Spring Break
Prof. protests by hunger strike
Univ. officials ask for filed grievance
TOM MARINE
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: News
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Dezso Benedek, director of Asian languages, said he will remain outside Old College until University President Michael Adams answers questions about his accusations of incompetence and dishonesty by administrators. He said he will start teaching his classes at that location today. One of Benedek's students contacted The Red & Black about the hunger strike.
Benedek said last year the University stopped granting academic credit to University students participating in the Huangshan study abroad program in China.
Benedek said the program, created independently from the University, does not require approval from the administration. He said Huangshan University hosted the program, and he hand-picked every housing family, teacher and the teaching material.
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Arnett Mace said the University will not approve the program because Huangshan University is not highly ranked compared to other Chinese schools.
"We're not going to accept transfer credits from an institution that we don't believe is equivalent to the University," Mace said in a telephone interview. "Whether it's independent or through the University, we still have the right and prerogative to accept or reject transfer credits."
Benedek received a letter from Adams Monday afternoon, stating "while I understand your desire for a swift resolution of this (Huangshan) issue, I am unwilling to approve your request without appropriate review and approval of this program through the standard processes."
Benedek said when he met with administrators they expected him to not be forthright with his students about the program's quality.
"They threatened to take away my position as director of the Asian languages," Benedek said. "They tried to make it seem as if I made this program without the University's permission."
Mace did not comment on Benedek's assertions of administration dishonesty.
"He needs to file grievance, not go on a hunger strike," said Tom Jackson, vice president for public affairs.
Benedek has quarreled with the administration before. He went on a hunger strike in 1998 and 1996 to expand the University language programs.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
jane
posted 10/30/07 @ 7:24 AM EST
this guy is my hero!
Reeve Tuesti
posted 10/30/07 @ 7:46 AM EST
This is yet another attempt by Benedek to get increased funding for his department. He pulled a stunt like this a few years ago when the university didn't want to approve the Korean language program. (Continued…)
Concerned
posted 10/30/07 @ 9:23 AM EST
Reeve has a point. Should we all go on hunger strikes to get more funding for our departments and programs? Where would it end?
Anonymous A. Anonymous
posted 10/30/07 @ 9:38 AM EST
Isn't this the guy that was caught accepting paychecks from UGA and a Japanese university at the same time? Isn't this the guy who last did a hunger strike to protect a Korean language program that is a sham for Korean students to get A's? Isn't this the guy who gives all A's in all his classes (check the Key)? Isn't this the guy about which rumors of financial impropriety echo around campus? When is the University going to reign in this guy?
T-dub
posted 10/30/07 @ 10:37 AM EST
Benedek is the man. He speaks like 20 languages and grew up in Communist Romania. If you really know him, he's not the kind of guy that just wants money. (Continued…)
Anon
posted 10/30/07 @ 11:51 AM EST
Dr. Benedek completely misrepresents the situation. He has been told many times, over multiple semesters, that his students will not get credit for this China program. (Continued…)
CoastalDawg
posted 10/30/07 @ 1:06 PM EST
While there are more than enough issues with President Adams to go around, this doesn't seem to be one of them. If this professor hasn't followed the appropriate channels to get this program accepted, that's the end of the story as far as I'm concerned. (Continued…)
Bob
posted 10/30/07 @ 2:35 PM EST
Anon is right. The university has established channels by which to approve study abroad programs and Dr. Benedek's program in Huangshan did not meet the standards for approval. (Continued…)
Maggie
posted 10/30/07 @ 4:35 PM EST
I'm sorry, but if UGA can accept credits from Georgia Perimeter College, they may as well accept transfers from Joe's Mama's College operated from her basement. (Continued…)
Richard
posted 10/30/07 @ 7:19 PM EST
Dr. Benedek believes in a more classical form of education where a student is immersed/engaged in the field he/she is trying to learn about rather than asked to repeat what they have memorized. (Continued…)
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