Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jabâ€Â was created because we have a couple of commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE†or “Readers Forumâ€Â columns concerning National or International issues.
The majority of our “IS IT TRUE†columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give our more opinionated readers exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and Middle Jab and RIGHT JAB† column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB†AND “MIDDLE JAB†AND “RIGHT JABâ€Â several times a week.  Oh, “LEFT JAB†is a liberal view, “MIDDLE JAB†is the libertarian view and the “RIGHT JAB is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments in this column is free to do so.
FOOTNOTE: The City-County posted this political cartoon to generated a rational discussion.
UE President: “Proposed Academic Alignment Plan Is Not An Educational Policy Decisionâ€
Evansville— 1/1/21 — The President of the University of Evansville, Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz,
today sent an e-mail to the Chair of the Faculty Senate, who subsequently released it to the faculty as a whole, in which he argued that his “proposed academic alignment plan is not an educational policy decision†and so does not fall within the responsibilities of the faculty.
The President’s e-mail was a response to the December 17th Faculty Senate resolution by which the Senate voted no confidence in the President’s draft academic alignment plan. That resolution argues that the President’s draft academic alignment plan neither recognizes the faculty’s primary responsibility for educational policy nor accords with the university’s policies on the curricular change as defined in the Faculty Manual. This resolution was endorsed by the Senate by a margin of 14 to 1 with 1 abstention. The faculty then supported the resolution by a margin of 106 to 19 with 3 abstentions.
In the President’s e-mail to the Senate Chair, he responded to that resolution as follows:
The Faculty Handbook provides that “[t]he responsibility of the faculty is in educational policy rather than administrative decisions.†The proposed academic alignment plan is not an educational policy decision, but an administrative decision motivated by financial considerations of the University and based on the program evaluation criteria. The process described in the Faculty Resolution was designed for ordinary operations and provides for the Curriculum Committee’s (and Faculty Senate’s) review of routine proposals for changes. It does not apply to the current proposed academic alignment plan. Nevertheless, Dr. Austin and I sought and continue to seek input, comments, recommendations, and proposals regarding the draft academic alignment plan from all faculty members that includes but is not limited to the Faculty Senate and/or the Curriculum Committee.
In considering this comment it is worth noting how the Faculty Manual continues after the quoted sentence:
The responsibility of the faculty is in educational policy rather than administrative decisions. Faculty, acting with the President, determine all matters of educational policy with respect to academic programs including degree requirements, honorary degrees, curriculum changes, [and] academic standards.
As can be seen, the second sentence speaks of “academic programs†and “curriculum changes.†It is difficult to understand how the President’s plan does not constitute an “educational policy decisionâ€Â when its implementation would eliminate 3 entire departments and 18 majors and so enact massive “curriculum changes†that would fundamentally alter the makeup of the university’s “academic programs.†In looking at the above quote, one can also see that the President’s call for “input, comments, recommendations, and proposals†from faculty members regarding his draft academic alignment plan in no way reflects the faculty’s designated relationship to educational policy. Rather than being given any opportunity for determination, the faculty is simply being asked to offer ideas to those who are truly making the decisions, the President and his senior administrative team.
The President’s comment also asserts that “the process described in the Faculty Resolution was designed for ordinary operations and provides for the Curriculum Committee’s (and Faculty Senate’s) review of routine proposals for changes.†According to the President, that process, therefore “does not apply to the current proposed academic alignment plan.†It should here be noted that the process to which the President is referring is the university’s process for curricular change. Within that process, proposals for substantial curricular changes, such as proposals for the “additions or deletions of degrees and majors,†should pass through the Senate’s Curriculum Committee, the Senate, the President, and the Board of Trustees. This process is outlined in the Faculty Manual’s definition of the Curriculum Committee. It can also be seen in the Manual’s “Program Closure Policy,†which was approved by current EVPAA, Dr. Michael Austin. The Faculty Manual nowhere states that the outlined process only applies to “ordinary operations†and “routine proposals.†It also offers no alternative process for extraordinary operations and irregular proposals. This is because the Faculty Manual only contains one process for a curricular change.
The President’s approach constitutes a de facto suspension of the Faculty Manual because it gives him primary responsibility for educational policy and so invalidates all the many sections of the Manual that reflect the faculty’s mandated relationship to educational policy. This approach is also a violation of the university’s charter, which states that the university’s “courses shall be arranged and determined by the trustees in conjunction with the faculty and the university senate.†Even after everything that has happened, the UE AAUP chapter was still shocked and saddened by this morning’s message from the President. What a truly awful way to begin the year!
