I just wanted to thank everyone that has helped, asked concerned questions about, or just generally been interested in our fight to help Eric. Our work is not done by any means, but we've got an amazing start. So thank you just for being on this site, thank you for caring about Eric's job, and thank you for taking part in the effort to better the environment of Denison University.
Sincerely,
Dan Sweatt '09
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Testimonials...
Hey All -
For my meeting with Dr. Knobel on Monday I'd really like to give him a taste of the amount of support Eric has received in the department and around campus, so I'm going to try to put most of the responses into a photo album of sorts. If you could return your responses to the Communication department (there's an envelope outside of Sally's office) or in my Slayter box (8054) then that would be FABULOUS. If you need a note card find me or grab one for the department!
On another note, we'd love to have a huge amount of people looking at this blog, leaving testimonials and becoming aware of what's going on around campus. I added it as my "website" on facebook, so if you're on facebook and could do that it would be awesome. Also, if you've had a class with Eric and know a few people from your class who liked him and would be into this but maybe they're not majors you should definitely forward the link to them!
Please be sure to stop by the tables we're going to be hving so that Eric can get a taste of the amount of support he has on campus! I know he'd appreciate it.
Awesome. Thanks!
Sarah
For my meeting with Dr. Knobel on Monday I'd really like to give him a taste of the amount of support Eric has received in the department and around campus, so I'm going to try to put most of the responses into a photo album of sorts. If you could return your responses to the Communication department (there's an envelope outside of Sally's office) or in my Slayter box (8054) then that would be FABULOUS. If you need a note card find me or grab one for the department!
On another note, we'd love to have a huge amount of people looking at this blog, leaving testimonials and becoming aware of what's going on around campus. I added it as my "website" on facebook, so if you're on facebook and could do that it would be awesome. Also, if you've had a class with Eric and know a few people from your class who liked him and would be into this but maybe they're not majors you should definitely forward the link to them!
Please be sure to stop by the tables we're going to be hving so that Eric can get a taste of the amount of support he has on campus! I know he'd appreciate it.
Awesome. Thanks!
Sarah
Support
We have a fantastic number of testimonials from classes and will continue to visit each comm class.
On the books: Sara meets with prez. Monday
Since we've got the testimonials from class, and still want to utilize Sara's table idea, we have another idea. Next week we are going to sit at the round table on the first floor of Higley with pens and post-its to write Eric support notes for his office door. I think he will appreciate extra love from his students.
Can anyone sit at this table?
Thanks,
Madeleine
On the books: Sara meets with prez. Monday
Since we've got the testimonials from class, and still want to utilize Sara's table idea, we have another idea. Next week we are going to sit at the round table on the first floor of Higley with pens and post-its to write Eric support notes for his office door. I think he will appreciate extra love from his students.
Can anyone sit at this table?
Thanks,
Madeleine
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Testimonial Update
Hey guys:
The following is a letter I sent to the communication professors requesting their help in gathering testimonials. The next step is to sign up for a class and explain our motive, goal, and distribute/collect note cards in the first 10 minutes of class. I will attach the schedule of communication classes. If you can represent our group for any number of classes please post which you will be going to. We will leave envelopes with the class name, place and time on the table where the staff mailboxes are in the comm dept. Please pick up your envelope before the class, and then drop off the responses in the envelope in the folder (also on the table). Sorry if this is confusing. Shoot Dan or me any questions you might have!
Thanks,
Madeleine 09
April 1, 2008
Dear Communication Professors,
We are writing to you on behalf of Dr. Eric Saranovitz. Speaking for a group of concerned students, we request your help in taking steps to rectify this unfortunate situation.
To date we have organized a multi faceted response with respect to Eric's appeal. In addition to setting up an initial and several follow up meetings with Dr. Knobel we plan to compile testimonials that express student's feelings toward Eric, and speak to the quality of his pedagogy and significance as a professor in the communication department.
To effectively and efficiently gather these testimonials we would appreciate the opportunity to visit your classes. We would like to take five to ten minutes to explain our goal and motive, and have the students write down personal experiences as we feel they will be beneficial in Eric's appeal process. Participation will be requested on a strictly volunteer basis.
We recognize that we need to be time conscious in this matter and therefore would like this to happen Wednesday the 2nd, Thursday the 3rd, or Friday the 4th. Please let me know if this poses a problem for you or the class. We appreciate your time and value your participation.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Madeleine Katz 09, Dan Sweatt 09, and Concerned Students
The following is a letter I sent to the communication professors requesting their help in gathering testimonials. The next step is to sign up for a class and explain our motive, goal, and distribute/collect note cards in the first 10 minutes of class. I will attach the schedule of communication classes. If you can represent our group for any number of classes please post which you will be going to. We will leave envelopes with the class name, place and time on the table where the staff mailboxes are in the comm dept. Please pick up your envelope before the class, and then drop off the responses in the envelope in the folder (also on the table). Sorry if this is confusing. Shoot Dan or me any questions you might have!
Thanks,
Madeleine 09
April 1, 2008
Dear Communication Professors,
We are writing to you on behalf of Dr. Eric Saranovitz. Speaking for a group of concerned students, we request your help in taking steps to rectify this unfortunate situation.
To date we have organized a multi faceted response with respect to Eric's appeal. In addition to setting up an initial and several follow up meetings with Dr. Knobel we plan to compile testimonials that express student's feelings toward Eric, and speak to the quality of his pedagogy and significance as a professor in the communication department.
To effectively and efficiently gather these testimonials we would appreciate the opportunity to visit your classes. We would like to take five to ten minutes to explain our goal and motive, and have the students write down personal experiences as we feel they will be beneficial in Eric's appeal process. Participation will be requested on a strictly volunteer basis.
