Spring Break
Professor retires, cites administration, lack of intellectual diversity
Liz Wrobel
Issue date: 9/16/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 3 next >
09/16/05 - Every so often, a professor captures the minds and hearts of many students. Regardless of the topic and the students' interests, the professor has the ability to appeal to every distinct personality.
An individual who wholly fits this description is Marc Genest, who at the dismay of many of his students, left the University of Rhode Island in August.
Genest retired from the university after 14 years and now teaches at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
Genest said he left URI because of a lack of financing and resources.
"The University lacked the money and resources needed to conduct research for my specialty in terrorism," Genest said. "Frankly, the salary structure at URI is not very competitive. It will continue to lose faculty because the pay structure is very inadequate."
Genest said he went through various negotiations, but the administration was either unwilling or unable to compete financially with the War College.
At the War College, Genest will be able to conduct more research in his specialty, and use his knowledge of international politics and terrorism to help the military.
"At the War College I'm serving my country directly in times of war, and that's gratifying," Genest said.
Genest also pointed out that he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the URI administration, saying its priorities were not in order.
"The administration doesn't realize that the faculty is the heart and soul of the university and that should be the priority; increasing numbers and quality," Genest said. "Students come for the faculty; not the facility. The better the faculty, the more important it is for students to come."
Genest described the Ryan Center as a waste of money, and said that, "A university is an intellectual institution, not a training ground for athletes; what's more important to the educational mission, additional faculty or a football stadium?"
Genest also talked about how the university promotes multiculturalism.
An individual who wholly fits this description is Marc Genest, who at the dismay of many of his students, left the University of Rhode Island in August.
Genest retired from the university after 14 years and now teaches at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
Genest said he left URI because of a lack of financing and resources.
"The University lacked the money and resources needed to conduct research for my specialty in terrorism," Genest said. "Frankly, the salary structure at URI is not very competitive. It will continue to lose faculty because the pay structure is very inadequate."
Genest said he went through various negotiations, but the administration was either unwilling or unable to compete financially with the War College.
At the War College, Genest will be able to conduct more research in his specialty, and use his knowledge of international politics and terrorism to help the military.
"At the War College I'm serving my country directly in times of war, and that's gratifying," Genest said.
Genest also pointed out that he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the URI administration, saying its priorities were not in order.
"The administration doesn't realize that the faculty is the heart and soul of the university and that should be the priority; increasing numbers and quality," Genest said. "Students come for the faculty; not the facility. The better the faculty, the more important it is for students to come."
Genest described the Ryan Center as a waste of money, and said that, "A university is an intellectual institution, not a training ground for athletes; what's more important to the educational mission, additional faculty or a football stadium?"
Genest also talked about how the university promotes multiculturalism.
