Several public universities accept donations from Koch brothers (Special interests)

[calintz333]

<p>A recent study published by the chronicles of higher education shows that universities such as </p>

<p>Utah State
Florida state
West Virginia</p>

<p>And other universities is having their economics departments funded by the Koch brothers. These are the same billionaires that worked to get Scott walker elected in Wisconsin and helped to crush the Unions. </p>

<p>Just thought I would let you future university applicants know which schools you should avoid if you plan to major in economics and want education rather than indoctrination. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTUjYyae2zw&feature=feedu%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTUjYyae2zw&feature=feedu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Which</a> Schools Funded By Koch Bros? - YouTube</p>

<p>Billionaire's</a> role in hiring decisions at Florida State University raises questions - St. Petersburg Times</p>

<p>The</a> Koch Brothers: Promoting Higher Education, Or Hire Education? Beneath the Tin Foil Hat</p>

<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMjO7GW7JEw%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMjO7GW7JEw&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

[T26E4]

<p>So categorically, you’re declaring that those Econ departments (and I guess the colleges in general) lose credibility for independent thinking because major donors are well-known conservatives?</p>

<p>And thus, we need to protect our youngsters from attending? Isn’t this the same rube that conservatives use to sling arrows at the “liberal” colleges in the Northeast? </p>

<p>“Don’t let your kid attend Yale. It’s too LEFTY”</p>

<p>Rings familiar to me.</p>

[annasdad]

<p>I find it hard to believe that anyone would consider this acceptable (from the third link in the original post):</p>

<p>

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.</p>

<p>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.”</p>

<p>Traditionally, university donors have little official input into choosing the person who fills a chair they’ve funded. The power of university faculty and officials to choose professors without outside interference is considered a hallmark of academic freedom.</p>

<p>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’s not happy with the faculty’s choice or if the hires don’t meet “objectives” set by Koch during annual evaluations.

</p>

<p>And I’d find it just as objectionable if George Soros was the funding businessman.</p>

[T26E4]

<p>Hmmmm… I guess many things can be bought and sold after all. Pretty sad, if so.</p>

[calintz333]

<p>No T26</p>

<p>I am disgusted by the fact that these donors actually have power and leverage in who can be hired in those departments and who cannot. </p>

<p>Annasdad basically summed it up well on his post.</p>