Prof’S E-Mail Raises Static At UI Message Against Pool Bond May Have Violated State Rule

University of Idaho officials are investigating whether a professor violated an executive order from the governor when he sent an e-mail to his students about an upcoming pool bond.

Economics professor John Wenders’ e-mail explaining why he is against the $3.275 million bond issue to be voted on May 26 may have violated Gov. Phil Batt’s order from last year prohibiting state employees from using state-owned computers to send political messages.

The e-mail did not advocate voting against the upcoming pool bond. Instead, Wenders outlined his arguments, including construction costs, swimming fees and how much the pool will be used. Wenders wrote that the pool would provide “goldplated recreation welfare for the rich.”

Wenders defended his actions, saying he did not have enough time to discuss the issue in class and the e-mail was an extension of the class.

“In class, we use all the tools available for my students to study economics,” he said. “It’s no different from whenever there is a related article in the newspaper about something we talk about in class and I bring it in and share it.”

Randy Geller, a university attorney, is analyzing whether Wenders’ e-mail violated the executive order. Geller said faculty members previously have been given leeway to conduct their lessons.

“For the most part, First Amendment rights trump the executive order,” Geller said. “If what Wenders did was clearly related to his job performing an intellectual analysis, then Wenders would not be doing anything wrong.”