As members of the Associated Student Government, we are disappointed that Dan Seals, candidate for the 10th Congressional District in Illinois, has jeopardized the academic reputation of Northwestern. For the past three years, Seals has been a congressional candidate - first in 2006 and now for the 2008 election. With the district just north of NU, the campaign would normally pass unnoticed to most in the university community. It has unfortunately turned out to be quite the opposite this time around.
The School of Continuing Studies recently appointed Seals to teach a Special Topics class in Federal Policymaking one night a week for two months in Spring Quarter. While NU faculty members certainly have run for political office in the past, we are aware of no situation where the university has hired an active political candidate. Not only does this create a questionable legal dilemma, but it appears to be in violation of the rules and regulations as outlined in the Faculty Handbook.
Pages 16-17 of the handbook state:
"Outside activities must not interfere with University responsibilities. In no case may such activities be carried on either directly or by implication in the name of the University without the consent of the president of the University, who shall from time to time report such arrangements to the Board of Trustees. Consent should be requested through the appropriate dean's office. Faculty members shall not use the name Northwestern University in connection with outside activities in a manner that implies the university's sanction or support, unless the required consent has been obtained...
"When responding to inquiries in their fields of professional competence or acting as private citizens on issues of general public interest, faculty members may use their academic titles for purposes of identification but should make it clear that they speak, write, and act for themselves and not for the institution."
Seals repeatedly uses the title of "adjunct professor" on his campaign material, in debates and in interviews with the media, even though the university has publicly responded that he is only a visiting lecturer. His own political Web site states, "Dan is a business consultant and adjunct professor at Northwestern University."
Many media outlets throughout the area also have referred to Seals as a professor here at NU. Despite his use of a university title, Seals has never indicated that he does not speak or politick on behalf of the university, as the Faculty Handbook requires. Failure to issue this disclaimer results in using the NU brand to further his partisan pursuits.
We recently sent a letter to President Bienen explaining our concerns. For Seals to use NU's name on his campaign materials, he would need a letter of consent from Bienen. We asked Bienen to produce this letter that the Faculty Handbook requires. However, as the university is not legally allowed to issue a letter of endorsement to a political candidate, this letter of consent could not have been signed. It's clear that something isn't right here.
NU's prestigious name should not be used to pad the resumes of would-be elected officials. By using NU, Seals is wrongly associating his political views with those of the university. This is an undeniable abuse of the NU Faculty Handbook. Seals is acting unethically and should be forced to choose between working at NU and following the rules or ending his campaign. To maintain NU's tradition of excellence, we must not tolerate any malfeasance.
James D'Angelo, ASG Senator j-angelo@northwestern.edu
Will Upton, ASG Parliamentarian w-upton@northwestern.edu. The views expressed are their own.
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