As a freshman in 2005, I took state Sen. Mike Haridopolos' course on state politics, and I can say with confidence that he is a caring and competent teacher. He commuted to Gainesville to lecture and could always be reached when he was not here. On this front, he deserves more respect than the Alligator has given him.
However, professor Kenneth Wald and other critics are absolutely correct in saying that the political science faculty should have had more say in Sen. Haridopolos' appointment.
That is the practice that is standard at the university, and it is clear that the only reason it was not followed here is because of the senator's position. The senator is somewhat under-qualified, but will be making more than the department's only other lecturer without a Ph.D. It is difficult to look on his appointment and think of it as anything but a bribe.
