Comments from Petition

Last update: 11/28/21, 10:00 PM

Below are comments left by people who signed the petition. Please sign the petition to save political science at Marian and leave a comment if you are so inclined. (Each paragraph is a separate comment.)

Since I graduated from Marian University I have seen a gradual deemphasis of many of the liberal arts programs. When I attended Marian I was a history major, political science and philosophy minor, and had a concentration in pre-law. Without the education I received from all of these programs, I do not think I would have been able to attend law school with a foundation that was necessary to be successful. Liberal arts programs, like political science, make students engage in higher level thinking that is comprised from more than just memorizing facts or showing up for attendance points. These programs forced me into thinking critically and being exposed to more thought processes than a non-liberal arts degree would have. It would be a shame for Marian to discontinue this program, thereby continuing to diminish the the number of Marian alumni who graduate with a true liberal arts education.

We need young people fighting for our country, and political science is a great way to start.

I protest the closing of the Political Science Department at Marian University. Education is key to the future of our citizenry and our country.

The attempt to eliminate the Political Science program at Marian is a cynical and outrageous attempt by administrators to crush a thriving liberal arts program; it is also an unsubtle attack on the AAUP, the principle of shared governance, and faculty control over the curriculum.

Civic education is needed now more than ever in the USA if we are to maintain the Republic
In our current climate, I think students need political science education more than ever.

I’m the parent of two former Marian students, one of whom transferred to another school due to a similarly-handled situation with the Photography program.

Strength and Solidarity.

Cutting programs in the liberal arts is a mistake…a money-driven mistake.

It sounds like the university is cutting the program as retaliation which is most unfortunate and probably illegal. I hope they reconsider for the sake of the students.

Political science is an essential part of the college curriculum.

Please note I’m signing on behalf of the Executive Committee of AAUP-Purdue. Statement of support is posted here and to our social media: http://aauppurdue.org/2021/12/aaup-purdue-supports-improved-shared-governance-at-marian-university-against-dissolution-of-political-science-program/

An informed and active citizenry is vital to our democracy. Not only were the events of January 6, 2021, jarring by far-right wing degenerates but the response from college-educated acquaintances made it painfully obvious that many do not have a basic understanding of governance at any level. Thus, we need more of a properly informed public, not less.

In this day and age, I believe it is important to have our leaders trained in the Franciscan values. The College should be emphasizing these studies instead of eliminating them. If there is a legitimate reason for this move, why isn’t the Administration willing to state it?

The information provided about this program elimination is troubling. In the name of academic freedom, I urge more transparency and due process.

As a university employee, and a Catholic, I am puzzled about how eliminating this from Marian at this critical time in not only the US, but in human history, makes any sense at all. At least, none of the rationale you publicly presented makes sense.

How about looking for administrators to fire before liquidating whole departments? I am going to bet that no administrative positions were cut in this ruthless move.

Not sure how a university can drop its Political Science program. What kind of message does that send about the value of politics and the study of it? Definitely a step in the wrong direction, and even worse that they seek to dismiss a tenured professor who is as outstanding at his job as Professor Goldfinger – he is a political scientist, scholar, and teacher par excellence.

I was a political science student at DePauw University and worked in Indianapolis for four years. My degree was essential for my pre-law career and in pursuing my J.D.

Ending a Political Science program is a terrible idea at a time when political conflict has polarized the country.

I protest the closing of the Political Science Department at Marian University

In the past I have had the privilege of working with Marian University faculty to develop underrepresented minority students for STEM careers. The dedication of faculty to provide a well rounded graduate was one of the reasons we selected to partner with a private institution for recruitment. I hope the university continues to value the role liberal arts plays in providing a quality educational experience to prepare the next generation.

I graduated with this degree and can speak to how good of a degree it is, especially considering the types of courses that stem from it. In a time when political discourse is at a very low point, this is not the moment to remove this degree. It’s an opportunity to encourage more people to take it or minor in it.

Academic Freedom and Shared Governance should be respected by administrators and boards

There is no strong university or college without a program in political science.

Marian will not see a dime of my money as an alumni if they get rid of the Political Science department.

