[RSCT] Against censorship, for academic freedom: In Defense of Michael Pollan Let Freedom Ring!

Thu May 28 10:31:53 CDT 2009

From: "Food Democracy Now!" Food_Democracy_Now at mail.vresp.com

Subject: In Defense of Michael Pollan Let Freedom Ring!

Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 19:22:26 +0000

Make a Call for Academic Freedom

Last week, Washington State University announced that it was pulling Michael 
Pollan’s best-selling book The Omnivore’s Dilemma from its required Common 
Reading Program for all incoming freshman due to pressure from corporate 
agribusiness.

This type of censorship cannot stand!

In March of this year, a university committee had selected Pollan's book, 
which takes a careful look at how America produces its food, and decided 
that it was an excellent choice for the student body of the land grant 
university.

Unfortunately, WSU administrators later removed the book from the required 
common reading program. While top WSU officials attributed removal of 
Pollan's book from the reading program to hard financial times, despite the 
fact the 4,000 copies of the book have already been purchased, some faculty 
members have spoken out.

End Corporate Influence and Fear at America’s Land Grant Universities

One WSU professor, quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education anonymously, 
for fear of losing their job, stated that Pollan’s book was pulled “because 
of the politics of the agriculture industry...and that President Floyd 
decided that this was not a battle he wanted to wage.”

It’s time that this type of corporate control over land grant education and 
research end.

We believe that academic freedom and vigorous debate on all intellectual 
issues should be encouraged at every university, especially land grant 
universities charged with turning out the next generation of leaders of 21st 
century agriculture.

If you want university research to be free of the corruptive influence of 
corporate agribusiness, you need to call or write today.

Stand up for Michael Pollan and Academic Freedom!

Let WSU President Elson Floyd know that you support the university’s 
original decision for all incoming freshman to read The Omnivore’s Dilemma 
and believe he should honor that commitment.

Sustainably Yours, Food Democracy Now!

If you'd like to see Food Democracy Now!'s grassroots work continue, 
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FoodDemocracyNow/894cc55fc0/4bfc4e5248/40b1101751/page_id=9%20please 
consider donating as little as $10 or $25. We appreciate your support! 
http://www.fooddemocracynow.org/?page_id=9

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http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FoodDemocracyNow/894cc55fc0/4bfc4e5248/5dc4c7822e/page_id=364Write 
or Call WSU President Elson Floyd Today at:

Washington State University Office of the President -- President Elson Floyd 
Phone Number: 509-335-6666

Sample Phone Script: Please tell WSU President Floyd to:

I'm calling today to ask the President Floyd stand firm on academic freedom 
and include The Omnivore’s Dilemma in the university’s Common Reading 
Program.

It’s important that students at land grant universities be exposed to all 
ideas, especially those that challenge the orthodoxies of our times. 
Academic freedom at universities and freedom of speech are the foundation of 
a democracy and I believe that The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a crucial part of 
the ongoing debate in society about how food is produced in America and its 
impact on our nation’s citizens.

We encourage all interactions with WSU staff, whether written or spoken to 
be polite and respectful.

Email: PresidentsOffice at wsu.edu

Sample Letter: Subject: Support Michael Pollan and Academic Freedom

Dear President Floyd,

I appreciate Washington State University’s original decision to select 
Michael Pollan’s award-winning book The Omnivore’s Dilemma to be read by all 
incoming freshman as part of the university’s Common Reading Program.

Pollan’s work is important, not because it takes a critical look at 
industrial agriculture, as it has been commonly portrayed in the media, but 
because Pollan gives a rational critique of organic practices and companies 
as well.

Regretfully, that original decision to include this important book, which 
was hailed by WSU scholars and students alike, has been reversed because of 
undue industry pressure. Since 4,000 copies of the book have already been 
bought, it would not only be a crime against academic freedom, but it would 
be financially wasteful as well.

Today, I join with thousands of Americans across the country asking that you 
stand up for intellectual honesty and academic freedom by reinstating the 
decision to allow all incoming freshman to read this harmless, yet wonderful 
book so they can make the decision themselves.

It’s a shame that WSU’s freshman may be denied the opportunity to read this 
important book as a result of industry influence.

We stand behind you to make the right decision and let academic freedom 
ring, please reinstate Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma into the 
Common Reading Program.

Sincerely, [Your name here City, State]

If you like you can: Invite President Floyd to an event to speak on academic 
freedom 
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FoodDemocracyNow/894cc55fc0/4bfc4e5248/be11c76bfb/FormID=1you 
can contact him here: 
http://pubforms.wsu.edu/president/renderer.aspx?FormID=1

Phone: 509/335-7932 or

Email: mailto:gkdruffel at wsu.edugkdruffel@wsu.edu

Sources:

1. WSU Selects “Omnivore’s Dilemma” as 2009 Common Reading Book for 
Freshmen -- March 26, 2009

http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=14154&PageID=&ReferrerCode=uggc%3A%2F%2Fjjj.jfharjf.jfh.rqh%2Fcntrf%2Ffrnepu.nfc%3FCntrVQ%3D%26Xrljbeqf%3Dzvpunry+cbyyna

2. WSU Common Reading Program -- Cans Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s 
Dilemma -- May 1, 2009

http://commonreading.wsu.edu/

3. WSU’s Book Controversy Shines Light on Big Ag’s Influence on Land Grant 
Schools -- May 23, 2009

http://www.livablefutureblog.com/2009/05/wsus-book-controversy-shines-light-on-big-ags-influence-on-land-grant-schools/

4. Washington State's Dilemma: How to Serve Up a Book Criticizing the Food 
Industry May 21, 2009

http://chronicle.com/daily/2009/05/18512n.htm

5. Washington State University Say It Isn't So. Hey, Michael Pollan, I'll 
Pay Your Way to Pullman

http://www.marlerblog.com/2009/05/articles/lawyer-oped/washington-state-university-say-it-isnt-so-hey-michael-pollan-ill-pay-your-way-to-pullman/