Social Engineering at an Engineering School

Brown Daily Herald:

A quota by any other name?

The proportion of females in computer science peaked during the early 1980s. But by the end of the decade, women were dropping out of the field. 

Computers were gradually becoming "a boy thing," said Harvey Mudd College President Maria Klawe. When computers were emerging in the early 1970s, most typists were women, and so computer science seemed like a job for women. But the computer games that arrived in the 1980s changed that perception, since most of them involved sports or simulated violence.
The games were "very easy to program — a piece of light going across the screen and being able to figure out whether it hit the target or not," Klawe said, adding that it was natural for game development to subsequently be "very focused on boy interests." 

The number of students interested in computer science increased significantly at the end of the 1990s, according to the New York Times. Since then, rates have steadily declined.
As computer use spread to other disciplines, "people discovered you don't have to do computer science to do computers," Doeppner said. 

Most universities try to attract more women to the discipline, said Shriram Krishnamurthi, associate professor of computer science at Brown. But "I don't know what the right baseline is. Is it parity? Is 50-50 the right number? Should it be 70-30 in one direction, maybe 70-30 in the other?" he said. "What's more useful is to find the root causes. … Percentages just mean nothing to me." 

Raising the numbers 

At Harvey Mudd, the number of female computer science students has gone up significantly in recent years, the proportion of females increasing from 10 percent to 42 percent, according to Klawe. 

The department offers a number of summer research opportunities to female rising sophomores. It also restructured its introductory computer science class, which all students take in their first three semesters. The focus of the class switched from Java programming to computer-based problem solving, resulting in a remarkable increase in popularity, Klawe said. 

Harvey Mudd also started inviting its female freshmen to a computer science conference where approximately 95 percent of the attendees are women, Klawe said. Even students who do not end up majoring in the field leave with a changed perception of it. "It's like, ‘Oh yeah, there are tons of women in CS! I met a thousand of them,'" Klawe said. 

She said she believes Harvey Mudd's success can be replicated at other schools, since the changes were not expensive. As an undergraduate, she was told many times that there were "no good women mathematicians," even though she was one of the best at every school she attended. 

Zeng, however, said that the open curriculum might make Harvey Mudd's approach difficult to implement at Brown. The student body of an engineering school is "very self-selecting," she added.

Breaking: Marie-Denise Shelton Springs Resolution on Faculty for Vote Tomorrow

Marie Denise-Shelton, French, sprang a resolution today on the faculty before their meeting tomorrow. The resolution's preface and text are as follows: 

Dear Colleagues, 

Attached please find a resolution statement I intend to introduce for a vote at our faculty meeting on Friday.  I hope you will come to the meeting and support the resolution.  Thank you. 

Marie-Denise Shelton

Text of the resolution:

Claremont McKenna College has a long and respected tradition of academic freedom and respect for diverse intellectual viewpoints.  This tradition is reflected in the College's 2002 Strategic Plan, which evidenced a commitment to hiring faculty members "who represent a broad spectrum of political and academic philosophies."  Moreover, it is reaffirmed in the College's Diversity Statement, passed by the Faculty and the Board of Trustees in 2007.  According to this statement, which defines diversity broadly as including "race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and cultures, geographic and national origin (both U.S. and international), socio-economics, life experiences, and intellectual viewpoints," CMC should continue to "recruit a faculty of increased balance and diversity." 

It is on the basis of this tradition that we, the CMC faculty, issue this statement of support for our colleague Bassam Frangieh.  We repudiate any suggestion that faculty members who hold controversial or unpopular positions are unwelcome at CMC.

 I'll have more as I get it. 

Paul Hurley Issues Misleading Letter About Bassam Frangieh

Earlier today someone sent me the following letter purportedly from Professor of Philosophy Paul Hurley. He calls all of the material that I have released about Bassam Frangieh " ill-reasoned piece of fear-mongering sophistry." 

Unfortunately, Professor Hurley misunderstands the mounting evidence that is -- or deliberately distorts it. I'll respond to his points one after the other once I have dinner. 

Then Dismiss Me TooThe Claremont Independent has published articles suggesting that there are grounds for dismissal of Bassam Frangieh. It seems clear to me, after perusing their case, that if they have made the case against Prof. Frangieh, I should be given the boot too. Indeed, I am toast. I don’t have a leg to stand on. It’s not even close. Consider the “evidence.” 

One of the articles points out that Frangieh signed a petition the central purpose of which was to condemn Israel’s 2006 incursion into Lebanon. I must confess, I thought the incursion was a bad idea too. 

