AAUP Meeting - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 13, 2005

AAUP Meeting

Date: Jan 13, 2005

Kick

Date: Jan 13, 2005

kick

Date: Jan 13, 2005

It has been over 24 hours since the AAUP meeting. Has no one survived the meeting to report to us? It must have been either was a very interesting meeting or a very boring one, either too much to report or nothing.

Date: Jan 13, 2005

Punt

Date: Jan 14, 2005

KICK

Date: Jan 14, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ray's guy
"KICK"

Hey ray's guy - is there any link between your interest in the AAUP meeting and and your name? I'm not a big believer in coincidence.

Date: Jan 14, 2005

Nah. Just being a smark aleck.

Date: Jan 14, 2005

I've heard that the meeting was pretty low key with no big decisions made, but one development was that Steve Oshrin was elected vice-president of the AAUP-USM.

Date: Jan 14, 2005

Could it be that AAUP-USM is so demoralized that they simply decided that nothing they or anyone else can do will make any difference?

Date: Jan 14, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Left (formerly Leaving Soon)
"Could it be that AAUP-USM is so demoralized that they simply decided that nothing they or anyone else can do will make any difference?
"

Or maybe the atmosphere is so repressive that they simply feel like they can't tell us anything?

Date: Jan 15, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
" Or maybe the atmosphere is so repressive that they simply feel like they can't tell us anything?"

I had departmental business so I did not go to the meeting. I have been so busy since the meeting I have not even been able to talk much to my AAUP colleages (even though we are in many cases going to the same university meetings) about what happened during the AAUP meeting. Frankly I think it is hard to talk about what happened less than twenty four hours ago when every day you turn around and there is some new act of stupidity, cupidity, or arrogrance to be faced.

I think it is possible that a very few people are doing a lot of work right now and that since the AAUP meeting many members have either been in class or in meetings. I can tell you that my own Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were pretty full from sun up to sun down with meetings for my own program; meetings for my department; meetings with the dean; meetings with faculty senate; meetings, cybermeetings and phone meetings with various individuals and groups -- much of it curculating around the increasingly complicated business of the university; much of it gathering information; much of it trying to fend off yet one more stupid action on the part of the university or uncover some "fact" beneath the multitude of rumors. I can tell you that Amy Young is almost everywhere on campus right now. I'd say the same thing about FacSen President David Beckett. I don't think there is demoralization -- what there is IS a continual low level war between faculty and administration over whether the administration is going to dictate the terms of our academic policy; our hiring and firing policy; our work conditions and environment; our relationships with our students, the the public relations battle. It is a pretty big agenda and I think it has become so consuming it is difficult for us to keep everyone in the loop except in fits and starts. And that war has now entered a much more insidious phase when the events are not clear and earthshattering like Gary and Frank -- but the continual small erosion of our university by administrative actions -- many of which occur in secret and only emerge over time. And since it is so -- it takes a much longer time to put together into a story that makes sense and is true.

I can understand the frustration of those who want more information but I think the last couple of comments by delurked and formerly leaving soon aren't helpful. And I know it is diffcult to know what action to take if you don't know what is going on but please be patient.

Incidently, I'm assuming that everyone on this board who is so vocal about the Thames administration and is on campus is a member of the AAUP. If you aren't -- shame on you. The AAUP is open to grad students as well as faculty and it has graduated rates so that it is affordable. If you are on another campus and you arne't a member of the AAUP -- if your campus has a chapter -- then ditto. You could use your position in your campus chapter to help draw attention of your chapter and the national to what is going on here.

The folks here are doing what they can. This isn't about heroics -- it is about survival.

Thanks to all -- don't get discouraged -- but stay tuned.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

Stephen:

Here is the link for the national AAUP for those who wish to join: http://www.aaup.org/

Mitch

Date: Jan 15, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Mitch
"Stephen: Here is the link for the national AAUP for those who wish to join: http://www.aaup.org/ Mitch"

Mitch -- you are a god!

Please folks -- even our local AAUP has people in it of different political persuasions. And we spend some mighty fine time (when there is time) in some pretty enjoyable conversations about our views. But the tenets of the AAUP are founded upon the principles of concern for providing the best education to all Americans; and it is grounded in the belief democracy can only work with good, well informed citizens and that education is a very important element to producing good citizens. Statements about academic freedom, shared goverance, etc. are not abstractions -- they are key principles in providing an environment in which good to great education can take place.

Sorry. I'll get down off the box now. I know most of you are already on board . . . But if you are not -- please think about it. Our ability to make our voices heard depends largely on our ability to organize. The strength of national professional organizations is built on the stregnth of local organizations. Our chapter is one of the strongest in the state -- but it can grow. So can chapters in the other MS colleges and universities. So can chapters in other areas of the country.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

Stephen:

I was suprised when I arrived at USM that we did not have an active chapter of AAUP at USM (or at many institutions across the state), and joined during the membership drive several years back (this was before the current administration). I was remiss in paying dues for a year or two (I had the poor excuse that many have-money, money, money--many of us are members of several academic or professional organizations). Anyway, like many folks I have spoken to, I kept saying I'll try to remember to send in my dues tomorrow (and tomorrow, of course, always passes). I finally did send my dues in (thank you Mastercard). What I have learned along the way is that many folks, both administration and faculty, have a misunderstanding of what AAUP is and why it is important for academics of all stripes to be a member. You just did a nice job summarizing what AAUP is about. As I explained to a colleague who I thought was a member (but is not), whether or not you agree with other members on various issues and decisions, you need to be a member of the organization for your voice to be be heard. Now if I could just find time to attend meetings...

