WINONA, Minn., March 9, 2001 -- Amid a "shitstorm" of reaction, marketing prof Jim Bovinet asked critics of his views in a Daily News opinion piece to read his article carefully before spouting off. "It should be obvious to anyone who actually read the article that I was not talking about Winona State University. Anyone who knows me also knows there is no stronger supporter of this institution than me," Bovinet said in an open letter to his Winona State colleagues. Separately he called the reaction a "shitstorm." Bovinet said some of critics want him silenced. Naming speech prof Kelly Herold and English prof John Campbell of the university's curriculum committee, Bovinet said: "When the members of a WSU committee decide that they and their cronies have the right to sanction me, I must set the record straight. It seems academic freedom is only alive if it suits your purpose." To critics who felt his criticism was aimed at Winona State, Bovinet said again: "Read the article." Bovinet: "I did not want to single out the University of Minnesota because there are a lot of schools that have these same problems. I stand by every statement I made. In fact, the truth is probably worse. Any further funding for education will be funneled directly toward the University of Minnesota -- a bottomless pit. Very little funding will trickle down to universities accomplishing their intended educational charge to undergraduates. This is the situation WSU finds itself in. Do not hide your head in the sand -- there are professors at the Big U making six-figure incomes, teaching one class a year, and not producing anything worthwhile for a decade or more. And bragging about it. In contrast, the normal load at WSU is eight classes. Where should the money go? That is why the budget situation needs to be examined in a more detailed fashion. Aim your venom is the right direction."