The article points out that Frangieh signed another petition the central purpose of which was to oppose the proposal to separate Iraq into 3 autonomous regions. Again, mea culpa: I thought that too was a really bad idea. 

The article points out that after Hamas’ election in Gaza, Frangieh expressed hope that good might come of it. I was hopeful too. I thought that Hamas might well do a better job promoting the general welfare of the Palestinians in Gaza than the predecessor regime. 

The article points out that Frangieh reads authors who have expressed intolerance, and has even expressed admiration for their work. I am in big trouble here! I read Hobbes, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and many others who express various forms of intolerance – I even (gasp!) admire their work. 

But the case against the two of us gets progressively worse. 

Frangieh appears to believe that the condition of the Palestinians as a stateless people is tragic. He probably even thinks that a two state solution would be most just, and that there will not be true justice in the region until such a solution has been implemented. I confess that I am ensnared in this web of intrigue, along with George Bush and countless others, as well. 

Apparently, Frangieh is also on record claiming that thousands of people might have to die, and massive revolution might be necessary, to overcome “corrupt regimes of the Arab world.” I am in even worse shape! I believe that political revolution, including in some cases violence, is justified in many cases to overcome corrupt regimes even when they are not in the Arab world. I think, for example, that the American Revolution was justified. 

It gets worse for me. Apparently, Frangieh’s record of publication was insufficient to merit an appointment to CMC at the rank of full professor. Here’s a frank confession: His record is better than mine! Indeed, it is better, in my view, than the records of most Full Professors at CMC. There it is. I’ve said it. It feels good to get that one off my chest… 

It also seems that Frangieh insists on teaching topics and materials outside of his core field. Again, the ugly glare of this spotlight falls on me as well. Although I am merely a philosopher, I have been known to run roughshod even over the boundary of Bassam’s own discipline, and teach (brace yourself!) LITERATURE. I recently presumed to teach St Paul, although I am not a Religious Studies professor, and (in the same class!) Frankenstein and Pride and Prejudice, although I am not a literature professor. 

So if the case offered against Prof. Frangieh is solid, the case against me is rock solid. If the case offered against him should be taken seriously, I am toast. Then again, who would want to work at a place that would take such an ill-reasoned piece of fear-mongering sophistry seriously? Speech is free; such assaults on good people who are doing good and vital work must thus be endured. But not in silence! 

Paul HurleySexton Professor of PhilosophyClaremont McKenna College

James D. Wolfensohn 2011 Commencement Speaker

Our commencement speaker is James D. Wolfensohn as announced by The Forum CMC PR.

I know dear reader that you, like me, knew exactly who that is so I won't leak to his laudatory Wikipedia post. Okay, maybe I will. 

It was rather easy to predict this one. After all, he is on the list of people who serve on the selection committee of the "Kravis Prize." (Just like Surin Pitsuwan.)

Expect the "live a global life"  party line -- and a column all about him in the next Claremont Independent by yours truly.

Wolfensohn Versus Frangieh on the Terrorist Organization, Hamas

 Put him down for the anti-Hamas faction

Apparently our commencement speaker, James D. Wolfensohn, does not share Bassam Frangieh's warm feelings for the terrorist organization, Hamas. Wolfensohn, who served as "special envoy for Gaza disengagement" blamed the terrorist organization for making his job impossible and forcing his resignation. 

Here are part of his remarks from May 1, 2006 when he announced his resignation. 

I do think that the Palestinians need to understand that it is not business as usual. Here you have a Palestinian group which has said that it wants to destroy its neighbor. And I guess if Canada did that to the United States or New Zealand did it to Australia, the reaction would not be very positive in terms of the other state and that's what you're finding here. I think the Palestinians need to understand and to accept that the future has to be one where the issues, however difficult, need to be resolved, but that you don't start by telling the other side that you're going to shoot them. I find that quite understandable and I think the situation that we're now in is to try and find our way through that situation to a point where there can be a negotiated solution that is acceptable to both sides. [Emphasis mine.]

Compare that to these remarks about that very same election by Bassam Frangieh, the man who is training the people who will one day sit down across the table from the Palestinians.


In a May 26 2006 interview after those same controversial election of Hamas in the Palestinian territories, Frangieh celebrated, saying that he “view[s] Hamas with great pleasure.”“Hamas might be able to produce the beginning of salvation,” he told an interviewer. “I wonder what else would the Arabs have without Hamas and Hezbollah? Nothing. Except humiliation. I congratulate Hamas on its victory.” Earlier in that interview, Frangieh lamented the harassment he endured at the hands of Syrian intelligence, while Israelis lived safe within miles of their border. [Emphasis mine]

So there you have it. The Australian-turned-American-turned Australian again financier wants the very peace that the supposed man of peace, the Palestinian professor of Arabic,  a self-described "lover of poetry," does not. 

