Marquette Withdraws Job Offer To Lesbian Dean Candidate Jodi O'Brien

After offering Seattle University sociology professor Jodi O'Brien a dean position at the school, Marquette University has rescinded the offer -- and some are saying it's because O'Brien is gay.

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nancy Pat Pfeil, a spokeswoman for the Jesuit college, said that the job offer cancellation was due in part to some of O'Brien's published work "relating to Catholic mission and identity."

In a statement from the school, Pfeil said that the college decided O'Brien was not an "acceptable candidate for permanent appointment."

Reached by email by the Sentinel, O'Brien said she was "stunned and disappointed."

Marquette professor Nancy E. Snow claims that O'Brien's appointment may have upset donors and the situation is "all about [O'Brien's] sexual orientation."

Marquette's president, the Rev. Robert A. Wild, told the New York Times that the school changed its mind about O'Brien after university officials read her academic writings, which include a sociological study of vignettes on lesbian sex. "We found some strongly negative statements about marriage and family," Father Wild said.

About 100 students protested the decision yesterday, with some faculty and staff joining them by donning lavender flowers.

Comments

[cieocom]

05:58 PM on 06/15/2010

Below are some titles of books and compilations O'Brien authored or co-authored. Can an educated person say in a university setting that, in all honesty, these titles are without merit?

Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life: Readings?
The Production of Reality: Essays and Readings on Social Interaction?
Social Prisms: Reflections on Everyday Myths and Paradoxes?
Everyday Inequalities?
Encyclopedia of Gender and Society 2 Volume Set-editor, Jodi O'Brien?
Advances in Group Processes?
Exploring the architecture of everyday life?

[cieocom]

05:42 PM on 06/15/2010

This is 2010 and educated people should trust that those they help educate can discern much in the world of "universitas", make up their own minds and allow differing ideas to be considered without censoring the very being of others for having ideas that differ from themselves and for being created in this world much as all of us were created: as pure potentiality. Should slaves have remained slaves to today's world? Should women be chattel, still? Do we fear thought, still? Do we cringe at the idea that our neighbor does not see the world as we do, still? I believe that suppression and censorship is the enemy of the "universitas" that would promote balance and inquiry. What we fear is ourselves, not something or someone "out there".

[nsf312]

09:59 AM on 05/15/2010

I read some of O'Brien's writings. It was complete pervert crackpot scribbling. If a white male wrote this stuff we'd demand he be evaluated as a threat and would be labeled an anti-feminist. Her writings contribute absolutely nothing. She used a high level of vocabulary to try to convey her intelligence on completely idiotic perverted subjects. She embodies what is wrong with the university system.

[Lucy1886]

04:03 PM on 05/11/2010

So will the conservatives who complain that there is no free speech for conservatives on college campuses rally in support of this professor, who clearly was not hired because her research did not fit in with CONSERVATIVE VALUES?

[DrFricke]

11:15 PM on 05/09/2010

It is unfortunate that a job offered was extended - before it was clear that the candidate would be fully supported. But, since I'm assuming the theology department is under this position - and since the catechism of the Vatican is pretty straight forward on this issue - I can see how the upper authorities of the Jesuit order might be uneasy at the theological pressures that might be applied.

I think Marquette ultimately chose correctly - based on their affiliation with the Catholic church. But, shame is upon them for their handling of the process.

[ByersL]

11:10 AM on 05/09/2010

They didn't read her academic writings before they offered her the job? Really?

[MU Grad]

11:46 AM on 05/09/2010

They offered her a job last year and she declined the offer citing personal issues. Marquette University requested her to reconsider her decision and she accepted this time. She was here in Milwaukee on a house search when all these developments occurred. Matter of fact, all her publications, articles and thesis were public even before Marquette had offered her the job first time. Is this a University or a circus?

[JoeLib]

01:07 PM on 05/11/2010

You might complain now, but you tell me of another University where they can get 15 professors to pop out of the same small car! :-)

[MU Grad]

11:05 AM on 05/09/2010

I went to grad school at Marquette and have noticed they have a tendency to act stupidly all the time. Why did the offer Jodi to reconsider their offer if her publications were not in lines with their ideology. I remember University officials harassing a student for over 2 years just because they did a mistake in the admission procedure. This is the extent of lameness these guys can stoop to. What kind of jokers are running this University? And this is not even in lines with other Catholic schools. Last time i remember wasn't Seattle a jESUIT Catholic institution too? Jodi should sue them for spoiling her career and reputation and she will surely be a billionaire!!!

[zero1319]

12:55 AM on 05/09/2010

Today I received my degree in history from Dominican University. It was the completion of work that actually began at Marquette University. While Marquette was, ultimately, not the right place for me, I have wonderful memories of my time there. Hearing about this was disheartening to say the least.

