Ethics and schools

[LuvOrlando]

So here's the thing, do you think it is ethical for a public University that gets a bunch of it's money from public coffers to throw money into backing an ideology, any ideology of anyone ever?

I just saw something in the news and it was like a slap in the face. It would be fine if the institution was private because they can do what they want, when they want and how they want but PUBLIC???? How on earth can anyone even pretend to be open minded and do something like this? What about opening your mind? What about freedom of thought?

I guess I have lots of research to do before I send my kids off to college, there is more to it than just the books and how well the school performs academically. No way am I paying some public school $20-40,000 a year to tinker with my kids' heads, they've got good ones and I'd prefer their thoughts be their own. Such a shame, it seems ethics is completely dead in this country...

Just wanted to mull it over out loud a bit, it seems every day another bastion of freedom is over-run from the inside and it is so demoralizing to me

PS, it's not the 'who' that matters to me it's the dynamic so for the sake of the conversation, please keep the who to yourself even if you do figure it out.

 

[FireDancer]

I have no idea what specifically you are talking about but the public university I went to had a religious studies department. I took a class that studied the historical context of the book of Revelations as an elective. There were other classes that were history based and others that taught about dogma but none were promoted as "the right dogma".

I don't see any problems with it, it is a part of life.

 

[golfgal]

It would help if you would clarify what you are talking about. Your post makes no sense as it is.

 

[LuvOrlando]

So you don't see an ethical dilemma when a University that receives public funds uses those funds to support a point of view?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So here's the thing, do you think it is ethical for a public University that gets a bunch of it's money from public coffers to throw money into backing an ideology, any ideology of anyone ever?

I just saw something in the news and it was like a slap in the face. It would be fine if the institution was private because they can do what they want, when they want and how they want but PUBLIC???? How on earth can anyone even pretend to be open minded and do something like this? What about opening your mind? What about freedom of thought?

I guess I have lots of research to do before I send my kids off to college, there is more to it than just the books and how well the school performs academically. No way am I paying some public school $20-40,000 a year to tinker with my kids' heads, they've got good ones and I'd prefer their thoughts be their own. Such a shame, it seems ethics is completely dead in this country...

Just wanted to mull it over out loud a bit, it seems every day another bastion of freedom is over-run from the inside and it is so demoralizing to me

PS, it's not the 'who' that matters to me it's the dynamic so for the sake of the conversation, please keep the who to yourself even if you do figure it out.

My dd is a college freshman at a large university of 30,000 students.

What is so demoralizing to you? I don't get it. That is the awesome thing about going to a large public university. Your kid can find their nitch.

Unless you are talking about a NAMBLA chapter. That would skeeve me out to the max.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think it does.

The issue is "Is it ethical for a Public University to divert public funds to a particular philosophy?" The who is irrelevant so specifics are un-necessary and if anything, detract from the point.

The thing is how can you find a niche if one way of seeing the world is formally preferred in this manner? If one way is preferred, then another is deselected... it is the fundamental nature of making a choice.

 

[agnes!]

I heard about that report too, LO....unbelievable. I don't care what cause the institution is supporting with its funds, I'm sure the people who pay that university for an education *think* all that money they're forking over for tuition and room & board is actually going for (gasp) an education!

agnes!

 

[golfgal]

So you don't see an ethical dilemma when a University that receives public funds uses those funds to support a point of view?

Don't you think that by the time your kids are in college they will be old enough to make up their own minds about what they believe in and don't believe in? Just because your opinion is such, doesn't mean the rest of the world agrees with you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So you don't see an ethical dilemma when a University that receives public funds uses those funds to support a point of view?

HUH? It is a public university.

 

[golfgal]

I think it does.

The issue is "Is it ethical for a Public University to divert public funds to a particular philosophy?"

The thing is how can you find a niche if one way of seeing the world is formally preferred in this manner? If one way is preferred, then another is deselected... it is the fundamental nature of making a choice.

