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Monday, September 27, 2004
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THE UNIVERSITY AS POLITICAL HACK
Los Angeles Times September 25, 2004 "[Cal State Fullerton's] Social Science Research Center conducted a telephone poll commissioned by an opponent of an Irvine mayoral candidate that included inaccurate statements about that candidate. The public places extra faith in universities because they have a reputation for doing things carefully, intelligently, and fairly. That's especially true for public universities, which by the nature of their funding are called on to be apolitical and transparent in their dealings.... Some of the questions on the Cal State Fullerton poll included statements accusing candidate Mike Ward of championing causes that are clearly anathema to most Irvine voters. Then the poll asked whether respondents would vote for Ward. Further, the polling director agreed to keep the identity of the poll's backer secret - an oral agreement the university rescinded after public outcry. It's easy to foresee the campaign mailers that might have resulted, proclaiming, "A Cal State Fullerton poll shows that most Irvine voters won't vote for this man." Sure, they wouldn't - after they were fed several erroneous statements about him. The polling operations at colleges were set up to do academic research, not to advance political causes." |