April 25th, 2007 By Justin Williams
Popular USI Professor Dismissed Without Cause
Usually a story about a professor’s contract not being renewed isn’t something I would post on It’s Evansville. I was prompted to for two reasons. The first is that I was sent a tip about this by four different people. Second, the professor in question is probably solely responsible for me pursuing writing as a semi-profession in the first place. That said, the University of Southern Indiana yesterday announced they would not be renewing the 3-year contract of associate professor Jim McGarrah.
McGarrah was not given any reason for his dismissal in the two sentence message he received last Friday. Some have speculated that his contract was not renewed because of his association with The Aerie, the compiled works of the USI Student Writers Union. Last year’s issue of the Aerie included a semi-nude photo of two females kissing. The photo caused an uproar with the USI College Republicans who questioned USI’s refusal to use the word Christmas but has no qualms with publishing soft-core porn (their words. not mine).
USI students have begun protesting the nonrenewal of McGarrah’s contract. Both students, English department professors and even the chair of the English department have signed the petition. They have also created online petitions via MySpace and Facebook groups to help spread the word that McGarrah’s dismissal is a bad move. If you have anything to share about Professor McGarrah or his dismissal, share it in the comments.
Update: The Courier & Press report that Dr. Michael Kearns was stripped of his title of department chair for speaking out in defense of McGarrah.
photo courtesy of USI English Department
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lauren
April 25, 2007 @ 08:20PM
thanks for posting this. i will definitely spread it around.
lauren
April 25, 2007 @ 08:23PM
AND ALSO
i support mcgarrah. if the administration had the best interest of the students in mind, they would too.
Krystal
April 26, 2007 @ 07:17AM
Professor McGarrah is an awesome professor. He is my favorite at USI. It was his Creative Writing class that I took as a sophomore, which influenced me to switch my major to English. I am now a graduating senior and it is a great failing of the university to let McGarrah go.
anonymous
April 26, 2007 @ 08:30AM
I suspect if one really wants to know why he was not rehired, they can find out. I’m afraid you might be disappointed with what you learn. Great professors aren’t always great people.
lauren
April 26, 2007 @ 08:36AM
i call b.s. on that last comment.
anonymous
April 26, 2007 @ 08:46AM
We shall see if anyone wants to do some real investigative journalism or just speculate like a bunch of gossiping teenagers.
Toney
April 26, 2007 @ 11:11AM
Well, anonymous, I agree with Lauren. If you had any REAL proof of anything, you wouldn’t be afraid to spill it.
Toney
April 26, 2007 @ 11:12AM
Well, anonymous, I agree with Lauren. If you had any REAL proof of anything, you wouldn’t be afraid to spill it. Sure, people can do their own research, but you shouldn’t be afraid to “put your money where your mouth is” either.
anonymous
April 26, 2007 @ 11:13AM
Did you not just see a professor punished for speaking out? I have no intention of sticking my neck out over this stuff. Jim is a friend of mine and I wish him no ill will but this martydom act is nonsense. If the truth comes out his poor students are set up to be devastated.
lauren
April 26, 2007 @ 12:53PM
anon, a lot of other professors besides kearns are sticking up for jim. if he has done something so atrocious, why is everyone sticking up for him? and additionally, if jim knows he deserves to be let go.. i don’t really see him as the type to let all of THIS go on.
Suz
April 26, 2007 @ 02:52PM
The fact is what Jim did, from what I’ve heard, (I’m not saying anything), is not that bad. It’s just some stupid issue that spiraled out of control. And honestly, if people aren’t enough of adults to deal with college and the real world maybe they should stay in high school.
John
April 26, 2007 @ 03:03PM
Anonymous,
It’s nice to know that you have the ability to be my father’s friend while trashing him on a website that he will never see. I question your relationship with my father. Quite frankly, I do know what’s gone on and although I will never tell I can assure you that no one will be devastated because my father has done nothing wrong. I realize that my expect that response from me due to the coercive nature of a father-son relationship, but I have other sources as well. Thus I can make a statement like that with some kind of assurance. If you really have information that is applicable to what is going on here I suggest you come forward or shut your mouth.