To learn more
• Visit our website at saveue.com • Follow us on Facebook at Save UE
• Follow us on Twitter at @Save_UE • Follow us on Instagram at save.ue
The year 2020 has been quite a difficult one for most of us, the coronavirus pandemic did not only wreck our health and sanity but also left quite a lasting impact on most of our lives. One that will continue to affect our lives even when this whole nightmare is over. Yet, humanity is not be taken lightly either. We will continue to hold on to hope and persevere for a brighter and better tomorrow. The upcoming year has a lot of people’s hope riding on it, and the start of a new decade has never seemed more promising.
Finally, this rollercoaster of a year is coming to an end and the anticipation for better times is contagious. People all over the world are already establishing their New Year resolutions and plans. This upcoming year will give us the opportunity to start afresh and work towards rebuilding the world after the pandemic and even bettering ourselves in order to avoid such global suffering again.
On a lighter note, the New Year celebration is a time for joy, great pomp, and show across the world. Even though this New Year’s Eve will be a quiet affair, with people celebrating from the comforts of their own home and all the while following all safety protocols that are in effect due to the new strain of the coronavirus.
Now that we are entering 2021, it’s best to let 2020 become a distant memory and celebrate the upcoming year with a lot of joy and happiness. With social distancing norms and curfews in place, ringing in the New Year will not be the same as it used to be. So, for people who are miles apart, we have compiled a list of Happy New Year 2021 messages, quotes, and wishes for your loved ones.
Here’s to another year full of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories with an unforgettable friend! Happy New Year!
STATEWIDE POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE COUNT IS NOW 511,485
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Health today announced that 6,543 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at state and private laboratories. That brings to 511,485 the number of Indiana residents now known to have had the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s dashboard.
A total of 7,911 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 99 from the previous day. Another 352 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by the state and occurred over multiple days.
To date, 2,636,695 unique individuals have been tested in Indiana, up from 2,622,879 on Wednesday. A total of 5,681,710 tests, including repeat tests for unique individuals, have been reported to the state Department of Health since Feb. 26.
I’ve been serving this community for half of my life. I’ve had some great mentors with those who first got me involved in local politics like political icons Larry Aiken, Curt John, Barb Ziemer, and Mark Owen.
My professional career has always been about public service. Throughout my career, I have learned the importance of providing outstanding customer service that is focused on honesty, communication, and transparency. For almost half of my adult life, I’ve provided quality service to the people of this community as a meteorologist; Vanderburgh County Assessor; and At-Large Evansville City Council member, and to numerous homebuyers and sellers as a Realtor.
A lot of things have changed over the years and I believe it’s time for me to make a change in my political party affiliation.  After considering making this change for the past year and consulting with family, close friends, current and past elected officials, it became obviously clear that it’s time for me to change my political party affiliation.
As of today, I shall become a bonafide member of the Vanderburgh County Republican party where I know that my political philosophy will be better appreciated and will also have a positive impact on our community.
INDIANAPOLIS— In the 2008 election, President Barack Obama used the relatively new Facebook and Twitter to create personalized interactions with millions of supporters to rally then to defeat the late Republican Sen. John McCain.
​Obama’s use of social media both personally and as a paid advertisement platform helped get his face seen by millions of people on a more personal level than on television and laid down a blueprint for today’s politicians. His campaign was the beginning of a transition that would demand candidates use platforms like Twitter and Facebook as campaign tools.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with the crowd at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis in 2015. Photo by Alec Gray, TheStatehouseFile.com
​As more people who grew up using platforms such as YouTube and Twitter became voting age, politicians are being pushed to use social media like never before.
​For former Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate M.D. Woody Myers, social media was the main target of his campaign advertising in an effort to reach young voters.
​“I believe that social media in all of its forms have kind of eclipsed television. When I first started to campaign, I asked my kids how often they watch television… they basically said they get their information off their iPads and phones,†said Myers. “If I want to reach this generation, I’ve got to give them the information the way they want it.â€
​Throughout the entire 2020 campaign, Myers only spent $10,942 on social media advertisements, according to reports filed with the Indiana Secretary of State. That’s a stark comparison to incumbent Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s $323,698 in spending.
​Myers primarily used social media as a personal tool, posting on his campaign account multiple times a day. This strategy was headed in the right direction but hurt him in the long run. He lost in a landslide with on 32% of the vote as he was outspent by wide margins on both social media and in conventional advertising.