You need to be more specific. There is no way anyone can answer your question other then NO, I don't think it is wrong for a public university to divert funds into any ideology since their main function is to EDUCATE and one cannot be properly educated without being exposed to ALL sides of an issue, period.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think it does.

The issue is "Is it ethical for a Public University to divert public funds to a particular philosophy?"

The thing is how can you find a niche if one way of seeing the world is formally preferred in this manner? If one way is preferred, then another is deselected... it is the fundamental nature of making a choice.

They don't "divert funds". People donate to their groups they want to support. And if they are putting money into a group you don't support then they are following policy. And believe me, all the I's are dotted.

 

[LuvOrlando]

You need to be more specific. There is no way anyone can answer your question other then NO, I don't think it is wrong for a public university to divert funds into any ideology since their main function is to EDUCATE and one cannot be properly educated without being exposed to ALL sides of an issue, period.

But what are the chances that a school will look at all sides equally when that school is contributing financially towards furthering one particular point of view?

 

[LuvOrlando]

They don't "divert funds". People donate to their groups they want to support. And if they are putting money into a group you don't support then they are following policy. And believe me, all the T's and I's are dotted.

Hmm, it is illegal for tax $ to be put into certain things. However, once mixed within an institution things get a little muddy so although it might not be illegal it seems to drift into un-ethical territory.

If someone hands me a gift of $500 and I go to an amusement park with $500 one could argue that $500 gift offset other obligations so I could use it for the park. At best it's shady.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

But what are the chances that a school will look at all sides equally when that school is contributing financially towards furthering one particular point of view?

They FOLLOW POLICY, period. Do some fact checking on policy of support before you go off the handle.

 

[golfgal]

But what are the chances that a school will look at all sides equally when that school is contributing financially towards furthering one particular point of view?

If you had any clue how things worked in budgeting for schools you wouldn't need to ask this question. Again, this point is impossible to argue without specific examples.

 

[golfgal]

Hmm, it is illegal for tax $ to be put into certain things. However, once mixed within an institution things get a little muddy so although it might not be illegal it seems to drift into un-ethical territory.

You are confusing money sent to PRIVATE schools from public funds. There is nothing that prevents a public school from teaching say theology what so ever. Again, specific example please.

 

[LuvOrlando]

They don't "divert funds". People donate to their groups they want to support. And if they are putting money into a group you don't support then they are following policy. And believe me, all the I's are dotted.

But we are not talking about people. We are talking bout an institution where people are using institutional funds of an entity to further ideas preferred by the individuals.

You know, I specifically asked for people to not do what you just did. Very disrespectful but I guess you think you are better than me so it's ok in your mind. It's not.

 

[golfgal]

But we are not talking about people. We are talking bout an institution where people are using institutional funds of an entity to further ideas preferred by the individuals.

You know, I specifically asked for people to not do what you just did. Very disrespectful but I guess you think you are better than me so it's ok in your mind. It's not.

No one is being disrespectful, they are answering your questions and this post is a perfect example of what you are taking about, you see it one way, the rest of us see it another way so who is right???

 

[LuvOrlando]

No one is being disrespectful, they are answering your questions and this post is a perfect example of what you are taking about, you see it one way, the rest of us see it another way so who is right???

No, that is not at all what is happening. Words are being thrown out which will intentionally close this thread. I'm not a fool , in fact, just reported it myself.

So sad.

 

[Jennabeth]

You are also assuming that since it's a public university, most of the funds are contributed from the state. I live in MI and work in a public university and right now only 20% of our funding comes from the state, and that percent drops every year. As long as the state gives us $1, our university will be considered a "public" university (or unless a vote is taken to change the state constitution). Public universities exist so people get a well rounded education. You may not agree with what is being taught, but that doens't mean it shouldn't be taught. I'd be more upset if a private university (that I chose to send my child too) was teaching something that I didn't ethically agree with.