John Protevi's Blog

Christian Kerslake suspension lifted

Christian Kerslake, one of the three suspended philosophy lecturers at Middlesex University, had his suspension hearing yesterday (Monday 14 June). He read this statement out after his hearing to the demonstration that had gathered in solidarity with him. Christian heard this morning that his suspension has now been lifted.

Read the statement here at savemdxphil.com

Christian Kerslake statement on CRMEP move to Kingston

Read the whole statement here.

He makes 5 points, on (non)-participation in negotiations; the relation of undergraduate and graduate philosophy study; the relation of the Middlesex campaign to other campaigns (Liverpool, KCL, Goldsmiths); desires for future collaboration between Kingston and Middlesex. 

Key points: 

1. Mark Kelly and I both found out about the move to Kingston on the same day as everybody else, and we were not consulted about it at any point.

5...  despite disagreeing with the logic of the Kingston move, I have no desire to foster any conflict about it. I hope that Middlesex and Kingston will be able to retain strong links, and that members of the Kingston CRMEP will come to Middlesex this Autumn to participate in a new seminar series we hope to establish.

Statement by the Suspended Students | Save Middlesex Philosophy

The students believe the repeated emphasis on misleading, vague and ambiguous questions by the panel to be part of a strategy to predetermine the outcome; confirmation that the hearings were not conducted fairly or without prejudice – this is clear in view of the university’s violation of its own disciplinary protocol. In the Vice-chancellor’s immediate public response, he inaccurately deployed the phrase ‘the regret’ of the students ­ which they strongly refute. Political action is not a regret for those who see it as both their right, and indeed a necessity, to stand up and protect their education; to resist the oppressive stealth tactics of unthinking bureaucrats who try to steep us and the university in a morass of neo-liberal logic.

via savemdxphil.com

Middlesex Philosophy Research Centre (CRMEP) moving to Kingston University | Save Middlesex Philosophy

The campaign to save our philosophy programmes has just won a partial but significant victory: Kingston University in south-west London announced today that it will re-establish our Centre for Research in Modern European Philosophy (CRMEP) at Kingston, by employing the four senior staff in Philosophy at Middlesex (Eric Alliez, Peter Hallward, Peter Osborne and Stella Sandford). Our MA and PhD programmes (full-time and part-time) will be re-launched at Kingston this September, and all current post-graduate students will be invited to move along with the staff. Institutions in France and Germany have also made significant new proposals for collaboration with the CRMEP, which may allow it to expand the European dimensions of its work considerably in the near future.

Read the entire statement here

See also the comments on this THE article for debate about the many issues involved.

UPDATE W 9 June, 1:20 pm CDT: read the Kingston University statement here. See also this WSJ article on changes in the UK system concerning fees and endowments.

UPDATE W 9 June, 4:50 pm CDT: several of the commenters have been critical of the CRMEP move. I don't subscribe to their point of view. I endorse what Barry Rogers says in his comment: 

I understand the sentiment of some of the more critical remarks here. But, if viewed soberly, the move of the CRMEP to Kingston can be seen as an opportunity to continue the protest against MDX in a more stable manner, rather than as a defeat of some sort. Yes, the primary ‘aim’ of saving philosophy at MDX has not been achieved, but it seems that this was a very high and unlikely aim, given the sheer pig-headedness of the management at MDX (who are the real ‘enemy’ here). It seems to me that the management were merely stalling, and waiting for the summer so they could push through their cuts in relative peace (relative to the last month or so). If they had any other intention they would have given some substantive indication of that before now.

