ThinkProgress has an interesting report about a battle down in Florida over the legacy of Jeb Bush's education policies. The University of Florida was considering giving Jeb an honorary degree for his service to the state, but two weeks back the faculty voted overwhelming to oppose the move. Conservative lawmakers were furious, and they've retaliated by forcing the school to rename its education school the "Jeb Bush College of Education.”
I realize they think they've won a big victory here, and now doubt the faculty at the school are furious. And in the short term, I suppose everyone is right. But longer term? If I were Jeb Bush, I'd ask lawmakers to reconsider.
Most faculty members have tenure, and this episode is something that I can guarantee you they will never forget. Even if they wanted to forget, they'd be reminded of it every day they came in to their office. Andd the good ones no doubt will turn it into a teaching opportunity. In the end, even kids who have no good reason to know who Jeb Bush is or was will be told just how badly he screwed up their university.
So sure, conservatives may have won a symbolic victory here, but the battle over substance is only just beginning. So unless the University of Florida ed school faculty suddenly goes all conservative, the battle over substance is going to belong to the liberals. And I'll take substance over symbolism any day.
Subscribe to this blog's feed
