Recommedned dismissal hurts Ag students
Students said they were outraged when Utah State University completed an internal review and recommended in dismissing Haven Hendricks, professor of animal, dairy and veterinary sciences.
“The biggest frustration is that this recommendation was not based on the job he performs,” Brandon Willis, a senior in crop science, said.
“He’s one of the best advisers and teachers the university has,” said Mark Ure, Agriculture senator for the Associated Students of USU.
Hendricks’ classes have all been canceled for this semester.
And because of this recommendation, the Animal Judging Team was not able to make its trip at the beginning of January. Ure said each member only gets one year of eligibility to compete. And, if this is a student’s senior year, his or her chances could be ruined.
Toni Utton, a junior animal science major, said, “Over his many years of teaching, Dr. Haven Hendricks has taught and advised many students, traveled thousands of miles across the country to show them agriculture outside their sphere, invested countless hours as the Animal Science Club adviser and touched many lives.”
Hendricks’ name first came to light when a neighbor called the police and said he had some starving horses.
Hendricks said he acquired the horses from the Ute Indian Reservation and was doing the best job he could with them.
John DeVilbiss, director of public relations and marketing, said as of now it is important to know that he has not been dismissed yet.
He said, “You have to understand the animal abuse charges have nothing to do with his dismissal.
“We believe in due process. [Hendricks] is considered innocent until proven otherwise. [The charges] only caused us to look at Mr. Hendricks’ record here at Utah State University.”
Hendricks said, “When the facts come out, we should prevail. I think it will eventually come out in the wash.
“One of my biggest concerns is that the students are the ones who are going to be hurt. I feel bad about that,” he said.
Willis said Hendricks spends many extra hours answering students’ questions and “is extremely knowledgeable.”
Ure said, “[Hendricks] does things other teachers can’t or won’t do. He spends hours and hours with students and always goes the extra mile. He doesn’t want you to just get a degree. He wants you to be educated.”
Utton said, “He takes a personal interest in all his students, knows them by name and what their goals and interests are.”