Washington State U. Reinstates 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' as Common-Reading Choice

This blog noted on Wednesday that Washington State University would accept an offer from a donor to bring Michael Pollan to the campus to talk about his book The Omnivore’s Dilemma. The book had been dropped as the university’s common-reading selection — for either economic or political reasons, according to different points of view. The university, which has a prominent agriculture college, is weathering a $54-million cut in state money.

Now the university has announced that the book will be reinstated as the common-reading choice. Bill Marler, a personal-injury lawyer who specializes in food-safety issues, has vowed to cover the $40,000 it might cost to bring Mr. Pollan to the campus.

“I certainly understand the financial problems that WSU and other colleges and universities are facing,” Mr. Marler said in a news release. “However, I also thought it would be important for the public to understand that Washington State University views freedom of speech and academic expression as something that is truly fundamental to its mission.” —Scott Carlson