The debate
is over
For better or worse, the Bill Shanahan era at Fort Hays State University is over. On Friday, FHSU President Edward H. Hammond dismissed the assistant professor of communication studies and debate coach for violating the faculty code of ethics.
The decision, while tough, couldn't have gone any other way. Shanahan's antics during the now infamous YouTube video proved incompatible with the first sentence of the Code of Ethics: "Faculty and staff in all their dealings with each other and with students and the public are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner."
Even in the context of an unfocused college debate that featured expletives and disrespectful conduct by many participants, it was impossible to find anything professional about Shanahan pulling his pants down, screaming abusive cuss words at fellow academics in the presence of students or physically shoving away the hand of somebody attempting to calm him down. The debate coach simply lost control.
And then he violated the second sentence of the ethics code: "In situations where possible conflicts of interest or ethical considerations are involved, prompt consultation with supervisory or administrative officers is recommended and expected."
Were it not for the videotape's belated appearance on YouTube, the university would not have known about Shanahan's outburst. There's simply no way to deal with a problem that is unknown.
There are likely a few fellow faculty members, T-ball parents, law enforcement officials and eye doctors who were not surprised by Shanahan's actions. The "mooning" incident certainly was not the first time he had lost his cool in public.
Friday morning, Hammond said: "Professor Shanahan's conduct falls below the standard established to protect our university, its faculty, students and alumni. As a representative of FHSU, he had a duty of care that was seriously breached by his behavior."
We hasten to point out that Shanahan -- even this particular behavior -- is not indicative of a problem with higher education in general, or Fort Hays State University in particular. It is a personal demon Shanahan has to wrestle with.
And it's not as if this outrageous video defines the man.
Shanahan contributed greatly to the marketplace of ideas in the community for the past 10 years. He was spirited, yes. He challenged authority. He did not accept the status quo merely because it existed. He was a fervent believer in the rights, or at least those remaining, of the American people. Dissent was encouraged. He even authored a column for this newspaper along the same provocative vein. He imparted that same inquisitiveness to students and other participants in the debate arena.
But he finally crossed the line.
The last sentence of the ethics code reads: "Faculty and student esprit de corps and morale are best developed by close cooperation and ethical behavior at all times."
Bill Shanahan did not live up to his part of the bargain. The university had no choice but to let him go. Any other precedent set in this scenario would have been disastrous for FHSU.
We believe Shanahan will be able to pick up the pieces and move forward. So will the university.
It is our hope that the now-suspended debate program will resume competition in the not-too-distant future. Many students benefit from the rigor of this particular academic pursuit.
When Fort Hays State University brings back a debate team, we hope it will possess the same challenging spirit it has had for the past 10 years. Just serve it with civility, please.
Editorial by Patrick Lowry