Mitch

Date: Jan 15, 2005

Does AAUP accept retired faculty into membership? I was never a member.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

As Stephen Judd explains, it was a very busy first week of school all around. Here's a brief summary of the AAUP meeting, as best as I can remember it from the fog of the last few days. Please, others correct me if I have details wrong.

Committee A of AAUP reported its findings in the Diane Stevenson case, issuing a three-page document outlining Background, Findings, and Recommendations. The final section calls for the administration to (1) "publicly and formally apologize to Dr. Stevenson for unwarranted intrusion of administrators into her classroom," (2) "affirm its commitment to academic freedom," (3) "provide a policy and procedure statement on how the administration will proceed if it has future concerns about information a faculty member has shared with students in the classroom," and (4) "confirm the line of legitimate academic authority at the university, and specifically clarify the scope of authority of Dr. [Ken] Malone and Mr. [Richard] Farley on the Gulf Park campus." When minor revisions are complete, the report will be sent to AAUP national. Approved. (For background, see http://www.aaup-usm.org/2004%20Pages/2004-AAUP-coast.html.)

Steve Oshrin was nominated and elected the new AAUP vice-president, replacing Bill Powell for the remainder of the school year.

Amy Young reported on the ongoing work of providing information to AAUP national regarding AAUP-USM's request for an investigation of the current administration's "disregard of the principles of academic freedom, tenure and shared governance," and continuing "assault on faculty rights and appropriate faculty prerogatives" (letter of Dec. 10, 2004, to AAUP national). There are seven bullets in the December letter, and people--more are always needed if you can volunteer--are currently compiling the evidence to document each of them. For example, one bullet concerns the Diane Stevenson case, and the supporting documentation will be the report mentioned above. The plan is to finish the report in the next week or two and send it to the national and others.

The chapter will conduct a second annual AAUP Sound Governance Survey. An envelope stuffing party will come in the next week or two.

There was an open discussion of many issues that have appeared on this message board: SACS (as of Wednesday), the current draft of the drug and alcohol policy, the executive MBA plan for the Gulf Park library, the addition of a coffee shop to Cook Library, etc.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

Perhaps I missed this somewhere along the line, but why did Bill Powell resign from VP position? Oshrin will be great. Still, I have immense respect for Powell, his courage, his demeanor, his intelligence.

Date: Jan 15, 2005

Thank you Cub reporter. Now I also know a bit more about what went on. I do remember committee A was to report.

Congrats Steve!

Date: Jan 15, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stephen judd
"I can understand the frustration of those who want more information but I think the last couple of comments by delurked and formerly leaving soon aren't helpful."

Stephen, my apologies for speculating that maybe AAUP-USM is demoralized to the point of giving up hope. My remark reflects my despair when I read of the USM administration's continuing acts of "stupidity, cupidity, or arrogance" (quoting you). Last year it seemed possible that the faculty's efforts might have some effect. This year it is difficult to feel any optimism.

You are a shining light of reason and wisdom in the midst of all this turmoil.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Retired
"Does AAUP accept retired faculty into membership? I was never a member."

Yes. I remained a member after retirement.

Frank Glamser

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Left (formerly Leaving Soon)
" Stephen, my apologies for speculating that maybe AAUP-USM is demoralized to the point of giving up hope. My remark reflects my despair when I read of the USM administration's continuing acts of "stupidity, cupidity, or arrogance" (quoting you). Last year it seemed possible that the faculty's efforts might have some effect. This year it is difficult to feel any optimism. You are a shining light of reason and wisdom in the midst of all this turmoil."

Well, I was a little taken aback because your previous posts have been so strong and informative. I guess maybe it appealed to that part of me is fighting demoralization you I probably overreacted out of my own . . . . fear of the lassitude of despair.

But I did mean what I said about joining AAUP for everyone out there -- and thanks FG for answering the question which I also was curious about.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

correction --should read:

Well, I was a little taken aback because your previous posts have been so strong and informative. I guess maybe it appealed to that part of me that is fighting demoralization and I probably overreacted out of my own . . . . fear of the lassitude of despair.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: FG
" Yes. I remained a member after retirement. Frank Glamser"

Thanks Frank. You were a member *before* you retired. Can a retired professor, who never joined while working, join after they retire?

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Retired
"Thanks Frank. You were a member *before* you retired. Can a retired professor, who never joined while working, join after they retire?"

Yes. The membership category is "associate," and it is a bit cheaper than full time faculty. The USM chapter charges an additional fee of about $10 for local membership. Go to for info.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: FG
" Yes. The membership category is "associate," and it is a bit cheaper than full time faculty. The USM chapter charges an additional fee of about $10 for local membership. Go to for info."

Thanks again Frank. That sounds like a good deal.

Date: Jan 16, 2005

The www.aaup.org dropped out of my post.