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Support Saint Louis University Professor Who Stands for the Integrity of Academic Research!
In an act of protest, Saint Louis University Economics Professor David Rapach has renounced the John Simon Endowed Chair in Economics. In a memo explaining his decision, Dr. Rapach cites the university’s acceptance of a financial donation from St. Louis billionaire Rex Sinquefield, which is “rife with violations of well-established academic norms.” Rapach also cites Sinquefield’s recent involvement in ethical breaches in local government involving a former St. Louis County Executive, who pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.
Sinquefield is well known for funding campaigns to cut taxes and privatize public goods in Missouri. His agenda includes pushing to repeal the progressive income tax system, thwarting efforts to secure fair wages for hard-working Missourians, and investing in legislation that weakens Missouri’s public schools. The violations of academic norms in the donation allow Sinquefield to leverage SLU to promote his private interests and legislative agenda.
"I hope to send the message to students that principles are more important than the money and/or prestige that accompany particular titles. Based on my understanding of SLU's mission, I feel compelled to renounce the Simon Chair to be true to my principles and to protest what is happening at SLU."
Saint Louis University’s decision to hire Rex Sinquefield’s hand-picked ally to direct the new Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research and give Sinquefield final approval over the disbursement of all funds from the $50 million donation fails to protect the independence and integrity of academic research.
It is also reflective of the ultra-wealthy’s strategy to use colleges and universities to build public support for their private legislative agenda-- an agenda that harms working families and public education. I support Professor Rapach’s actions because colleges and universities must serve the common good, not private interests.
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