstition is easy, anyone can do it, but study and thought are hard.
Which is why the massive public funding currently propping up the Church of Darwin needs to be completely cut off. Once the American people finally realize they are being scammed by Darwinian cultists masquerading as scientists—there will be hell to pay.
Personal attacks do not make the case for ID. You'll have to come up with real arguments in favor of it first. Arguments that hold water, of course.
being scammed by Darwinian cultists ...
I never understood why accusing biologists of being members of a cult was seen as an argument in favor of ID. At best, you are saying that evolutionary biology and ID are equivalent faith systems. So what now? I flip a coin and determine which is better? Of course one would have to add coin tosses for all the other creation myths as well.
Personally, I prefer science to ancient creation stories.
They can't and they don't. Iowa State has a Christian Faculty and Staff Association with 120 members being the latest numbers I could find. None of them (except Gonzalez, I assume he is a member) has complained about unfair treatment.
Interestingly, 120+ is mentioned in the AP article: Two years ago, he was the unnamed target of a petition signed by more than 120 ISU faculty renouncing intelligent design as legitimate science.
Two years ago...they most likely wanted to go on the record as opposing ID because that was around the time that Kansas became a laughingstock.
From the AP article: The theory holds that the universe and living things are so finely tuned and complex, they must have been designed by a supreme, intelligent force.
Gonzalez said he's "very openly a Christian," but his theory isn't contingent on believing in a higher being or the supernatural.
Intelligent Design spin doctors say it's a scientific theory out one side of their mouths and claim it's a religious belief (as you did above) out of the other side.
The latter always with whining, cries of persecution, conspiracy theories, and in some cases smug warnings to those that don't buy into their "theory", of going to hell and burning in the Lake of Fire.
What a hypocrite you are. Here’s your opening salvo:
==”The lame attempts to debunk the fundamental principles of evolution are about on par with holocaust denial.
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not interested in making the case for ID to you. You have already proven that you are dishonest, hit below the belt, and can’t be bothered with facts or reason.
==Personally, I prefer science to ancient creation stories.
No, you prefer to be an evangelist for the latest creation myth promulgated by the Church of Darwin.
==I wouldn’t give David Duke tenure either.
Why not? David Duke is one of yours:
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