Quick Takes
Labor Secretary Clarifies Remarks on Adjuncts
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis last week gave an interview to National Public Radio in which she answered a listener's question about adjunct instructors in a way that some viewed as questioning their commitment to teaching -- but she has now clarified her comments. The comment in question, found toward the bottom of this transcript, is: "[T]he continuance of involvement on the part of part-time faculty members I think is a legitimate issue and should be looked at. Because as it stands, you also find that that faculty member is not as inclined to stay committed to those groups of students that they do teach because they're off to different -- other -- what they call, freeway traveling or teaching.…" The American Federation of Teachers approached the Labor Department about the issue and published this statement of clarification that the AFT received: "Adjunct faculty are being particularly hard-hit by the financial crisis at the state level. They deserve to be represented in collective bargaining, and their collective bargaining agreements should be respected. I certainly was not implying that adjuncts are not committed to their students, or that they are anything other than excellent educators. In fact, my involvement with California community colleges has shown me that they are committed professionals who are dedicated to helping students succeed. What I wanted to get across is that, too often, adjunct faculty do not get the level of compensation or professional supports that full-time faculty receive to advise students academically, follow students through their academic careers, develop the college's curriculum, etc. Too many adjuncts, I noted, wind up needing to move from college to college each week just to put together a small living."
Layoffs Mark End of Controversial U. of Illinois Online Effort
The University of Illinois is eliminating the jobs of most staff members of its Global Campus, an ambitious and controversial effort to create a major distance education unit, functioning largely independently of the university's campuses and their faculties, The News-Gazette reported. A new distance education effort is being planned in its place. The Global Campus has been a source of concern to faculty members from the start, as many said it was created without adequate academic oversight by professors.
Calvin's Ban on Gay Advocacy Angers Professors
Many professors at Calvin College are angry over a memo from the board telling them that "advocacy of homosexual practice and same-sex marriage is not permitted," The Grand Rapids Press reported. The memo is consistent with the Christian Reformed Church, with which the college is affiliated, but many professors say that the statement denies their academic freedom by barring them from taking certain positions.
Chicago State Gets $40M to Add Campus It Didn't Request
Chicago State University is adding a new campus, courtesy of $40 million from the state for which it didn't even ask. The Chicago Tribune reported that a legislator in the area where the new campus must be built pushed the project -- absent any plans from the university. The president of the university found out about the new campus in a newspaper article.
Amid Dispute, Higher Ed Chief Quits in Colorado
David E. Skaggs, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, resigned Friday, after less than three years in office, citing a conflict with Gov. Bill Ritter, The Denver Post reported. The Post did not have details on the conflict, but noted that a draft strategic plan for higher education in Colorado, prepared by Skaggs, has upset some college presidents. The plan would create financial incentives for colleges to improve student performance, but some campus-based officials believe the proposal asserts too much state authority.
Berkeley Police Officers Played Key Role in Ending Kidnap Saga
The rescue of Jaycee Lee Dugard, kidnapped at age 11 in 1991 and freed only last week, has captured widespread attention. Her rescue is due in large part to the work of two police officers at the University of California at Berkeley: Lisa Campbell and Ally Jacobs. Phillip Garrido, who faces numerous charges in relation to Dugard's kidnapping, came to Berkeley to ask about holding an event there, and Campbell suspected something was wrong with him and the two girls he brought with him. Jacobs ran a background check on him, revealing him to be a registered sex offender. The two officers' suspicions -- shared with other law enforcement officials -- cracked the case. Details are available here.
Faculty Votes 'No Confidence' at Montgomery College
Faculty members at Montgomery College – the largest two-year institution in Maryland – overwhelmingly passed a resolution of no confidence in Brian K. Johnson, the president of just over two years, last week. Though the text of the resolution is vague, The Washington Post reported that, among other faculty concerns, Johnson “has habitually failed to attend meetings and ceremonial events,” “sometimes leaves his office ‘for a day or several days’ without explanation,” and “has spent excessive amounts on limousines, drivers, hotels and airfare.” Rose Sachs, president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors, told Inside Higher Ed in an e-mail that the organization has filed three open records requests this summer to look into the Johnson’s spending habits. Johnson told the Post that the college is on a "good trajectory" and that "Montgomery College is a public institution with policies and checks and balances for every employee. The president is no different."
Community College Will Let Donors Restore Courses
City College of San Francisco is going ahead with its idea of letting donors pay $6,000 to restore one of the 800 courses canceled due to budget cuts, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. The plan was initially controversial, but gained support after safeguards were added to prevent scenarios such as a tobacco company sponsoring a health course. So far, eight individuals have pledged gifts to restore a course. The San Francisco newspaper reported that one of them is Mary Allen, who taught mathematics at the college from 1969 to 1993 and who has asked that her gift be used to restore a mathematics course. "City College was good to me.... Now it's pay-back time," she said.