“More and more it seems politics plays a role in everyday life. I’m a Supply Chain Management major at Penn State, and due to the unprecedented times we’re living in, Politics plays an oversized role in the supply chain. If anything, politics is becoming more relevant, not less, in our world. I believe Marian students like my best friend, Abbie, as well as everyone else in your student body, would receive a lesser quality education if political science was not offered on your campus. If you wish to provide the best possible education for Marian University students, you would not cut Political Science from the school’s offerings. It would be a critical mistake made at the expense of the student body. “

Please save the Political Science Dept. Marian can not go forward if you don’t have the next generation of leaders helping you.

Autocratic leaders seek to eliminate politics (that is, the open inquiry into how we as human being should live together) by distraction, coercion, threat, and making the inquiry appear impossible to pursue. Resisting autocracy requires education in political theories and methods of political inquiry. Political science teaches those theories and methods, including methods of informed, collaborative, and open inquiry that mark democratic cultures. To eliminate the political science program on the weak grounds presented by Marian University is socially, intellectually, and ethically irresponsible.

This is a clear violation of AAUP standards. I hope this doesn’t come to fruition.

I graduated from Marian in 1970. This seems one of the worst moves the institution has tried to make

Universities need to balance budgets – this is an understandable challenge in the modern era. Yet the complete removal of a Political Studies program in a US university is troubling. We must avoid universities simply becoming vocational and strive to prepare citizens to become future leaders and participants in what is clearly a fragile Republic. We know that community hinges upon Social Capital and reciprocity, trust, and political engagement – whether that’s in the local PTA, municipal government, public utilities or local food systems. Participants make better citizens, leaders, servant-minded community members and even, I dare say, potential alumni donors. Those who simply become consumers – even those of education – quickly lose any sense of public-mindedness and that worries me. This is yet one more domino to fall to move us away from a republic of, by, and for the people in favor of disengaged consumers, led of, by and for special extractive interests. It’s reprehensible and the University should be ashamed. Please reconsider.

As a prospective college student, a university that does not offer political science would be an instant turn-off for me, as well as for many other current high school students.

In our age of hyper-polarization we need more political science , not less.

For the love of academia, why?

When i first started into the study of Political Science, i was not sure what to expect. I was hoping to learn about politics and the world around me. What I actually learned was how to be introspective and understand who I was. It may be cliche, but a well developed Liberal Arts program, including Political Science, can help students understand themselves and the world around them better.

Each time that an administration impedes upon shared governance at any institution, it impedes upon the future shared governance at all institutions.

In the aftermath of the January 06 attack on democracy, political science programs are more important than ever…

There is no evidence of any due process here, but plenty of evidence of a systematic academic “hit job” on the Department of Political Science at Marian. If that is not the case, why has this process been conducted in such an opaque and clandestine fashion? Both faculty and students are clearly affected by the efforts to eliminate Political Science, and as has been noted over and over, nothing resembling a meaningful justification has been provided at all. With decent enrollments, thriving students, and a faculty who are getting by (even with bare bones support) there is no justification whatsoever for this egregious decision – at least not one that has been shared. This process should be stopped immediately until the administration comes clean, and even then a more open discussion should occur. If cuts need to be made then the administration should look elsewhere. Of course the study of politics is important.

I urge the administration of Marian University to reconsider and keep Political Science. Eliminating Political Science would be a tragic mistake. It is no exaggeration to say that democracy, both in the US and abroad, is at a critical juncture. Given our perilous times, institutions of higher learning should encourage MORE study of politics, not less.

Solidarity with Marian Political Science colleagues and Marian’s AAUP Chapter.

In a period of political and social division, ongoing challenges to democracy, and threats to global security nothing is more important than the education of the next generation. Political science education is not about politics but about how politics work. Political processes touch every aspect of modern life and solving pressing problems requires a deep understanding of process. Every student, every discipline, should have the opportunity to understand political processes at home and abroad.

At a time when political education is more needed than ever it is mystifying to me that Marian would consider dropping this program. Educational malpractice

This is infuriating. In times like this, getting rid of a political science department is not just academically irresponsible … it’s socially irresponsible!

As a grandmother, of students looking at Marian as their choice of collage, I feel they should have a choice of any program they would like to pursue. Deleting this program would be detrimental to many who would like to attend a Catholic Collage.

