2005 Campus Outrage Awards

The Collegiate Network has just named the 2005 Poly Awards for the worst examples of political correctness on US campuses.

Here's the first prize:

At LeMoyne College, graduate student Scott McConnell was expelled after writing a paper rejecting multiculturalism and advocating light spanking in elementary school classrooms. Despite his exemplary grades, McConnell received a letter from the Director of his program stating: “I have grave concerns regarding the mismatch between your personal beliefs regarding teaching and learning and the LeMoyne College program goals…. You will not be allowed to register for any additional courses. Your registration for Spring 2005 courses has been withdrawn.” McConnell declared in his paper that he bases his teaching philosophy “upon the pre-1960’s learning when discipline was present in the learning environment.” He argues that the students should be told that “their job is to learn and my job is to teach.” McConnell has little sympathy for the sacred cows of modern educational philosophy. “The classroom environment would revolve strictly around the American culture and state culture, not multicultural learning,” McConnell boldly states in his paper. “I will help the child understand that respect of authority figures is more important than their self-esteem.” McConnell received an A- on the paper and an A for the course. He received A’s and B’s in all the courses he took in the M.S.T program. However, when he attempted to register for classes the following semester, he learned the school had expelled him. Regionally, the story was covered by the Syracuse Post-Standard and nationally by the New York Times. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is assisting McConnell in his quest to become registered once again at LeMoyne.