Patty’s Bench: UVM honors a retiring associate dean and her gift for listening to students, but ignores what she heard

Following 2018 commencement, Patty Corcoran, UVM’s beloved Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), retired from UVM after 37 years of service. To honor her a new wooden bench was installed at 438 College Street, which has inscribed on it the following: “For Patty, who would always sit and listen.” Yes, indeed,…Continue reading Patty’s Bench: UVM honors a retiring associate dean and her gift for listening to students, but ignores what she heard

From the annals of the economically incorrect – not teaching “good” economics like my colleagues at UVM

The following post is from the blog, Econospeak —  that exposes the sham of the standard model and how students paying a mortgage loan’s worth of money to get a degree in are being misled down a dead-end path by economists who mostly don’t care because they are more interested in promoting their own careers.…Continue reading From the annals of the economically incorrect – not teaching “good” economics like my colleagues at UVM

Some of the content that I believe drove UVM’s Econ Department chair to “target” me for removal

In many of my courses taught over eight years at UVM between 2009 and 2017 (before I was removed from teaching post by a Chair I argue was bent on making sure I would never get reappointed), I frequently showed a film to students titled The End of Poverty?, which explores the issue of causes of…Continue reading Some of the content that I believe drove UVM’s Econ Department chair to “target” me for removal

A former Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Vermont believes the facts point to UVM Department of Economics “targeting” me

Below are some extracts from communication with me by a former UVM Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (who clearly sees through the subterfuge). I will not reveal the person’s name in order to protect the former official from retaliation by UVM. A former UVM dean: “It is clear they [UVM’s Dept. of…Continue reading A former Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Vermont believes the facts point to UVM Department of Economics “targeting” me

UVM has lawyered-up, again — Now they will not produce contractually required Dept of Economics FEGs (Faculty Evaluation Guidelines)

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)

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?

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