The error of denying Dr. Gonzalez tenure
There is little doubt that Dr. Geoffroy, president of Iowa State University, already regrets his decision to deny Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez his tenure and will hopefully do as much damage control as he can by rescinding that decision.
From what I understand of the man, his qualifications, and his published research, he meets or exceeds the standards for tenure. So why he was denied tenure in the first place remains suspicious. Many believe it is because he is a proponent of Intelligent Design theory and is a fellow of The Discovery Institute. If this is the case, then President Geoffrey and any other accomplices in this decision should feel a deep sense of remorse for betraying the public's confidence as guardians of academic freedom at Iowa State University.
To grant Dr. Gonzalez tenure is the right thing to do for the following reasons:
As an adherent of Intelligent Design theory, Dr. Gonzalez brings a scientific and philosophical perspective that will greatly enhance the diversity of thought at ISU. While a student in geology at Iowa State, I vacillated between many different origin theories because I found evolution intellectually unsatisfying. Whenever I questioned evolution, as I did in my Paleontology class, I was chided and viewed critically. I would have loved to have had a professor at Iowa State who I felt the freedom to question the established dogma of evolution, but I knew of none. I have later found out that there are many, but they are intimidated to speak out about it.
Also, rescinding this decision will set Iowa State apart as a leader in academic freedom that refuses to muzzle new and unique ideas no matter how unpopular they might be. The idea of tenure, as I understand it, is to give scientists the freedom to explore new and unusual theories without interruption by outside forces. To silence Dr. Gonzalez could be tantamount to silencing Galileo Galilei. Hmmm... I guess the church steeples have been replaced with ivory towers.
Lastly, Dr. Gonzalez has achieved a level of popularity among mainstream America through his book and video, The Privileged Planet, which would continue to draw attention to Iowa State and attract those who are not afraid to think outside the box. Iowa State and our country need those kinds of revolutionary thinkers. True advances in science and technology are built on them.
I encourage you to make a gracious appeal to President Geoffrey to rescind the decision to deny Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez his tenure.
Comments
I just sent an email to Dr. Geoffroy. I urge as many of you as possible to do the same.
Posted by: Dan L at May 16, 2007 08:43 PMTim - I wrote an email and got back a type of "automated" response from John McCarroll. (Which makes me assume that Geoffrey will not ever read my email.) Did you get that too? Do you think there is anyone else we should write as well? Thanks!
Posted by: Dana at May 17, 2007 01:34 PMDana (& Tim, and others),
It's actually difficult to know where the responsibility lies for Guillermo not being granted tenure. Just like your letter to the President, it's most likely that his candidacy for tenure never reached his desk. There are in fact many parties that have a hand in deciding whether or not a faculty member is granted tenure.
The first step is in his own department. His fellow faculty members must first nominate Guillermo for tenure. Then the department's DEO (Department Executive Officer) must pass along nominations. Following that, the college's (LAS, in his case) Promotion and Tenure Review Committee must agree that the candidate deserves tenure, and they then pass their recommendations to the Dean of the college. Following that the Provost grants or denies tenure based primarily upon the recommendations of everyone feeding him information.
At each point in that process, there is the potential for a faculty member to be denied tenure.
The way it's supposed to work is that the results of each step are not disclosed. Since your own colleagues play a role in this decision, it makes some sense to allow faculty members to make decisions without fear of producing strife within the department. Unfortunately, it makes it very difficult figure out where in the process he was denied tenure.
If you want, I would send letters to all responsible along the path. Start with the Provost, go to the Dean of LAS, then the LAS Promotion and Tenure Review Committee, and then the faculty of the Physics department.
There are appeal proceedures, and so this is definitely not a done deal.
http://www.las.iastate.edu/faculty_and_staff/promotiontenure.shtml
Posted by: Tony at May 17, 2007 02:19 PMThanks for sharing all of that Tony!
I got the same automated response, Dana, but I hope that they are keeping a tally of those wanting to see tenure granted.
It's my understanding that Dr. Gonzalez did appeal the decision and it's now in the president's hands to decide what to do with it.
THIS JUST IN:
A five-member panel of professors in ISU's astronomy department rejected Gonzalez's application for tenure. Two of the five active tenured astronomy professors in the department that denied tenure to Gonzalez at Iowa State University are actually connected to a widely-publicized petition that denounces intelligent design as "creationist pseudoscience."
The rejected tenure request was then sent to ISU president Gregory Geoffroy, who also denied the request. Gonzalez is now appealing the denial by president Geoffroy. A decision is expected by June 6.
Posted by: Tim at May 17, 2007 03:04 PMTwo of the five active tenured astronomy professors in the department that denied tenure to Gonzalez at Iowa State University are actually connected to a widely-publicized petition that denounces intelligent design as "creationist pseudoscience."
Sounds like a major conflict of interest. Hard not to assume that bias played a huge role in the decision.
Posted by: Dan L at May 18, 2007 06:42 AMDetails still coming in:
ISU standards define "excellence" as having published 15 peer-reviewed journal articles. Gonzalez has produced 68.
You wrote:
"I vacillated between many different origin theories because I found evolution intellectually unsatisfying. Whenever I questioned evolution, as I did in my Paleontology class, I was chided and viewed critically."
I agree. It's like plate tectonics: it makes no sense at all. You see, if the Earth was made of freely moving plates, it would not be able to stay in a solid state; the plates would sink at the seams (because of gravity) being attracted to the center of the Earth where gravity is concentrated. In other words, the Earth would implode! But don't tell that to the plate-biased geologists! Nooooo! They'll call you a looney! What is pretty ironic about this dogma of plate tectonics, is that when that "theory" - fairy tale, really - was first proposed, geologists all had a good laugh! Fortunately, more and more geologists are letting go of this insanity, and the day where the believers of that childish tale will be considered for what they are - crooks - are almost upon us.
Posted by: Marc at May 26, 2007 09:07 PMI suspect you are attempting to mock me/ people who question the validity of evolutionary theory with your post here. If you have something intelligent to contribute, please do so. Otherwise, note that there are other physical forces acting on the earth's crust other than gravity keeping them from sinking into the earth's mantle.
Posted by: Tim at May 26, 2007 11:55 PMThe Latest News:
Two members of his department have publicly stated that his support for intelligent design theory had something to do with the denial, and two others have been tied to a petition denouncing intelligent design as "creationist pseudoscience."
...
During the same spring Gonzalez was denied tenure, ISU promoted Dr. Avalos to full professor. In his most recent book, Avalos argues that the Bible is worse than Hitler's Mein Kampf.
Read more and lots of comments at: http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/05/tenure_denial_of_astronomer_bl.php
Just got the final decision from the ISU Pres:
Dear Tim,
I am writing in response to your earlier note about a recent tenure decision at Iowa State. I regret that it has taken me so long to respond, but I could not write until the appeal decision had been finalized and my decision delivered to the candidate. I would like for you to read my posted statement which explains the rationale for the final decision:
http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2007/jun/statement.shtml
Thanks for writing with your concerns.
Greg Geoffroy
President
I got that one too. He also added a comment about me being an ISU alum in mine. I wrote him back again. Did you?
Bummer that you are getting spam!!
Posted by: Dana at June 3, 2007 04:24 PM