Indoctrinate U

Last updated
Indoctrinate U
Indoctrinate U poster new.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by Evan Coyne Maloney
Written byEvan Coyne Maloney
Produced byBlaine Greenberg
Stuart Browning
Thor Halvorssen
Narrated byEvan Coyne Maloney
CinematographyOleg Atbashian
Edited byBlaine Greenberg
Music byChandler Tuttle
Blaine Greenberg
Production
companies
On the Fence Films
The Moving Picture Institute
Release dates
  • March 23, 2007 (2007-03-23)(Tribeca Film Center, New York, NY)
Running time
120 min
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Indoctrinate U is a 2007 American feature-length documentary film written by, directed by and starring Evan Coyne Maloney, that examines controversial topics like equality and fairness, diversity, ideological conformism and political correctness in American institutions of higher education.

Contents

Film content

Maloney argues that while students involved with the "campus free speech movement" of the 1960s nobly and successfully defended the rights of students to think and express and freely share ideas, their message subsequently devolved into one that allows only their viewpoints to be heard.

The film portrays incidents where minority critics of controversial policies such as affirmative action, like political activist and former University of California Regent Ward Connerly, are shouted off stage or otherwise have their views marginalized, seemingly without real consideration – often simply by likening them to Nazis or Klansmen to delegitimize them entirely; or how students at Cal State San Bernardino and at other schools across the nation trying to illustrate the inherent racism of affirmative action by holding "affirmative action bake sales" are ironically[ citation needed ] reprimanded for expressing "hate speech".

Clips of anti-military protests at UC Santa Cruz and San Francisco State University at one point show how protestors demanded that recruiters from the Army Corps of Engineers leave the school's career fair, with such fervor that it led the cancellation of the entire event. Also shown is the treatment of conservative students at the University of Tennessee and Cal Poly.

Also included are the racial and ethnic politics at the University of Michigan and Yale, teaching at Duke and Columbia; interviews with David French and Greg Lukianoff, (then respectively president and director of legal and public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), Glenn Reynolds, Daniel Pipes, Carol Miller Swain, and others.

Production

Filming

Maloney spent two and a half years making the documentary by conducting interviews on various college campuses and with various thinkers. The film was preceded by two shorter versions, Brainwashing 101 and Brainwashing 201: The Second Semester. The two shorts led the 2004 American Film Renaissance festival to select Indoctrinate U as its "most anticipated documentary."

Indoctrinate U was produced by On the Fence Films with the support of the Moving Picture Institute, and Stuart Browning, Blaine Greenberg, and Thor Halvorssen. The film's executive producers are Stuart Browning and Blaine Greenberg. Its associate producer is Frayda Levy. It was edited by Chandler Tuttle.

In March 2007, Maloney appeared on Hannity's America to discuss the film. On April 19 of the same year, he appeared on C-SPAN's Washington Journal where they showed clips from the film and took calls.

Lawsuit and website closure

On November 13, 2007, the official website was taken down and replaced with a notice that read: "Due to threatened legal action from a major taxpayer-funded university, we've temporarily taken down the Indoctrinate U homepage while we assess our options." The website was back up by December 4. [1] Maloney explained in a statement that Indiana University claimed there was a similarity between the university's logo and that of the film's. The Indoctrinate U logo was changed and the website resumed operation. [2] [3] In a note to the Wall Street Journal, Maloney emphasized his ready compliance with IU's demands, saying that while he was confident that the film's logo was not an infringement of IU's rights to their own logo, as the differences of the two are "readily apparent", as well as the fact that "there is also no likelihood of consumer confusion because our product is a film whereas theirs is four years in Bloomington." It was decided that it was simpler to comply with the demands than to fight them, particularly because the logo had little bearing on the film itself. Maloney says that he became more confused when, after the dispute was settled, Indiana University (which doesn't appear in the film) demanded a sum of money from the production company - which Maloney and others viewed as an attempt to bankrupt the company and silence him. [4]

Reviews

A review in The Weekly Standard said, "The documentary combines relatively shocking footage (one professor excitedly tells the camera "whiteness is a form of racial oppression . . . treason to whiteness is loyalty to humanity") with snappy editing to create a documentary that bounces quickly from subject to subject." [5]

Examples of "intellectual thuggery" in the film are nothing more than "the tip of a disgusting iceberg", laments Walter E. Williams, noting that "Several university officials refused to be interviewed for the documentary. They wanted to keep their campus policies under wraps, not only from reporters but parents as well." [6] [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University Bloomington</span> Public research university in the Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.

Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university in Bloomington, Indiana. It is the flagship campus of Indiana University and its largest campus with over 40,000 students. Established as the state's seminary in 1820, the name was changed to "Indiana College" in 1829 and to "Indiana University" in 1838.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne</span> Defunct university in Fort Wayne, Indiana, US

Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) was a public university in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Founded in 1964, IPFW was a cooperatively-managed regional campus of two state university systems: Indiana University and Purdue University. IPFW hit its highest enrollment in 2014, with 13,459 undergraduate and postgraduate students in nine colleges and schools, including a branch of the Indiana University School of Medicine. During its last academic year (2017–2018), IPFW had a total enrollment of 10,414 students. IPFW offered more than 200 graduate and undergraduate degree programs through IU or Purdue universities. The university's 14 men's and women's athletic teams competed in Division I of the NCAA Summit League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis</span> Public university in Indianapolis, Indiana, US

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, commonly referred to as IUPUI, is a public research university in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is a collaboration between Indiana University and Purdue University that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees from both universities. Administered primarily through Indiana University as a core campus and secondarily through Purdue University as a regional campus, it is Indiana's primary urban research and academic health sciences institution. IUPUI is located in downtown Indianapolis along the White River and Fall Creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelley School of Business</span> Business school of Indiana University

The Kelley School of Business (KSB) is an undergraduate and graduate business school at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. As of 2022, approximately 13,538 full-time undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled on its Bloomington campus, as well as 1,596 students at the Indianapolis campus. In addition, more than 800 students study for graduate degrees through the school's online MBA and MS programs through "Kelley Direct". It is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University School of Medicine</span> Medical school of Indiana University

The Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) is a major, multi-campus medical school located throughout the U.S. state of Indiana and is the graduate medical school of Indiana University. There are nine campuses throughout the state; the principal research, educational, and medical center is located on the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus in Indianapolis. With 1,452 MD students, 203 PhD students, and 1,356 residents and fellows in the 2022–23 academic year, IUSM is the largest medical school in the United States. The school offers many joint degree programs including an MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program. It has partnerships with Purdue University's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, other Indiana University system schools, and various in-state external institutions. It is the medical school with the largest number of graduates licensed in the United States per a 2018 Federation of State Medical Boards survey with 11,828 licensed physicians.

<i>The Michigan Review</i>

The Michigan Review is a news publication in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Review, published biweekly, is funded primarily by grants from the conservative/libertarian Collegiate Network, donations, and by advertising revenue.

Herman B Wells, a native of Boone County, Indiana, was the eleventh president of Indiana University Bloomington and its first university chancellor. He was pivotal in the transformation of Indiana University from a small, locally oriented college into a world-class institution of higher learning through expanded enrollment, recruitment of new faculty, construction of new buildings, new program offerings, and campus beautification projects. He remained steadfast in his support of IU's faculty and students, especially in the areas of academic freedom and civil rights. Wells began his career in banking, but served the university in a variety of faculty and administrative capacities during his seventy-year career at IU Bloomington: instructor and assistant professor, department of economics (1930–35; dean and professor of administration, school of business administration ; acting president ; president ; university chancellor ; interim president ; and chairman of the board of the Indiana University Foundation, as well as other leadership roles at the IU Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Coyne Maloney</span> American filmmaker

Evan Coyne Maloney, is an inactive American documentary filmmaker, the editor of the now defunct website Brain Terminal and a video blogger. A New York Sun profile in 2005 said that Maloney "may very well be America's most promising conservative documentary filmmaker." He has been described as the conservative answer to Michael Moore. Since 2013, Maloney has not been active in politics or filmmaking and his whereabouts and activities are unknown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University East</span> Public university in Richmond, Indiana, U.S.