[MU Prof]

06:50 PM on 05/08/2010

MU Faculty member here-- this decision is attributable to the administration all the way and probably our president and does not in any way reflect what the faculty and the search committee want. The faculty are utterly demoralized and outraged. Many of us supported (and continue to support) Jodi O'Brien's candidacy and now find that the campus climate is unsafe for LGBQT faculty, students and staff (counter to our Catholic mission!) as well as anyone who might study issues pertaining to gender and sexuality. It is a sad day.

[Trapster]

01:34 PM on 05/08/2010

Wow, guess they are hoping to be a creep magnet school. All those Americans
'afraid of the gay" please enroll at Marquette.

[nsf312]

10:01 AM on 05/15/2010

Have you read her writings? It reads like Hannibal Lecter pervert writings.

[read 2]

09:03 AM on 05/08/2010

For a somewhat odd view that might be worth looking at:


http://mu-warrior.blogspot.com/

[wendelswerk]

08:04 PM on 05/08/2010

I read it. I also looked at her vitae. the MU Admin. didn't want her because they are solidly uncomfortable with hiring someone with her views on sexuality. Its too bad because MU believes that it somehow is Harvard.

[read 2]

08:10 AM on 05/08/2010

More cutting edge work-----

http://writing.umn.edu/docs/speakerseries_pubs/obrien.pdf

http://books.google.com/books?id=vgnUZLAoLYIC&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&dq=how+big+is+your+god+o'brien&source=bl&ots=wKmzWEMGMM&sig=nokyWt6hfnHGPyezVg_sjWNOK8U&hl=en&ei=pZ_kS5f-I4OB8gad3LWrBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=how%20big%20is%20your%20god%20o'brien&f=false

[Dustin Young]

04:20 AM on 05/08/2010

The small-mindedness of 99% of these comments is truly astounding...

You should take some time to research and think about issues before posting reactionary, emotional comments that have no basis in fact.

Even the moderators can barely contain their burning desire to jump to conclusions...

Three suggestions for people who comment:

1) If you are commenting on employment practices, please get back to us with our comments in 3 years (i.e., after you have received your J.D.)

2) If you are claiming Catholic hypocrisy, please do a little research on MU and the Jesuit commitment to social justice ( and maybe research hypocrisy in general.... bet you're guilty of it! ).

3) Those calling for suspension of Federal Aid, just THINK!

[maxben]

08:26 AM on 05/08/2010

In Canada we have this law that says that a workplace cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation, and no place can discriminate and receive government funds at the same time. I don't understand what is so shocking to you about that but it seems logical to me.

[Dustin Young]

03:17 PM on 05/08/2010

I'm not shocked. You know why? Because we have the same laws here AND they are applicable to private entities!

Obviously you didn't heed my advice before you commented...Go back, do a little research on labor and employment practices that apply to private organizations in the United States, or maybe read Marquette's hiring practices (the university has a number of gay and lesbian faculty members).

Ugh... I don't have time for this...

[Fluent08]

09:04 AM on 05/08/2010

this does not show a commitment to social justice. and what is your point about a JD. do you mean a PhD? do you really think someone completes a JD in 3 years? if so, you've only shown your own lack of knowledge in regards to these matters. finally, if the government can withdraw federal funding to colleges who refuse ROTC, then calling for withdrawal of funds for colleges that discriminate is fair game.

[Dustin Young]

03:02 PM on 05/08/2010

Ok, let me dumb this down for you a little bit:

No, I don't mean PhD.

I mean: don't comment about employment practices unless you have a law degree (which is called a JD and takes 3 years of Law School to obtain), or actual understanding of the rules and regulations that govern hiring in private entities (like corporations or colleges), because the fact is that they are subject to laws that ensure fair hiring and labor practices. I said nothing about the education level of the candidate for the Deanship...

I said this to emphasize that people aren't thinking with any measure of depth about this decision; they are simply reacting.

[CoronaDischarge]

01:15 AM on 05/08/2010

Unbelievable. Here's the link to her page in her current position:
http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/women/default.aspx?id=2708

I might be a slow reader, but it didn't take me as long to intuit how she charges her batteries, as it would take me to type up an offer letter. You'd think they might have looked a little more closely before pulling a Never Mind.

[LastAngryWoman]

11:52 AM on 05/08/2010

Is this sort of a variation of the Peter Principle?
Political and (hand in hand) economic interests of the University (ubiquitous university) trump substantive educational and leadership qualities required for a particular position.
They may be persuaded to pick the one reflecting their interests; they don't pick the cream of the crop.
Repeat. Over and over with staff.
Eventually wouldn't you end up with a pretty mediocre place of learning?

[dpavsek]

12:52 AM on 05/08/2010

HELLO!!!!!!! "the school changed its mind about O'Brien after university officials read her academic writings, which include a sociological study of vignettes on lesbian sex.

Did it ever occur to these academic morons that they should have read her work before making an offer. She should sue and sue big. Once again a university that has to be "catholic" shows that it cannot be a community of openness and learning and diversity if it wants to keep its position in the RCChurch.