Would you protest Iowa State Univ.'s not allowing tenure to EXCELLENT teacher - Gonzalez??

Question

Breaking News: Iowa State Department Faculty Acknowledge ID Played Role in Gonzalez's Tenure Denial
Two faculty members of the department that denied tenure to Guillermo Gonzales at Iowa State University have admitted that his work on ID played a role in the denial. While Prof. Eli Rosenberg, Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, insisted to the magazine that intelligent design "was not an overriding factor, he then conceded according to the magazine that Gonzalez's pro-ID book The Privileged Planet "played into the decision-making process. He also explained that the reputation of a professor among others in his field is a significant factor." Of course, if "reputation" is used as a code word for whether one's views are popular among fellow scientists, then this is another way anti-ID bias entered into decision. Pfr Jn Hauptman, dept colleague, honestly admits he voted against Gonzalez who ranks the highest among astronomers in his department according to a standard measu

Answer 1

Looks like he might be lacking a few articles compared to those who teach one class a year?



GUILLERMO GONZALEZ

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT

1. G. Gonzalez and K. H. Schatten, "Using Geomagnetic Indices to Forecast the Next

Sunspot Maximum," Solar Physics, 114, 189 (1987).

2. G. Gonzalez and G. Wallerstein, "An Abundance Analysis of ROA 24, a likely Post-AGB Star in Omega Centauri," Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 254, 343 (1992).

3. G. Gonzalez and F. Piché, "Washington Photometry of Nearby of F, G, and K Dwarfs,"

Astronomical Journal, 103, 2048 (1992).

4. B. Balick, G. Gonzalez, A. Frank, and G. Jacoby, "Faint Haloes and Historical Mass

Ejection in Planetary Nebulae," Astrophysical Journal, 392, 582 (1992).

5. G. Wallerstein, E. Böhm-Vitense, A. D. Vanture, and G. Gonzalez, "The Lithium Content

and other Properties of F2-G5 Giants in the Hertzsprung Gap," Astronomical Journal,

107, 2211 (1994).

6. G. Gonzalez, "A Photometric Study of the UV-Bright Stars in Cen," Astronomical

Journal, 108, 1312 (1994).

7. G. Gonzalez and G. Wallerstein, "Study of the UV-Bright Stars in Cen II. Abundances

and Evidence for Evolutionary Mixing," Astronomical Journal, 108, 1325 (1994).

8. G. Gonzalez and D. L. Lambert, "A Fine Abundance Analysis of Four Stars in the Per

Cluster - A Cautionary Tale," Astronomical Journal, 111, 424 (1996).

9. G. Gonzalez and G. Wallerstein, "ST Pup: A Binary Type II Cepheid with a Peculiar

Chemical Composition," Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 280, 515

(1996).

10. G. Wallerstein and G. Gonzalez, "V553 Cen - Evidence of Triple- and CNO cycling,"

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 282, 1236 (1996).

11. G. Gonzalez, "Ground-Level Humidity, Pressure, and Temperature Measurements During the October 24, 1995 Total Solar Eclipse, " Kodaikanal Observatory Bulletins, 13, 151 (1997).

12. G. Gonzalez, "The Stellar Metallicity - Giant Planet Connection," Monthly Notices of the

Royal Astronomical Society, 285, 403 (1997).

13. G. Gonzalez, D. L. Lambert, and S. Giridhar, "Abundance Analyses of the Field RV Tauri Variables: EP Lyrae, DY Orionis, AR Puppis, and R Sagittae," Astrophysical Journal, 479, 427 (1997).

14. G. Gonzalez, D. L. Lambert, and S. Giridhar, "Abundance Analyses of the Field RV Tauri Variables III: DY Aquilae, SS Geminorum, CT Orionis, and CE Virginis," Astrophysical Journal, 481, 452 (1997).

15. G. Gonzalez and D. L. Lambert, "Abundance Analyses of Type II Cepheids in Globular Clusters," Astronomical Journal, 114, 341 (1997).

16. A. Goswami, N. K. Rao, D. L. Lambert, and G. Gonzalez, "On the Hydrogen-Deficient Nature of Z Ursae Majoris," Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 109, 796 (1997).

17. B. E. Reddy, M. Parthasarathy, G. Gonzalez, and E. J. Bakker, "The Chemical Composition of IRAS 05341+0852: a Post-AGB F Supergiant with 21 m Emission," Astronomy & Astrophysics, 328, 331 (1997).

18. G. Gonzalez, D. L. Lambert, G. Wallerstein, N. K. Rao, V. V. Smith, and J. K. McCarthy, "FG Sge - A Newborn R CrB Star?," Astrophysical Journal Supplement, 114, 133 (1998).

19. G. Gonzalez, "Spectroscopic Analyses of the Parent Stars of Extrasolar Planetary System Candidates," Astronomy & Astrophysics, 334, 221 (1998).

