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
Monday, March 31, 2008
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!
Editorial- Featured in The Denisonian
Save Dr. Eric Saranovitz
By Dan Sweatt
When I decided to come to a school that provides a Liberal Arts education, my objective was not to be taught routinely by the same type of teacher. My idea of a Liberal Arts education was one that offered many options and many different types of teaching. For those that learn differently than others, having teachers with different styles is a must.
That’s why it boggles my mind that Eric Saranovitz has been treated the way that he has.
Is he unconventional? Sure.
Does his teaching style fail? Far from it.
I’m currently enrolled in my third class at Denison with Professor Saranovitz, which I believe says a lot about the kind of professor he is. My goal here was not to skate by. I enjoy learning and I enjoy being challenged. My classes with Professor Saranovitz have not only been challenging, but some of the most informative I’ve taken at this institution.
And now, a group of people who have never observed Professor Saranovitz teach are saying they know what’s best for my education. Following the 2009-2009 academic year, Professor Saranovitz will not be allowed to return to Denison, despite the support from the Communication department and several Communication majors and minors.
While I’m sure this group has my best interests at heart, they are simply anything but correct.
I have learned from Eric (he prefers Eric) because he is unorthodox. I can’t imagine sitting through classes where every teacher approaches material in the same way. That doesn’t engage me. That doesn’t help me learn. That stifles me as a learner. I take Eric’s classes because I am educated in a different kind of way; a way that is by no means worse than any other style of teaching.
I am aware that Eric is unorganized, as is he. He will be the first to tell you that he’s worked on becoming more organized, and I will be the first to tell you that the man has improved in the past two years greatly. I have taken classes with him in all three of my academic years here, and to not notice the improvement in this area would involve not looking hard enough at the man himself.
Unfortunately, I believe that’s exactly what’s happened here. Nobody on this committee took the time to look at Eric Saranovitz, the professor. They read a select sample of student reviews, they heard a few rumors about a different teaching style, and ran with it. It’s absurd that a professor that is so well liked and so talented is being cast away without the chance to even speak his case in front of the people that decide his fate.
I demand a reexamination of the case of Eric Saranovitz. He is a professor of great intellect, skill, and passion for his work, as evident by his ongoing struggle to keep his job. He also represents the very essence of a Liberal Arts education. He represents options, choices, and freedom to choose who we are educated by. In my eyes, and the eyes of many other students and professors, to let Eric Saranovitz leave this institution would be a slap in the face to the Liberal Arts title, the Communication department, and especially the student body.
I worked my butt off to get here. Let me have the choice who educates me.
By Dan Sweatt
When I decided to come to a school that provides a Liberal Arts education, my objective was not to be taught routinely by the same type of teacher. My idea of a Liberal Arts education was one that offered many options and many different types of teaching. For those that learn differently than others, having teachers with different styles is a must.
That’s why it boggles my mind that Eric Saranovitz has been treated the way that he has.
Is he unconventional? Sure.
Does his teaching style fail? Far from it.
I’m currently enrolled in my third class at Denison with Professor Saranovitz, which I believe says a lot about the kind of professor he is. My goal here was not to skate by. I enjoy learning and I enjoy being challenged. My classes with Professor Saranovitz have not only been challenging, but some of the most informative I’ve taken at this institution.
And now, a group of people who have never observed Professor Saranovitz teach are saying they know what’s best for my education. Following the 2009-2009 academic year, Professor Saranovitz will not be allowed to return to Denison, despite the support from the Communication department and several Communication majors and minors.
While I’m sure this group has my best interests at heart, they are simply anything but correct.
I have learned from Eric (he prefers Eric) because he is unorthodox. I can’t imagine sitting through classes where every teacher approaches material in the same way. That doesn’t engage me. That doesn’t help me learn. That stifles me as a learner. I take Eric’s classes because I am educated in a different kind of way; a way that is by no means worse than any other style of teaching.
I am aware that Eric is unorganized, as is he. He will be the first to tell you that he’s worked on becoming more organized, and I will be the first to tell you that the man has improved in the past two years greatly. I have taken classes with him in all three of my academic years here, and to not notice the improvement in this area would involve not looking hard enough at the man himself.
