Dr. Mack is the author of the controversial book "Abduction: Human Encounters With Aliens" (Scribners, 1994) and an outspoken advocate of the claim that alien abduction is literally real. Because of this, authorities at Harvard University accuse Dr. Mack of violating the standards of conduct expected of a member of Harvard University.
William Hauck's message follows:
As a mathematician studying UFO phenomena, I recently received a letter from Dr. John Mack's attorney asking that I submit a letter of support to Harvard University for Dr. Mack's UFO research. I thought the issue important enough to take the soapbox for a moment and ask that anyone with academic credentials contact Daniel Sheehan (Hollister Professional Bldg. Suite 160, Santa Barbara, CA 93111; 805-967-8232) to see how they might be of assistance.
The issue is that a "Special Faculty Committee" has been formed at Harvard and prepared a secret report, without Dr. Mack's knowledge, accusing him of violating academic standards of conduct. The following is a summary of the findings by this kangaroo court:
"It is the position of the Faculty Committee that, to the extent to which the Committee believes that there is no present definitive scientific proof establishing as a scientific fact that there exists any form of intelligent life in the universe other than human life on this planet, it is considered by the Committee to be both scientifically and academically irresponsible for any research scientist or professional academic scholar to state to anyone in the public that such extraterrestrial life does exist. To communicate, in any way whatsoever, to a person who has reported a close encounter with an Extraterrestrial life form that this experience might well have been 'real', the Harvard Faculty Committee finds, is professionally irresponsible on the part of any academic, scientific or professional person. And the Committee makes a specific finding that such conduct on the part of Dr. John E. Mack was in violation of the standards of conduct expected of a member of Harvard University."
This whole affair reminds me of the persecution of Galileo in the hands of an equally-short-sighted Catholic Church. To add insult to injury, the Committee has only given Dr. Mack until March 15 to reply. Obviously, such a censure would hurt any of us interested in scientific ufology. I especially urge any of you, who would be considered "peers" of Dr. Mack and who believe in the serious study of UFOs, to contact Mr. Sheehan for information on how you can be of assistance. Those who remain quiet will only share in this travesty of academic freedom.
You may also contact me direct if you wish, via P.O. Box 22201, Sacramento, CA 95822, via e-mail at DWHauck@AOL.com or Dennis Hauck at Gates of Delirium BBS (916)339-9043: (1:203/163)
Original file name: .CNI - Mack/Harvard
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