Faculty agree on academic freedom, Staben moves forward
A quorum was reached at the University of Idaho Faculty Meeting (UFM) and the message was nearly unanimous: UI faculty members want a guarantee of academic freedom.
Of the 142 members of UI faculty who showed up for the UFM Thursday afternoon, 141 members voted in favor of adding academic freedom language to the Faculty Staff Handbook.
The language guarantees a faculty members’ rights to speak on matters “pertaining to university governance, programs and policies,” according to the Faculty Staff Handbook.
“That was a really big deal for me, for it to pass with flying colors,” said Marty Ytreberg, UI Faculty Senate chair.
Ytreberg attributed the large faculty turnout specifically to the vote on academic language. He said the right to free speech and the lack of protection resonated with many faculty groups on campus.
Now, UI President Chuck Staben must approve the language before it moves to the Idaho State Board of Education for final approval.
Staben rejected previous academic freedom language last summer over concerns related to the non-punishment portion of the language. After receiving input from the President’s Office and General Counsel Kent Nelson, new language was drafted and approved by Faculty Senate.
Donald Crowley, Faculty Senate secretary, said the new language was shared formally and informally with many faculty members before the meeting. Ytreberg said Staben and Nelson have shown support for the new language and he is confident Staben and the state board will pass the language.
Staben speaks
Staben spoke at the UFM on the need to increase undergraduate enrollment and commented on Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter’s recent State of the State address.
Staben said undergraduate enrollment is the financial future of UI. He said the university has simplified the way it distributes financial aid and made recruitment events more accessible to perspective students.
“I want to see enrollment gains immediately, maybe we won’t see those as immediately as we would like, but I guarantee you we will be working hard,” he said.
Otter kicked off the legislative season Jan. 12 with his State of the State address and Staben said he was encouraged by the governor’s speech. The governor announced he supported a 3 percent increase in Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) and Staben said he is confident that number is roughly what UI employees can expect in an increase this year.
“What I find encouraging about his priority is that he based his priorities on our priorities,” Staben said.
Position Description Form passes
UI faculty also approved a position description form that requires faculty members to provide a syllabus, expected learning outcomes and a description of how one outcome will be assessed.
The motion passed 125-9, with 8 faculty members abstaining.
Although the form was heavily debated in Faculty Senate, Crowley said the motion passed with ease and most faculty members realized the need for a uniform position form.
Crowley said the form aims to unify information on courses as UI prepares for accreditation later this semester. He said the form could also be used to help evaluate faculty members.
Ytreberg said some faculty senate members had strong opinions on the form, but in the end they realized it was something UI needed.
Ryan Tarinelli can be reached at [email protected]