“Hi Aronsonians, I am forwarding a note from Gregg Morris, who teaches journalism at Hunter and who has raised concerns about the Aronson student undergraduate prize. Separating his concerns from how he states them would be a good thing. Most Film and Media dept. faculty know that Gregg can raise issues in ways that are contentious.” [– Blanca Vasquez, Adjunct Instructor]
So, what’s the skinny on this teapot?
(more…)
Morris stated that he had unresolved issues with faculty. These details were written in his group emails to faculty. Roman responded that he will follow up any complaints 
made by Morris with the Ombudsman. — Shanti Thaku, the minutes of the December, 2008, faculty meeting.
I’m considering encouraging my students to BLOG here, and I’m certain that they would be uncomfortable participating in a BLOG site describing the dark side of the department where they major, minor or take classes even though I believe the info here could help the committed students to navigate this place so that they could get the best out of an educational operation that I have described on numerous occasions as one of Farce & Mediocrity.
That’s the reason for the wrap-up of this deconstruct, though, by now, the internecine imbroglio has pretty much distinguished itself in the Academy here at 68th and Lexington on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, though my colleagues, would never admit that in any kind of forum.
That’s because they are awash in chimera.
On with the wrap-up.
Morris stated that he had unresolved issues with faculty. These details were written in his group emails to faculty. Roman responded that he will follow up any complaints 
made by Morris with the Ombudsman. — Shanti Thaku, the minutes of the December, 2008, faculty meeting.
So, I put the question to the department and there was no discussion, but comments from the chair, Jay Roman; the deputy chair, Kelly Anderson; Larry Shore, former chair of the grade appeals committee and now the department’s media advisor; Tami Gold, the PSC rep at Hunter; and Steve Gorelick.
Morris stated that he had unresolved issues with faculty. These details were written in his group emails to faculty. Roman responded that he will follow up any complaints 
made by Morris with the Ombudsman. – Shanti Thaku, the minutes of the December, 2008, faculty meeting.
At the meeting I’ve referred to as this first blip on the radar, I revealed my contact with the New York Civil Liberties Union but didn’t reveal my contact with the National Writers Union, which had responded positively to my request for support.
Morris stated that he had unresolved issues with faculty. These details were written in his group emails to faculty. Roman responded that he will follow up any complaints 
made by Morris with the Ombudsman. — Shanti Thaku, the minutes of the December, 2008, faculty meeting.
Now, colleague Larry Shore, former chair of the department’s grade appeals committee which I had been describing in several venues “as one of the most corrupt” at Hunter if not CUNY, candidly responded to the question, “Recommend For New Business, Wednesday, Grade Tampering in F/M,” A Big Barnacle: Is a Discussion Needed?” His comments, however, never made it into the department minutes.
This is an esoteric post. It most likely will be abstruse and cryptic for anyone unfamiliar with my postings on the Hunter College Listserv known as Hunter-L, the f/m listserv of the Department of Film and Media Studies, the SENATE-FORUM@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU or the CUNY UFS Discussion Forum as well as numerous inter-department emails and postings and memos and Fatwas. So, I asked the big question at December 10 department meeting. Quotation marks for effect: “Don’t you think this ongoing conflict can harm the department’s image?”
This post may help clarify for students any confusion regarding publication of the WORD. It may also provide clarification for others on and off the Hunter College campus who come across this blog.
The WORD is an innovative pedagogical tool to teach students journalism. It’s based on this principle: Require students to write for publication and provide media that will showcase their work. The publishing imperative requires the students and the instructor to strive for higher academic standards and achievement. Burgeoning technology, of course, has significantly increased not only this potential for improving student writing but also the potential for enhancing student education. The WORD has also significantly improved student opportunities for getting internships and jobs.
True, a lot of professors believe that it’s not their responsibility to help students get internships and jobs, that such responsibility regarding career choices and decisions falls on the the students’ shoulders or with their colleges’ career services support systems. Hunter has a really good support system but this instructor believes that J-professors, especially, should be proactive mentorers (especially when there are operations like the WORD that can help make it easier for them to contribute to students’ careers).