Marian University students need the opportunity to study political science so that they can make sense of our state, our country, and the world. The 2008, 2016, and 2020 elections, the January 6 insurrection, and the voting rights and policing crises make this the wrong time to eliminate the department.

My undergrad major was Politics & Public Affairs which led me to grad school and a career in Library Science. I would major in it again!

“Liberal Arts education needs to be bolstered rather than eliminated. I would ask the President of the university to reflect on our Four Franciscan Values and examine how his actions regarding the elimination of the Political Science program runs counter to these values. Unfortunately, but perhaps not surprisingly, this isn’t the first time his actions are not aligned with our values while also attempting to make unilateral decisions to the detriment of those who aren’t sycophants.
In case a refresher is needed for him: “”Our mission is to be a great Catholic university dedicated to providing students with excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts tradition. We welcome students of all faiths who seek an educational experience framed within the context of our Franciscan values of dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship””
-Morgan Roddy (she/her/hers), Class of 2002 & 2009.”

As an alumni I am very disappointed to hear the school trying to get rid of a very important major, while trying to expand in other areas. Please don’t lose focus on areas of study you currently have.

Liberal arts schools should routinely offer Political Science degrees.

Political Science education is more important than ever in the United States of America. It is vital to bring up a new generation of citizens. We cannot afford to eliminate a program like that.

The vocation of the university in a liberal democracy is impossible without a department of politics.

Political science education is more vital than ever in the U.S. right now.

The study of government and politics is a key measure of democracy.

I grew up in post-WWII Germany that took the United States Constitution as the model for its democratic constitution. German students learn about the US Constitution in school and college as part of their education and preparing for civic participation in the polity of their own country. In Indiana, civics are taught early in the high school curriculum, which makes it critical for all college students to learn about their government. College without a Political Science program neglects its responsibilities to the generations who will determine the future of the country and its role in the world. An educated citizenry reflects the strength of the country.

UE-AAUP supports you in your efforts to oppose the elimination of Political Science

I oppose eliminating the Political Science Program at Marion.

Two family members are alum; both are signatories and while students both benefited from access to the program’s offerings.

Quite apart from the apparent procedural problems with the administration’s decision, it is baffling that an educational institution with a foundation in the liberal arts would consider eliminating political science from its curriculum. It is especially perplexing given Marian’s location in the state capital, with many practical educational and internship opportunities available at the Statehouse and State Office Buildings just a few miles away from the campus. I don’t know what the administration’s hidden agenda is here, but it seems obvious that there is one.

Save the program! Some of my best friends were Poli Sci majors.

Political Science classes are an integral part of a college education. They provide opportunities for open discussion and dialogue. They need to be saved and be part of a university curriculum.

We need smart young Christian people in politics!

It would be a serious mistake to abolish the political science dept. at Marian U. The administration must step back and consider the importance of the dept., of free speech, of academic freedom and of higher education in which faculty are supported to pursue the educational goals of a university and of a democracy.

For the health of our society, it is critical to preserve the breath of students’ education. In this regard, an understanding of politics and the political system is particularly important.

At this time of political uncertainty, the last thing the country needs is to eliminate classes and programs on politics and political science.

We’re experiencing similar breaches in shared governance at our institution. Programs have been closed despite our Faculty Senate’s vote to retain them (in our structure programs cannot be closed without approval of the Senate). Our Board of Trustees and President have resorted to brazen power moves, particularly after busting our 40 year old faculty union in May of 2020.

Now more than ever, students need a robust education when it comes to political science and the social sciences. The planned dissolution of the political science program at Marian has no sound justification, and is a slap in the face of the mission of liberal arts education and the mission of higher education in our nation.

This is simply an unacceptable breach of procedure on the part of the administration of Marian University to eliminate a thriving Political Science Department that serves a core function in the liberal arts.

This is outrageous.

I interviewed for a faculty position in Political Science at Marian several years ago. It was quite clear from those interactions that the faculty cared deeply about educating their students. Political Science is fundamentally about the sources, uses, and consequences of power. The university should use its power in a way that supports Political Science majors, minors, and faculty and affords the benefits of a liberal arts education.