Frangieh, though, would, I suspect, think that this is just another part of the "Zionist-Crusader plot," he thinks is behind our Middle East policy.  That Mr. Wolfensohn is a Jew probably doesn't help matters much. Hamas doesn't like Jews.

"Don Laird" Responds to Richard Rodner Email

Who is "Don Laird"?

Apparently a Canadian former "Trooper, Royal Canadian Dragoons, 8th Canadian Hussars"

Laird writes in the comment section of the previous post about Richard Rodner's email.

Don Laird said... 

 

PART ONE

 

Below is the text of the email sent to senior administrative officers of Claremont-McKenna College.

 

Considering the actions of many "Americans" with a love for terrorist organizations and the political ideology of islam to err on the side of caution is simply commonsense. With respect to "erring on the side of caution" I'm sure that the loved ones and relatives of those murdered by Major Hasan at Ft Hood, Texas would have appreciated revelations and scrutiny with respect to Hasan's love of radical islam.

 

As for what have been decribed as the "serious and extreme" nature of my email, I find it remarkable that those words would be used to describe a degree of caution but not a love of terrorist organizations.

 

As for the email....you be the judge. As for Professor Bassam Frangieh and his support and admiration of terrorist organizations...you can be the judge of that as well.

 

Now to the email:

 

END PART ONE

Don Laird said... 

 

DON LAIRD 

 

PART TWO. 

 

THE EMAIL

 

POTENTIAL FOR MASS MURDER AT A CALIFORNIA COLLEGE?

 

Is Professor Bassam Frangieh, a professor of Arabic studies at the Claremont-McKenna College/ Claremont,Ca, the next Major Nidal Hasan?

 

Will the mass murder of 13 men and women, including an unborn child, at Fort Hood, Texas be repeated on the campus of Claremont-McKenna College?

 

Professor Frangieh has declared himself a full supporter of radical islam and of the terrorist organisations Hamas and Hezbollah. Will Professor Frangieh demonstrate that support by arming himself and, bursting into a faculty or student lounge screaming Allahu Akbar!!!!, slaughter dozens of innocent students and teachers?

 

Professor Frangieh has, through his demonstration of full and unqualified support for terrorist organisations and radical muslims, placed himself amongst the ranks of those who appear to be law abiding, democratic American citizens but in the twinkling of an eye, start slaughtering their peers. University and college campuses across the United States and Canada have borne firsthand witness to the currency of madmen.....must Claremont-McKenna join those ranks at the behest of Professor Frangieh?

 

Are all the families and parents of students, staff and faculty of Claremont-McKenna college comfortable knowing that in their midst walks a man, Professor Frangieh, who fully supports and closely identifies with muslims who wrap themselves or their children in explosives and set themselves alight in marketplaces to make a political point? Does that level of comfort extend to the knowledge that Professor Frangieh, like Major Hasan, could murder dozens to make his political point?

 

In each of the horrific tragedies, including the slaughter committed by Major Hasan, there were warnings, there were foreshadowing's that went ignored. Behaviour, political beliefs, complaints and associations of the murderer/terrorists that were brought to the attention of the public, peers and law enforcement were either ignored or set aside for consideration at a later date. Will this be the case with Professor Frangieh? Will Claremont-McKenna college be the next headline?

 

Professor Frangieh has provided the faculty, staff and students of Claremont-McKenna College with a warning of his potential for mass murder. The senior college administration should immediately censure Professor Frangieh, remove him from the college campus and contact law enforcement authorities requesting a full investigation.

 

Considering Professor Frangieh's full support of organisations that conduct campaigns of terrorism and mass murder, his removal from the campus is simply showing prudent and reasonable concern for the welfare and safety of staff, faculty and students. 

 

To do anything less is foolhardy and dangerous.

 

Sincerely, Don Laird

 

Edson, Alberta, Canada

 

NOTE TO THE READER: Please keep a record of this email and forward it to family members as well as the media.

 

Bring your concerns about your safety to the immediate attention of the Dean of Claremont-McKenna college, Mr. Brock Blomberg. If Mr. Blomberg or other college authorities do not take your complaint, or request for investigation seriously, immediately contact the Claremont Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 __________________________________

 

END PART TWO