Cheek may be in hot water

[utvolpj]

Sure, but apparently we define discussion differently.

Evidently since most against that idea wanted her shut down completely and are now calling for Cheek to be replaced. Is that discussion?

 

[VolGee4]

The reaction is what should be embarrassing. The memo is barely a blip without the squealing and gnashing of teeth by the "they're taking our Christmas" crowd

Lol. Whatever you believe. It's more than just about Christmas.

 

[VolGee4]

I'm not touchy I just asked a question for discussion. No one had been silenced so feel free to discuss

But seriously, you spend a lot of time bragging about UT academics?

UT has become a good academic school, did you not know? Cheek has done well in that regard although the lottery has more to do with that. This is just nonsense.

 

[Freak]

Evidently since most against that idea wanted her shut down completely and are now calling for Cheek to be replaced. Is that discussion?

My point was "encouraging" the use of gender neutral pronouns sends a message that goes a step beyond discussion, in my opinion.

Read DiPietro's statement from when that memo was removed. He basically says as much; stating the topics were acceptable for discussion but not in the manner which they were presented.

"However, it was not appropriate to do so in a manner that suggests it is the expectation that all on campus embrace these practices."

He also said the memo was harmful to the reputation of UT, which I also agree with.

 

[utvolpj]

My point was "encouraging" the use of gender neutral pronouns sends a message that goes a step beyond discussion, in my opinion.

Read DiPietro's statement from when that memo was removed. He basically says as much; stating the topics were acceptable for discussion but not in the manner which they were presented.

"However, it was not appropriate to do so in a manner that suggests it is the expectation that all on campus embrace these practices."

He also said the memo was harmful to the reputation of UT, which I also agree with.

So he slapped the hands of his employee to save face.

Did this damage the reputation of Harvard when they did the same? Cornell? MIT?

It seems UT's reaction is what made it a story

 

[Freak]

So he slapped the hands of his employee to save face.

Did this damage the reputation of Harvard when they did the same? Cornell? MIT?

I have no reason to believe his statement isn't sincere, if that's what you mean.

You'll have to ask those schools what impact such decisions had on their reputation, if they released similar memos. I have no idea. All I know for sure is the powers that be at Tennessee decided the memo posted was harmful to the school's reputation.

 

[Coug]

Merry Christmas and **** you if you don't like hearing it!

 

[utvolpj]

UT has become a good academic school, did you not know? Cheek has done well in that regard although the lottery has more to do with that. This is just nonsense.

I know it has but I just didn't know people "spend alot of time bragging about them"

 

[Freak]

It seems UT's reaction is what made it a story

Not sure I follow. Which reaction? The one where they defended the memo or the one where they removed it?

Either way, I think UT was forced to react because it was such a big story nationwide.

 

[utvolpj]

I have no reason to believe his statement isn't sincere, if that's what you mean.

You'll have to ask those schools what impact such decisions had on their reputation, if they released similar memos. I have no idea. All I know for sure is the powers that be at Tennessee decided the memo posted was harmful to the school's reputation.

You said you agreed so do you believe it damaged those institutions too? Were you even aware of their policies?

 

[Freak]

You said you agreed so do you believe it damaged those institutions too? Were you even aware of their policies?

How does me agreeing the backlash that Tennessee received hurt its reputation, require me to have an opinion on the reputation of other institutions? Again, I have no idea.

I'm aware that other schools have some gender neutral policies in place; like Harvard having check boxes for gender neutral pronouns at registration, but I haven't seen any that mirror Tennessee's by "encouraging" the use of such pronouns nor do I recall any getting national media attention.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

You should post more often Freak, as you bring both a calmness and rational approach with your comments. I'm assuming the vast majority of those 69K posts of yours came during the early years and maybe you have less time to post today with how much VN has grown.

And no... this is not flattery to the grand poobah.

 

[Freak]

You should post more often Freak, as you bring both a calmness and rational approach with your comments. I'm assuming the vast majority of those 69K posts of yours came during the early years and maybe you have less time to post today with how much VN has grown.

And no... this is not flattery to the grand poobah.