Transferring the CRMEP to Kingston, however, gives four of the main players in this protest (Hallward et al) a much more stable position from which to continue their campaign, without fear of arbitrary reprisals by their own employers, or indeed fear for their own futures. They have gained a certain distance, in this regard, which can potentially allow them, if they choose, to bring proper legal action against MDX on their own behalf, on behalf of the students (as per Anthony’s point above), or on behalf of the two staff members left at MDX. The MDX management has clearly acted illegally throughout this campaign, and something needs to be done about that; university managers need to know they can’t behave in this way and get away with it. Unfortunately, the only language they are likely to understand is that of the lawsuit. To begin and work through such legal action takes time and resources. Perhaps from this more stable position, the likes of Hallward and Osborne can devote some time to co-ordinating this. And they can, of course, with others continue an offensive against the conduct of MDX through the media. They also need to work to get that remaining research funding transferred over to Kingston, if at all possible.

It would not help anyone, least of all the students and staff left at MDX, to get angry at this ‘transfer’. Rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to regroup and begin a more concerted campaign against MDX that can last much longer and do much long term good.

Middlesex news: Devastating replies to VC Driscoll's latest email

Devasting replies to VC Driscoll's 28 May email to MDX staff by Professor Mine Dack, on the disciplinary process, and by Dr Stella Sandford on the budget issues. The replies are models of clarity and accuracy, the original by Driscoll a typical farrago of half-truths, distortions, and dissimulations. 

Campaign update Tuesday 1 June | Save Middlesex Philosophy

1. This evening at least one further student has been suspended, ‘because of [his] alleged part in the occupation of the Mansion earlier this month and, despite the terms of the injunction served, [and because he has] further disrupted University business by occupying the Library at Trent Park.’  His hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning, 8 June. We should have more details about this soon, along with a report from the hearings last Friday.

via savemdxphil.com

Today's Middlesex update: new letters, from Cambridge Philosophy and others; new pics

Many new letters protesting the initial decision and the suspensions, including those from Faculty of Philosophy, Cambridge (this has never been a parochial "continental philosophy" campaign), University of Sussex Philosophy, the Parlement des philosophes (Strasbourg), and many more. 

And three new pics from the I Occupied Middlesex campaign: 

Angry: 

 

Psychedelic: 

 

19th Century: 

 

Photos from the Hendon rally and occupation | Save Middlesex Philosophy

Following a rally attended by 200+ people on the afternoon of Thursday 27 May, members of the Save Middlesex Philosophy campaign occupied a third chunk of Middlesex University property. This time, after occupying first the Mansion and then the library at Trent Park, they camped on the front lawn of the main building of the Hendon campus. They set up a dozen tents and a marquee....

Middlesex managers ended the first occupation with a high court injunction. When the police visited the scene of the second occupation, they decided that this injunction didn’t apply, and implied that it had been inappropriately served in the first place. There were plenty of police and community support officers on hand to keep campaigners company during their third occupation, and this time the question of the injunction never came up at all.

Read the rest here at savemdxphil.com

A New Front in the "I occupied Middlesex" campaign!

You knew it was coming. It was inevitable. 

 

Solidarity meeting with suspended students after MDX hearing

A great picture from London!Click on photo to go to site for larger version and for other great pics! 

I Occupied Middlesex | Save Middlesex Philosophy

ince Middlesex management have been making their decisions to suspend students and lecturers based on our campaign pictures, we have decided to make the difficult work of their investigation a little easier.

Brilliant campaign tactics in the best "I am Spartacus" tradition! Take a picture of yourself with an "I occupied Middlesex" sign and email it to [email protected]

Here's mine: 

 
 

UPDATE from my partner in crime, Todd May: 

UPDATE 2: A new front opens in the campaign!

Rally report and Friday activities | Save Middlesex Philosophy

We heard speakers from seven different London universities, as well as activists from the UCU lecturers’ union and students from Sussex University who have also been victimised for fighting cuts. We heard philosophers talking about the need for united action against bosses and trade union militants talking about how Socrates stood up for truth and justice.

via savemdxphil.com

A Letter from the Students to Ed Esche & the Board of Governors | Save Middlesex Philosophy

If you've ever wondered if it's worth defending Middlesex Philosophy, read this letter from the students. The courage, commitment, intelligence and solidarity are simply admirable. It would be shameful not to support them to the fullest.