20. E. J. Bakker, D. L. Lambert, H. van Winckel, J. K. McCarthy, C. Waelkens, and G. Gonzalez, "Spectra Variability of the Binary HR 4049," Astronomy & Astrophysics, 336, 263 (1998).

21. S. Giridhar, D. L. Lambert, and G. Gonzalez, "The Chemical Compositions of the SRd Variable Stars - I, XY Aquarii, RX Cephei, AB Leonis, and SV Ursae Majoris," Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 110, 671 (1998).

22. G. Gonzalez and G. Wallerstein, "Elemental Abundances in Giants in NGC 3201, a Globular Cluster with a Retrograde Orbit," Astronomical Journal, 116, 765 (1998).

23. G. Gonzalez and A. D. Vanture, "Parent Stars of Extrasolar Planets III: 1 Cancri Revisited," Astronomy & Astrophysics, 339, L29 (1998).

24. B. W. Carney, A. M. Fry, G. Gonzalez, "Lithium and r-Process Abundances in the Population II Cepheid M5 V42," Astronomical Journal, 116, 2984 (1998).

25. S. Giridhar, D. L. Lambert, and G. Gonzalez, "Abundance Analyses of Field RV Tauri Stars, IV: AD Aquilae, DS Aquarii, V360 Cygni, AC Herculis, and V453 Ophiuchi," Astrophysical Journal, 509, 366 (1998).

26. G. Gonzalez, G. Wallerstein, and S. H. Saar, "Parent Stars of Extrasolar Planets IV: 14 Herculis, HD 187123, and HD 210277," Astrophysical Journal Letters, 511, L111 (1999).

27. G. Wallerstein, L. Machado-Pelaez, and G. Gonzalez, "The Ca II - Mv Correlation (Wilson-Bappu Effect) Calibrated by Hipparcos Parallaxes," Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 111, 335 (1999).

28. G. Gonzalez and G. Wallerstein, "Elemental Abundances in Evolved Supergiants I: NGC 330, a Young SMC Cluster," Astronomical Journal, 117, 2286 (1999).

29. G. Gonzalez, "Are Stars with Planets Anomalous?," Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 308, 447 (1999).

30. A. D. Vanture and G. Gonzalez, "Stellar Evolution in Fast Forward," Astronomy & Geophysics, February, 40, Issue 1, 1.14 (1999).

31. S. Giridhar, D. L. Lambert, and G. Gonzalez, "The Chemical Composition of SRd Variable Stars - II. WY Andromedae, VW Eridani, and UW Librae," Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 111, 1269 (1999).

32. J. A. Brown, G. Wallerstein, and G. Gonzalez, “Elemental Abundances in Five Stars in M54, A Globular Cluster Associated with the Sagittarius Galaxy,” Astronomical Journal, 118, 1245 (1999).

33. N. K. Rao, D. L. Lambert, M. T. Adams, D. R. Doss, G. Gonzalez, A. P. Hatzes, C. R. James, C. M. Johns-Krull, R. E. Luck, G. Pandey, K. Reinsch, J. Tomkin, V. M. Woolf, "The 1995-1996 Decline of R Corona Borealis – high resolution optical spectroscopy," Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 310, 717 (1999).

34. G. Gonzalez, "Wonderful Eclipses," Astronomy & Geophysics, June, 40, Issue 3, 3.18 (1999).

35. G. Gonzalez, "Is the Sun Anomalous?," Astronomy & Geophysics, October, 40, Issue 5, 5.25 (1999).

36. S. Giridhar, D. L. Lambert, and G. Gonzalez, "Abundance Analyses of Field RV Tauri Stars, V: DS Aquarii, UY Arae, TW Camelopardis, BT Librae, U Monocerotis, TT Ophiuchi, R Scuti, and RV Tauri," Astrophysical Journal, 531, 521 (2000).

37. G. Gonzalez and C. Laws, "Parent Stars of Extrasolar Planets, V: HD 75289", Astronomical Journal, 119, 390 (2000).

38. G. Wallerstein, S. Matt, and G. Gonzalez,"The carbon Cepheid RT Trianguli Australis: additional evidence of triple- and CNO cycling,” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 311, 414 (2000).

39. G. Gonzalez and G. Wallerstein, "Elemental Abundances in Evolved Supergiants II: the

Young Clusters, h and Persei," Astronomical Journal, 119, 1839 (2000).

40. G. Gonzalez and G. Wallerstein, "Elemental Abundances in Evolved Supergiants III: M11," Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 112, 1081 (2000).

41. S. Giridhar, D. L. Lambert, and G. Gonzalez, “The Chemical Compositions of the SRd Variable Stars. III. KK Aquilae, AG Aurigae, Z Aurigae, W Leo Minoris, and WW Tauri,” Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 112, 1559 (2000).

42. G. Gonzalez, C. Laws, S. Tyagi, and B. E. Reddy, “Parent Stars of Extrasolar Planets VI:

Abundance Analyses of 20 New Systems,” Astronomical Journal, 121, 432 (2001).

