The new and improved FSU course catalog, brought to you by Charles G. Koch

[Sancho]

Check out the new "education" you get at FSU! Here's a sample:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/the-new-and-improved-fsu-course-catalog-brought-to-you-by-charles-g-kochpp/1169038

ECON 201: FREE MARKET THEORY. Sponsored and faculty approved by: Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. Evils of government regulation; wisdom of tax cuts for the rich; rehabilitation of trickle-down theory. 3 credit hours.

GEOLOGY 145: OIL SPILLS REVISITED. Sponsored and faculty approved by: British Petroleum. Beneficial effects of crude-oil application to wildlife, ocean bottoms; positive effects on financial market speculation. 3 credit hours; 1 lab hour observing ducks being cleaned by free market forces.

[niyad]

1. the sad thing is, this isn't from the Onion

[road2000]

2. But it is a sarcastic commentary...

Not the real course descriptions. This sounds like a progressive columnist's take on what's really being taught at FSU. Anyone have any links to what prompted this? Must be something...

[Fuddnik]

6. Here's the original article in the St Pete Times.

Also note further down in the article that BB&T bank is funding a course where study of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" is required. Rapidly turning into Podunk University.
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http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/billionaires-role-in-hiring-decisions-at-florida-state-university-raises/1168680


Billionaire's role in hiring decisions at Florida State University raises questions

By Kris Hundley, Times staff writer
In Print: Tuesday, May 10, 2011


A conservative billionaire who opposes government meddling in business has bought a rare commodity: the right to interfere in faculty hiring at a publicly funded university.

A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting "political economy and free enterprise."

Traditionally, university donors have little official input into choosing the person who fills a chair they've funded. The power of university faculty and officials to choose professors without outside interference is considered a hallmark of academic freedom.

Under the agreement with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, however, faculty only retain the illusion of control. The contract specifies that an advisory committee appointed by Koch decides which candidates should be considered. The foundation can also withdraw its funding if it's not happy with the faculty's choice or if the hires don't meet "objectives" set by Koch during annual evaluations.

(snip) more

[road2000]

7. Thanks, Fuddnik.

Holy hell. So where there was smoke, there was fire. The sheer preposterousness of this has my brain flaming out.

[Sancho]

3. The Koch brothers bought "faculty"

They gave FSU money in return for approval of which faculty were hired.

[roxiejules]

4. After destroying public education

they simply took it over.

Priceless.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

I love seeing this kind of satire coming from a Florida paper.

Makes me proud!

[Zoeisright]

8. Shame, shame, SHAME on FSU.

They literally sold their souls to the devil.