Letters: LGBT minor detracts from ULL

I am writing this to express disapproval of the new lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender minor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

A recent university newsletter states: “Our desired posture is to be neither advocate nor adversary on controversial social issues of the day.” While I agree with this in principle, I feel strongly that to introduce this program is not the best way to stay neutral in this matter. Students do not need courses on how to become better-educated in these types of deviant behavior.

It is difficult to understand why we are adding such a program as this in these times of budgetary belt-tightening. In spite of the fact that the program was sold as a “no-cost” academic enhancement, it nevertheless will certainly require faculty paid by the state to teach the classes, faculty who would otherwise be teaching in the mainstream academic program.

I hope that UL Lafayette will reconsider — and reverse — this decision. In the meantime, let’s keep our university, our community and our nation in our prayers to do the will of God to build our “academic house” on a foundation of rock, and not on sand which will surely be soon washed away.

William E. Simon, Ph.D., P.E.

UL Lafayette, professor of mechanical engineering

Lafayette


Please log in to comment on this story

Comments (25)


1) Comment by Whatnow - 02/08/2012

@DMJ, I find my equivolence argument no different than yours. And who is to say that he is pushing his beliefs on students while working at a publicly funded university?

2) Comment by Triple - 01/08/2012

@DMJ,  unless you know something about the writer that I don't, you are making quite a leap with your assumptions on what agenda he is pushing.  His prayer for God's will to be revealed is not the same as your assertion that he thinks he is doing God's will.  He does not approve of the curriculum in question, I can find no agenda beyond his hope for solid ground to foster academic excellence.  Keep in mind he is an engineer, he is probably all about math, physics, and chemistry, if I may assume, these disciplines are likely his agenda.

3) Comment by DMJ - 01/08/2012

I wouldn't have him silenced. He can say anything he wants. Personally, I don't like that he thinks he's doing the will of God while working at a publicly funded university. I don't see why it's ok for him to push a religious agenda while paid by our tax dollars, but it's not ok for a class in LGBT studies to be taught using those same dollars. It seems the good doctor is advocating an unfair double standard to suit his own prejudices.

4) Comment by Triple - 31/07/2012

Dr. Simon expresses his opinion with public funding of the university in mind.  He is not advocating private institutions abolish equivalent curriculum, he's not seeking a congressional hearing like a recent activist lobbying for legislative action.  He has a faith based opinion, so what do think Chem, DMJ if you could would you have the Professor silenced?  If we are going to outlaw stupidity, assuming you are not the judge, possible irony could be in your future.  8.6 has written a simple truism, I agree with his thought.   BTW I would march in the street if your "stupidity" was threatened by law.

5) Comment by lovemykids - 31/07/2012

For straight and gay people.

6) Comment by lovemykids - 31/07/2012

Springer98 you are such a joker. Making fun of the people that do not know that sodomy is legal everywhere in the US.

7) Comment by chem - 31/07/2012

To bad stupidity is not illegal.

8) Comment by Springer98 - 31/07/2012

If sodomy is illegal in La., why do we need to study such activity? Personally, I don't even like to think about it, much less study it! La. code 14:89........

9) Comment by DMJ - 31/07/2012

If it's a no-win situation for all involved, why would you encourage him to keep fighting the "good fight"? If he's supposed to keep fighting even though he can't win, then why should those who disagree with him stop? Didn't think that through, did you?

10) Comment by nimby? - 31/07/2012

we continue to divide ourselves into groups , each with a personal agenda , that's cool , no problem . within each group there is a militant faction more obsessed with attention rather than the goal , not cool . gay , christian , teaparty , ows , save the tiger , etc . I will do my best to stay out of your way , when you invade my space to step on my toes , problem ...

11) Comment by Elderly Man - 31/07/2012

Thank you, DMJ.

12) Comment by 8point6 - 31/07/2012

Nothing new here. Political and religious debates are no-win situations for all involved. Keep fighting the good fight, Dr. Simon.

13) Comment by DMJ - 31/07/2012

Whatnow, there's just a little problem with your false equivolence argument- the LGBT community is merely seeking accepting, tolerance and equal treatment under the law. The Dr. Simons of the world (which would include you....not because your a doctor, but because you're a homophobe) seek to keep gay people in the closet, keep them shamed so you can go on thinking the world is a certain way when it really isn't. See the difference?

14) Comment by chem - 31/07/2012

I suppose all of the religious nuts out there object to humans being classified in the genus Homo.

15) Comment by Whatnow - 31/07/2012

Just another plot of the LGBT to do their will by influencing the minds of young people in Louisiana. Is anyone surprised? Ugh...

16) Comment by DMJ - 31/07/2012

A public university professor using tax dollars to "do the will of God"....great. Just great. Another bible-thumper influencing the minds of young people in Louisiana. Is anyone surprised? Ugh...

17) Comment by Being_Stupid - 31/07/2012

The next step will be teaching grade school children the gay, lesbian, and bisexual lifestyle in our government micromanaged public schools.

18) Comment by CuriosityCola - 31/07/2012

What a closed-minded opinion from the Professor! Students do not take classes on social sciences to learn to be deviant--they take them to learn about the particular topic. Classes on LGBT issues will neither turn students gay nor teach them deviant behavior. If anything, it will hopefully open people's narrow minds to the social issues of the day.

19) Comment by chem - 31/07/2012

The letter was reasonable until the last paragraph where the writer gives his real objection to the LGBT minor. Just another hate-mongering religious apologist. I'm sure he views himself as a caring, loving christian, but in reality, he is a prejudiced delusional individual believing in nonsense written by a bunch of ancient delusional men. Who cares what percent a certain group is in the population. Do we now base our studies on whats most popular or plentiful?

20) Comment by TheTardis - 31/07/2012

No, Dr. Simon, it's you that detracts from the good reputation of ULL. I graduated from there and donate money every year. I'll continue to do this bc I'm positive that most of those at ULL don't share your viewpoint. This minor is made up of classes that would exist even if the minor didn't, according to what I've read. This minor is available at many other universities as well. I'm glad the university head is resisting those who are calling for this minor option to be removed. I hope he continues to stand up for what is right.

21) Comment by rgeraldwallace@cox.net - 31/07/2012

Dr. Simon is exactly right; offering instruction on deviant behavior is not "being neutral". That's hogwash, pure and simple. Since when do universities offer courses that cater to only 2% of the population? That's activism and an attempt to promote that agenda; it can be seen as nothing else.

22) Comment by lovemykids - 31/07/2012

Okay Professor Simon lets get rid of all the social sciences. Afro-American and women studies should not be offered. English should only include areas on writing a resume (never mind you can find examples on the internet). By the way who needs to learn about history, music, art, and religion in college.

23) Comment by Elderly Man - 31/07/2012

Bighug, good suggestion.

24) Comment by Bighug - 31/07/2012

Perhaps universities should stop teaching anything about genetics. Let's see how well those prayers work. If the classes at ULL don't stop after the prayers, we can safely assume that God approves of them. Give Him a week.

25) Comment by Elderly Man - 31/07/2012

Professor Simon poses a fair question. Then he answers his question with good, practical sense. Why our state multiplies academic programs outside academic mainstreams baffles me. We are a small state with a small population and area with limited resources. Specialization within academic specialties sometimes makes sense but not always. The university has not made a strong case for this new minor. Unfortunately, the professor ends his letter with an unnecessary embellishment.