“Academic programs are not directly utilitarian and should not be seen as such. The education provided by social sciences humanities provide the crucial methodology and judgement required to make critical individual and societal decisions. But in utilitarian terms, this is why by careers end graduates from programs such as political science have higher than average earnings than peer degree programs: it reflects their contributions. “

Political Science is an essential major for students to understanding not just political institutions but also behavior. Understanding these theories and concepts are essential for informed citizens.

It is deeply disturbing that the university is considering eliminating the program this way. Political science is a staple not only at Marian University but in a liberal arts education. Especially in this day and age where understanding how politics influence the many facets of our society, it is a disservice to the students at Marian University (both majors and non-majors alike) to simply eliminate the program without any attempt to support whatever “”issues”” the leadership claims the program has.

Every passing year, it seems that the leadership of Marian University is trying to whittle down the university to serve the interests of the very few, instead of the interests of the students and the greater good.

This is an example why I no longer tell people I graduate from Marian University. It may have grown over the years, but the education it provides has shrunk considerably.

The leadership needs to do better. It needs to be more transparent and not hide behind whatever walls they put up because they ultimately understand that by doing this, they are admitting guilt that they are conducting business in an unethical way.

Political science was one of the most premiere programs at Marian University. Unfortunately the leadership at Marian has gone out of its way to ensure its elimination by setting it up to fail (in its eyes).

I was shocked to hear about Marian’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Political Science. The study of the liberal arts in the 21st century would require a serious engagement with power and justice through the lens of the discipline of political science. I hope that the administration reconsider.

In our current moment, there are few things more important than training our young adults about politics, power, and justice. Keep the political science program at Marian!

In solidarity!

We need to save history and related departments. Without knowing how our country works, and where it comes from, we’ll keep making the same mistakes we’ve made as a nation before.

Thanks for opportunity to sign.

I hope you are successful

in solidarity

Now more than ever we need political science programs such as the one at Marian to help the next generation navigate the partisan swamp we have created. Eliminating the political science program at Marian cedes valuable ground to those who wish to subvert democratic values.

As a product of the Catholic higher education system, I find this abandonment of shared governance deeply troubling.

If the facts cited in this petition are accurate, the actions of the administration at Marian are absolutely chilling and their disregard/disdain for students and faculty is palpable. A sad day for higher education.

The college needs to be totally transparent or the proposal is illegitimate

I cannot think of a more important subject for today’s youth than government and how, as citizens, it is not only a privilege, but a duty to be well-informed. Government was my undergrad major and what I learned has served me well throughout my life–as a teacher and as a voter. To strip resources from the humanities is a bad idea.

Willfully ignoring basic rules of faculty government is reprehensible.

I can’t imagine a more poorly timed or ill-considered proposal and am truly puzzled about what could possibly justify such an action. I hope the careful, thoughtful efforts being made by those closest to the situation will prove successful.

I support the Marian University political science faculty in opposing the administrative elimination of viable department.

The opportunity to study political science could hardly be more important than it is now. I urge you say no to this proposal and to engage fully with the political science faculty in resolving any concerns.

As the former Semler Endowed Chair at Marian University (2013-18), I am appalled by not only the administration’s decision to eliminate the Dept. of Political Science but also the egregious violations of due process and shared faculty governance in the genesis of this decision. As Prof. Goldfinger notes in his responses, political science is an increasingly important area of study for students who are expected to be well-informed citizens and future leaders. Eliminating a core liberal arts discipline, which puts other liberal arts departments in the crosshairs, will undermine Marian’s claim to be a liberal arts university founded in the Franciscan tradition. This will not only betray its core mission identity but nullify the primary rationale for what makes Marian a distinctive educational institution in central Indiana. Why would a student choose Marian over another school in the area where they can get the same business or other technical degrees for a lower tuition rate? Furthermore, the due process violations evince that Marian’s administration is paying mere lip-service to the ethical values it purports to embody. I urge the administration to reconsider the elimination of the Dept. of Political Science, invest in growing the program by hiring a tenure-line replacement for Prof. Atlas, and abide by the due process requirements of Marian’s own faculty handbook, the AAUP, and the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg.

I believe that a large decision like this demands an open forum for discussion before such a crucial and permanent decision is made. Political Science is one of the foundations of liberal arts, and it also helps to instill civic duty and understanding to students. I would respectfully request that the Marian University administration reconsider until they complete further due diligence. Thank you.