Indiana University East is a public university in Richmond, Indiana, a regional campus of Indiana University that serves the eastern Indiana and western Ohio area. Established in 1971 by the Indiana University Board of Trustees, IU East enrolls over 4,000 students on its five-building, 174-acre campus and in online classes. IU East has 60 academic degree programs, offering bachelor's and master's degree programs and certificates in areas of Business and Economics, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Science & Mathematics, Informatics, General Studies, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Social Work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University South Bend</span> Public university in South Bend, Indiana, U.S.

Indiana University South Bend is a public university in South Bend, Indiana. It is the third largest and northernmost campus of Indiana University.

Indiana University Southeast is a public university in New Albany, Indiana. It is a regional campus of Indiana University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myles Brand</span> American academic administrator

Myles Neal Brand (May 17, 1942 – September 16, 2009) was a philosopher and university administrator who served as the 14th president of the University of Oregon, the 16th president of Indiana University, and the fourth president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purdue University system</span> Public university system in Indiana

The Purdue University system is a public university system in the U.S. state of Indiana. A land-grant university with nearly 75,000 students across five institutions comprising six physical campuses, a statewide technology program, extension centers in each of Indiana's 92 counties, and continuing education programs. Additionally, there are another ~44,000 students enrolled in an online university. Each university in the system maintains its own faculty and admissions policies which are overseen by the Purdue University Board of Trustees. Purdue's main campus in West Lafayette is the best-known, noted for its highly regarded programs in engineering and adjacent subjects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vera Bradley</span> American luggage and handbag design company

Vera Bradley Sales, LLC is an American luggage and handbag design company, founded by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller in 1982. As of 2019, its home office is in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The company was named after Baekgaard's mother. Its original luxury cotton bag product lines have expanded to include fashion and home accessories, office supplies, and patterned gifts. Many items have distinctive florals, paisleys, or geometric prints with complementary linings, as well as elongated diamond quilting. The patterns were originally inspired by French Provençal country fabrics and have limited seasonal releases each year. In September 2022, the company named Jacqueline Ardrey as their new CEO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Lukianoff</span> American free speech advocate

Gregory Christopher Lukianoff is an American lawyer, journalist, author and activist who serves as the president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). He previously served as FIRE's first director of legal and public advocacy until he was appointed president in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons</span> Athletic team of Purdue University Fort Wayne

The Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, formerly known as the IPFW Mastodons and Fort Wayne Mastodons, are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). The school's athletic program includes 16 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Mastodon named Don, and the school colors are black and gold. The university participates in the NCAA's Division I as members of the Horizon League in all varsity sports except for men's volleyball, which competes in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Purdue Fort Wayne offers 8 varsity sports for men and 8 for women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University</span> Public university system in Indiana

Indiana University (IU) is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University Fort Wayne</span> American university

Indiana University Fort Wayne (IUFW) is a public university in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is a regional campus of Indiana University founded on July 1, 2018, when its predecessor university, Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne, split into two separate institutions: IU Fort Wayne and Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). IUFW is administered through Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.

Chandler Tuttle is an American writer and director who currently serves as creative director of the Oslo Freedom Forum. He lives in New York City.

Affirmative action refers to activities or policies that seek to help groups that are often affected by discrimination obtain equal access to opportunities, particularly in areas such as employment and education. In the United States, in the early 2000s, the use of race, gender, and other factors in college and university admissions decisions came under attack.

References

  1. Taranto, James (December 6, 2007). "Best of the Web Today". OpinionJournal.com. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
  2. Maloney, Evan Coyne (December 6, 2007). "No Logo". OpinionJournal.com. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
  3. Taranto, James (December 11, 2007). "Best of the Web Today". OpinionJournal.com. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
  4. Taranto, James (December 6, 2007). "'Indoctrinate U': What Really Happened". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  5. Sonny Bunch. "Academic Thuggery". Weekly Standard. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  6. Academic Cesspools by Walter E. Williams, October 17, 2007
  7. Academic Cesspools II by Walter E. Williams, November 7, 2007