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.
The Columbia University student workers' union withdrew its demand that the university divest financially from Israel...
A shooting at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon left multiple people...
Vincent Pastore, a veteran actor who played mobsters and tough guys, and was best-known for playing...
Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream in the tub is still great, but the brand’s newest chocolate-covered ice-cream...