We recognize that we need to be time conscious in this matter and therefore would like this to happen Wednesday the 2nd, Thursday the 3rd, or Friday the 4th. Please let me know if this poses a problem for you or the class. We appreciate your time and value your participation.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Madeleine Katz 09, Dan Sweatt 09, and Concerned Students
Shea McMahon- Student Testimonial
I took Eric my first semester of freshman year here at Denison and he taught me what
being a Communication student was about. Coming into my freshman year, I thought that film and cinema was the thing for me.
My realization moment that communication was right for me was when I visited Eric in
office hours to discuss an upcoming final paper. After discussing his research of Israeli television (I believe) I asked him why he chose the topic. "Because I love it. I'm interested in it. Everything about it fascinates me," he replied. "What do you love?"
My response of "basketball" channeled our discussion into ways basketball fit into
different cultures and how the NBA is asserting American culture into new markets of
fans. My final paper, "Global Hoops: The NBA's expansion into Southeast Asian culture" remains my favorite of my college career. I think I even got a B on the paper - but I didn't care because it was something I was passionate about and invested in.
It was all because Eric taught me that I shouldn't study what I don't care about. Or at least not further in depth. I've guided projects in other classes to my life experiences and interests rather than EXACTLY what the professor is looking for.
Eric has passion for his work, research and, as evidenced by the support of so many of us, his students. It would be a shame if future Denison students were denied the
privilege of studying at this great institution under this great man.
Sincerely,
Shea McMahon '09
being a Communication student was about. Coming into my freshman year, I thought that film and cinema was the thing for me.
My realization moment that communication was right for me was when I visited Eric in
office hours to discuss an upcoming final paper. After discussing his research of Israeli television (I believe) I asked him why he chose the topic. "Because I love it. I'm interested in it. Everything about it fascinates me," he replied. "What do you love?"
My response of "basketball" channeled our discussion into ways basketball fit into
different cultures and how the NBA is asserting American culture into new markets of
fans. My final paper, "Global Hoops: The NBA's expansion into Southeast Asian culture" remains my favorite of my college career. I think I even got a B on the paper - but I didn't care because it was something I was passionate about and invested in.
It was all because Eric taught me that I shouldn't study what I don't care about. Or at least not further in depth. I've guided projects in other classes to my life experiences and interests rather than EXACTLY what the professor is looking for.
Eric has passion for his work, research and, as evidenced by the support of so many of us, his students. It would be a shame if future Denison students were denied the
privilege of studying at this great institution under this great man.
Sincerely,
Shea McMahon '09
Monday, March 31, 2008
SAVE Eric
I came to Denison thinking that I would have a different college experience with my professors, and for the most part I have throughout all my classes my freshman year. Then my sophomore year, Eric Saranovitz, in one of my first Communication classes at Denison, gave me the experience that I had been looking for all this time. He has a great aspect of looking at certain things in class that appeals to me, and it makes it easier for me to understand. He is also so passionate about his job, and it would be a great loss here at Denison.
Thanks,
Zach Huttie Class of 2010
Thanks,
Zach Huttie Class of 2010
First "Save Eric" meeting notes!
Hey hey -
I'm thinking I'll be the self-appointed secretary for our little cause, so you might be hearing a little more from me in the future.
Anyway, we had a meeting tonight (March 31) at 7 pm in the Roost to get a sense of what we can do to help save Eric Saranovitz's job at Denison, and I took the minutes (if you will), so I'm going to give you the quick version. If you're interested in seeing the full version of my notes , send me an email (wilson_s1) and I'll get you a copy.
Basically, at the meeting we discussed the reasons that the University has given to Eric and the rest of the department for not renewing his contract - against the expressed wishes of the entire Communication department. One of the main reasons the committee gave for their decision not to renew his contract was his somewhat unorthodox teaching style, and another was the fact that his classes were considered "easy" or "slacker" classes.
Anyone who has taken any sort of class with Eric knows that while he is nice and easygoing, and works with students closely to make sure they understand concepts and perform to their best abilities, he is by no means an "easy" teacher or grader. In fact, when compared with other class GPAs, Saranovitz's average GPA is lower than both the Communication Department average and the schoolwide average.
The other reason given - that his "unorthodox" teaching style makes him a "bad" teacher - is completely contrary to the beliefs that form the basis of a LIBERAL ARTS education. There should be no reason for all teachers to approach the classroom in the same way; in fact, that would make the classroom a pretty boring place. Indoctrinating the students with particular views established in a particular style is NOT conducive to any kind of learning or personal growth.
We've decided to do a few things to help try to convince the administration that Eric is a great teacher and a huge asset to the Communication Department and the University as a community. The suggestion has been made to schedule meetings with Dr. Knobel - the only person able to override the decision of the committee - to talk about the value of Dr. Saranovitz's ideas and methods to the school. If you're interested in attending meeting to express your views please contact Dan or Madeline, or schedule a meeting with Dr. Knobel's secretary on the second floor of Doane.
The other thing that we're going to be doing is filling a portfolio with individual stories students have involving a positive experience with Eric. If you have a story you'd like to share we'd love to have you write it on an index card or two and give it to me (Sarah) in my Slayter Box 8054, or bring it to a table we will be having at Slayter later this week and next week. These stories will be put together in a scrapbook of sorts and be presented to Dr. Knobel and the administration as further proof of Eric's extraordinary capability as a teacher and adviser.
Please let someone affiliated with this blog know if you'd like to help in any way, shape, or form...we'd love to have your support!
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