Association Of Professors Defending BYU's Jones

[scar]

http://kutv.com/local/local_story_255101109.html

PROVO A national organization is coming out in support of a BYU professor placed on paid leave for his controversial theories about the September 11th attacks.

The American Association of University Professors says the school should not have placed the physics professor on leave for statements made outside of the classroom.

Steven Jones has published a paper suggesting the World Trade Center towers fell because of pre-set demolition charges -- not just because they were struck by planes.

General secretary for the AAUP Roger Bowen says academic freedom also protects statements professors make outside the classroom.

Jones says he only discussed his theory in class after students asked him questions about it.

A spokeswoman for Brigham Young University says what Jones said in the classroom and how careful he was about disclaimers are subjects of the university review.

[Mark Gobell]

Bush met with BYU President Hinckley on 30 August.

One week later Prof Jones is put on paid leave.

Why investigate now?

http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/60844

I don't understand why BYU is starting the investigation of Professor Jones on Sept. 8th, 2006. Dr. Jones' research and findings have been published and available for over seven months! Why is this investigation being started three days before the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11?

By so doing, BYU appears to be in doubt as to the validity of the research when in fact almost every BYU faculty member who has read his research agrees with it's conclusion - that a new investigation into Sept. 11 needs to be done. The timing of Jones' investigation sends the wrong message to anyone who is honestly seeking the truth about these tragic events.

Last week President Hinckley met with President Bush in a closed-door meeting. The timing then of these two events is sure to fuel speculation among LDS members who understand Jones' research. What a sad thing.

I believe the administration of BYU should release a statement beyond the one released by the College of Engineering or Mathematics and Physical Sciences clarifying their position on the peer-review process that Jones underwent three times. That much should be demanded of the BYU community. Does BYU support the peer-review process or not??

How did BYU decide that his peer-reviews weren't rigorous enough or submitted to the proper "venues"?

The timing of this whole thing is very, very troubling.

Dan T. Peterson

Murray, Utah


The Bush Hinckley meeting: http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4271005

[Me]

If you haven't signed it already. Here's an opportunity to support Mr. Jones. There’s strength in numbers.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/525834923?ltl=1158154383