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.
2008 Woodie Awards
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
PFK
posted 4/12/08 @ 9:20 AM CST
I don't agree with your last point -- that Seals should or could not mention his employment at NU in his biography. Everyone has a right to say where they worked and in what capacity. (Continued…)
Jimmy
posted 7/24/08 @ 1:16 AM CST
Shocking that top Republicans would be so upset about this. I wonder who put you up to it...
Kirk
posted 7/24/08 @ 11:32 PM CST
This is really a petty and stupid "issue".
Of course, what can we expect from the Republican party - the people who gave us Willie Horton, the flag burning amendment, the gay marriage amendment, and George Bush?
Mark Kirk is a George Bush loving loser who voted for the war. (Continued…)
Alex Pancoe
posted 7/25/08 @ 10:47 AM CST
"Mark Kirk is a George Bush loving loser who voted for the war." It's people like you, who lump things into two categories (in this case republican and democrat)regardless of the complexity of the candidates and issues faced, that are ultimately responsible for turning America into a nation of ignorant, simple minded voters. (Continued…)
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