“Here are the reasons why the Trustees of Marian University may not abolish the Political Science Department.
(1) Neither Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, nor Our Blessed Mother, nor Pope Francis and the Vatican (who do not shy from making global political statements) would condone it.
(2) It is not conceivable that Marian’s Catholic Franciscan identity would guide the cancelation of courses in political science because, if so, it could not guide your university’s journey into a remarkable future.
(3) Marian would no longer be a special place where students could learn about who they really are and become the person they’ve always wanted to be, nor be an excellent academic environment where teaching and learning excellence merges with deeper values to create a challenging process of intellectual, spiritual, moral, and social development.
(4) You would be betraying your foundresses, the Sisters of Saint Francis (Oldenburg, IN), whose courage to venture made your great university possible.
(5) Your students will no longer receive any political education that would effectively empower them as leaders to promote the Franciscan Sponsorship Values rooted in prayer: the dignity of the individual, reconciliation, peace and justice and responsible stewardship.
(6) You would be reneging on Saint John Paul II’s injunction that “A Catholic University, as any University, is immersed in human society . . . and called on to become an ever more effective instrument of cultural progress for individuals as well as for society.”
(7) Your current decisional methodology would forever undermine the claim that Marian promotes a liberal arts and ethics-based foundation for education. The ethics seems to have gone out the window, together with the light of faith.
(8) Marian University will no longer form a true community within a multi-cultural, multi-belief system, multi-ethnic and global context. You will no longer celebrate the diversity on your campus, for you are no longer promoting love for one another in all your activities.
(9) Similarly, you will no longer be championing understanding, encountering and sharing the diverse traditions of the members of your community. You will stop promoting civil discourse, reconciliation, peacemaking, and stop enhancing the intellectual growth of students, because you will have lost any credibility and trust.
(10) Without the Political Science Department, you will no longer be able to be a progressive force for faith, justice, and the flourishing of human life at all stages.
To sum up, you would need to delete the entire statement of Values from your website and declare to the Catholic Church that you are no longer Catholic. The mystery, President Elsener, is in this question: Who have you become? What has happened to your faith?”

Growing up in Brownsburg, IN, I am shocked to hear Marian is doing this to a stable political science program so essential to civic education of future citizens.

At a time where political division is at such a high point, eliminating a program which helps individuals talk through political issues to find solutions is detrimental to the success of local, state, and national governments. We need programs like this one to foster discussion – a practice too often neglected in today’s political world. Without them, we eliminate the opportunity to create environments where ideas can be shaped and challenged and where productive, civil discourse can occur. The younger citizens are when they begin this behavior, the more likely the are to use it as they grow. We need to be training citizens in this art of dialogue so that when they are the leaders of their cities, their states, and our nation, they have the ability and the desire to hear out the other side, recognizing that those going into government have the desire to do what is in the best interest of the nation at heart.

The best ideals of a Liberal Arts Education–and faculty governance–should be upheld. Please preserve this department

C’est avec peine et indignation que je reçois la fâcheuse nouvelle du risque d’éliminer the political science program que tu diriges. Je n’ose y croire, tellement cette idée me semble insensée et injuste compte tenu des efforts investis et du potentiel estudiantin qui en sera privé. Afin qu’une telle décision ne puisse se réaliser, je te prie d’ajouter ma voix à la pétition qui circule à cet effet.

I am not sure of all the factors that led to this decision, but it would be difficult to take seriously any College of Arts & Sciences that does not include a major as important, as popular, and as well-established as Political Science.

I was shocked to hear that the administration at Marian is trying to eliminate the Political Science program. The Political Science program and faculty have had a direct and substantial impact on my career and life.
I had the pleasure of studying under Dr. Johnny Goldfinger during my time at Marian and he pushed me hard to succeed while ensuring that Marian’s Franciscan values accompanied that ambition. What I learned from the Marian Political Science faculty prepared me to be successful in graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh where the MPIA degree I achieved is ranked as a top ten program in the country.
I continue to use the lenses I was provided in my time studying Political Science to this day working as a Senior Consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. The unique training I received, to provide insightful analysis anchored in Franciscan values, is what sets the Marian University Political Science program apart from other programs in the state and country, and continues to guide my success at a top government consulting firm with my clients in the federal government.
I urge the Marian University administration to reconsider eliminating the Political Science program. The removal of this program will undoubtedly be a detriment to our society during this extremely divisive time in American political institutions. We need more people in our space who are guided by Marian’s values to ensure these institutions work for the dignity of all people rather than prey upon them.
Very Respectfully,
Mike Byers
MU Class of 2013″

There is no justifiable reason to eliminate the Political Science Program

I am particularly concerned about apparent failures to observe recognized norms of faculty governance.

