Comments on: The Great Ira Carmen

By: Boyd Reed

Boyd Reed — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:18:19 +0000

I took Constitutional Law with Prof. Carmen, waaaay back in the fall of 1997. His class was everything all of you have mentioned, and even more. In fact, the only textbook I’ve retained from my five years at UIUC was the one used for his class. I was fortunate to run into him many times outside of class, as my student job had an office was in 204 Lincoln. The man’s conversational range was stunning. He had an opinion on *everything* – and could back up his positions.

My best Carmen story came from the end of that semester. UIUC had a rule then (which I imagine hasn’t changed) that said you can’t take three final exams that all start within 24 hours of one another. Well, my three finals for that semester were all scheduled to start and finish in the same 24-hour window. I wasn’t worried about the other two, but ConLaw scared me a bit. So, I went to see Prof. Carmen about it. I asked him when I could reschedule the final. He gave me his classic deadpan “GTFOOH” look, and the following exchange ensued.

“Reed, are you brain-dead?”
“No, sir.”
“Then what the fuck are you worried about?”
“I just don’t want to screw up this grade.”
“I don’t talk to idiots. I talk to you. So you’ll be fine. Just show up.”

He was, as he often is, right. I got a B+ on the final. But I’m not sure I’d have done so well without that little conversation.

I seriously doubt he would be able to pick me out of a police lineup these days. However, I won’t forget the class, or the man. I hope LAS puts up an exhibit about him, somewhere in Lincoln Hall.

As for the Carmen Challenge, I’m pretty sure it would have come down to ping pong. I wish he’d have offered it while I was his student. :-)

By: Pete Pecoraro

Pete Pecoraro — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:28:35 +0000

Does anyone know if Carmen still lives in Champaign-Urbana? It would be great to drop him a line via email or post. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Pete P.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:26:38 +0000

If a book was ever published that only contained Professor Carmen quotes I guarantee it would become a bestseller! I was lucky enough to take Constitutional Law II with Professor Carmen and have been provided with quotes for life!

Favorite quote:

While Discussing the Buck v Bell case Professor Carmen stopped and looked around the class. He then stated “ladies you might want to leave the room for what I’m about to say. Men, you do not have a constitutional right to spread your semen like its cream cheese on a bagel!”

By: Dandanthefireman

Dandanthefireman — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:28:53 +0000

I too loved professor Carmen and taped almost every lecture for his Psc 350 class. The next semester I took Psc 351 and he mentioned that he did not allow his lectures to be taped. I respected his wishes and did not record any more of his lectures. Though I still had my casche of lectures which I listened to whenever I needed a fix. Unfortunatly they are with my baseball cards in a landfill somewhere. Sniff sniff.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:42:14 +0000

I received correspondence from him. He did say that he and his wife are in good health. I wanted to share that to ease any fears any among us might have about his health.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:56:16 +0000

I’m so bummed out about Carmen’s retirement that I’m almost beyond words. The University of Illinois may never be the same. I hope he’s doing well out there.

By: Dennis Rendleman

Dennis Rendleman — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:42:08 +0000

I still have my notes from my Carmen classes and referred to them when I began teaching Con Law. The quotes posted show a much looser Carmen than the one in the 1970’s in the classroom. The fact that someone has recorded his class is also interesting as one of my vivid memories is when someone started to tape record a class and he made them stop asking what they were doing, “taping class for a sick friend”, “well, you have not asked my permission and I do not allow my classes to be recorded.” I fortunately also knew him more personally while working as an assistant to Professor Betty Glad. Having lunch w/ him and others was a hoot. My youngest just started at UIUC and I was hoping she would be able to take his class; alas.

By: Eric Brickman

Eric Brickman — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:52:01 +0000

The Great Ira Carmen has retired after so many years of teaching.

He will be greatly missed.

By: Eric Brickman

Eric Brickman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:10:10 +0000

For some reason or another, it appears that Professor Carmen’s classes have been canceled for this semester. I do not understand why…

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:03:13 +0000

Carmen really is the real deal.