Author Archives: Fenster

About Fenster

Gainfully employed for thirty years, including as one of those high paid college administrators faculty complain about. Earned Ph.D. late in life and converted to the faculty side. Those damn administrators are ruining everything.

On Porto and the Harvard Decision: Comments on my Last Two Posts, in Eight Parts

Posted on October 2, 2019

Fenster writes: 1. Porto I should add relative to my upcoming trip that I am a big fan of Portuguese and Basque cooking, and that the culinary aspect of the trip holds great appeal.  The Basques in particular have a … Continue reading →

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Justice for John Harvard

Posted on October 1, 2019

Fenster writes: The United States District Court has held in favor of Harvard University in the case dealing with allegations of discrimination against Asian-American students.  The Chronicle story reporting the case is here.  The text of the decision is here.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

My Trip to Porto

Posted on October 1, 2019

Fenster writes: I am about to leave for a trip to Portugal and Northern Spain.  I had been especially looking forward to visiting Porto.  I had heard a lot about the great architecture to be found and must have blithely … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Hidden History of the Puritans

Posted on July 28, 2019

Fenster writes: Rogers Smith, in his paper “Beyond Tocqueville”, argues that America has a hidden history of illiberalism that has been papered over by the generally victorious pro-Enlightenment side. Analysts of American politics since Tocqueville have seen the nation as … Continue reading →

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Right, Left, Center

Posted on July 2, 2019

Fenster writes: The political terms “right”, “left”, and “center” mean different things depending on the context.  In a world where liberal–indeed neoliberal–values dominate these political categories have meant one thing, generally familiar to us.  In what has been termed a … Continue reading →

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What Happens When Women Run Colleges?

Posted on July 1, 2019

Fenster writes: “What happens when women run colleges?”  Could be just a provocative question.  Could be the opening line leading to a challenging set of discussions.  Could be a joke awaiting a punch line. It is in fact the title … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Elsewheres

Posted on June 27, 2019

Fenster writes: As I have mentioned previously I post elsewhere when I feel my mostly political rants, even if they are roughly in line with the reprobate views posted at UR, might overwhelm the inputs at this mostly cultural site.  … Continue reading →

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