My perception is that Marian College is one of those precious undergraduate institutions that offer so much to their students. Consequently, it would be tragic if a basic department, Political Science, is eliminated from its academic programs.

This act by Marion is an egregious violation of academic freedom and should be condemned by all.

Save the department! Political science is sorely needed in today’s world!!

It would be a huge mistake to eliminate Political Science at any university. Don’t do it.

Political science has been so important to why I have my current perspective. Please don’t rid our school of a unique piece of the school’s history

Good luck!

This is an egregious act not worthy of the Marian tradition.

I am in complete shock that Marian would threaten such action. Given the relevance of Political Science to our world and the bright minds who wish to pursue a life in politics, this is a shortsighted and consequential misstep.

I am the VP of Manhattan College’s AAUP chapter. These actions by the Marian administration clearly violates AAUP principles.

Marian is to become technical school? These embarrassing decisions are piling into an unseemly heap. Please, Marian board of directors, rein your guy in.

With the United States facing a crisis of political trust, the political science major has a vital role to play in helping people understand how our democratic political system works.

This process seems to be opaque and hasty. The administration needs to address the concerns of the Political Science department and to make its priorities and reasoning transparent. As is, the Marian administration seems to be acting in a capricious manner.

Political Science develops future leaders who will uphold and shape the laws of our nation. Marian University should want to have a seat at that table.

Save the program. USA needs poli Sci very much.

I’m saddened to hear Marian continues to pay lip service to values while treating their faculty as dispensable. Their is no honor here.

Great program. Don’t let it die

I support the continuation of the political science program and department at Marian.

Based upon what I have read, this attempt to eliminate Political Science is outrageous. As someone who has taught undergraduate students for more than 30 years, I am absolutely persuaded of the importance of political science in undergraduate education, including preparing them for lives as informed and engaged citizens.

Very shortsighted decision that will damage the integrity of Marian.

This country needs more students to study political science, not less. Canceling political science in your university will be a big mistake!

I’m horrified that Marian University would consider eliminating a discipline that attracts healthy enrollments and that provides necessary instruction in politics and civics in these polarized times.

It is outrageous to eliminate a Political Science Department from a university in the US! May Marian find a new President to return peace to this vital campus.

Although I am not a strong believer in our political system, I believe it is important to propagate great future leaders within the political world.

As a graduate of Marian, I have for many years emphasized what an excellent education I received not only from the theology faculty, but from members of other departments that together helped Marian to realize a robust liberal arts education. The deletion of political science and other departments from Marian–especially without due cause or adequate explanation–seems to me to undermine the enduring value of my own degree and to raise questions about whether Marian’s current and future students are receiving the same kind of excellent training that I did. I would urge the administration and community to rethink this decision and to think about how we can build up and strengthen departments rather than hollowing them out and tearing them down.

It appears that your Global Studies program is now defunct, so students with an interest in international affairs need political science as a major. A deep understanding of international relations would seem to be in line with the historic mission of Marian University, and its pledge to instill such Franciscan values as Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation among its students.

I strongly oppose this unwise, top-down move to eliminate an important program in clear violation of faculty governance.

I urge you to maintain the Political Science program. There has never been a time in our history that we have needed an educated population to maintain the Democracy that we can no longer take for granted.

This is a deeply troubling initiative from Marian administrators to intervene in faculty affairs. As a fellow faculty member in Indiana, I send my solidarity to the political science program – these types of decisions should be governed and controlled by the faculty, not the unjustified whims of the administration.

I oppose the cancellation of the Political Science program at your university, Marian U.

This flagrant violation of academic protocol is a threat to academic freedom everywhere. It looks to be an effort to intimidate faculty into submission to autocratic leadership when one of the key roles of higher education is to promote the independent thinking and open discussion that are crucial to a democracy. The world needs more Johnny Goldfingers. I laud and admire him for his courageous resistance.

