Search Subscribe to Waco Trib XML RSS Feed E-Newsletter WacoTrib on your PDA
Welcome, Bob   |  Update Profile  |  Log Out
 
NATION
Neighbor Plus | State | Nation | Photos/Multimedia | World | Weather | Archives

Web site sparks new intelligent design battle at BU

Sunday, September 09, 2007

By Tim Woods

Tribune-Herald staff writer

A Baylor University professor is fighting university officials to have the school restore his personal Web site in a battle some link to academic freedom and intelligent design.

About a week after informing distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering Robert Marks that his Evolutionary Informatics Lab site would need to be taken down, Benjamin Kelley, Baylor’s dean of engineering, ordered the site be removed without Marks’ permission, according to Marks’ attorney, St. Paul, Minn.-based John Gilmore.

The site, which was on a university server, has been down since early August.

Papers posted on the site included collaborations with William Dembski, former director of the Michael Polanyi Center on the Baylor campus, the first center formed on the campus of a research university to study intelligent design. The Polanyi Center was open from 1999 to 2000 and was at the heart of much debate during that time. Intelligent design asserts that certain things in the universe can result only from an intelligent cause or God.

Evolutionary informatics is separate but “friendly” to intelligent design, Dembski said.

In taking the site down, Kelley “unilaterally shut down this venue of academic freedom,” Gilmore wrote in a letter to Baylor general counsel Charles Beckenhauer on Thursday.

According to Gilmore, as well as a series of e-mails between Beckenhauer and Gilmore, Baylor said it took the site offline until sufficient disclaimers and minor changes were made to the site, which would make clear that the evolutionary informatics work is not endorsed by the university or supported by university resources.

Gilmore said that he and Marks have been amenable to Baylor’s request for a disclaimer and that they believe the real issue is one of academic freedom.

“I don’t think they wanted to take yes for an answer,” Gilmore told the Tribune-Herald on Wednesday. “(The disclaimer) might not have satisfied the absolutists who don’t want anyone at Baylor to think, even on their own time, about I.D. and its related issues. . . . Baylor has an obligation to defend Bob Marks’ position. Unfortunately, they’ve been taking the position of his persecutors. . . . It’s viewpoint discrimination.”

‘Somebody wants a crisis’

Gilmore also said Baylor might be causing themselves more trouble than they hoped for by dragging their feet in restoring Marks’ Web site.

“Somebody wants a crisis,” Gilmore said. “It’s not us, but somebody wants a crisis and I can’t, for the life of me, understand it. If the goal is not to draw attention to intelligent design at Baylor and keep it under the radar, this is having precisely the opposite effect.”

Baylor vice president for marketing and communications John Barry said Baylor is working with Marks and Gilmore to resolve the matter and denied that the matter has been drawn out because the content is related to intelligent design.

“The entire discussion to date has dealt exclusively with by what means one may or may not associate themself with Baylor,” Barry said. “If it came to our attention that someone in the English department, history department, religion or anywhere else that we had pages out there and people were representing their work to be Baylor’s and it wasn’t, we would address it the exact same way.”

Gilmore, however, says that Marks, who spent 27 years at the University of Washington before coming to Baylor three years ago, has never tried to represent his work as being Baylor-related. He says the parties agreed at an Aug. 9 meeting, attended by Beckenhauer, Gilmore, Marks, Kelley, provost Randall O’Brien and engineering department chair Kwang Lee that “a disclaimer would be put on the Web site and that it would then go back online as the provost had promised at the close of the meeting.”

In an Aug. 30 e-mail to Gilmore, Beckenhauer denied that any such final agreement existed.

“You should disabuse yourself and your client that the meeting was a final agreement of any kind,” Beckenhauer wrote. “For one thing, I expressly stated we would need to see the proposed fix of a Web site and that there were still indicators that the independent research was being held out as having direct support of Baylor.”

Beckenhauer deferred comment to Barry, who said, “So far as he is concerned, this continues to be a matter between the university and Mr. Marks and his attorney. They have ongoing discussions and there is still hope that the parties can work this out to mutual satisfactions. . . . He doesn’t want that discussion to take place in the public square; he wants to continue those discussions privately with Mr. Marks and his attorney. That’s his position.”

Dembski, who has collaborated with Marks on research projects and admits that he has become somewhat of a polarizing figure at Baylor, says he is convinced, despite Baylor’s denials, that Marks’ site was taken down because of its connection with intelligent design.

“It’s not the university’s place to put restrictions on it,” Dembski said. “I’ve been at Notre Dame, Princeton, Cornell, the University of Chicago, MIT, and it’s just unimaginable that they would mess with a distinguished professor about this. . . . It’s just outrageous. If the full story comes to light on this, it’s going to look terrible for Baylor. . . . I think what we’re talking about here are restrictions on academic freedom.”

The Discovery Institute, a conservative Seattle-based think tank known for its connection to intelligent design research, also joined the fray on Friday.