Thank you for your letter. However, we feel that it does not adequately address the issues we have collectively raised.

Beyond the alleged facts governing your reasons for closure, which we have reason to dispute, we are concerned at your lack of engagement with the issues raised by this campaign: the incongruity between your decision and the world-class status of the centre, and its contribution not only to the reputation of the University but to the intellectual and academic arena at large; the status and aim of University education beyond issues of revenue; and most importantly, the irreversibly damaging effects that your decisions are indubitably having on the reputation of the University, and on the staff and students who continue to work there.

As we do not accept the justifications you have provided for the closure of the philosophy department, and have good reason to believe that not one of them would hold up to scrutiny, we remain undeterred in our demand for a reversal of the closure. We furthermore vehemently oppose the targeted suspension of members of the department, staff and students, who have taken proportionate and legitimate actions to protest the decision, and we demand their immediate reinstatement.

Read the rest here

It's Time to Boycott Middlesex University

The suspensions are the last straw. It's time to take the next step.

Sign the petition to commit to an academic boycott of Middlesex:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/academic-boycott-of-middlesex-university.html

We the undersigned therefore commit ourselves to an academic boycott of Middlesex University until it shows evidence of full reinstatement and firm commitment to support its philosophy program. Prior to such reinstatement, we will refuse to act as external examiners or to deliver talks at the school. We will encourage colleagues not to accept job offers. We will refuse to visit campus for any reason other than to protest the decision to close the philosophy program. We will, in short, cease to engage with Middlesex as a legitimate academic institution.

Template for email to colleagues concerning Middlesex Philosophy closure and suspensions

UPDATE: W 26 May 7:10 am CDT: Please sign the pledge for an Academic Boycott of Middlesex University until restoration of its philosophy program:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/academic-boycott-of-middlesex-university.html

--------

Dear Colleagues,

Many of you have heard of the abrupt and unwarranted closure of the highly-ranked program in philosophy at Middlesex University in London.

I’m writing today because the administration’s latest action in this case, the suspension of Professor Peter Osborne and Professor Peter Hallward, along with a number of Middlesex philosophy students, is a grave threat to academic freedom.

Administrators at other universities are carefully monitoring this situation and due to a ratcheting effect, if these suspensions are not overturned by international protest, they will become common practice. We must prevent this administrative bullying of our colleagues, who were doing nothing but attempting to present their side of the case to public opinion.

You can read about the suspensions here: http://savemdxphil.com/2010/05/21/philosophy-students-and-staff-suspended/

You can find details on why the original decision has already provoked an international outcry here: http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2010/05/17/protevi.

Today I’m asking you to protect academic freedom and the integrity of the modern university by taking as many of the following steps as you can.

Please forward this email to colleagues and to any listservs you may belong to.

Please sign the online petition for restoration of the program at: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-middlesex-philosophy.html. Please include your institutional affiliation and location.

Please sign the pledge for an Academic Boycott of Middlesex University until restoration of its philosophy program:http://www.gopetition.com/online/36583/signatures.html

Please write a letter of protest by email, and in hard copy, concerning the original decision, the suspensions, or both. If you have already written in protest of the original decision, please consider writing again to protest the suspensions, which are in some sense an even more serious matter, as they strike at the very heart of academic freedom itself. 

a.       Examples of previous letters are here: http://savemdxphil.com/category/letters-of-support/

b.      Email addresses of the Board of Governors of Middlesex University are here insemicolon format: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].uk; [email protected]k; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]k; [email protected]btinternet.com; [email protected]; [email protected]m; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]om; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]gov.uk; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

comma format: [email protected], A.Gajownik[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected].uk, [email protected]k, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]k, [email protected]btinternet.com, [email protected], [email protected]m, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]om, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]gov.uk, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

c.       Please follow your email with a hard copy letter on departmental letterhead. The postal address is:

Board of Governors
Middlesex University in London
The Burroughs
London NW4 4BT England

d.      Personal letters are great; departmental letters are even better.

e.      If you agree to have your letter published on the Save Middlesex Philosophy website, you should BCC [email protected].

