A deal signed between Florida State University (FSU) and conservative billionaire Charles G. Koch to fund several positions in the university’s economics department, allows the Libertarian businessman to dictate who is hired, according to a news report by tampabay.com.
In 2008, Koch pledged $1.5 million to the FSU and the agreement was signed with little fan fare.
Under the agreement, the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation could also withdraw its funding if it is not in favor with with the new hires or if they do not meet the “objectives” set by Koch, reports tampabay.com.
Most universities have strict policies that forbid donors’ influence over gifts so as not to compromise academic freedom. But this is not so for the Koch-funded program promoting “political economy and free enterprise.”