“Baylor University has proven yet again that academic freedom has been thrown off campus and academic persecution is the norm,” spokesman Casey Luskin said. “It’s simply unconscionable that a major university would so trample a scientist’s right to freedom of scientific inquiry.”

Barry said that “this is a sweeping statement in which they’re trying to brush the entire university community, and I just don’t know on what grounds they make that claim.”

Gilmore and Dembski, who was represented by Gilmore during the battle over the Polanyi Center, said they believe Baylor president John Lilley overruled what he says was an agreement after the Aug. 9 meeting to put Marks’ site back online.

“The president is the only one who would have the authority to overrule the provost,” said Dembski, who is a fellow at the Discovery Institute. “Why didn’t it stick? I would have to say it’s the president.”

Barry said that Lilley would not comment on the matter, as “this is (Beckenhauer’s) issue and the dean’s issue dealing with a faculty member and Mr. Gilmore.”

Regarding the allegation that Lilley overruled an Aug. 9 agreement, Barry said, “That seems to me to be highly subjective. I’m not sure on what grounds Mr. Gilmore (and Dembski) make that conclusion.”

Dembski also said that he found at least five labs or groups set up by Baylor faculty that contained no disclaimers stating that the work is not related to Baylor in any way.

“Why is the rationale so different?” he said. “It’s because this is intelligent design and intelligent design is so controversial.”

Barry said that “to the best of our knowledge, every one of those centers and institutes have a direct connection to the academic program, to the research that has been vetted through the departments, approved by their peers and are endorsed within the schools and then the academic areas. So I don’t think the comparisons he’s trying to make there are apples to apples.”

Barry also reiterated that the content is not the issue and that the two sides will work to come to agreement, at which time the site will be restored.

“We need to just get to a point where it’s very clear that an individual is pursuing their own research interests on their own time in a way that it is not directly associated with Baylor in any way,” Barry said.

twoods@wacotrib.com

757-5721

Comments

By John

Sep 9, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

"Dembski, who has collaborated with Marks on research projects..."

I'm skeptical of a claim like that. To my knowledge, Dembski has never generated a datum in his life, and generating data is the essence of research. His "Explanatory Filter" is over 9 years old now, and neither Dembski nor anyone else has applied it to any real-world biological system. That isn't what I'd call "explanatory."

By Scott

Sep 9, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Fred, you boob, have you ever had anything encouraging or decent to say? From all I can tell you hate Waco, Baylor, and everyone associated with either. Can I please renew my request that you get out of our town and leave us all alone?

As for all this, I'm not sure why the big deal. Marks seems to have the right idea that people are trying to work this out and they're trying to get to an agreement here. It'll be worked out. No need to get our panties all in a twist. If something is going to show up on a Baylor server, of course Baylor's going to have something to say about it. Relax, everyone, they'll get it worked out.

By Steve_h

Sep 9, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

"Gilmore, however, says that Marks, who spent 27 years at the University of Washington before coming to Baylor three years ago, has never tried to represent his work as being Baylor-related."


William Dembski reproduced the following quote from Marks's site on his blog:

http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/the-evolutionary-informatics-lab-at-baylor-university/

"Robert J. Marks II (see biosketch below) has just put his new Evolutionary Informatics Lab online:

ecs.baylor.edu/faculty/marks/Research/EILab

Here is how the lab is described on the website:

'Evolutionary informatics merges theories of evolution and information, thereby wedding the natural, engineering, and mathematical sciences. Evolutionary informatics studies how evolving systems incorporate, transform, and export information. Baylor Universityıs Evolutionary Informatics Laboratory explores the conceptual foundations, mathematical development, and empirical application of evolutionary informatics. The principal theme of the labıs research is teasing apart the respective roles of internally generated and externally applied information in the performance of evolutionary systems.'"

My bolding.

[To the moderator: If you approve this comment, it might be an idea to first make a private copy of http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/the-evolutionary-informatics-lab-at-baylor-university/ as they have a habit of disappearing]

By Brad

Sep 9, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

This is not an issue of academic freedom...it is an issue of credibility. Intelligent Design is feeble argument based on agenda rather than sound scientific evidence. Baylor has a responsibility to protect their academic credibility by distancing themselves from an issue that is not considered a legitimate discipline by the vast majority of the academic community.

By Larry Davis

Sep 9, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

During Baylor's long journey toward being a first-tier university, it has stumbled many times -- usually on points that make observers and prospective students wonder about the depth of that commitment.
I believe the fence must be an uncomfortable place to rest while leaning this way or that: so what will it be -- a university of the first order or a big Bible college?

