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Show Openings 1988 News - Page Seven ADMINISTRATION pirosess sells .high stainidairds Teinwmre foe professor Priorities require balance TEMLJISE By Ken Southwick Chronicle administration reporter High standards for professors at the University of Utah are assured through the tenure process. One administrator has even coined it a "quality con- trol mechanism." Jerilyn Mclntyre, U. associate vice president for academic affairs, said tenure is almost a type of contract between faculty and administration. - Through the tenure process, professors are guaranteed job security and academic free- dom while the university is assured of top-quali- ty teaching and research, she said. Teaching Through the tenure process, professors are guaranteed job security and academic freedom while the Ability university is assured of top-quali- ty teaching and research, she said. Tenure is a complicated process which is too often misunderstood by students, and community members. Karen Spear, former U. associate dean of Liberal Education, said many people don't understand what a college professor does. 'They think it's just like being a high school teacher," she said. However, U. professor must strike a balance between teaching, research and university and public service. According to the U.'s Policy and Procedures Man ual, candidates for tenure are reviewed under the following Criteria: (1) teaching, (2) research and other creative work, and (3) university, professional and public service. Mclntyre said there should be a balance among the three, but because the U. is a research institution, research is usually the top priority. "Various departments have various policies, but anyone hired at the JJ. should understand research is an essential component of their job," she said. ; There are occasional problems when professors concentrate on one facet of their job and neglect the others, ; Mclntyre said. .vm this case, the professor in question is given plenty of warning and allowed to balance his or her duties. The tenure process is strict and occasionally results in professor resignations. Last year, John Vrooman, U. assistant professor of economics, was denied tenure because he was reported to have neglected publishing research. i Vrooman, one of the more popular teachers among stu- - Social Contributions to U. and Community K , tenure. While many students have Professors often have to perform a balancing act to receive the only a vague concept of tenure, professors are at times painfully aware they must excel in three research and "social contributions"-t- o receive tenure. all-import- areas-teachi- ng, All U. professors are required to pass through a proba-tha- n dents, maintained that teaching was more important . research. As a result, he resigned his position at tionary period. For assistant professors, the period is seven years. For associate professors, it is five years. the U., effective Spring quarter 1989. Professors are required But Mclntyre. said the to tenure process is necessary There are occasional problems when profesapply for and receive ; and assures' students that they will learn from only sors concentrate on one facet of their job and : neglect the others, Mclntyre said. : the best professors. In return, professors are euaranteed job security and academic freedom, Mclntyre said academic freedom is "freedom of inquiry without fear of reprisal." " ASUU and serve for one year. By Km Southwick Credits and Admissions Committee This committee reviews and makes recommendations relating to undergraduate admissions and credit policies. It also decides appealed admissions cases, Eight to ten faculty members and two students sit on this committee. Students are nominated by ASUU. Publications Council Four faculty members and six stu Chronicle administration reporter Students at the University of Utah have many opportunities to become involved in the decision making that affects almost everything they will do while at the U. through Student-Facult- y committees. committees are just comprised of students decide issues rangwho and professors ing from the price of parking tickets to how student publications are run. The committees usually number less than a dozen people, led by a chair Each member of the group, both faculty and stu dents alike, have an equal vote, Joyce Student-Facult- y that-commit- tees dents sit on this committee, which serves as publisher of the Daily Utah Chronicle and all other university student publications. Members establish editorial guidelines and select the editor and business manager for each publication, Included in this commitee is one alumnus, selected from the Alumni Association. Academic Evaluation and Standards Gimmittee Four students, nominated by ASUU, work with eight to ten faculty members to evaluate grading practices and moni tor academic standards. In addition, this group studies pro- McNulty, administrative manager said. Student members of the committees are either elected or appointed, Appointees are recommended by ASUU and approved by the U. President Chase Peterson. Patricia Grosh, from the associate vice president for academic affairs office, advises students who are interested in joining the committees to contact . The following are a sample of the many committees available to students. Student Behavior Committee This committee has jurisdiction over all cases of misconduct involving stu dents on campus with authority to impose sanctions. It is made up of five faculty members and five students appointed by the president. Students are recommended by - tions to U. Academic Affairs andor the Academic Senate. The above are only a few of the many committees available to students. A complete list of the committees may be obtained from the academic affairs Office in the administration building. These committees, which meet regularly, allow students a voice in everyday affairs at the U. ? . initiatives six from news-pag- e Cook has said he will increase teaching loads, cut $15 million from the budget and still bring U. salaries up to a compet. itive level. However, Morgan denied that this : J y T period ends. Departments initially ed or inherited," he added. "Think critically, and take issue with the professor, (because) that's a compliment." Peterson plays many roles as president of Utah's largest state university. Manager, philospher, teacher, listener, problem solver and spokesperson are a few of the many. while However, performing his numerous duties, some mundane and others not, he never loses sight of what he says is his most important objective: ". . . to provide people with a sense of optimism about the future of Utah and the future of men and women." was even a fiscal possibility. , Varela also questioned Cook's claims, saying, "we always hear something new (from Cook), but we never see any evi- dence" of how he plans to accomplish his goals. break avay from Ite usual posed changes in university grading practices and submits recommenda- proba-tionar- approve tenure appoint- - six from news-pag- e "I will take them seriously. I hope they can' teach me something while they're here. And I'll help them solve a problem," he promises. Peterson offered some advice for the 24,000 plus students at the U., and incoming freshmen in particular: "Attach a high value to (your) four years at the U. Invest a lot in it . . . and don't just drift through," he counseled. College will be quite different from higK school, he warned. "Your job is not to memorize, but to understand." "Ideas need to be your own, not adopt- - -- tenure before their ments, followed by the departmental chairperson. The recommendation ultimately reaches the president ' of the U., who has the final say. t Peterson Memite tave voice aft U. ASUU. Research ' , r- |
