Big Beef Shouldn't Dictate Education Programs

Recently the CEO of Harris Ranch -- the largest (100,000) beef ranch in the west -- sent a letter to CalPoly, a state university in California, demanding a lecture by food activist Michael Pollan be changed, or he would stop donating to the university.

Shockingly, the president of CalPoly, Dr. Baker, agreed to the demands. So we're calling on him to apologize, and clearly state that no content at CalPoly will be determined by donors -- no matter how large they may be.

Letter	Dr. Baker, When state funded institutions of higher learning begin to change their programs or curriculum at the request -- or threat -- of outside donors, our society finds itself on an unacceptable slippery slope. Yet, this is what happened at CalPoly recently when Harris Ranch chairman David Wood disapproved of Michael Pollan's planned lecture. I'm writing to strongly encourage you to apologize for this breach of the public's trust, and ask you to adopt an academic freedom policy such that no donor -- regardless of size -- is able to dictate CalPoly's content. Sincerely,
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