Dr. Woody Myers, the Democratic candidate for governor, used social media as a way of connecting with voters in the 2020 gubernatorial election.
TheStatehouseFile.com
​“Woody Myers’ campaign had several limitations to it. The loss is not surprising,†said Andrew Downs, an Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne political science professor. “There is a theory in political campaigning that says you have to dominate at least one of the major forms of communication, and he did not.â€
​Although the campaign tactics may not have been executed properly, research may support Myers’ contention that social media has eclipsed television.
​A 2019 study by the Pew Research Center found that 48% of adults ages 18 to 29 get their political news from social media, with the next closest source being news websites or apps at 21%, and network television and local television at only 15% combined.
​In individuals ages 30 to 49, 40% reported using social media as their main source of news. Local television was at 31% and cable stood at 23%. Those older than 50 were the only reported group where any form of television outperformed social media.
​Overall, numbers are in favor of social media. The Pew study shows that 18% of adults considered social media their primary source of political news while cable and local television each took 16% of the votes, and network television had 13%. The only sources that outperformed social media were news websites and apps, which are not platforms where politicians typically campaign.
​“Campaigning on social media is essential these days, you don’t have an option. You have to have a sound social media presence and strategy, otherwise, you’re going to be missing out on a lot of voters,†Downs said.
​Washington State University Professor Travis Ridout examined Facebook and television data for around 7,300 candidates in nationwide and statewide elections in 2018 as part of a study conducted with co-authors from Bowdoin College, Emory, Stanford, and Wesleyan universities. They discovered that around 6,000 only advertised using the social media platform, slightly more than 1,000 candidates used both, and only 242 relied on television ads alone.
​Social media in the 2020 electionÂ
​Ridout said that in the 2020 election many candidates used social media as a way to raise campaign funds. Instead of asking for large dollar amounts in person, they used apps to request smaller dollar amounts from more individuals. President-Elect Joe Biden raised a record-breaking $383 million in the month of September alone by using social media and asking for small donations.
President-elect Joe Biden was in Indianapolis in 2019 to speak to delegates at the National Urban League conference. Photo by LaMonte Richardson, TheStatehouseFile.com
​In Indiana, Hoosiers in central Indiana witnessed candidates in the 5th Congressional District use social media in an attempt to gain advantages. And for one candidate in particular, it helped her compete in the historically conservative district’s intense competition.
​Democrat Christina Hale spent $331,512 on social media campaign advertisements. $253,012 on Facebook, and $78,500 on Google, according to The Center for Responsive Politics, placing herself on several YouTube advertisements and on Facebook home pages. The use of advertisements on social media played a large role in helping her raise $3.48 million—over $800,000 more than her competition, Republican Victoria Spartz.
​Hale ultimately lost due in the Republican-leaning district but was more competitive than past Democratic candidates.
​Indiana University political science professor Mark Fraley, in an interview before the election, said a factor in campaigning is understanding where voters spend their money,
“Social media is a greater factor for reaching younger voters,†he said.
​Younger voters are looking at social media more than ever to make sense of world-changing events, including protests about racial injustice and the pandemic. Social media is a place where they can connect with friends at the push of a button, no matter where they are in the world, to discuss the issues that matter most to them
​Younger voters are also being able to see who they are voting for.
​“Politics is much more personalized than in the past. We get to know the candidates on a more personal level,†Ridout said. “While I think advertising on social media can certainly be important, there probably can be an impact through those organic posts.â€
​Tiffany Keown, a 24-year-old Kelley School of Business graduate, said there is an impact through those organic posts. In her case, it was the negative impact of President Donald Trump’s use of social media
​While Trump receives backlash in some circles, the social media community adores politicians like U.S Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, who tweets daily to reach younger voters, women and people of color. Ocasio-Cortez even made an appearance on a live streaming website called Twitch to play video games with popular gamers, accumulating millions of views and interactions across YouTube, Twitch, and Twitter. At the same time, she encouraged the youth to vote.
​Ocasio-Cortez went on to secure 68.8% of votes cast in comparison to her competition’s 30.6%.
President Obama’s untested strategy to reach voters through social media came full circle in 2020 through the use of social media by Biden and Ocasio-Cortez.
FOOTNOTE: LaMonte Richardson Jr. is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
The City-County Observer posted this article without bias, editing or opinion.
