A Central Coast dust-up between prominent Valley beef businessmen and a public university is raising concerns over academic freedom and donor influence. Top executives at Harris Ranch Beef Company threatened to pull $500,000 in pledges to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, after nationally known agribusiness critic Michael Pollan was invited to speak. Campus officials acknowledge revamping the format of Pollan’s Thursday appearance, but deny bowing to donor pressure. Now, the Harris Ranch pledges remain in limbo as others question whether high-profile contributors unfairly influenced academics.

Read full article [here].
by Cyndee Fontana and Robert Rodriguez, The Fresno Bee.

Posted: October 15th, 2009, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.