Minutes, Truman Chapter of AAUP
November 2, 2007, 4:30 pm
University Club
Meetings are open to all university faculty members.
Faculty present: Betty McLane-Iles (presiding), Martha Bartter, Wolfgang Hoeschele, Diane Johnson, Judi Misale, Tom Stewart, Lynn Rose (note-taker)
1) Approval of minutes from October 5: Betty noted that students are often not receiving aid from Disability Services and that instructors need to be involved in the process all along. AAUP wants more info on this. Betty says that Vicki Wehner is good but it is a part-time position and does not have enough help. Diane moves to say that Vicki is doing a good job but needs more support. Judi moves to approve. Amendment moved; minutes passed.
2) Update on issues from faculty senate, especially on issues of intellectual diversity. Faculty senate formed a subcommittee to address this issue, and Adam Davis drafted a good document. Students do NOT have a right NOT to be exposed to things with which they do not agree; faculty are trained for appropriate discussion. Yes, the right can be abused and turn into indoctrination. This should not happen. Students should have an annual forum on intellectual diversity (via student senate). Do we have a definition of intellectual diversity? This will be addressed in the document that will be circulated soon.
Diane also talked about posting evaluations and qualifications. This will go into effect in August 2009. Evaluations won’t be posted for the public but will be available to students. “Customer satisfaction” rhetoric will be used.
Betty points out intellectual diversity articles in Index for the last two weeks. Extensive support by Adam Davis and Marc Becker. But students reacted nervously about end the war rally (complaints from students that they were “forced” to attend for extra-credit). Marc Becker opposes requiring attendance but encourages attendance for events w/ controversial topics. Wolfgang announces events; he does not offer extra credit for attending events, but does not consider it coercive if others do unless it is part of the class grade. Students took down names of faculty at rally.
3) Disability Services: Vicky should have a helper. Should we bring this up to Provost candidates? What is an appropriate AAUP response? As a public institution, we should have better compliance with ADA regulations. We are very vulnerable. The consensus of the group was to approach the campus planner and say we have concerns and what can he suggest can be done?
4) Reaction to Cary Nelson’s article “The Perfect Educational Storm,” how Katrina affected faculty, with faculty dismissed on “fiscal exigency” cause. This affected mostly temporary faculty. Have we asked about intent to hire more contingent faculty? We have some data, but we should request info about the intent. This could particularly be a hot issue in the anthro/geog/soc dept where they could end up with half contingent faculty. Judi recommended that Amber talk w/ Doug about this.
A law that if a candidate was offered and rejected a job must pay back expenses WAS in place 25 years ago. Is it still in place? Amber Johnson said it was policy. We should check with Doug.
Meeting adjourned 6:00.