This week started out with observations made about Julian Aguon’s very powerful and inspiring presentation at last week’s Public Forum on Political Decolonization. But other comments were also made about a letter to the editor that was published by a local paper. The letter was written by a university professor whose sole focus was on a quote that was used by Mr. Aguon in his presentation. I have never really paid attention to the articles or comments published by this man, because I was never impressed with his writing or whatever he had to say. But recently, he just proved how wasteful he is in terms of trying to discuss anything that’s remotely intellectual.
Over the last few days, this professor decided to defend himself and his OpEd. The more he commented, the more I realized that his replies were very immature and bore no academic or intellectually substantive value. Every time someone challenged him to enter into discourse on the topic, he chimed back with a mocking comment or something that seemed to be a drunken comment. As if that wasn’t childish enough, he later sent messages to a few of my friends, attempting to explain himself or to seek some sort of pity from them after he had already insulted them.
Other than his very irresponsibly misleading comments about the presentation, the other thing that disturbs me about this man is the fact that he gets paid quite a hefty salary to teach at the University of Guam. Quite frankly, this is evidence of tax dollars going to waste if he’s going to behave this way.
His annual salary gives the false impression that he costs us so much money to supposedly provide the best information and factual guidance for his use in educating our children and our future leaders of this island. But the quality of his comments and his feedback on these very serious issues speaks to the quality of what he might be teaching in the classroom.
If I knew anyone who was contemplating on taking his class, I’d tell her that she’s being cheated out of her money! I mean, after being taught by truly distinguished professors and surrounding myself with very bright people during my college experience, I’d like to think that I have a good idea of how truly great professors ought to conduct themselves.
I’m not sure what the policies of the university are, but if this man claims to be their representative, I would expect a lot more class, professionalism, decorum, or natural maturity from him.
Too bad we’re paying so much for so little in return.