I'd say most of my posts were made during the early years, you're probably right about that. Nobody wants to listen to me ramble on, but occasionally I jump in anyway. :lol:

 

[utvolpj]

How does me agreeing the backlash that Tennessee received hurt its reputation, require me to have an opinion on the reputation of other institutions? Again, I have no idea.

Where was its reputation hurt? Surely the others were hurt in the same manner right? If not then why was only UT hurt?

I just don't see how it was damaged in any meaningful way. They were in the media cycle for about a day or 2. After that people moved on to the next outrage

I'm aware that other schools have some gender neutral policies in place; like Harvard having check boxes for gender neutral pronouns at registration, but I haven't seen any that mirror Tennessee's by "encouraging" the use of such pronouns nor do I recall any getting national media attention.

So UT encouraged but those other schools have gone as far as putting them on official documents and UT looks bad?

Read back through the thread when this first came out. The reaction to it was hilarious and crazy. That's what makes news not some lady in a small, unknown dept dropping a memo

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

I'd say most of my posts were made during the early years, you're probably right about that. Nobody wants to listen to me ramble on, but occasionally I jump in anyway. :lol:

I've seen rambling on VN before, and perhaps have even contributed to some myself :devilsmoke: even though I don't post nearly as much as I read, so let's be clear... what little you post is far from rambling on.

And much like LIO and a few others, it's always nice to see you jump in when you have time. Have a good evening. :hi:

 

[Doyle Hargraves]

Merry Xmas and happy holidays, VN!

 

[Sandvol]

Cheeks shouldn't be fired because of this, but because he's an incompetent boob.

 

[Freak]

Where was its reputation hurt? Surely the others were hurt in the same manner right? If not then why was only UT hurt?

I just don't see how it was damaged in any meaningful way. They were in the media cycle for about a day or 2. After that people moved on to the next outrage



So UT encouraged but those other schools have gone as far as putting them on official documents and UT looks bad?

Read back through the thread when this first came out. The reaction to it was hilarious and crazy. That's what makes news not some lady in a small, unknown dept dropping a memo

Well, when DiPietro and Cheek went so far as to remove the memo and make the statements they did, it's clear they thought it was harmful in some way.

And they waited eight days to remove it. I don't see the point of doing that if they believed everyone had moved on several days ago. JMO.

 

[Freak]

I've seen rambling on VN before, and perhaps have even contributed to some myself :devilsmoke: even though I don't post nearly as much as I read, so let's be clear... what little you post is far from rambling on.

And much like LIO and a few others, it's always nice to see you jump in when you have time. Have a good evening. :hi:

Thanks for the compliments. I appreciate it. Although, putting me in the same category as the universally beloved LIO is a bit of a big stretch.

 

[NEVolFan]

Nothing to see here, Jimmy is a fine man... Donald T.

 

[sanddune50]

Because state level politicians never waste tax dollars? Bunch of idiots taking a stand over nothing.

So people taking a stand over feeling as if their religious beliefs are being stifled makes them idiots? Maybe in your own eyes, but apparently not in everyone else's. I'm sure there are things you find important that others may find very trivial and idiotic.

 

[gasguy98]

I agree that it's embarrassing. Don't care how the university tried to "clarify" it. Shouldn't have been put out in the first place to "clarify."

Agree.

The fact that some get paid to run a "diversity" department is the first thing that is ridiculous. The fact that money is wasted on such a program is another example of draconian "political correctness" out of control.

Regardless of the clarification the fact that it was issued at all is ground for harsh critique. The diversity thug department should be eliminated immediately.

 

[gasguy98]

Absolutely, yes. College campuses are also a place where ideas should be challenged* and skin should grow thicker. I'm super liberal, maybe the most liberal VN user, and "safe zones" are the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

Maybe you are not as liberal as you want to be. Still some common sense in the noggin somewhere.:unsure:

 

[Daddy Gee]

It's always 2 steps forward and 1 step back for the Liberals.

"Oh, you thought we really meant 'no Christmas parties'? Haha. No, not at all. That was the work of 1 overly enthusiastic admin. assistant, who has since been dealt with. We respect all Christmas traditions and encourage any and all celebrations!"

 

[crusse10]

admin v. mod

[/popcorn]