By bill

Sep 9, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

I WOULD AGREE THAT BAYLOR HAS THE RIGHT TO CONTROL WHAT IS PUT ON THEIRSERVER. HOWEVER, THERE IS NOTHING TO PREVENT THE PROF. TO HAVE HIS PERSONAL SERVER/WEB SITE. THERE HE CAN ESPOUSE WHATEVER HE HE THINKS TRUTHFUL AND HONORABLE. I'VE NOTICED BAYLOR TAKES THE 'HIGH ROAD', SO TO SPEAK, WHENVER SOME OF THIER LEADERS THINK SOMEONE HAS INVADED THEIR TERRITORY. THE LEADERS NEED TO RESEARCH THIER SOULS ABOUT THE TRICKERY OF MOVING THE CHEERLEADERS TO THE ATHLETIC DEPT AND "OH, WE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW, BUT IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT A PROFESSOR FRIEND HAS A WIFE THAT IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO BE IN CHARGE" WOW........AND THAT'S NOT NEPOTISM BECAUSE THE WIFE WORKS IN ANOTHER DEPT...RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! SAY ONE THING---DO ANOTHER????????

By William Dembski

Sep 9, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Just a few points of clarification:

(1) The EIL website can be found on a mirror site off the Baylor server at www.evolutionaryinformatics.org. This is essentially what the Baylor administration removed.

(2) When Prof. Marks received notice from Dean Kelley that he was to remove the site from the Baylor server, there was nothing said about "Baylor branding." Here is what Kelley wrote to Marks about removing the site: "I have received several concerned messages this week about an interview and web site dealing with evolutionary computing associated ID. Please disconnect this web site immediately and Cheryl will arrange a time for us to meet immediately upon my return." With a meeting of attorneys pending, Kelley still removed the site -- without Prof. Marks's permission.

(3) Centers and institutes are university sponsored, have an annual budget, and need to cleared with the university. Labs and groups are not. Prof. Marks has other labs and groups at Baylor that never received Baylor's official blessing and continue on to this day without any disclaimers. This is about ID and guilt by association. It has nothing to do with established university policy. For a full account, see http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/of-groups-and-labs-at-baylor/.

(4) For an updated summary of all news coverage on this academic freedom crisis (it's already been reported in the Chronicle of Higher Education, WORLD Magazine, and the Baptist Press), consult http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/media-coverage-baylor-robert-marks-and-the-evolutionary-informatics-lab.

By Fred

Sep 9, 2007 4:30 AM | Link to this

Bravo to Robert Marks for courage and guts! Baylor is "Thee Censorship University". All point-of-views must be "Lilley-White Baptist".

Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.

Post a comment



Remember me?

You may use the following formatting:
Bold: **this text will be bolded** = this text will be bolded
Italic: *this text will be italic* = this text will be italic
Link: [text to be linked](http://www.wacotrib.com) = text to be linked



There will be a delay of up to 5 minutes before your comment appears.


*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.

 

Sponsored Links

Waco Tribune-Herald Top Jobs
DRIVER - CDL with end dump exp. OPERATOR/ESCAVATOR with some exp. and s....(more)
LAW ENFORCEMENT DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY POLICE/POLICE CHIEF Tarleton State Un....(more)
POLICE CHIEF-The City of Clifton is accepting applications until 4pm 9/7/....(more)
DELI ASSOCIATE NEEDED. Mon. - Fri. 8AM - 3PM. Food exper. req d. No phone....(more)
RECREATION PT RECREATION WORKER - Part-time (10-20/wk) positions to work w....(more)
LVN needed for vascular testing. Weekdays 8-5, Must have reliable ....(more)
SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR - CLERICAL Hiring full-time Switchboard Operator - C....(more)
ENGRAVER TRAINEE Full time position to train as a laser and rotary knowle....(more)
CLERICAL Production/ Administration Clerk DUTIES: Reconcile production da....(more)
HUNTING GUIDE NEEDED! Must be willing to guide upland bird hunts in sea....(more)
-View All Top Jobs-
-Place an Ad-
Waco Tribune-Herald Top Cars
Ford Crown Victoria LX 2004. 4.6, 8 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, BLUE, P......(more)
Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2005. 4.0, 6 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, WHITE......(more)
Lincoln TOWN CAR EXECUTIVE 2001. 4.6, 8 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, PEW......(more)
Chevrolet Suburban 1500 2005. 5.3, 8 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, WHITE,......(more)
Dodge RAM 1500 2003. 4.7, 8 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, SILVER, CD Play......(more)
Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring 2007. 2.4, 4 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, RE......(more)
Chevrolet Aveo 2006. 1.6, 4 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, Black, Power St......(more)
Ford TAURUS SEL 2006. 3.0, 6 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, MAROON, Power ......(more)
Ford TAURUS SE 2006. 3.0, 6 Cyl., Automatic With Overdrive, Fuel Injected, ......(more)
Chevrolet 1500 SILVERADO 2004. 5.3, 8 Cyl., Automatic, Fuel Injected, GOLD,......(more)
-View All Top Cars-
-Place an Ad-
 

Copyright 2007 Waco Tribune-Herald. All rights reserved. - The Waco Tribune-Herald - Our Partners

By using this service, you accept the terms of our visitor agreement and privacy policy.
Registered site users, you may edit your profile.
Having trouble? Visit our help & FAQ.