2008 Woodie Awards
We 'heart' Kline, too
STAFF EDITORIAL
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Opinion
SEVERAL MEMBERS OF The Vanguard staff have been among the hundreds of fortunate students that have been positively affected by Dr. Kline. It is only too sad that future students at the University of South Alabama may not be afforded this opportunity.
Dr. Kline is one of those special professors that only comes around every once and a while. His warm, caring and meaningful interpersonal style has provided many students with an irreplaceable source of guidance and wisdom in and out of the classroom.
It is a shame that the powers that be have decided to not renew his contract. Many students have become outraged over this decision, and they are taking a stand.
I "heart" Kline T-shirts are being worn, I "heart" Kline banners are being hung and a petition imploring the University to overturn its decision to not renew Kline's contract is being circulated.
Unfortunately, time is running out, and it is unclear whether or not anybody in administration cares enough to listen to the students about this little bit of controversy.
After all, this isn't the first time that a beloved professor has been non-renewed, prompting student protest. Last spring, a decision to not renew English professor Dr. Moira Amado Miller's contract was met with student protest.
In both cases, both professors were beloved by their students, both professors claimed to have positive mid-year reviews, both professors appeared to have been involved in a level of research on par with their peers, in both cases no one is being told why the professors were being non-renewed, and in both cases the students are the ones that are left to suffer.
Whatever happens to Dr. Kline, wherever his journey may take him, it should be known that Dr. Kline has been an inspiration for many students at the University of South Alabama. Hopefully, the inspiration that is Dr. Kline will be afforded the opportunity to continue to inspire, whether here or elsewhere.
The Vanguard "hearts" Kline, too.
Dr. Kline is one of those special professors that only comes around every once and a while. His warm, caring and meaningful interpersonal style has provided many students with an irreplaceable source of guidance and wisdom in and out of the classroom.
It is a shame that the powers that be have decided to not renew his contract. Many students have become outraged over this decision, and they are taking a stand.
I "heart" Kline T-shirts are being worn, I "heart" Kline banners are being hung and a petition imploring the University to overturn its decision to not renew Kline's contract is being circulated.
Unfortunately, time is running out, and it is unclear whether or not anybody in administration cares enough to listen to the students about this little bit of controversy.
After all, this isn't the first time that a beloved professor has been non-renewed, prompting student protest. Last spring, a decision to not renew English professor Dr. Moira Amado Miller's contract was met with student protest.
In both cases, both professors were beloved by their students, both professors claimed to have positive mid-year reviews, both professors appeared to have been involved in a level of research on par with their peers, in both cases no one is being told why the professors were being non-renewed, and in both cases the students are the ones that are left to suffer.
Whatever happens to Dr. Kline, wherever his journey may take him, it should be known that Dr. Kline has been an inspiration for many students at the University of South Alabama. Hopefully, the inspiration that is Dr. Kline will be afforded the opportunity to continue to inspire, whether here or elsewhere.
The Vanguard "hearts" Kline, too.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
a past student's response
posted 4/09/08 @ 6:59 PM CST
"warm, caring and meaningful interpersonal style"
As a student who has seen another side of Dr. Kline, I feel compelled to emphasize that when people get caught they often change their tune. (Continued…)
Joshua Heartlee
posted 4/10/08 @ 3:22 PM CST
As a person who had him far before the "tune" would have been changed i can assure you that this "former student" is full of it. I'm of the feeling that this person either didn't actually have him or may have been poisoned against him for some reason. (Continued…)
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