[Reading-hall-of-fame] actions at IRA

[Shirley Brice Heath]

Thank you, Jim, for this sad information.  It may be that only by 
attending the meetings will we be able to learn what is happening. 
This is incomprehensible to all of us who are seeing those near 
retirement urged to retire early, but to be dismissed seems 
unimaginable, given his years of service.  This is not a time when we 
need more evidence to make all of us more and more cynical about 
professional organizations and academic life.



At 05:14 AM 2/10/2009, jim hoffman wrote:
>I write to you as colleagues and friends of IRA. I write in a state 
>of sadness, anger and confusion. It has been reported to me, through 
>several "unofficial" sources that Alan Farstrup has been fired as 
>Executive Director of IRA. I have no details and attempts to get 
>confirmation of this action have been met with silence. I cannot 
>think of anyone who has given more to IRA than Alan and the thought 
>of his dismissal in anticipation of his retirement is 
>incomprehensible. . . . wrong, unfair, and on and on.  I cannot 
>imagine the range of emotions Alan and his family are going through 
>right now.  I am hoping that we, as members of the Hall of Fame, can 
>start an open conversation about what is going on and the ways in 
>which we can support Alan and IRA through difficult times. We are 
>headed into a conference in just two weeks, with members of the 
>organization not informed of this action. My inclination, honestly, 
>is to protest this action by not attending the conference -- but I'm 
>not sure what such an action taken by me or by  many would 
>accomplish.  Can anyone shed light on the events that have unfolded 
>and continue to unfold? What can we do individually or collectively 
>to address the situation?
>
>jim
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Shirley Brice Heath
Professor at Large
Watson Institute for International Studies
111 Thayer Street, P. O. Box 1970
Providence, Rhode Island 02912

phone:  617 642-0061
http://www.shirleybriceheath.net