AAUP Chapter Meeting Minutes 11/1/2024
Attendees: Marc Becker, Stephanie Russell\, Yuna Ferguson, Meg Edwards, Jack Davis, Colin DeGraf, Heidi Cook, Emily Long Olsen, Kathryn Brammall, Carlo Annelli, Joshua Nudell
The meeting addressed several concerns regarding staffing and hiring practices within the English department and other areas of the university. Key issues included the need for a new tenure-track position to alleviate workload, the provost’s proposal to alter hiring criteria, and dissatisfaction with temporary hires leading to a sense of ‘quiet quitting’ among staff. Participants expressed worries about the provost’s interference in hiring decisions, which could undermine academic freedom and create inconsistencies across departments. Concerns were also raised about the handling of the Ofstad endowment and its implications for future hiring.
Additionally, discussions highlighted issues related to enrollment, state funding, communication with the admissions office, and the lack of middle management, which has led to accountability challenges. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for clearer roles in recruitment and retention, improved communication between admissions and departments, and a designated liaison to facilitate these interactions.