Slammin’ Sammy quoted in D Post story on blogging and academic freedom
The Denver Post has an interesting feature on academic freedom and blogging in today’s Denver & the West section. The genesis for the story was DeVry University’s recent firing of a Westminster, CO instructor for making perceived negative comments about the school in her blog. The reporter interviewed me for the story, and also quotes my good friend (and fellow LJer) lynn_s_clark.
DeVry, a for-profit outfit, obviously represents a different situation than you’ll find at traditional schools on the issue of academic freedom, but the reporter does address the broader issue a bit. Let me know what you think.


Why would a story about blogs quote Sammy Sosa? No, wait, wait, wait: it’s obviously a reference to pioneering blogger Sam Snead.
Why would a story about blogs quote Sammy Sosa? No, wait, wait, wait: it’s obviously a reference to pioneering blogger Sam Snead.
Don’t make Slammin’ Sammy come over there.
Watch it, pjv!
He’ll either be carrying a baseball bat or a golf club …. or both!
Watch it, pjv!
He’ll either be carrying a baseball bat or a golf club …. or both!
It’s an issue I’ve been trying to come to terms with. As a high school teacher, how much detail should I go into when blogging about something that happened during my day, even something innocent involving a student? Should I use my blog as an outlet to bitch about school management? Would anyone at, or even associated with the school even know if I did?
It’s an issue I’ve been trying to come to terms with. As a high school teacher, how much detail should I go into when blogging about something that happened during my day, even something innocent involving a student? Should I use my blog as an outlet to bitch about school management? Would anyone at, or even associated with the school even know if I did?
Well, they’d never find you unless somebody saw something they didn’t like and was in a position to do some detective work. If you never named a school or a person, you’d probably be safe. But if they started looking, you’re probably the only person out there with this particular trajectory:
* St Mary’s High School, Gateshead – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1987 – 1990)
* St. Francis Xavier’s College – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1991 – 1992)
* University of Newcastle – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1993 – 1998)
* University of Queensland – St Lucia – Brisbane, Qld, Australia (2003 – 2005)
So you’re not totally anonymous, especially if Heath is your real name. But this is an issue that could hot up with very little warning, isn’t it?
Well, they’d never find you unless somebody saw something they didn’t like and was in a position to do some detective work. If you never named a school or a person, you’d probably be safe. But if they started looking, you’re probably the only person out there with this particular trajectory:
* St Mary’s High School, Gateshead – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1987 – 1990)
* St. Francis Xavier’s College – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1991 – 1992)
* University of Newcastle – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1993 – 1998)
* University of Queensland – St Lucia – Brisbane, Qld, Australia (2003 – 2005)
So you’re not totally anonymous, especially if Heath is your real name. But this is an issue that could hot up with very little warning, isn’t it?
Well, they’d never find you unless somebody saw something they didn’t like and was in a position to do some detective work. If you never named a school or a person, you’d probably be safe. But if they started looking, you’re probably the only person out there with this particular trajectory:
* St Mary’s High School, Gateshead – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1987 – 1990)
* St. Francis Xavier’s College – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1991 – 1992)
* University of Newcastle – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (1993 – 1998)
* University of Queensland – St Lucia – Brisbane, Qld, Australia (2003 – 2005)
So you’re not totally anonymous, especially if Heath is your real name. But this is an issue that could hot up with very little warning, isn’t it?