If you haven't been there in awhile (or at all!) PLEASE visit the Save Avis blog to find out more about the recent media coverage and blog chatter about Saint Louis University's actions against professor Avis Meyer. Today, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published a story by Kavita Kumar about the situation and editorial staff member Alex Mayer posted a great commentary on the logic behind SLU's actions and their attack on freedom of the press. Plus, Amy George Rush and Jenny Rolf just launched an awesome new site dedicated to informing people about the situation and supporting a SLU legend. Visit the new SaveAvis.com!
For the first time I am beginning to see a PERSON!
I received a rather timely response from Provost Weixlmann today and I am happy to report that he responded to my questions much more thoroughly than I anticipated and with a more human face than I have seen in his communication with other alumni members on this matter. That being said, humans lie. And I wonder where, on the delicate balance of truth, his response lies. Please see Weixlmann's response in bold. I hope to provide my commentary on his response in a post later today.
Continued Communication with SLU Administration
I received a response from SLU Provost Joe Weixlmann yesterday and wanted to share its contents. While he did not give me the "whole hog" response he's provided to several other alumni, I was taken aback by his response. Rather than respond to my questions, he inferred that because I am appreciative of Dr. Meyer's work, that I think he can do no wrong, and am, therefore, illogical. Please read on for my response to the provost.
Letter to Dr. Joseph Weixlmann, Provost at Saint Louis University
Provost Weixlmann, I am disheartened to hear of your cold and calloused remarks toward my fellow Saint Louis University alumni in the wake of the controversy over the university's actions against Dr. Avis Meyer. Most specifically, I am referring to your e-mail responses to Eric Holthaus and Amy George Rush. After all, these are the sons and daughters of SLU, results of the fine education you and your colleagues purport to have bestowed upon them.
A Source of Both Pride & Shame
Today I am filled with two conflicting emotions. Both pride for my fellow alumni who have rallied behind our beloved professor, Dr. Avis Meyer, and shame for my alma mater that has relentlessly persecuted the tenured professor. As I mentioned in my post earlier today about the new Save Avis Blog, a years-long struggle between Meyer and Saint Louis University, most particularly Father Lawrence Biondi, S.J., continues with wasteful, emotionally and financially draining legal action.
Save Avis
As a proud alumna of Saint Louis University, Department of Communication, 2007, I am appalled by the attacks by the university on tenured faculty member, Dr. Avis Meyer... I urge you to visit http://saveavis.wordpress.com to learn more about the struggles of Dr. Meyer against the university.
Colleen Jaycox Mann 