Re: [tips] listserv policy

[Linda M. Woolf, Ph.D.]

Title: tag

Dear Colleagues, In my opinion, the person in question has a long-standing history of sexist, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, and other offensive posts to this list.  This individual has escalated recently to sending semi-pornographic cartoons, flaming, and increasing levels of offensive behavior.  Most lists have basic guidelines* that not only protect the exchange of information on a list but protect the hosting institution from legal action (e.g., anti-trust, libel, sexual harassment suits, etc.). Unfortunately, one person's actions may not only alter the tenor of a listserv but also, as this is a professional listserv, can create functionally a hostile work environment depriving others of the fair use of the list. Being retained on a listserv in relation to listserv and university policy is not a freedom of speech issue as lists are privately owned and operated.  Just like a restaurant, if someone comes in without shoes or shirt, they can be denied service.  I'm sure Frostburg has listserv guidelines or at least university policies against racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and other forms bias and discrimination. The university is indeed opening itself up to legal problems based on the actions of the individual in question on this list.  Most likely, TIPS could be shut down if individuals formally complained to Frostburg's Civil Rights Compliance/Diversity Office and Bill did not take action.  Universities really do not like bad press when it comes to inexcusable patterns of prejudice and discrimination. Indeed, Frostburg's policy statements include the following: "Therefore, the University community takes the unequivocal position that racist practices, or any action, or institutional structure or process, that has for its purpose the subordination of a person or a group based on race, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation, will not be tolerated." And: By law, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: 3) Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment or educational environment. If Frostburg hosts the listserv as part of its educational mission, then the list falls under this policy. For example, the post of 10/11/09 entitled, "Concept map: dick flick" could easily fit within the definition of sexual harassment and indeed, I perceived it as such.  Is this the kind of material with which Frostburg and the Psychology Department at Frostburg wants to be associated? And this, of course, is but one example. Although, learning theories might suggest that extinction would work, history has also demonstrated that passive bystanders only serve to fuel abuse, hate, and other negative behaviors. Impunity provides a warm refuge and results in an escalation of negative behaviors as these are often very self-rewarding. I recognize that this thread will most likely be quite pleasing to the person in question but I hope that Bill (thank you for all of your hard work) will finally take action on a complaint that has been reiterated over the years with no avail. Best, Linda *Scott provide a list; another can be found at http://www.webster.edu/peacepsychology/listguidelines.html (these are fairly standard legal guidelines). Lilienfeld, Scott O wrote: Hi  All – For many years, I’ve been a loyal member of another intellectually stimulating and vibrant listserv (Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology, or SSCP) that was for several years experiencing somewhat similar problems – in our case, one or two members who kept posting e-mails that were very personally offensive and insulting (calling other members names, directly impugning their intelligence, making some factual assertions about other members that were potentially slanderous).         In response to these developments, which led a number of good people to drop off of the listserv, the listerv ultimately adopted a policy by a vote of the membership.  I have to confess that I was initially opposed to the policy and did not support it even as president of the organization, but I eventually become persuaded that it was necessary given that one member’s behavior was so disruptive that it virtually held the listserv hostage at times.   Moreover, as the policy notes, reasonable people can and will disagree about the boundaries of civility, but this person’s verbal behavior was so far outside of these boundaries that it was not longer a matter of debate.           You can find a PDF version of this policy at the very bottom of this link (I don’t want to send the PDF attachment to the listserv given that it may clog up people’s inboxes):   http://sites.google.com/site/sscpwebsite/listserv        Numbers 17 and 18 in particular explain how SSCP has handled this issue (only one member has thus far been expelled as a result of this policy, which has been in effect for a couple of years; he has expressed a desire to appeal but to my knowledge has thus far not done so).   I should note that this policy has not impeded free and open discussion and debate on the listserv at all.   There’s still plenty of strong and vigorous disagreement (and at times it still becomes heated), but it is by and large respectful.         In any case, I’m sending this link along in the event that a similar (although of course somewhat adapted) policy might prove helpful in this case.  ….Scott     Scott O. Lilienfeld, Ph.D. Professor Editor, Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice Department of Psychology, Room 473 Psychology and Interdisciplinary Sciences (PAIS) Emory University 36 Eagle Row Atlanta, Georgia 30322 slil...@emory.edu (404) 727-1125   Psychology Today Blog: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-skeptical-psychologist   50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-140513111X.html   Scientific American Mind: Facts and Fictions in Mental Health Column: http://www.scientificamerican.com/sciammind/   The Master in the Art of Living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his intellectual passions.  He hardly knows which is which.  He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing.  To him – he is always doing both.   - Zen Buddhist text   (slightly modified)         From: Steven Specht [mailto:sspe...@utica.edu] Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 10:11 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] response to Ed Callen   VERY nicely stated Beth. Thank you! And yes, Bill is owed a great debt of gratitude from all of us and I, too, feel so badly for him to have to deal with such unprofessional and childish nonsense. I support him and the other professionals on this list fully (I think I have been on for about 15 years). Hopeful that someone will "get a life"; amazed that some pathology results in being so oblivious; supportive of Bill. Cheers, -Steven On Oct 21, 2009, at 10:03 AM, Beth Benoit wrote: Ed et al., (I refuse to post this in response to M.S.'s original subject heading, so I've changed the subject.) I agree with everything you've said.  I begged for eliminating M.S. last January - and before then as well.  Since January's debacle, I have refused to respond to any of his bizarre, often childish, sometimes hurtful posts.  No one on TIPS backed me up at that time, but I suspect that many just don't know how to address his posts.   Michael's recent threat to bring a lawsuit against Frostburg U. (which, of course, is the source of TIPS) when Bill posted that he was dealing with the latest M.S. infringement was almost the last straw for me, as it must have been for Bill.  I suspect that Bill's hands are tied without legal counsel.  Who needs it???  I don't doubt that Bill feels he doesn't need the grief. I feel for our Bill.  Bill posted that he was dealing with the "chick" name calling, and that is apparently what brought on the lawsuit threat.  I despair.  I suspect Bill does too.  We all owe Bill such a debt of gratitude for all he has done for almost two decades to keep this heretofore wonderful list going.  Thanks, Michael, for ruining it.  Bill must be so glad he's near retirement and can wash his hands of this list. I, too, am so ready to leave TIPS, after over SIXTEEN years.  Michael Sylvester has ruined it by posting idiotic, insulting, threatening, silly, childish posts which, sadly, sometimes take over TIPS because of wasted time responding to his nutty posts.  Anyone who challenges him is insulted. Nancy Melucci's suggestion (to just ignore Michael's posts) has fallen mostly on deaf ears, as have earlier suggestions with the same theme. I'm prepared for M.S.'s acidic responses to this post.  I can't begin to imagine what his motivation is to continue his clownishness.  I'm just glad I'm not in Bill's shoes.  I would have been heartbroken to have worked so hard to get a listserve of enthusiastic psychology instructors' ideas and ultimately been inundated with M.S.'s bizarre posts that challenge, and ruin, the spirit of TIPS. Please, Michael, say that you were just kidding, and are ready to enter TIPS posts in an academic, scholarly manner.  We await your sincere response. Beth Benoit Granite State College Plymouth State University New Hampshire --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu) ======================================================== Steven M. Specht, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Chair, Department of Psychology Utica College Utica, NY 13502 (315) 792-3171 "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Martin Luther King Jr. This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments). --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu) -- Linda M. Woolf, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology and International Human Rights Webster University 470 East Lockwood St. Louis, MO  63119 Hulsizer, M. R., & Woolf, L. M. (2008). Teaching statistics: Innovations and best practices. Malden, MA: Blackwell. Book Web site at: http://www.teachstats.org Past-President & Internet Editor: Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, & Violence (Div. 48, APA) Vice-President Elect for Diversity and International Issues: Society for the Teaching of Psychology (Div. 2, APA) Program Committee: National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology (NITOP) Board Member: Institute for the Study of Genocide Woolf Web page:  http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/   Email: wool...@webster.edu "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's (and woman's) best friend. . . . Inside a dog, it's too dark to read."                   -             Groucho Marx --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)