Simmons on Barrett

James Simmons, UWO political science professor and faculty senate chairman, said his colleagues are largely embarrassed by Barrett and the planned visit.

Simmons said Barrett's fringe views on Sept. 11 are being used to unfairly brand Wisconsin academia itself as fringe.

"For most faculty, (Barrett) is an embarrassment," Simmons said. "And it seems to be coming at exactly the wrong time."

He said faculty support the concept of academic freedom.

"But I doubt there are too many people who share his views on the issue… I've got a PhD, but no one should pay any attention to me if I talk about chemistry," Simmons said.