43. S. Feltzing and G. Gonzalez, “The Nature of Super Metal Rich Stars: Detailed Abundance Analysis of 8 Super-Metal-Rich Star Candidates,” Astronomy & Astrophysics, 367, 253 (2001).

44. G. Giridhar, D. L. Lambert, G. Gonzalez, and G. Pandey, “Chemical Compositions of Four Metal-poor Giant Stars,” Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 113, 519 (2001).

45. C. Laws and G. Gonzalez, “A Differential Spectroscopic Analysis of 16 Cygni A and B,” Astrophysical Journal, 553, 405 (2001).

46. G. Gonzalez, D. Brownlee, and P. Ward, "The Galactic Habitable Zone: Galactic Chemical Evolution," Icarus, 152, 185 (2001).

47. G. Wallerstein and G. Gonzalez, “The Spectrum of VY Canis Majoris in 2000 February,” Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 113, 954 (2001).

48. B. E. Reddy, D. L. Lambert, G. Gonzalez, and D. Young, “Spectroscopic Analysis of Two Carbon-Rich Post-AGB Stars,” Astrophysical Journal, 564, 482 (2002).

49. E. J. Gaidos and G. Gonzalez, “Stellar Atmospheres of Nearby Young Solar Analogs,” New Astronomy, 7, 211 (2002).

50. B. E. Reddy, D. L. Lambert, C. Laws, G. Gonzalez, and K. Covey, “A Search for 6Li in Stars with Planets,” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 335, 1005 (2002).

51. J. Armstrong, L. E. Wells, and G. Gonzalez, “Rummaging through Earth’s Attic for Remains of Ancient Life,” Icarus, 160, 183 (2002).

52. G. Gonzalez, “Stars, Planets, and Metals,” Reviews of Modern Physics, 75, 101 (2003) (invited review paper).

53. L. E. Wells, J. Armstrong, and G. Gonzalez, “Reseeding of Early Earth by Impacts of Returning Ejecta During the Late Heavy Bombardment,” Icarus, 162, 38 (2003).

54. P. Candia, K. Krisciunas, N. B. Suntzeff et al. (including G. Gonzalez), “Optical and Infrared Photometry of the Unusual Type Ia Supernova 2000cx,” Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 115, 277 (2003).

55. C. Laws, G. Gonzalez, K. M. Walker, S. Tyagi, K. Snider, J. Dodsworth, K. Snider, and N. B. Suntzeff, “Parent S

Answer 2

Irish 294 is correct. Teaching only plays a small role in whether or not someone gets tenure at most universities. I don't know anything about Gonzalez and certainly do not have an opinion on whether or not he should have gotten tenure, but I think the fact that he wrote a book on Intelligent Design while apparently a faculty member in Astronomy suggest that his religious views took precendence over his academic work. Faculty who are not yet tenured do need to pay attention to what they spend their time on, because they can be seen as lacking commitment. If they seem to be working on projects outside their academic discipline, it suggests that they are not sufficiently committed to their jobs.

Answer 3

No, I wouldn't protest it at all, because I know how tenure at the university level works. Teaching at the university level is done on a "publish or perish" basis. The professors at many schools aren't there to teach as their primary goal. Their primary job is to publish research through credible sources adding to their field and increasing the reputation of their university. No credible scientific press/journal would print a pro-Intelligent Design book because, while it is an interesting idea, it is not scientifically sound. People can believe what they want, but that doesn't make is a scientifically viable theory.



Gonzalez published a theory through the conservative leaning press, NOT a scholarly journal or press. His published theory advanced ideas that are ridiculed by the vast majority of his field. As such, he did not enhance the reputation of his university (if anything, he tarnished it).



They didn't refuse him tenure because of his personal views (it's Iowa for crying out loud. Not exactly a hotbed of Liberalism). They denied him tenure because he didn't publish anything credible and scientifically vetted.



Edited to add that I'm not trying to rip on folks that believe that God created the earth. I'm a Christian myself. That said, there just isn't anything scientific about Intelligent Design, which is probably why Gonzalez went to conservative-leaning Regnery Press rather than a scholarly publisher. If a professor only published half-thought out theories through liberal-leaning publishers, I wouldn't expect them to get tenure either.

Answer 4

regardless of each and every of the "instructor" enter in this question, tenure has been the downfall of education by the U.S. good instructors do no longer would desire to concern the college boards, beneficial scholar and parental enter will in many instances shelter that. MEDIOCRE instructors % tenure so as to proceed to cheat their pupils out of an education their dad and mom are buying. Why can we proceed to permit tenure to proceed? using fact the regularly used public won't undertaking the academics' unions. observe: I stated the regularly used public! college directors have in many instances attempted yet maximum in many instances their tries bring about failure using legalese integrated in instructor contracts. i've got confidence that the taxpayers in a school district would desire to actual injury the stranglehold the union has in education in the event that they might merely form a "union" of their very own, sponsored with adequate funds, and take on the union each time a "instructor" makes detrimental headlines or meets with district huge dissatisfaction over the years.