Category: college

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What Cal Poly’s dance with Saudi Arabia really Costs

What does Cal Poly hope to gain? And what is the true cost?Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has decided to provide an education to male Saudi nationals in Saudi Arabia over the objections of Cal Poly faculty, students and the larger community.

The benefits are clear to the Cal Poly administrators but rather murky to the rest of us. Why are we here and what is it really we are going to get out of all of this?

It seems reasonable to look under the surface and see who and what Saudi Arabia really is. First of all, it is clear that the Saudi’s really don’t know much about the outside world… as one report states:

Reporters Without Borders, a non-profit organization reporting on freedom of the press and of expression throughout the world, labeled Saudi Arabia one of the 15 “Enemies of the Internet.” Saudi Arabia is reported to have blocked over 400,000 websites

It’s also hard to grasp the plight of women in this part of the world until one looks at how women are viewed and treated at an early age. The case of 8 year old Najood Ali trying to divorce her 30 year old husband should have been a good focus for positive social change… but the Yemeni government found no compelling reasons to pursue this issue.

On a more chilling note in a CRS (Congressional Research Service) brief before Congress contained the following report:

In June 2002, in the course of briefing a high-level group that advises the
U.S. Department of Defense, an analyst from the Rand Corporation asserted
that “Saudi Arabia supports our enemies and attacks our allies” and added
that “the Saudis are active at every level of the terror chain, from planners
to financiers.”

So, why again is Cal Poly involved in Saudi Arabia?

Roger Freberg

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Cal Poly : learning to do Bad by Doing

Shows Us the Conteract with Saudi ArabiaWell, the ever popular and hard to find President Warren Baker of Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo decided that he was going to proceed with his scheme of doing business with one of the smaller backwater gender apartheid universities of Saudi Arabia.

Very few people haven’t heard of this idea… because it has been covered nationally…. and most think this isn’t a great plan… except possibly those hiding in a cave somewhere in Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, Warren Baker promised to show the world the ‘contract’ he is offering the Saudi’s …. as he is so proud of it.

Recently, however, it was determined that he ‘misspoke’ because one of his handlers corrected the statement that no contract will be available for viewing…. ever … by anyone.

Funny, Why would anyone so proud of a contract not be willing to show both the English and Arabic versions? It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to figure this out.

So now Saudi Arabia has its own American University from which great things can happen.

Years from now, I hope we remember who started this.

MORE on Uncoverslo.com 

Roger Freberg

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at the Cal Poly Gender Apartheid Oasis

Cal Poly & Bin Laden Connection?
Cal Poly President Warren Baker has decided that He will sign the Cal Poly and Saudi Arabian deal within a month. How this program snuck by the faculty, students and the public without review is still a point of irritation.

Apparently, Gender Apartheid is still alive and well at Cal Poly and Saudi Arabia.

Of course, although there is a travel warning to American Citizens regarding Saudi Arabia , Cal poly plans to go ahead…. if there is a buck in it! Other areas that include warnings are resort locations like: Iraq, Afghanistan, the West Bank, Sudan and Yemen.
Cal Poly Learning Discrimination by DoingIn a related decision, the university plans to use more and more masters level students to cover the teaching load. It is important to realize that these individuals would not be qualified to teach at the community college. I will predict that these barely degreed undergraduates will take over more and more classes at Cal Poly. It is clear that this will now allow ‘the appropriate’ faculty free time to teach Saudi Nationals.

Again, how is this part of the Cal State university mission?

Apparently, the Dean of Engineering Mohammad Noori will be addressing the Engineering Students today…. it will be a good opportunity in this open forum to quiz Mohammad Noori about why this is so good for Cal Poly, women and other under represented groups. Why all the secrecy? Why the lack of consultation if this was such a good idea?

Roger Freberg

Edmund Burke: “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.“

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Cal Poly Degrees FOR SALE!!!

Osama bin Laden loves Cal PolyDon’t have time for those pesky courses required by most universities? If you’ve got the money and lots of it, Cal Poly has the degree! The catch? it’s for men only and it’s in gender apartheid Saudi Arabia!

