It is hard to be surprised by UVM’s arbitrary behavior anymore, but the latest in a round of emails with me about missing FEGs makes clear something is seriously amiss up on the hill. Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that UVM has with its teachers and United Academics (UA), a copy of approved…Continue reading UVM has lawyered-up, again — Now they will not produce contractually required Dept of Economics FEGs (Faculty Evaluation Guidelines)
Month: July 2018
UVM economics stuck in deadend thinking by defending its core curriculum?
The core curriculum in the UVM economics department is particularly disengenuous because some of its own faculty don’t believe any of it. I know at least three UVM economists who think it is pure garbage but don’t tell students they think this way. In fact, one revealed to me that if assigned to teach it,…Continue reading UVM economics stuck in deadend thinking by defending its core curriculum?
UVM economics “penalizes” rethinking economics
Below is a post by economist Steve Keen about my situation at the University of Vermont (UVM) in its economics department. Please read it and share in social media to spread the word about how UVM abuses its discretion when it comes to teachers that don’t conform to the tastes of some of its powerful…Continue reading UVM economics “penalizes” rethinking economics
For the record – my Reply to UVM’s Opposition to my Motion to Reconsider (and Recuse)
The Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB) denied my Motion to Reconsider their decision following revelations that the VLRB chair is in an ethically conflicted relationship with UVM, or gives the impression to any reasonable person that financial, professional, personal and prejudicial factors pose or appear to pose a potential for conflict of interest. The VLRB…Continue reading For the record – my Reply to UVM’s Opposition to my Motion to Reconsider (and Recuse)
Help me get a fair hearing of my grievance for wrongful denial of my right to teach in the UVM’s economics department
“John is a huge asset to UVM…exceptional, approachable, fair and challenging…students enjoy his teaching.” — Associate Dean Patricia Corcoran, Director of UVM’s Student Affairs Division. The above words were taken from a letter written by Dean Corcoran in support of my reappointment as lecturer in the University of Vermont’s Department of Economics, where I successfully…Continue reading Help me get a fair hearing of my grievance for wrongful denial of my right to teach in the UVM’s economics department
Getting out of Plato’s Cave with a dose of sociology of the economics profession
Everybody loves a little gossip, especially when it turns out to be true and reveals how reality is not what it appears to be (viz., exposing deceptions). That is why my favorite approach to inspiring students about economics was first and foremost sociological — informing students about how economics as a profession has constituted itself…Continue reading Getting out of Plato’s Cave with a dose of sociology of the economics profession
Debunking the Chair’s “error” claim (an infidel defends his use of quotation marks around the word “equilibrium”)
Balancing on my Hobie “Peter Pan Slug” long board as sets of ocean waves passed under me at Narragansett Beach in Rhode Island last week, my thoughts naturally turned to the idea of equilibrium — equilibrium with Nature. There I was — balancing while sitting on my surf board, balancing while paddling to catch waves,…Continue reading Debunking the Chair’s “error” claim (an infidel defends his use of quotation marks around the word “equilibrium”)