Reflections on Academic Year 2004-05
Truman State University Chapter of AAUP
David K. Robinson, chapter president
November 1, 2005

            The past academic year saw some minor accomplishments, but very little movement toward improvement of faculty situations in our university. The life of our chapter was dominated, more than ever, by David Gruber, Professor of Philosophy, who died on August 5. And that was as it should have been. One member (a historian) remarked, “As far as AAUP here is concerned, we have left one era and have entered another, the post-Gruber time.” Indeed, that is true. Still, we can be grateful that we had some opportunities to appreciate David’s work and to thank him and his family. Most of the commemorations occurred before he left us.

            We thought we knew how important David Gruber was to us. Knowing that he was seriously ill, our members sent him a Christmas box full of cards, mementos, and tributes. Few of us had any notion, though, what a giant David had become in state, regional, and national AAUP circles. I began to understand this when I attended my first MO Conference meeting (in David’s place, of course) on March 5. In recognition of his outstanding leadership, the Missouri Conference of AAUP established the David F. Gruber Leadership Development Award. David served as an officer of the MO Conference starting in 1993 and was a member of the National Council since 1996. For years to come, this award will give monetary support to AAUP members who attend training seminars and regional or national meetings. On March 23, Truman President Dixon presented David with a plaque commemorating the naming of this award in his honor. There was more to come.

            In a special presentation at Truman State University, on May 9, David received the Tacey Award of the Assembly of State Conferences (ASC). Tom Guild, Chair of ASC, made the presentation in a well-attended ceremony in the SUB Spanish Room. Tom also read a resolution of appreciation from the (national) Executive Council and the letter of nomination from the MO Conference. David responded with a touching and serious speech of acceptance, explaining how important it is to do the work of AAUP. The ASC currently represents 41 state conferences nationally. Its Tacey Award recognizes outstanding service to a conference over a number of years, and only one annual award is given nationally.

            David’s battle with cancer ended on August 3, and on the evening of August 6, under a brilliant but dimming northern Missouri sky, Laura Gruber gathered David’s people in her back yard for a wonderful celebration of his life and work. It was just a party, really—the kind that David always liked, only bigger. We interrupted the comity for just a few moments, for a short AAUP memorial. I announced that our chapter was pledging $500 to the Gruber Leadership Development Fund (see above). Keith Hardeman, VP of the MO Conference, explained how David had mentored the officers of that organization. Mary Burgan, past Executive Secretary of national AAUP, explained some of his work at the national level (especially on policy for contingent faculty), and she also regaled us with warm and witty remembrances by lots of people that we did not know (but David obviously did). It was over; I was exhausted but on the next day our work continued for the new academic year.

            Out chapter actually managed to accomplish a few things in David’s last year with us. In the fall of 2004, chapter VP Judi Misale completed our very detailed, nearly-annual “State of the University” survey. The findings are very interesting; I quote only one summary remark: “… it is fairly clear that morale is quite low, the faculty responding feel they are underpaid and overworked, and there are many aspects of the University work and teaching environment with which they are dissatisfied. Nevertheless, when asked about their commitment to Truman, 80.16% agreed it was very strong.”

            Keeping another tradition going, we held a Town Hall Meeting on October 12; the topic was “Sabbaticals and Contingent Faculty” (David Gruber being a national authority on the latter issue). Actually, the discussion ranged pretty widely, as is typical of these meetings, and we were delighted that President Dixon broke out of her observer status to take an active part. Both the survey and the Town Hall are documented on our chapter website.

            In my previous “Reflections” I felt balanced between problems and hopeful signs. Thinking about 2004-05, I have to say that I feel more frustrated this time. It seems as if our administration does a bit of this and that; but not much gets better; indeed the arrows keep pointing downward. I will remark on a few cases, pertinent to shared governance and academic freedom (as always in AAUP).

            In spring of 2004 our chapter was very pleased to provide President Dixon with AAUP policy statements on non-discrimination. We were delighted that she mentioned AAUP policy in her formal request that Truman’s Board of Governors change their nondiscrimination policy explicitly to include mention of sexual orientation. They refused by unanimous vote on December 4, but we still cheer the president for her effort. The change will come.

            Even more frustrating was the lack of action in the improvement of administration affecting faculty and curriculum. (President Dixon has made some promising changes in some other areas.) Oh, yes, now we have Deans of Divisions rather than Division Heads, but few faculty members can find much advantage in that change. Indeed, administrative problems only seemed to deepen last academic year; the faculty had to fight to keep some kind of sanity, as many began to suspect that something sinister was afoot. The Head of Social Science announced his retirement in September, and Social Science faculty found themselves attending long, nightly meetings in the busy March season, trying to convince Vice-President Gordon not only that the first steps toward an interim appointment were long overdue, but also that it made little sense to try to merge Social Science and Language and Literature Divisions, at the very time that President Dixon was in the middle of her “conversations” with faculty about administrative structure. Catching news of this time-wasting mishandling of the process for this interim appointment (which finally went to Doug Davenport), faculty across campus had to wonder what was in store for all of us, as we hear vague references to administrative and curricular restructuring. Let us hope that our (relatively) new president can keep impressing us with her ability. As time goes on, I fear, that becomes more difficult and the new wears off …

            Let me give a plug, because we certainly hope for better things. President Dixon has announced that she will be meeting with faculty on an “Academic Reorganization Plan.”

Open Sessions are

Thursday, November 3           4:30 p.m.                     Violette Hall 1000
Friday, November 4                1:30 p.m.                     SUB Alumni Room
Friday, November 4                3:30 p.m.                     SUB Alumni Room
Wednesday, November 9        2:30 p.m.                     Violette Hall 1000.

            Never to be outdone, AAUP will be having a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, November 8, 5:30-7:30, Violette Hall 1000. The topic is “Plans for the 16/1 Ratio” and representatives of the Faculty Senate Budget Committee will begin the discussion.

            Looks like a busy season now.

            Keep in touch with AAUP at aaup.truman.edu !  Come to our next meeting, Friday, November 4, 4:30 p.m., University Clubhouse, 516 Patterson. All faculty are welcome!