Unfortunately, I believe that’s exactly what’s happened here. Nobody on this committee took the time to look at Eric Saranovitz, the professor. They read a select sample of student reviews, they heard a few rumors about a different teaching style, and ran with it. It’s absurd that a professor that is so well liked and so talented is being cast away without the chance to even speak his case in front of the people that decide his fate.
I demand a reexamination of the case of Eric Saranovitz. He is a professor of great intellect, skill, and passion for his work, as evident by his ongoing struggle to keep his job. He also represents the very essence of a Liberal Arts education. He represents options, choices, and freedom to choose who we are educated by. In my eyes, and the eyes of many other students and professors, to let Eric Saranovitz leave this institution would be a slap in the face to the Liberal Arts title, the Communication department, and especially the student body.
I worked my butt off to get here. Let me have the choice who educates me.
Letter To Communication Majors and Minors
Dear Comm Majors and Minors,As you may or may not know, Dr. Eric Saranovitz was recently told he would not be allowed to return to Denison following the 2008-2009 academic year by the administration. The reasoning was not clear, and no real justification was provided. The board that made this decision not only were not associated with Dr. Saranovitz, but have never witnessed him in the classroom. This decision was made against the reccomendation of the entire Communication department, who strongly advocated the return of Dr. Saranovitz. This decision impacts the entire department, as the suggestions and wishes from people who know and work with Dr. Saranovitz were completely ignored. A question begs to be asked: what is the future of the department if its tenured and senior professors are completely ignored? What will happen to other qualified junior professors?
Those of you who have had Dr. Saranovitz know that he is not a teacher that fits into any one precise mold. He is, however, dedicated and passionate about what he does. Those who do not respond to his style may choose not to take his classes. But I am sure that several of us, me especially, do learn in Dr. Saranovitz's classes. By proclaiming that teachers must abide to a certain style, the school is tarnishing the good name of a Liberal Arts educations, as the variety that makes it so special is being extinguished. While Dr. Saranovitz may not be traditional, choosing to partake in his educational style is an element that is crucial to a Liberal Arts education.
Madeleine Katz and I have scheduled a time with President Knobel on Tuesday, April 1st at 3 pm to discuss Dr. Saranovitz and his future. If you would like to help in the movement to help Dr. Saranovitz stay at Denison, please respond to me ASAP. We're going to try and meet on Monday to gather our thoughts, either during lunch or dinner time. Please respond and let me know which time works better for you, and I'll email everyone back to coordinate a final time.Please take part in this process. This not only impacts Dr. Saranovitz, who is a great professor, but the Communication department as a whole. Madeleine and I would greatly appreciate your support, as would the rest of the Communication department. Thanks a lot.
-Dan Sweatt '09
Those of you who have had Dr. Saranovitz know that he is not a teacher that fits into any one precise mold. He is, however, dedicated and passionate about what he does. Those who do not respond to his style may choose not to take his classes. But I am sure that several of us, me especially, do learn in Dr. Saranovitz's classes. By proclaiming that teachers must abide to a certain style, the school is tarnishing the good name of a Liberal Arts educations, as the variety that makes it so special is being extinguished. While Dr. Saranovitz may not be traditional, choosing to partake in his educational style is an element that is crucial to a Liberal Arts education.
Madeleine Katz and I have scheduled a time with President Knobel on Tuesday, April 1st at 3 pm to discuss Dr. Saranovitz and his future. If you would like to help in the movement to help Dr. Saranovitz stay at Denison, please respond to me ASAP. We're going to try and meet on Monday to gather our thoughts, either during lunch or dinner time. Please respond and let me know which time works better for you, and I'll email everyone back to coordinate a final time.Please take part in this process. This not only impacts Dr. Saranovitz, who is a great professor, but the Communication department as a whole. Madeleine and I would greatly appreciate your support, as would the rest of the Communication department. Thanks a lot.
-Dan Sweatt '09
Welcome To The Effort To Help Save Eric Saranovitz's Job
Hey everyone,
In case you aren't aware, this site has been started in order to help furthur the process of getting Eric Saranovitz's job with Denison University back. This blog will feature press related to the situation, as well as updates and testimonials from concerned and passionate students.
In case you aren't aware, this site has been started in order to help furthur the process of getting Eric Saranovitz's job with Denison University back. This blog will feature press related to the situation, as well as updates and testimonials from concerned and passionate students.
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