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Show The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Sunday, March 23,1997 __ Al6 Professors’ Job-Protection System Facing Biggest Changesin 50 Years By GEORGE THE ASSOCIA It hardlyseemslike a firing offense. But when Ed Schuh came out against federal farm supports at 90 percent of parity, the wolves were out The state’s farmers cried treason — Schuh was headof the University of Minnesota's Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics, and supports at that level would be a bonanza for agriculture “The governor went to visit the president of the university, demanding I befired,” Schuh recalls. ‘The president looked at himand said, ‘I can’t fire Ed. He has tenure.’ End ofdiscussion. And so it was. But it was far from theendof debate overtenureitself. Thetenure system, that guaranteeof a lifetime job with academic freedom. is facing its toughest challenge since its inception morethan a half-century ago. It is being questioned and revisedin universities BAKERS RACK across the United States In many cases, universities feeling a financial pinch fessor: FINAL CLOSEOUT! Green verdigris with 4 wickershelves. rying to cut costs by hiring part-time pro- n some who argue vehementlythat the system must be maintained acknowledge it is imperfect. Despite growing sentiments for change, educators expect that it will survive — but not necessarilyin its present form, or for as many people. Tenure is not an ancient system — the American Association of Univ y Professors (AAUP) devel- facThe AAUP says about 51 percent of full-time of ulty members are tenured. and about 97 percent four-year universities have tenure systems. so that faculty can essary Tenureis very ideas and not worry about any feel free to discuss typeof reprisal,” says Churchill Roberts, the ten- ured chairman of the Communication Arts Department at the University of West Florida at Pensacola. Twenty years ago, Roberts offered students an op- portunity to watch “Deep Throat,” act as members of a jury and write a position paper on whether they thought it was obscene. Massive publicity ensued. And so the chairman of the board of regents just decidedunilaterally to send mea letter reprimand- he ing me for that,” Roberts recalled It appeared, of said. that the board wanted to make an example him Roberts filed a grievance with the faculty union and won, forcing the university to removethe letter of reprimand fromhis personnelfile. But thereis a flip side to protecting faculty, notes at Richard Chait, a professor of higher education Harvard University The most powerful argument against tenure, he says, “is that it creates what's often called a sinecure that places faculty beyondthe reach of accountability, strategy and economy, andit provides too much insulation, too much protection, and that invites slothfulness and laziness.”” Under anysoundtenurepolicy, faculty members can indeedbedismissed for malfeasance, moral tur- opedit in 1940. After a review processthat lasts an averageof six years, faculty members are granted See Next Page job security DECORATIVE EDGERS BULLDOG TRIMMER Fiskars’, Choose ftom over 20 diferent pales. 4"x6"surface area. Open House March 28 & 29th 10:00 - 6:00 720ct. Value Pack. ¢Door Prizes and discounts for everyone! eWin one ofsix quilts! uil e ant, SUGAR 'N CREAM STREAMERS YARN DOLL & PLATE STANDS 5 ‘off 2 wooD FLORAL FOAM BRICK PAINT RACK | 3"x4"x8" Green foam. March 23, 24 & 25, 1997 Metal or wood. 0 Allin stock 81 ft. Assorted colors. ] pound cone. Prices Effective Sunday, Monday & Tuesday J FICUS TREE 6!” ft. w/wicker basket. Holds 140 acrylic paint bottles. 59 | | 9 Seen Prices goodthru: 3/25/97 WICKER BASKETS 100's to choose. Justin time for Easter. MACS ACCEPTS COMPETITORS COUPONS See store for details. eau WEST JORDAN 2135S, ORCHARD DR. 7046 S. REDWOOD Ma)had Een AE 725 EAST 10600 SOUTH EPL} CyNNE ENCaen 2334 EAST 7000 SOUTH TUYA} Medium Size Choice Navel Oranges 4 ».$] |