Here’s an UPDATE:

Yesterday, the administration through their surrogates effectively stopped all free speech and discussion on the issue of the Saudi Arabian purchase of Cal Poly Engineering and Technology. All it required was our willingness to support the Saudi version of ‘gender apartheid.’ What are a few ethics when it comes to money? Besides, Cal Poly’s record regarding free speech and women is appalling.

In some universities, the concept of ‘faculty governance’ is a reality and offers some balance to the often zealous college administration out to make a buck at all costs. At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, all faculty governance is done with the expressed approval of Warren Baker, the University’s President. You must be ‘appointed’ or ‘anointed.’ It starts and ends there.

So it was no surprise when the 8 members of the Faculty’s Academic Senate voted down the entire notion of discussing the issue of Cal Poly’s support of Saudi Arabia before the full body of the academic senate. What was shocking was the courage of 2 members to vote in support of the discussions. Why would anyone vote against discussion, anyway? Hmmmm … I can’t help but wonder if these two faculty are still employed?

Part of the problem, from an academic point of view is awarding Cal State System degrees to Saudi nationals that have not completed the typically required coursework. Cheapening and streamlining the degree through the removal of offensive courses for a few bucks is offensive. Here is part of the Cal Poly’s secret discussion:

“As a follow up to our teleconference today, I had a discussion with our Provost. He expressed his support and endorsement of this initiative and confirmed that the students in Jubail can receive a Cal Poly degree through a collaborative program between the two universities. Thus, Cal Poly will be happy to participate in the implementation of a joint program with that goal in mind.”

I am disappointed with our local California state Representative Sam Blakeslee who seems more worried about trees and parks then dealing with Cal Poly (in his district). His silence has been deafening.

On a positive note, a UCLA Journalist wrote an excellent article on the continuing battle with Cal Poly’s Warren Baker in yesterday’s Daily Bruin. View it here!

At Cal Poly, Brian Eller wrote a funny tongue-in-cheek commentary in Cal Poly’s Mustang Daily entitled “To the Great President….” By the way, don’t credit Warren Baker for allowing the free speech that appears in the student newspaper, it took action in Federal Court against Cal Poly to lay the groundwork (viva Steve Hinkle!)!

In summary, the problems at Cal Poly are larger than the faculty and students can address by themselves. To put it another way, it will take the village to teach these administrative children.

The great Psychologist Milgram proved that even the best of us can be turned into willing participants of doing great harm, if at first, we decide not to get involved and look the other way.

Get involved.

Roger Freberg

PS. Got time? write Sam Blakeslee a note… or Arnold if you can get him away from a mirror.

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UPDATE: EMAIL from Provost Durgin to Faculty!!!! Continue reading “Cal Poly Degrees FOR SALE!!!”

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Cal Poly’s Real Responsibility is at Home

Osama Bin Laden loves Cal PolyJust a few weeks ago or so, Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo confirmed that they had reduced the student population by 1100 or so. This was said to be due to the state budgetary ‘shortfall’ . (they’re getting more, just not as much as they were asking… in bureaucratic terms, this is referred to as a ‘short fall.’)

Now, the bureaucrats are planning to spend the taxpayer’s scarce resources teaching male-only students Engineering in Saudi Arabia. This according to one quote will ‘set terrorism’ back. Huh? If only it were true, I might agree if we were teaching philosophy or western literature or even if there was a ‘student’ exchange.

By the way, engineering are the skills one needs to know if one wants to blow up a building.As a reminder, Bin Laden was also an engineer.

Today, Cal Poly Provost William W. Durgin spun a great yarn in our local paper ( tough to find it on-line… but here it is ) entitled: “Cal Poly – Saudi Deal will adhere to U.S. Laws and reap untold benefits.” Why does this sound like a line from the evil Prince John in the tale Robin Hood,” Golden Days are ahead, Sir Guy!” ?

So, let’s take a little look at some of the Cal Poly spin:

Durgan: “JUC’s provost has advised us that the college will offer engineering to men and women as student and industry demand emerges.”

Translation: female engineering students and faculty are as likely to participate as finding snow in Saudi Arabia

Durgan: ” Project faculty and staff will be Cal Poly employees selected by the university.” Continue reading “Cal Poly’s Real Responsibility is at Home”