To the editor:

As a Kansas University alumna, I am deeply appalled that the state is considering defunding KU’s social welfare program because of the content of Dennis Dailey’s “Human Sexuality in Everyday Life” course.

Dailey’s purpose in teaching the course, he announces the very first day of class, is to keep couples together. The marriage failure rate in this country is 50 percent. I can think of nothing more in step with Christian values, American values, or Kansas values.

I have benefited tremendously from the insight Dailey provides in his course. Dailey is a 30-year KU icon, has won many teaching awards and is beloved by thousands of current students and alumni. I am one of them. Any comment can be misconstrued as inappropriate when taken out of context, and having taken Dailey’s course, I am completely convinced that this is what has occurred in recent incidents.

Rather than attempt to defund an honest, highly educational course that thousands of KU students have benefited from, I believe the offended student ought to issue a formal complaint with the university through the appropriate channels. I was never, nor had I ever witnessed sexual harassment of female students by Dennis Dailey. On the contrary, Dailey’s course attempts to understand the psychology and motivations behind those who are driven to sexually abuse and degrade. His course exists to halt sexual harassment and abuse, not perpetuate it.

I strongly urge the state not to cut funding from Dailey’s course or KU’s School of Social Welfare.

Anna Wagner,

Topeka