WSU balks at book critical of agribusiness

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University has decided to halt a reading program for incoming freshman that would have used a book critical of agribusiness.

WSU President Elson Floyd said Wednesday the decision not to distribute "Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" by Michael Pollan was related to the university's financial crisis. He said the faculty is still urged to use the book as part of the curriculum.

But the university has already purchased 4,000 copies of the book that deals with the social, moral and environmental implications of the food people eat.

"Unless they wanted to have a big book-burning in the middle of Terrell Mall, I don't see how they intended to save money by making this decision," said Jeff Sellen, a general education professor and member of the committee that chose the book.

WSU's Pullman campus is in the heart of the Palouse, some of the state's most-productive farming ground.

Regent Francois X. Forgette told The Spokesman-Review newspaper that regent Harold Cochran, a Walla Walla wheat farmer, had read this year's proposed book and raised concerns, although the issue was never formally discussed at board meetings. Forgette said the selection committee had failed to get required approval from the provost of the selected book.

A phone call by The Associated Press to Cochran seeking comment was not immediately returned Thursday.

Floyd said he never spoke to a regent about the book.

Patricia Ericsson, an assistant English professor who had recommended the book, said she attended a May 4 meeting of a committee that was overseeing the reading program. She said the meeting was told there would not be a common reading program, at least not next fall.

"A substantial part of the reason was because of political pressure growing from the book choice," Ericsson said.

This fall was supposed to mark the third year of the program. Last year's chosen book was "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach, about issues related to death.

By coincidence, Western Washington University is planning to have its freshman read "Omnivore's Dilemma" this fall.