The liberal arts, including political science, are a fundamentally important part of a university education. Studies show that a liberal arts education produces better critical thinking than practical study alone (like teaching, engineering, health, etc). This produces better citizens, and a better society.

More than 15 years later, I still remember the discussions we had during our political science lectures. I learned so much from Dr. Atlas and guest speakers about international relations and the impact global events and decision-making have on our everyday lives. Most importantly, I learned how to analyze news from every angle to understand the difference between facts and opinion. To this day, I use the knowledge from these lectures to judge the significance of political events, understand actions from different players, and make sense of what’s going on. Taking away this learning opportunity from future generations is like pulling a curtain over their eyes. We are already living in the age where there’s so much misinformation thrown at people from all angles, without context and due diligence on research and facts. Please, keep political science as part of Marian’s curriculum.

There is no reason to eliminate this program. The administration offers no compelling reasons…

I also taught a legal history class for want-to-be law students about 2000 when a part-timer quit on the first day of class. I met most of the poli. sci. faculty and they were very pleasant and the students I had were very pleased with what they were learning and felt that it would get them into law school. Two of the class of 8 got in the next year.

I fail to understand why any political science program would be eliminated . It is a useful major for those aspiring to public service, government, law. and many other professions.

Good luck. Lots of support from here.

That a prestigious university such as Marian University would not offer a Major such as Political Science in these politically turbulent times is as irresponsible as it is disheartening. The need for instruction in the political sciences has never been greater in our country’s history, instruction illuminated with the Franciscan values that embody all we learn at our precious institution. Please reconsider this matter. The well being of American society depends on an educated and enlightened citizenry! Thank you.

I sign this petition as a faculty member, diversity professional, and President of the Western Society for French History.

Now more than ever we need our students to understand and engage in politics

As a longtime supporter of AAUP principles and standards, I was shocked to read about the apparent lack of faculty involvement or other due process in the administration’s decision to “delete” the Political Science program at Marian University. Such programs should be supported if only in order to prevent such impolitic governance.

I am very said someone would ever put in print that Political Science is no longer a viable major given our current political climate, especially at Marian University. I know first hand that MU produces exceptional graduates. Years later, I am grateful to still be in contact with my former Political Science professors because they’ve truly helped me understand our country, the political climate, and how I can still be influential to political society based on theory they’ve instilled in us! The deletion of this program is not very Franciscan in my opinion and I hope this decision will be reversed for the sake of past, present, and future Knights.

The notion of eliminating political science is simply preposterous. Now, more than ever, our country needs people who understand how the political system works. I don’t know how Marian can call itself a serious educational institution if it gets away with this.

Political science is an essential program for all universities

I’m a Marian grad and an appalled that my alma mater wants to get rid of a program

Universities are not vocational schools – they are settings in which we learn how to learn. Eliminating any liberal arts or social sciences program weaknes the entire university.

No serious university lacks a political science program. Marian’s reputation will be a joke if the department is cancelled.

In this period of political and civic unrest, political science education is essential to our collective well-being. Every serious university needs a political science program and political science majors.

It is mind-boggling that the school would seek to eliminate a program as well-run and important as political science. There has been no justification or explanation for this decision. It feels like there is some hidden agenda at play that trumps what is best for the students or the university.

I can’t imagine why a university would want to cut a successful program that adds to a well rounded, liberal arts education.

Keep the program!!

I fully support the proposal to withdraw elimination of political science major program as a student who enjoyed studying at Marian and was inspired by enthusiastic students and faculties.

I read the most recent issue of Marian’s magazine and there is no mention of faculty, their achievements, and their dedication to students. Maybe this is because the most recent Climate Survey at Marian University reveals low faculty morale and retention? It is time faculty speak up on behalf of themselves and students. The latter have already been harmed by the president’s sudden and and arbitrary decisions to close programs and departments. These decisions have forced some students to transfer out of Marian, unnecessarily disrupting their college careers. Please stop the madness and please respect the rights and work of faculty who dedicate their lives to making Marian a great place to learn.

