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Professor Eruptions…

… like bimbo eruptions, happen. Ellen Lewin, a University of Iowa professor, took offense at a mass email she received from a conservative student group.

She sent an email back to them that said FUCK YOU, REPUBLICANS.

This is really not the best way to address your students.

Margaret Soltan, April 20, 2011 7:34PM
Posted in: professors

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6 Responses to “Professor Eruptions…”

  1. Shane Street Says:
    April 20th, 2011 at 10:28PM

    Wow, what an ass. And so eloquent! I hope the good people of Iowa are happy with the $93K (plus benefits) they are paying this fine scholar.

  2. ricki Says:
    April 21st, 2011 at 7:35AM

    I get annoying e-mails all the time (especially from the various athletic boosters asking me to announce the upcoming game in my classes. Feh.). My delete button works just fine, that’s what I do with them.

  3. Erin O'Connor Says:
    April 21st, 2011 at 10:33AM

    Such moments are windows into the soul. We must treasure them as such.

  4. Margaret Soltan Says:
    April 21st, 2011 at 11:34AM

    Further responses from Professor Lewin, Erin. More windows into the soul:

    This is a time when political passions are inflamed, and when I received your unsolicited email, I had just finished reading some newspaper accounts of fresh outrages committed by Republicans in government. I admit the language was inappropriate, and apologize for any affront to anyone’s delicate sensibilities. I would really appreciate your not sending blanket emails to everyone on campus, especially in these difficult times.

    … I should note that several things in the original message were extremely offensive, nearly rising to the level of obscenity. Despite the Republicans’ general disdain for LGBT rights you called your upcoming event “conservative coming out day,” appropriating the language of the LGBT right movement. Your reference to the Wisconsin protests suggested that they were frivolous attempts to avoid work. And the “Animal Rights BBQ” is extremely insensitive to those who consider animal rights an important cause. Then, in the email that Ms. Ginty sent complaining about my language, she referred to me as Ellen, not Professor Lewin, which is the correct way for a student to address a faculty member, or indeed, for anyone to refer to an adult with whom they are not acquainted. I do apologize for my intemperate language, but the message you all sent out was extremely disturbing and offensive.

  5. Yale Cohn Says:
    May 1st, 2011 at 4:37PM

    Here’s my interview with Tim Hagle, the University of Iowa College Republicans faculty advisor, about Lewin’s “F— You, Republicans!” email response to the group’s invite for people to participate in “Conservative Coming Out Week,” and what it’s like being a conservative on a college campus.

    http://patv.tv/blog/2011/04/27/talking-with-yale-cohn-discussing-professor-ellen-lewins-f-you-email-response-to-the-university-of-iowa-college-republicans/

  6. Margaret Soltan Says:
    May 1st, 2011 at 8:30PM

    Thanks very much, Yale.

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