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Barrett calls it quits for now

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by Alexandra Rogers

Monday, November 13, 2006

With the end of the semester approaching, University of Wisconsin lecturer Kevin Barrett said he has opted not to apply to teach at UW next semester.

Barrett said his decision has nothing do with the adversity that has recently surrounded his UW teaching career. Barrett's publicized views that the U.S. government orchestrated the events of Sept. 11, 2001, have caused statewide controversy about the lecturer and his methods since this summer.

Barrett — who has a semester-long contract teaching the course "Islam: Religion and Culture" — said he would "absolutely" apply to teach the course in the spring semester, but the class is only available in the fall.

"This has been probably the best class I've ever had at any university," Barrett said. "I'm having a great time teaching my Islam class at UW, and I would love to teach one again."

Last week Barrett taught the long-awaited section of his course regarding the War on Terror and 9/11. Barrett focused on the "revisionist theory" Thursday, which suggests the 9/11 events were an inside job overseen by the Bush administration.

In a previous interview with The Badger Herald, Chancellor John Wiley said he was comfortable with Barrett teaching the course.

"I don't care what [Barrett's] personal views are as long as he doesn't use them to badger the students," Wiley told The Badger Herald in a previous interview.

Along with Islam, Barrett is qualified to teach folklore, French, English composition and African literature. Barrett said if there is an opening for "Islam: Religion and Culture" in fall 2007, he will apply for it, and he may apply for other available positions he is qualified to teach as well. However, Barrett said he could not teach in the spring semester because of conflicting plans.

"I couldn't accept something even if they offered, which I doubt they will," Barrett said.

UW professor of political science and president of the Committee of Academic Freedom and Rights, Donald Downs, said he was surprised that Barrett will not be returning in spring 2007 and is curious to see what will happen if Barrett does apply for a teaching position in fall 2007.

State Rep. Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin, said he would be fine with Barrett teaching courses that do not include "radical" teachings.

"As long as somebody can be a competent teacher about things that aren't an agenda of radical indoctrination, that's fine," Gundrum said. "Go teach calculus."

Gundrum said Barrett's absence in spring 2007 is the "right decision."

"I don't think taxpayers should be supporting Kevin Barrett," Gundrum said. "I think that's the right decision for the university system and the taxpayers of Wisconsin."

If Barrett were to teach a subject other than Islam, according to Downs, there is a possibility that he might escape the limelight.

"But you know, he's a very controversial guy anyway," Downs said. "Part of the argument they had made about him had to do with the course he was teaching, so I think that would make at least some difference in terms of their attitudes."

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Anonymous (November 13, 2006 @ 9:21am):

I saw on CNN that there was a professor somewhere who believes Big Foot exists. Maybe Barrett and this guy can form a club. At least the Big Foot guy isn't a terrorist sympathyser.

Anonymous (November 13, 2006 @ 11:03am):

"... as long as he doesn't use them to badger the students." Get it? Badger? That dude's friggin' hilarious!

Don't feel sorry for Barrett, he's going to make his millions by publishing a book or hitting the lecture circuit. There's a demand for his brand of crazy.

Anonymous (November 13, 2006 @ 1:20pm):

Barrett focused on the "revisionist theory" Thursday, which suggests the 9/11 events were an inside job overseen by the Bush administration.

Yeah, them thar evil geniuses in the Bush administration were able to do that - but otherwise can't seem to walk and chew gum at the the same time. What a load of hogwash!

Anonymous (November 13, 2006 @ 3:14pm):

Don't you get it? Bush and Rove engineered last weeks's election losses to throw everyone off the 9/11 conspiracy trail. Brilliant!

Anonymous (November 13, 2006 @ 4:35pm):

Bush and Rove engineered last weeks's election losses so they could blame the Dems for losing in Iraq.

Anonymous (November 13, 2006 @ 8:50pm):

Na na na na,
na na na na,
hey hey hey,
goodbye

Anonymous (November 14, 2006 @ 9:37pm):

Maybe now that the eminent researcher Barrett has some free time, we can debunk this whole "man on the moon" myth, and maybe catch up with Elvis. In all seriousness, the Herald should publish this guy's student evaluations, and see if he benefitted unfairly from the sensationalism he generated.