The trials of William Woodward

[brian]

The trials of William Woodward

UNH professor stirs debate over 9/11, academic freedom
Helen Hocknell

Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: News



For the past month, UNH psychology professor Bill Woodward has been thrust into the national spotlight for sharing his controversial view that the U.S. government played a role in the September 11 attacks.

Woodward was originally contacted in late August by a reporter for The Union Leader for comment on a C-SPAN panel discussion about "Alternative Theories of 9/11." He is the sole New Hampshire member of Scholars for 9/11 Truth, an organization of academics who question the official story about the 9/11 attacks and contend that the U.S. government either orchestrated or was complicit in the attacks. After learning of his controversial views, the Union Leader focused on this rather than exploring the theories themselves, referring to him as "the nutty professor" in subsequent editorials questioning his "rational abilities." The paper then contacted state lawmakers, many of who were highly critical of Woodward, and called for an investigation.

UNH officials analyzed student course evaluations and a routine post-tenure review from 2004, and concluded that he was sharing his views responsibly. UNH administrators made clear that while they disagreed with his beliefs about the U.S. government's involvement, they defend his right to hold that opinion, citing academic freedom.

Since then, a variety of student organizations on campus have jumped into the fray.

The Student Senate passed a unanimous resolution supporting professors' rights to academic freedom as long as they foster "an inclusive academic atmosphere where a variety of beliefs and opinions can be discussed openly and honestly."

"He has never pushed it and never brought it up," said Nichole Guenard, a senior and student in Woodward's Psychology and Race class. "He encourages us to challenge his point of view on other subjects, and to form our own opinions."

"I don't agree with a lot of his opinions? but he's not forcing them down anybody's throats," agreed Guenard's classmate Jeff Cameron, a junior. "I'm more *******conservative politically than anything else, and I disagree wholeheartedly with his opinions, however he has every right to share them."

But the administration's analysis of Woodward's teaching wasn't enough for some.

The College Republicans plan to propose a petition calling for further investigation into the issue, but that wasn't enough for junior Bill Hunt, who with the help of an external conservative organization, formed UNH Students for Academic Integrity. Hunt was driven to create a group that would "promote a high standard of academic excellence" by targeting professors who present their personal opinions in the classroom. "Indoctrinating students is wrong- he's not doing his job, and it's my tuition dollars and tax money going to pay his salary."

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