Letters
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Editorials
Recently the only freedom students have been afforded is the freedom to fall in line and follow rules of political correctness in the twisted political atmosphere that is Miami University. When we can finally relax our political, religious, and ethnic identities, maybe we'll have real dialogue. Until then we'll just continue with the meaningless banter of "Us vs. Them."
Joe Otte
ottejs@muohio.edu
Professor disputes noose project approval process
I am a professor in the art department and was appalled to learn that nooses were displayed as part of an outdoor art project. After reading the editorial and lead article in the Nov. 2 Miami Student, there are several facts I would like to clarify about the information regarding this sickening incident so far.Â
The article states that the students involved claim that the project "was pre-approved by their professor and another member of the art department staff." However, the instructor of the course has said repeatedly that although the students were required to have the group projects pre-approved, what the students submitted for approval was very different from what they displayed. The instructor says the students proposed a series of playground type swings at different heights and there was no mention of nooses. I am also aware that the students who did the project had their plan approved via e-mail by buildings and grounds, but only in that they were not going to damage the tree. Finally, the instructor was not a full-time professor and was teaching the course for the first time. While none of this is meant to excuse the insensitivity and ignorance of this display, I would hope to correct the assertions that the piece "was a class project pre-approved by their professor and another member of the art department staff" which as far as I know, is just not true.
                 Â
Ellen Jean Price
Professor of Art
priceej@muohio.edu
Joe Otte
ottejs@muohio.edu
Professor disputes noose project approval process
I am a professor in the art department and was appalled to learn that nooses were displayed as part of an outdoor art project. After reading the editorial and lead article in the Nov. 2 Miami Student, there are several facts I would like to clarify about the information regarding this sickening incident so far.Â
The article states that the students involved claim that the project "was pre-approved by their professor and another member of the art department staff." However, the instructor of the course has said repeatedly that although the students were required to have the group projects pre-approved, what the students submitted for approval was very different from what they displayed. The instructor says the students proposed a series of playground type swings at different heights and there was no mention of nooses. I am also aware that the students who did the project had their plan approved via e-mail by buildings and grounds, but only in that they were not going to damage the tree. Finally, the instructor was not a full-time professor and was teaching the course for the first time. While none of this is meant to excuse the insensitivity and ignorance of this display, I would hope to correct the assertions that the piece "was a class project pre-approved by their professor and another member of the art department staff" which as far as I know, is just not true.
                 Â
Ellen Jean Price
Professor of Art
priceej@muohio.edu
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