UI AAUP chapter concerned with proposed College of Liberal Arts and Sciences policy
Blog; Prof. Ahmed E Souaiaia; news stories about the profession, education, schools, and universities
What we are witnessing in Florida is an intellectual reign of terror. There is a tremendous sense of dread right now, not just among faculty; it’s tangible among students and staff as well. People are intellectually and physically scared. We are being named an enemy of the State. The events at Jacksonville too, feel real, and people feel it could happen to them.
—LeRoy Pernell, professor of law, Florida A&M (interview with the special committee)
Report of a Special Committee: Political Interference and Academic Freedom in Florida’s Public Higher Education System
A flawed budget model and excess spending are among the reasons given by administrators for “draconian cuts.” Read article.
For decades, researchers have complained that the publication and evaluation systems in academia are broken or need urgent reform. There have been calls for a more equitable system where scientists are evaluated based on the rigor, quality, significance, and impact of their work instead of their institutional affiliation and the impact factors of the journals where their research is published. On October 20, eLife, a peer-reviewed journal, announced new changes in their publishing policies that they claim will make this possible...
Academic freedom is the pillar of a free society. When it is compromised, public trust in scientific knowledge is eroded; biased teaching invades classrooms; and knowledge is politicized. The first line of protection for academic freedom is policy provisions against undue interference in the work of those involved in research and teaching. For these reasons, the university community at large must actively engage in the process of developing and revising policy documents to promote the principles of shared governance.
The University of Iowa establishes rules in its Policy Manual (PM). The UI requires each college to write their own manuals of policy and procedures, but the college’s manuals may not contradict the PM. Similarly, each college requires units within it to produce their own policy documents... DI editorial.
The original (longer) version of "Shared governance—and the policy and procedure that protects it—are essential to academic freedom"
The letter dated, December 10, 2023 and addressed to the President and Fellows of Harvard College said:
We, the undersigned faculty, urge you in the strongest possible terms to defend the independence of the university and to resist political pressures that are at odds with Harvard’s commitment to academic freedom, including calls for the removal of President Claudine Gay. The critical work of defending a culture of free inquiry in our diverse community cannot proceed if we let its shape be dictated by outside forces.
As of December 10, 2023, at 4:46 p.m., the letter was signed
by 726 Harvard faculty members.
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/12/11/faculty-oppose-removal/
As Harvard President Faces Pressure to Resign, Some Faculty Show Support
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/us/harvard-president-claudine-gay.html
Abstract: On May 11, 2019, the US federal government indicted 50 individuals, charging them with bribery and fraud in a widespread colle...