Academic Cowardice Update

Kim Chandler / Associated Press:
The University of Alabama suspends two student-run magazines, one focused on Black students and another on women's issues, citing federal anti-DEI guidance  —  The University of Alabama has suspended the publication of two student-run magazines — one primarily focused on Black students …
Washington Times:   Two University of Alabama student publications suspended amid DEI crackdown

Andrea Tinker / al.com:   University of Alabama student groups outraged at suspension of Black, women-centered magazines over DEI policy

The Crimson White:   Our View | Grow a spine, University of Alabama. Reinstate our magazines.

Jim Mishler / NewsMax.com:   Univ. of Alabama Halts Campus Magazines After DEI Review

Jordan Perkins / The Hill:   University of Alabama shuts down Black, female student magazines

Jenn Gidman / Newser:   College: DEI Policy Means We Must Shut Down 2 Magazines

Scripps News:   Alabama halts Black-focused and women's student magazines amid DEI crackdown

Ryan Quinn / Inside Higher Ed:   Citing Anti-DEI DOJ Memo, Alabama Ends Black-, Women-Focused Student Magazines

Alabama, which gave us Sen. Tommy Tuberville. Need we say more? And in another state low on the education rankings (Alabam's 50th of 51, Oklahoma 48th.) but high on Jesus, assholery, & religious bullshit, Oklahoma, another big load of codswallop.

Nonetheless, the governor is commenting publicly and calling on the Board of Regents to get involved. None of this is appropriate. Neither the governor nor the regents have any capacity or standing to make narrow academic judgements, even if they are at the top of the university’s org chart (back to the OU Daily write-up).

Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote in a post on social platform X Sunday that the situation was “deeply concerning” and called on the OU Board of Regents to review the results of the investigation.

I was involved in a similar case in my previous life. A student in history based an entire graduate-level response on the notion that a certain key development in American history was because of divine intervention rather than actually answering the question the way a historian ought. One is more than free to believe that to be the case, but it is not an acceptable way to provide an academic response in an academic setting.

Can we admit that it's over for these United Snakes?