University officials are investigating allegations that a psychology professor used racist and homophobic comments in videotaped lectures.
A committee has been formed to review the videotaped lectures of Associate Professor of Psychology John Broida which were distributed to 70 students in a Web-based introductory psychology class.
“The University is distressed and is taking this issue very seriously,” said Bob Caswell, executive director of Media and Community Relations. “The committee has been asked to determine what, if any, violations of professional ethics have occurred, what actions should be taken by the University, including any disciplinary actions.”
The videotapes were distributed to 70 students who enrolled in a Web-based Psychology 101 class between Jan. 15 and Nov. 15 of 2001. The class is structured to give students six months to watch the videotaped lectures and complete on-line assignments without ever having to attend an actual class.
The University began its investigation immediately after a student complained in February of this year that Broida’s comments in at least three of the lectures were racist and homophobic.
Broida would not comment on the allegations.
University officials have instructed Broida to stop distributing the videotapes, but the professor has been allowed to continue teaching while the investigation is underway.
Though Broida would not comment on the issue, Caswell said he’s been very cooperative with the University. Caswell also said Broida defends his statements as part of his teaching style.
“The University in no way condones what was said, but Professor Broida would tell you that his intent in saying these things was to be provocative for the sake of challenging stereotypes regarding race and sexual orientation,” said Caswell.
In one of Broida’s videotaped lectures, which were filmed in 2000, he explained several theories for how people develop differently.
“Do you know that on average blacks have a lower IQ than whites?” he asked his class in the video. Broida then went on to explain how one theory to explain the difference in IQ is biological.
“Nativists would say blacks are less intelligent because of their genes. They’ve been bred for years to be big and strong, not smart . Nativists will say blacks are racially inferior; they’re just stupid, because of their inheritance.”
Immediately following the complaint, University officials arranged for the student to drop the course without penalty.
Bud McGrath, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said he’s not aware of any specific University policies that outline appropriate language or teaching styles for professors.
He said academic freedom generally allows professors to decide on their own what teaching styles and examples will work best in class.
“Academic freedom gives faculty the responsibility for what they teach and protects them from interference from outside influences, such as the administration or the government,” said McGrath. “But that’s not to say they can say anything they want. It’s a delicate balancing act.”
McGrath formed the four-member committee to investigate Broida’s comments. The committee includes Stephen Wessler, director of USM’s Center for Study and Prevention of Hate Violence, a psychology professor, an English professor who McGrath describes as being “particularly sensitive to issues regarding sexual orientation,” and a Bowdoin sociology professor who teaches classes on racial issues.
Caswell said the committee should release its conclusions by early May.
Last year Broida was the center of another controversy regarding research involving students.
Broida had been conducting research on the effect of technology on students’ ability to learn after receiving a $200,000 grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts in September of 1999. However, in the fall of 2000 he added personal questions to a survey he offered to all students in introductory psychology classes.
There were 85 questions asking things like, “Did you ever protect another family member from a parent who was drinking?” and “Did you ever feel responsible for and guilty about a parent’s drinking?”
Late last spring after nearly two months of investigation Provost Joe Wood ordered Broida to destroy the data he collected after his research was found to be in violation of federal guidelines.
Executive Editor Steve Peoples can be contacted at: [email protected]