PDA

View Full Version : The Trials Of William Woodward



Gold9472
09-26-2006, 11:19 AM
The trials of William Woodward
UNH professor stirs debate over 9/11, academic freedom

http://media.www.tnhonline.com/media/storage/paper674/news/2006/09/26/News/The-Trials.Of.William.Woodward-2307688.shtml?sourcedomain=www.tnhonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

Helen Hocknell
Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: News

For the past month, UNH psychology professor Bill Woodward has been thrust into the national spotlight for sharing his controversial view that the U.S. government played a role in the September 11 attacks.

Woodward was originally contacted in late August by a reporter for The Union Leader for comment on a C-SPAN panel discussion about "Alternative Theories of 9/11." He is the sole New Hampshire member of Scholars for 9/11 Truth, an organization of academics who question the official story about the 9/11 attacks and contend that the U.S. government either orchestrated or was complicit in the attacks. After learning of his controversial views, the Union Leader focused on this rather than exploring the theories themselves, referring to him as "the nutty professor" in subsequent editorials questioning his "rational abilities." The paper then contacted state lawmakers, many of who were highly critical of Woodward, and called for an investigation.

UNH officials analyzed student course evaluations and a routine post-tenure review from 2004, and concluded that he was sharing his views responsibly. UNH administrators made clear that while they disagreed with his beliefs about the U.S. government's involvement, they defend his right to hold that opinion, citing academic freedom.

Since then, a variety of student organizations on campus have jumped into the fray.

The Student Senate passed a unanimous resolution supporting professors' rights to academic freedom as long as they foster "an inclusive academic atmosphere where a variety of beliefs and opinions can be discussed openly and honestly."

"He has never pushed it and never brought it up," said Nichole Guenard, a senior and student in Woodward's Psychology and Race class. "He encourages us to challenge his point of view on other subjects, and to form our own opinions."

"I don't agree with a lot of his opinions? but he's not forcing them down anybody's throats," agreed Guenard's classmate Jeff Cameron, a junior. "I'm more *******conservative politically than anything else, and I disagree wholeheartedly with his opinions, however he has every right to share them."

But the administration's analysis of Woodward's teaching wasn't enough for some.

The College Republicans plan to propose a petition calling for further investigation into the issue, but that wasn't enough for junior Bill Hunt, who with the help of an external conservative organization, formed UNH Students for Academic Integrity. Hunt was driven to create a group that would "promote a high standard of academic excellence" by targeting professors who present their personal opinions in the classroom. "Indoctrinating students is wrong- he's not doing his job, and it's my tuition dollars and tax money going to pay his salary."

His group is not officially recognized by the University, but has started a petition demanding Woodward's removal, and claims over 100 signatures.

Lauren Daigle, president of College Republicans, was quick to distance herself from that particular petition, saying that the one her group plans to present is aimed at further investigation, not his dismissal.

"We're looking for bipartisan support for a petition to further investigate professor Woodward."

Daigle sees two extremes on campus: those of the Student Senate citing academic freedom, which she says is inadequate since it appears that they are not aware of what he is saying, and those who simply want him fired.

"The University's defense is that 'we've never heard any students speak out,' but a lot of people are afraid to challenge their professors," she said.

The College Republican's actions on the issue will be discussed (among many other things) in their weekly meeting on Thursday, from 12:40-2 in MUB room 302.

A Facebook group called "Students for the Investigation of Prof. Woodward" was formed which opposes "UNH's stagnant position" on the issue, and now includes members on both sides of the debate. A lengthy dialogue on the group's message board has resulted. One member Dave Rittenberg, a sophomore psychology major, likened the calls for an investigation to a "witch hunt."

"It's ridiculous," he said. "If alternative thinking like this is discouraged, it will discourage a lot more exploration of other things beyond 9/11? if he's castrated for giving his opinion on a this sensitive subject, where do you draw the line?" Rittenberg does not personally agree with Woodward's views, but supports his right to share these controversial views in class.

Woodward himself likened the attention to walking into distorted mirrors in a funhouse.

"It's not a big deal in my teaching? but people are making judgments about my teaching [regardless]."

But despite all the criticism, stirring the pot has an upside, Woodward said.

"The good side is that people are beginning to think about their beliefs and questioning if they have enough information to form an opinion."