A professor at [Turkey’s] Antalya Akdeniz University was fined 100 Turkish Liras yesterday by the university for whistling a traditional folk song in the faculty corridors.
Professor Orhan Kuruüzüm, an academic in the management and economics faculty, was accused of “whistling in the corridor while holding a tea glass” and “continuing to whistle until he entered his room” earlier this month. The deputy dean of the faculty, Professor Şafak Aksoy, filed the complaint. A professor from the agriculture faculty assessed the complaint and suggested a “warning” as a punishment for Kuruüzüm’s conduct.
The dean of the faculty of management and economics, Professor İsrafil Kurtcephe, argued the punishment was too light for the act, increasing to a fine of 100 Turkish liras.
Kuruüzüm’s lawyer Mustafa Necati Şahiner said his client faced persecution by the faculty, arguing that the faculty management’s aim was to create the environment where they could fire him. The fine is the fourth such punishment the 15-year academic has faced since Professor İsrafil Kurtcephe took over as the dean of the faculty in November. The first inquiry focused on claims that Kuruüzüm had called Kurtcephe “worthless” and “appointed from the top.”
In addition to the whistling charge, Kuruüzüm has been accused of “untoward acts in the faculty building and at official meetings,” “defiance” and “failure to respond to questions by the deputy dean.” When the inquiry faced by Kuruüzüm first made the headlines earlier this month, many in the province of Bolu were offended because the folk song whistled by the professor originated from there. The tune Kuruüzüm whistled was a traditional song called “Halimem.” Güllü Yaman, the branch chief of the Bolu Education Personnel Union, or Eğitim-Sen, at the time condemned the inquiry against Kuruüzüm, calling it “politically motivated.” Kuruüzüm has appealed against the previous three penalties at local courts and is expected to do the same again.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:40PM
Hmm…
Sounds like a good candidate for post-tenure review.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:45PM
Oh shit, I caught myself whistling "Springtime for Hitler" in the hallway the other day. I better tone it down.
March 27th, 2009 at 10:12PM
Associate Dean: I am laughing out loud.