Unhappy with how their leaders are chosen, adjuncts at California community college lead bid to decertify union and start a new one.
"Sunday, May 29, 2011
Some Medical Deans Fail to Disclose Outside Income on University Web Sites
Some Medical Deans Fail to Disclose Outside Income on University Web Sites: "
Seven of the 161 deans examined in a report served on the boards of health-industry companies. Some failed to disclose or underreported their corporate earnings.
"After Resolving Not to Micromanage, U. of Texas Regent Seeks Faculty-Productivity Data
After Resolving Not to Micromanage, U. of Texas Regent Seeks Faculty-Productivity Data: "
Just hours after the chancellor of the University of Texas system urged regents not to micromanage the system’s universities, a newly appointed regent sent out an e-mail requesting detailed information about individual faculty members’ workloads, grades, and student evaluation scores, The Austin American-Statesman reports. The regent, Alex M. Cranberg, who was appointed in February, is a longtime associate of Jeff Sandefer, whose “Seven Breakthrough Solutions” for higher education form the framework for a controversial plan that Gov. Rick Perry has promoted statewide.
Mr. Cranberg submitted his request the same day the regents gave the chancellor, Francisco G. Cigarroa, an unqualified vote of support. Gene Powell, the chairman of the Board of Regents, said on Tuesday that Mr. Cranberg was simply gathering data. “The regents are not managing; they’re gathering information to study, which is their fiduciary responsibility,” he said.
"Texas Governor Skirts Process in Selecting Tea-Party Activist as Student Regent
Texas Governor Skirts Process in Selecting Tea-Party Activist as Student Regent: "
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas bypassed the usual process for selecting student regents when he appointed a tea-party activist who had not applied through the student government at Texas A&M University, The Bryan-College Station Eagle is reporting. The newspaper quoted lawyers who said that, in doing so, the Republican governor might have violated a state law that spells out how the nonvoting student regents are supposed to be picked. The student, Fernando Trevino Jr., was appointed after applying directly to Mr. Perry’s office. The newspaper said candidates typically apply to the university’s student government, which forwards five names to the chancellor, who then sends two or more names to the governor for the final selection. Mr. Perry’s office has denied wrongdoing.
"Monday, May 16, 2011
Most Presidents Favor No Tenure for Majority of Faculty
Most Presidents Favor No Tenure for Majority of Faculty: "
Across higher education, a significant number say they would prefer long-term contracts for full-time professors.
"Presidents Don't Agree on What Signifies Quality
Presidents Don't Agree on What Signifies Quality: "
When asked how the public should assess colleges, their leaders cited measures whose reliability is often questioned: graduation rates and accreditation.
"It's More Than Just the Degree, Graduates Say
It's More Than Just the Degree, Graduates Say: "
Only 5 percent of the public agrees that college is an excellent value, but 84 percent of graduates attest that their own time on campus was worth the cost.
"surveys of public and presidents
Crisis of Confidence Threatens Colleges
Rising costs test families' faith, while 1 in 3 presidents see academe on wrong road
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Florida State Professors Question Deal That Gives Donor a Role in Hiring Decisions
Florida State Professors Question Deal That Gives Donor a Role in Hiring Decisions: "
A current and a former professor at Florida State University have raised concerns, in a recent opinion article in the Tallahassee Democrat, about an arrangement that gives a conservative billionaire whose foundation pledged $1.5-million for positions in the university’s economics department a say in hiring decisions for the program his foundation finances. Under the university’s agreement, signed in 2008 with the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, an advisory committee appointed by the foundation gets to screen and sign off on any hires for a program promoting “political economy and free enterprise” and can withdraw the foundation’s financial support if the committee is unhappy with how those new employees perform, according to the St. Petersburg Times. The professors argue that the deal undermines academic freedom; the dean of the College of Social Sciences defended the arrangement in the Times, saying it would have been “irresponsible” not to accept the donation.
"Sunday, May 8, 2011
With State Support Shaky, Research Universities Get Advice on How to Endure
With State Support Shaky, Research Universities Get Advice on How to Endure: "
At a science meeting, experts told them to compete, cooperate, and innovate more, and to change their cultures, but institutions stood up for their ways.
"Friday, May 6, 2011
Do Adjunct Votes Count?
Do Adjunct Votes Count?: "
Massachusetts union debates whether part-timers -- who are in the majority by far -- should get full vote in electing leaders.
"
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