Toney
April 26, 2007 @ 03:09PM
Anonymous … first of all, you say:
“Did you not just see a professor punished for speaking out?” Actually, NO, I don’t see that because I don’t know what happened.
“I have no intention of sticking my neck out over this stuff.” WHAT STUFF???
“Jim is a friend of mine and I wish him no ill will but this martydom act is nonsense. If the truth comes out his poor students are set up to be devastated.” Your full of talk but you don’t explain anything. Usually, when someone does that, they don’t know anything.
Leslie
April 26, 2007 @ 04:13PM
When you have someone as dynamic as my father you are almost always going to have someone who tries to discredit who he is personally and professionally. Its a spin tactic, and its ludicrous.There is now this shroud of mystery and speculation around him that is totally unfounded. I assure you that whatever it is you people think you know it is 100% fueled by gossip and rumors, nothing more.
On a sidenote-the constitution protects the freedom of speech not the freedom from ever being offended by someone. He has never been concerned about being liked by everyone-he is concerned with doing his job the best he can-and I think by the overwhelming response in his favor I can say he certainly appears to have succeeded.
My father is not trying to get his job back. And he most certainly did not draw this attention to himself, nor did he do anything wrong.All he has ever asked, especially now, is that he be left alone to do his job to the very best of his ability.
Most of the response to my fathers departure has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you. I have been lucky enough to have him as a teacher my whole life. I am thankful that others can truely appreciate his commitment and dedication to his students.
To Mr. Anon- please do not call yourself my fathers friend. Your backhanded comments make it very apparent to everyone where your motive lies.
April
April 26, 2007 @ 04:25PM
Well I have known Jim and his whole family for that matter for 10+ years. He is an amazing person, not only professionally but personally also. His style of teaching actually involves teaching not just instructing. You learn in his classes, which is much more than you can say for many professors at USI. He should not be let go but I guess USI is not the type of school to handle a professor at his quality standards.
Ashley
April 26, 2007 @ 08:23PM
What the hell??? He was an awesome professor … he’s the only person who has given me any real confidence in my writing ability. Sure, he may not be an average professor, but that is what made him so great and stand out in my mind. I am furious!
Toney
April 26, 2007 @ 09:15PM
That’s the problem with places like USI. They get rid of the good people and keep the people that rub everyone the wrong way. Go figure how the world thinks.
bobby
April 26, 2007 @ 10:08PM
its complete b.s. its a shame there trying to get rid of such a good teacher.
Aaron T.
April 26, 2007 @ 10:59PM
I agree that the dismissal of Jim McGarrah is worng. If they feel he should be fired they shoudl ahve a good reason for doin it. I feel this reason is not good enough for no one has came out and siad it. I only had Dr. McGarrh for a short amount of time, but this time will be cherished. He was one of the teachers you cant find as often you would like. He taught his students with passion and put everything he had in to his work. I will miss him it the time to come. Another thing that should be put in to the light, He was a Vietnam War vet. He fought for this country, and he fought the the freedom and rights for someone he did not even know.Men like him are the reason that we are able to do what we are doin now. Expressing our feelings, whether it is right or wrong, without any trouble. i am goint o stop now cause i feel that i am begaining to go on. I will meet you all at the SIT-IN.
Casey
April 27, 2007 @ 02:13AM
I think its so funny that the horrible proffessors that USI has, the ones that have a 50% drop out ratio and 50% failing ratio with students that dont learn anything in the class still have a job yet a GREAT teacher that has taught so many people so many different things even outside of the “core curriculum” that he has to teach with each class, which by the way is the most bone dry, boring crap, so someone decided to make it interesting to the students. Who “fires” someone for that? It would be the same as Presedint Bush giving his address to the public and throwing in a joke or two in there to get more viewers, and they impeach him because of it. Give me a break so he tried to make the crap USI gives him something special and tentative to us, the students… the ones that matter right? umm NO
Aaron T.
April 27, 2007 @ 02:45AM
Well Put Casey