I am ever grateful for the preparation offered to our daughter who learned so much from Marian University Political Science Professors. She is now about halfway through Law School. She was even blessed with a Marian University scholarship to help make this possible. Please allow these wonderful professionals to continue their valuable work.

The dissolution of Political Science at Marian is unconscionable. It is anti-intellectual and craven. It must be stopped.

Do not cut the Political Science Program. Instead, if you are admin, and have no background in liberal arts education, you should resign.

All of the liberal arts, including political science, are more important than ever to help our students navigate the complex world they are encountering. A liberal arts college without political science is hard to fathom.

“I would be deeply disappointed in my alma mater if we eliminate this major. Though I didn’t major in political science, I enjoyed the fruit of its robust program. The Lugar Series of speakers and the great discussions hosted by this major were only possible because it had a strong core of invested students. My senior year, the class I took with Gastineau-Grimes was one of the best classes I took at my time at Marian, and I was one of the few non-majors in that class.

In this day and age, students want a university that teaches them to engage intelligently in the political conversation. The loss of this program would be a detriment to the whole university. “

Shared governance is critical to the health of a university.

This is a valuable major and 1000% should be included in the curriculum at MU. I cannot believe this is even up for discussion…

I was not a political science major but I benefitted greatly from the political science electives that I took
Part of my success in my STEM career is due to the political science courses I took with Dr. Atlas. Policy is a critical part of STEM affairs and is critical to ensure appropriate funding and support is allocated to relevant organizations. It would be a grave mistake to reduce the number of degrees offered by your university especially on such a critical topic.

Signing because I believe in the aaup , due process, fair hearings

I graduated with my minor in political science in 2006 from Marian. If this program hadn’t been in place I would NOT have even considered the school. I think it would be a travesty to eliminate the program.

I am deeply troubled by the proposed elimination and urge transparency and due process.

As a graduate or Marian University, it angers me (though doesn’t surprise me) that Marian is taking this approach. When I was a student (2013-2017), I knew I was getting a well-rounded and thorough education. Humanities courses, philosophy courses, and yes – even political science courses. My minor in Global Studies, a program spearheaded by Dr. Altas, was one of many priceless experiences at Marian University. The restructuring and elimination of, not only the political science program, but also the English Department, is one of many reasons why I am ashamed of my alma mater. Every time I receive a request for alumni donations, it angers me even more – how can an institution that claims to be dedicated to nurturing the entire student on their educational journey also be so dedicated to feeding its bottom line? It’s like the petition stated: we can only speculate at this point as to why such actions are being taken (behind closed doors and without any open communication! how shady and underhanded!) but it is clear that Marian is no longer the university I loved when attending. A Catholic university? Dedicated to a holistic educational approach? Well, these actions make it clear – it’s all just talk.

It hurts my heart to know these things, to know that I cannot be like other graduates who speak so lovingly and warmly about what their colleges and universities are up to after all these years. What do I have to speak about? The current attempt at removing quality programs, and the restructuring of departments and removal of faculty who made programs and departments worthwhile? How attractive that would sound to prospective students!

I was a joint history/political science major. I want students at Marian to have same opportunities I had to learn about political science in depth.

There are few things in my life that have been as impactful and valuable as the Political Science program that was offered at Marian University. The Professors we’re excellent and deeply cared about their students. That the school would seek to eliminate such an important and essential academic study is deeply disappointing and I would urge them to reconsider this choice. The study of Political Science is important, especially in a world so dominated by political news that is often false and misleading. This program is worth saving.

Keeping the Political Science major and department at Marian University is imperative for the students’ understanding of political theories, international law, function of government, and so much more. Marian University is located in a hub of local, city, and state government as well as a law school less than 10 minutes away. It would be incredibly detrimental to the faculty and the students to not continue the Political Science education with these invaluable opportunities minutes away. I learned how to brief a case in Dr. Goldfinger’s course through Political Science. Having that prior knowledge of not only how to brief a case, but also how to read opinions gave me an edge over incoming students that did not have that prior teaching. I would not be where I am today (a 2L at McKinney School of Law) without the Political Science faculty and courses offered. As the 2020 IU McKinney-Marian University Law Scholar Recipient, I look forward to giving back to Marian University’s Political Science department if given the chance. Thank you.

There is no satisfactory justification for removing this popular major.