The Midwest Political Science Association, which has over 5000 members attend its conference in Chicago every year, has written a letter supporting the political science program at Marian and posted a copy on its website. The letter is addressed to Marian University’s president, Daniel Elsener, and provost, Dr. Alan Silva. It is also copied to the chair of the Marian Board of Trustees, Denise Feser, and the presiding officer of the Marian Faculty Assembly, Dr. Jeff Kellogg. Click on the link below to download a copy of the letter.
November 11, 2021
Dear President Elsener and Dr. Silva:
We are writing on behalf of the Midwest Political Science Association in support of the political science program at Marian University. While many universities are rethinking their current academic programs, eliminating a critical element of the social sciences strikes us as short sighted. Political science, like economics, psychology, and sociology, provide crucial insights into understanding the current state of the world. We urge you to preserve the political science program at Marian University.
Our understanding is that Marian University is committed to preparing “transformative leaders for service to the world.” Political science provides students with the communication, analytic, and data skills that are fundamental for productive citizens. These skills are central to a liberal arts education. Political science provides insight into the critical issues that define the core of Franciscan values. In particular “peace and justice” and “reconciliation” are central concepts in the study of political science. Discontinuing the political science major will deny students the opportunity to gain a critical and analytic understanding of their responsibilities as citizens, and to confront those institutions that shape the world around them.
A political science major is a central part of any liberal arts tradition. It ensures that your students are prepared to assume their role as regional, state, and global citizens. We encourage you to work with faculty to maintain the political science department as an essential part of the university. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of us.
Sincerely,
Rick K. Wilson, Rice University, President MPSA
Melanie Manion, Duke University, President-Elect MPSA
Diana Mutz, University of Pennsylvania, Immediate Past-President MPSA
William D. Morgan, Executive Director MPSA
Cc:
Denise Feser, Chair of the Board of Trustees dfeser@marian.edu Dr. Jeff Kellogg, Presiding Officer of the Faculty Assembly, jkellogg@marian.edu
Save Political Science at Marian University 