RE: ‘Student money should help everyone on campus,’ March 16, 2013
In an opinion piece in the Charlatan Ryan Husk discusses one of his professors who volunteers with OPIRG-Carleton. As I am that contract instructor, I felt it necessary to respond to some of the misconceptions presented by Husk.
Yes, I am left-wing in my politics and I do inform my students that I am firmly committed to the promotion of freedom and equality in our society in every course I teach. However, I also make it extremely clear why I self-identify to my class: everything is political and I feel that it is important for me to be transparent in my beliefs to enhance student learning.
As the thousands of students I have taught over the last 10 years can attest, my teaching is non-partisan and extremely balanced, and I reject any suggestion that I impose my politics on my students. I want my students to advocate for what they believe in, regardless of their political views, and I am proud that Husk is actively doing so. However, activists still need to ensure that we do not distort facts or misrepresent the motivations and actions of other people.
For example, Husk’s assertion that I told him CUPE 4600 “urged” me to “campaign” on behalf OPIRG-Carleton is simply not true. I have been a strong supporter and member of Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) at all four universities I have been associated with throughout my academic career, and I regularly volunteer with OPIRG-Carleton to help promote their programming and services. I have volunteered with PIRGs for over 15 years because they are one of few institutions that recognize that students are also citizens in their society and PIRGs are specifically designed to help train students to be active advocates for their own beliefs.
While the PIRGs are all explicitly political, they are also clearly non-partisan. OPIRG-Carleton, like all PIRGs, is run by students through democratic decision-making. The goals and the activities of OPIRG-Carleton are determined by the members themselves. It is students who drive the activities of the organization and the onus is placed upon those who are political to get involved and shape their organization. Democracy needs people of all political leanings to get informed and get involved. Rather than seeking to silence people whose ideas that you disagree with, all members of the Carleton community should be engaging in a constructive dialogue about what type of society we want.
— Daniel Preece,
contract instructor, political science
