Here's a tale from Southern Methodist University in Dallas that raises interesting questions about free speech and teacher ethics.
For most of the past two semesters, nobody knew the identity of "The Phantom Professor."The educator's anonymous Web log, set at an unnamed university "in the South," spun tales of spoiled-rich "Ashleys" with their $500 sandals and $1,500 handbags, eating disorders, plagiarism and drug use, legal and illegal.
"At this school it seems like every kid is on multiple medications," the professor wrote, describing her charges as "barely literate," prone to emotional problems and "terrified of displeasing Mommy and Daddy."
Surrounded by students sporting French manicures and plans for spring break in Cabo, the blog's author told stories like the one about "a certain member of a Middle Eastern royal family who got a new Mercedes by convincing a frat buddy to crash his one-year-old model into a wall" or how one stall in a certain ladies room was known as "the purge-atory."
No names were used, but this spring at Southern Methodist University, students and faculty began recognizing themselves in the phantom's prose.
Earlier this month, Elaine Liner, an adjunct professor who taught writing and ethics classes in SMU's public relations department since 2001, revealed in an online publication that the blog was hers. Liner, who writes freelance theater reviews for a Dallas weekly, also let it be known that in late March she was told her contract to teach at the school would not be renewed.
"One of the ironies of this is that I worked in a building that had the First Amendment carved in stone across its front," Liner said in an interview last week. She said she is certain she was let go because of her blog.
"I can't arrive at any other conclusion," said Liner, who was paid $18,000 a year, no benefits, to teach two classes for three semesters.
School officials said Liner was not invited back for reasons other than the blog, although they would not discuss specifics. Rita Kirk, chairwoman of the public relations department, said she wanted to move the department toward hiring more full-time faculty. Liner, listed on a campus directory as a lecturer, is still working toward a master's degree.
"It's unrelated to the blog," said Kirk. "Her trying to make it so does not mean it is so."
Nevertheless, Kirk said she is troubled by Liner's writings. Some of the postings were vitriolic and upset students and faculty, she said.
"When a student talks to a professor, they assume they are doing it in confidence. You have an ethical responsibility as teacher," she said.
Read the rest of the story.
Then visit her site and read the jottings of one smug, self-centered author who seems more than a little pleased with martyrdom. Never invited to the faculty dining room -- poor thing. Let's blame "W" and the "rightwing views" of SMU parents.
Satirizing "Ashleys" and jocks is like playing tennis against a backboard: the only time things go wrong is when you screw up. Actually awakening and teaching them something -- now that takes real talent. I'm thinking the Phantom Professor isn't up for that.
Posted by Alan at May 29, 2005 09:32 AM