If the grant supported rainbow identification, unicorn breeding and gender confused studies it would be acceptable.
Via Watchdog
Charles Koch and his brother, David, are the oft vilified billionaire industrialists who own Wichita, Kansas-based Koch Industries Inc. Their libertarian economic views and support for conservative political groups have earned the Koch brothers a negative reputation among the political left.
Critics of the charitable donation allege Koch’s grant agreement undermines academic integrity. But the FSU administration disagrees.
“Donors are comprised of individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations with a wide range of political, religious, business and personal views and values,” said Dennis Schnittker, director of University News and Digital Communications, in an email. “We do not have a political litmus test for our donors.”
In 2013, FSU received nearly $70 million in charitable gifts and commitments from 26,000 donors. The Koch pledge was accepted in 2009, and consists of a $1.5 million grant payable over six-years. As of April 30, the university has received $1 million.
The funding supports two-programs in FSU’s Department of Economics, the Study of Political Economy and Free Enterprise and Excellence in Education. Both programs are a part of the Markets and Institutions Initiative — one of five initiatives that include Urban Economics and Public and Labor Economics.
The grant also provides additional salary support for faculty approved and hired by FSU. That does not mean the Koch Foundation will choose faculty members, said Schnittker.
“The Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation — as well as any other donor — does not play a role in hiring faculty,” he said.
Keith Leslie, an applied economics graduate student, told Watchdog.org not all his professors align themselves with “the Koch ideology.” Leslie earned an undergraduate degree in economics from FSU and said the funding has, in his opinion, introduced academic diversity.
“It’s opened up more academic opportunities,” Leslie said. “It’s not like there’s an army of libertarian professors taking over. It’s just offering more academic options for students.”