FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
MAN 4722
Caveat for Students:
All prospective students should be forewarned: Professor Wilson is a totally unreconstructed, conservative, chauvinist, curmudgeon . . . and is inordinately proud of it. He is a veteran of the US Army in Viet Nam, a retired military officer, ordained Baptist pastor, 100% disabled veteran, National Rifle Association Life Member who drives a fuel-sucking SUV. He is opinionated, listens to the Charlie Daniels Band, flies and loves the American flag, and considers himself a redneck§ (listen to CDB's What This World Needs Is A Few More Rednecks to understand). If you feel you won't be able to deal with this . . . better find someone else to study under.*
>>Course Evaluation Suggestions
*How interesting! This Caveat used to be posted on my Course Syllabus at Florida International University, and was required reading for the first assignment. It was posted tongue-in-cheek, but it was also intended to let potential students know a little about with whom they were choosing to study. In 2005 a prospective student read my Caveat, and decided that it threatened him. He filed a complaint with the Dean of the College of Business Administration. It flowed quickly downhill to me, and I was required to remove the Caveat from my course. First Amendment notwithstanding, the student and the University felt threatened by this little piece of doggerel. My proclaiming myself a chauvinist and Baptist made the student afraid that I would be prejudiced against him. The University also thought that the last line, "better find someone else to study under," was suggesting to students that they study at some university other than FIU. Wouldn't a prospective student be better off knowing about my foibles beforehand? Ah, well. PC FOREVER!
§You
might be a Redneck if:
1. It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation,
under God."
2. You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public
places.
3. You still say "Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival."
4. You remove your hat and bow your head when anyone prays.
5. You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play our National
Anthem.
6. You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect, and always have.
7. You've never burned an American flag, but would kick someone's backside who
did.
8. You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is
listening.
9. You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.
10. You'd give your last dollar to a friend.