My letter to Villanova University President, Father Peter Donohue:Dear Father Donohue:
I've just finished reading A Mole Hunt for Diversity 'Bias' At Villanova by professors Colleen A. Sheehan and James Matthew Wilson in the March 30 edition of the Wall Street Journal.
As a Villanova alum, contributor to the university and member of an alumni advisory committee, my first reaction is sincere and profound concern for the university and its future.
Oh, I know that decades have passed since I was a student but I always trusted that the rigorous, classical, liberal arts Augustinian education that I received at Villanova was sacrosanct. Surely, nothing could taint that -- not so long as Villanova held true to the mission of relentlessly challenging the prevailing opinions of the day in a scholarly Catholic atmosphere of open, rational, critical examination
That's what made my Villanova education exceptional. That's what made it an education I wouldn't trade for any other.
Now, that all seems threatened in the name of those new secular deities: diversity, sensitivity and inclusion. And, make no mistake about it, I fear they offer a politically-charged ticket to coercion, suppression and enforced conformity.
Which means that if this new teacher evaluation system remains intact, Villanova will begin to lose its unique identity and become more and more like countless other run-of-the-mill colleges and universities that produce unquestioning, cookie cutter students who need to seek "safe spaces" the first time they encounter a difficult or uncomfortable thought or situation. Horrors!
Thank goodness professors Sheehan and Wilson have come forward and kudos to the Wall Street Journal for publishing their fine analysis of this troubling new development.
As a former college professor myself, I urge you to promptly remove these senseless questions and related comment component from the course and teaching evaluations that students fill out each semester.
To do anything less would be an affront to Villanova's high standards and sterling academic tradition.
With deep appreciation and every good wish, I remain
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Cirucci
And Father Donohue's reply:
April 1, 2019
Dear Members of the Villanova Community:
On Saturday, March 30, 2019, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by two Villanova faculty members. It is a criticism of our standard Course and Teacher Survey that includes, among many other questions, three related to cultural awareness and equitable treatment of students in the classroom. The faculty authors put forth that the inclusion of these questions not only undermines the University’s academic integrity, but also our Augustinian Catholic values and the basis of a Villanova liberal arts education.
I want to assure you that this is neither the case nor the intention. If we are true to our Augustinian Catholic mission, the Villanova community must proactively ensure that all members are treated with respect and equity. Bias of any form is antithetical to our academic environment and our values. And if anyone is experiencing it in any way, we are called to raise people’s awareness to eliminate it.
It’s important for you to know that the op-ed contained several inaccuracies. For one, the questions referenced from Villanova’s Course and Teacher Survey are not used for evaluating faculty. Rather, the questions are designed to enable our faculty to understand how their students perceive their interactions so they can create an unbiased learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds, social identities and political beliefs. Quite simply, teachers need to know who they are teaching. These survey questions are one tool to help faculty members better understand changing demographics in order to teach more effectively, and ultimately have a greater impact in their classrooms.
Our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for all students in no way means that we are rejecting or silencing certain viewpoints, nor does it mean we are downplaying our Catholic identity and values. As an academic institution, we want and encourage our faculty to challenge their students. We also believe it is important for faculty to teach and examine a wide variety of subjects, perspectives and viewpoints—some that students may agree with and others they may not.
As an Augustinian Catholic institution of higher education, community is at the center of who we are and what we do. To remain true to our mission, it is our responsibility to ensure that all community members are valued, respected and feel a sense of belonging. This is the essence of Veritas, Unitasand Caritas.
If you would like a further explanation of this matter, please visit the Office of the President site.
Sincerely,
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President
