Category Archives: Current Events

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Post-tenure review: Latest Battlefront in Wisconsin

For several years now, Wisconsin has been the focal point in the fight between conservative politicians and higher education. Governor Scott Walker has systematically attacked higher education in Wisconsin resulting in increased accountability, decreased autonomy, and drastic cuts in state appropriations. Of particular note, Governor Walker and the state legislature passed legislation dramatically curtailing the long-held protection of tenure and academic freedom in the state. The flagship campus in Madison has been hit particularly hard by the controversies with other institutions trying to steal faculty and a significant decline in research expenditures. While many may have thought the policy changes were over in Wisconsin, a recent policy change by the Board of Regents will change post-tenure review renewing the concerns of faculty and higher education supporters.

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Dear Governing Boards, stop rigging searches when hiring politicians as university president

We don’t talk enough in higher education about the damage that governing boards can do to an institution. Trustees have a vital role to play in supporting and leading colleges, but they can make critical decisions that fundamentally undermine the institution they are to guide. The most important role for a governing board is the selection and supervision of the president. In today’s post, I want to make the case that boards have to stop rigging searches when hiring politician as university president.

Kennesaw State President Sam Olens. Photo credit: Marietta Daily Journal

According to the best data currently available from the American Council on Education, 2% of presidents come from the ranks of elected or appointed government officials.

This is a relatively small number, but I suspect when the new data comes out the trend will have increased at least some (the current data is from 2011).

It is easy to understand why governing boards want to look at nontraditional candidates in general and government officials in particular. 

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Faculty unionization in higher education is a symptom of broken governance

For the first time in its history, the Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges and University Faculty went on strike, which ended after a three day impasse. Impacting thousands of faculty and students across 14 public institutions in Pennsylvania, the strike was the latest in an ongoing series of organized labor events occurring across higher education. Union members in Pennsylvania were striking for better wages, health benefits, and academic work conditions. However, I believe the Pennsylvania case is indicative of a much larger issue facing higher education. Namely, faculty unionization in higher education is a symptom of broken governance.

Photo credit: Matt Rourke/AP
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Donald Trump is dangerous for higher education and the country

America has a stark contrast this year between a flawed, but competent Hillary Clinton and a dangerous Donald Trump. I don’t use the word dangerous lightly. I believe a Donald Trump presidency would cause harm to American higher education and the country as a whole.

Photo credit: CNN

I want to put this as simply as I can: Donald Trump is dangerous. 

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Anthem protests are in the best tradition of higher education

Everyone in the country is well aware of the challenges we face regarding race, diversity, and equality. In response to the current racial climate in America, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to protest during the national anthem. Unsurprisingly, there has been controversy surrounding Kaepernick’s protest. However, others feeling similar to Kaepernick have similarly protested during the anthem. With the beginning of college football, students at several campuses have joined the protests. In today’s post, I want to make the case that despite detractors, the anthem protests are in the best tradition of higher education.

Anthem protests are in the best tradition of higher education

Two protests during recent college football games recently struck a chord with me given my personal affiliations.