Faculty members at the University of Missouri are irked that Gary Forsee, the Missouri system’s president, sent a letter to federal legislators opposing a cap-and-trade bill designed to reduce carbon emissions nationwide, reports the Columbia Daily Tribune. According to reports last week, Mr. Forsee said that the legislation, if enacted, would cost the university too much money — some $5-million to $8-million to purchase carbon credits — and that lawmakers should consider exemptions for the university. Faculty members say they were surprised by the letter and were not consulted. “It seems to me he does have every right to speak for himself, but he simply can’t speak for the community. That’s not how this campus operates,” said Dan Hooley, a professor of classical studies who is chairman of the university’s sustainability committee. Mr. Forsee has signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which commits colleges to reducing emissions. One student wondered whether Mr. Forsee’s signing was a “hollow statement.”
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5 Responses to U. of Missouri President’s Opposition to Climate Bill Sparks Faculty Outrage
cwinton - December 2, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Sort of pales in comparison to the university’s $39 million athletic budget, doesn’t it? I would say Mr. Forsee doesn’t exactly live up to his name.
rbrunson56 - December 3, 2009 at 5:26 am
Mr. Forsee deserves several “attaboys” for his clarity of thought. It’s so refreshing to see that in the academic world, where it’s a rare sighting.If the climate change argument were based on better science, instead of something akin to the mickey mouse molecule club, Mr. Forsee might need to rethink his recommendations.Good work, Mr. Forsee.
rufojr - December 3, 2009 at 7:48 am
Again, I must agree with rbruson56! I have been a responsible citizen for the past 10 years conserving energy, recycling, and continually working on ways that I may contribute to the protection of “Mother Earth” and the beautiful world we have been given.If everyone did the same, we could make the difference that is needed. President Obama himself said, “the cap and trade systems would necessarily increase the cost of electricity rates.” Our public University is facing yet another significant budget cut and would not be able to sustain itself were our state forced to pay Millions of dollars for “Cap and Trade”.As for cwinton…get over it! Athletics will always be a part of Higher Education! So there will always be money for that!
marchman - December 3, 2009 at 10:27 am
One of Will Rogers’ famous sayings was, “No one is quite as stupid as an educated person in the fields he is not educated in.” He did not have a college education, but one would surmise he must have been very familiar with American higher education. How many times do faculty members show their stupidity by sticking up for things they know nothing about especially when it comes to finances which they apparently think are unlimited, grows on trees, and, most often, should only be spent on “me.” President Forsee should be lauded for his actions, and hopefully, many other presidents will follow his example. We could hope faculty would also follow the example, but that would be a bit much.
dthornton9 - December 3, 2009 at 11:12 am
The Cap and Tax legislation wiil add millions of dollars to the energy costs of all organizations and families and is nothing more than an attempt by the environmental wackos to make us do as they see fit. It will have a devastating impact on the economy at all levels. Thank you Mr. Forsee for standing up to the global warming cabal! Global warming is a scam.