Professor explains resignation over Rice selection

Professor Steve Almond's favorite class to teach was his creative writing workshop on humor.

But there wasn't anything humorous about his letter of resignation in The Boston Globe last week - a resignation he says came straight out of the University's decision to invite Condoleezza Rice to speak at commencement.

"In the grand scheme of American sacrifices, this does not strike me as a monumental action," said Almond about his resignation. "It basically came down to whether or not I can live with myself receiving a paycheck from a University that would set [Secretary Rice] up as a moral exemplar and bestow on her an honorary degree. And the answer is no."

The former adjunct English professor, who has published multiple works of fiction, spent five years teaching several different creative writing courses. His decision has brought equal numbers of positive and negative responses from fellow faculty and other observers, he said.

In recent weeks, many faculty members have spoken out in support of and opposing Rice's selection. Some faculty members are planning a silent protest at the commencement ceremony by standing during the awarding of Rice's honorary degree.

"Every time an individual citizen has gotten up and said something, it makes the news, because it is the beginning of a meaningful dissent in this country," said Almond. "My interest is exactly as I expressed it in that editorial, [students and faculty] have a first amendment right to express their dissatisfaction."

Though his editorial submission in The Globe ("Condoleezza Rice at Boston College? I Quit"; May 12, 2006) focused on Rice as what he called a "liar," Almond also pointed to the BC administration's treatment of sexual orientation as a prior problem he had had with the University. He was also upset that the Bush administration had been given what he termed "a free ride to run rough-shod over this country."

"They've been allowed to make those decisions, because the good and decent people of this country have not spoken up, they've remained silent," he said. "I'm sorry it has to be in this way, but maybe an event like this will wake some folks up. It's [student's] future more than it is mine."

When picking a future commencement speaker, Almond said he hoped BC would consider somebody who does not politicize the event, as he feel Rice does, and can act as a role model - author Kurt Vonnegut or an artist were two suggestions he gave.

Almond also stressed how tough a decision it was for him to leave BC.

"I am heartbroken not to be able to teach students at Boston College. What I loved about my students is they would come into class honestly hoping to discover the truth about themselves and their world, and I'm very sorry I won't be able to do that anymore," he said.

Though Almond said he does not want to take away from the ceremony, he said he hopes to at least pass on his last lesson to BC students.

"What I want students to have is a critical faculty to investigate the truths. That's the highest mission BC can try to inspire to."