[net.followup] Kickbacks and University Officials

cw (10/22/82)

Robert Snyder suggests in an article on universities and
personal computers that Drexel officials are getting a kickback
from some computer manufacturer.  May I be allowed to suggest that
this is a reprehensible statement without any foundation and that
if he had said it about a particular individual might well
be actionable.

In another article today, we read a complaint about ad hominem arguments
in politics.  Is it any wonder that politicians use these tactics when
the electorate is so willing to use and believe them?

Charles

rhm (10/23/82)

During the time that I was a University professor, I know of no object
of any sort that I could have mandated that my students buy for which
I was not in fact offered a kickback by the supplier.

This is so universal in the case of textbooks, that it would be a bit
hard to find a professor that did not accept the kickback.

as (10/26/82)

In a recent followup item, a former professor indicated that he/she had been
offered kickbacks on all items that could be assigned to be purchased by
students.  He/she said that, for textbooks, "it would be a bit hard to find
a professor that didn't accept a kickback."

I don't know where (or if) this person taught, but in my six years on the
faculty of two major universities, I was never once offered anything to get
my students to purchase any items.  I have been out of academia for three
I'm sure things haven't changed to the extent that person would
have us believe.

Textbook manufacturers do give free samples to university faculty, but these are
in an attempt to get them to examine the books for potential use, and are free
whether or not the books are assigned to any course.  "Kickbacks" implies
remuneration for assigning books or items for students to purchase, and would
be reprehensible on the part of any faculty member doing it.

I notice this person didn't sign the item; I wonder why.

				Abe Shliferstein (machaids!as)

mrs@sri-unix (11/01/82)

Concerning the article posted by mhtsa!eagle!cw who was complaining that 
the idea of university officials getting kickbacks; if you will study the 
article immeadiatly preceeding, you will find a former university official
who admits to there being kickbacks on all of the products he promoted.
 
                                      teklabs!reed!mrs