4.       If you have a blog, please make a post on the situation and link to http://savemdxphil.com.  

 With my very best wishes,

 

Leaflet and petition protesting against the suspensions | Save Middlesex Philosophy

Please download, print off and distribute our new leaflet and petition protesting against Middlesex University’s outrageous decision to suspend staff and students for the ‘crime’ of campaigning to save their own jobs and courses.

via savemdxphil.com

Open Letter to Board of Governors, Middlesex University, 21 May 2010

UPDATE: W 26 May 7:10 am CDT: Please sign the Call for an Academic Boycott of Middlesex University until restoration of its philosophy program:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/academic-boycott-of-middlesex-university.html

UPDATE: T 25 May 7:30 am CDT: More information on the suspensions. 

UPDATE: T 25 May 10:16 am CDT: please consider sending this email to colleagues in other disciplines. 

21 May 2010

Board of Governors 
Middlesex University inLondon  
The Burroughs 
London NW4 4BT

Dear Members of the Board:

The suspension of Professors Osborne and Hallward is shameful! How could you allow the university administration under your supervision to behave this way?  

Academic freedom will be defended. This is a gross miscalculation on the part of an out-of-control, panicking, administration. The previous international condemnation of your school will only increase.

Your administrators are at risk of permanently besmirching the reputation of your university. Do you really think that any self-respecting academic in any field will have anything to do with a university utilizing such thuggish tactics? An organized boycott is a real possibility at this point. Do you really want to go down that road? 

You must rein in these administrators before they do permanent damage to your school. 

In the hopes of impressing upon you the seriousness of this situation,

John Protevi
Professor, Department of French Studies 
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge LA 70803 USA

UPDATE: Friday 21 May 2010, 2:04 pm CDT: Email addresses of MDX Board: 

semi-colon format: 

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]k; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].uk; [email protected]k; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]k; [email protected]btinternet.com; [email protected]; [email protected]m; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]om; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]gov.uk; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

comma format: 

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected].uk, [email protected]k, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]k, [email protected]btinternet.com, [email protected], [email protected]m, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]om, [email protected], [email protected], m.[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]gov.uk, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Philosophy students and staff suspended | Save Middlesex Philosophy

The true thuggish nature of the MDX admin shines through. Everyone concerned with philosophy in the university must respond immediately. This cannot stand.

Some Middlesex University Philosophy students, along with Philosophy professors Peter Osborne and Peter Hallward, were suspended from the University this afternoon. Hallward and Osborne were issued with letters announcing their suspension from the University with immediate effect, pending investigation into their involvement in the recent campus occupations. The suspension notice blocks them from entering University premises or contacting in any way University students and employees without the permission of Dean Ed Esche ([email protected]) or a member of the University’s Executive.

via savemdxphil.com

The library sit-in is over, the campaign continues | Save Middlesex Philosophy

This second occupation undertaken by the campaign to save philosophy at Middlesex set out to achieve three goals. It aimed to broaden the campaign to include other threatened programmes and disciplines at Middlesex, to stand up to management bullying, and to initiate a new phase of actions and events drawing attention to the scandalous closure of one of the most successful and distinctive philosophy programmes in the UK. The library occupation achieved these goals more or less immediately, and there was no strategic need to prolong it; the campaign will now move on to address its next round of targets.

via savemdxphil.com

A new occupation at Trent Park | Save Middlesex Philosophy

This building is full of books on philosophy, literature, art criticism, music and culture. These books – and the courses and departments associated with them – are severely endangered by management cuts. We are determined to preserve them.

via savemdxphil.com