Is Faculty Accountability Lacking at UNC Wilmington?

Feb 19, 2018 · Lou Buttino · Comments Off

In my 45 years of teaching I have never filed an academic complaint against another faculty member—nor has one ever been filed against me. I have long believed that this demonstrates the overwhelming integrity of the teaching profession. But in 2012, as a professor and former chair in film studies at the University of North … Continue reading “Is Faculty Accountability Lacking at UNC Wilmington?”

Faculty Senate Shrugged

Aug 5, 2016 · Jason Fertig · Comments Off

Politics is on many people’s minds this year, so this is a good time to write about that topic. But the politics I’m thinking about does not involve the presidency. Rather, I’m thinking about the politics of shared governance in higher education—specifically, the relationship between university senates and their administrations. While shared governance sounds like … Continue reading “Faculty Senate Shrugged”

The American Political Science Association Cancels the Claremont Institute Oct 13, 2021
Universities have been going woke across the country. This involves administrators pushing “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” policies in hiring practices, student life, and curricula. But if they choose to, academic departments can actually be bastions of resistance to the DEI fervor. Many departments are connected to professional standards that limit their adherence to DEI ideology. … Continue reading “The American Political Science Association Cancels the Claremont Institute”
Is it Time to Rethink Tenure? Oct 4, 2021
In a recent article for the Martin Center, Duke professor Mike Munger asked an important question: should “a political board composed of nonacademics…be empowered to evaluate faculty proposals on hiring and curriculum in the first place?” He argued that, in practice, boards have already ceded that authority. For many years, shared governance, at least on … Continue reading “Is it Time to Rethink Tenure?”
A Conversation with the Chancellor of NC State University Sep 27, 2021
Universities across North Carolina welcomed students back to campus last month for what may be the most “normal” semester since the pandemic began. And according to the chancellor of North Carolina State University, Randy Woodson, students are happy to be back in person, although there is some apprehension. Despite the massive interruptions caused by the … Continue reading “A Conversation with the Chancellor of NC State University”

Could College Exit Exams Restore Confidence in Higher Ed? Oct 15, 2021
Although there is no shortage of college graduates, a degree alone, unfortunately, does not guarantee students learned anything of substance while in college. The grade point averages listed at the top of many graduates’ resumes aren’t always reflective of students’ actual academic capabilities. University classes, particularly in the humanities, have become increasingly watered-down, making students’ … Continue reading “Could College Exit Exams Restore Confidence in Higher Ed?”
The American Political Science Association Cancels the Claremont Institute Oct 13, 2021
Universities have been going woke across the country. This involves administrators pushing “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” policies in hiring practices, student life, and curricula. But if they choose to, academic departments can actually be bastions of resistance to the DEI fervor. Many departments are connected to professional standards that limit their adherence to DEI ideology. … Continue reading “The American Political Science Association Cancels the Claremont Institute”
“Death by a Thousand Cuts”: Professor Files Lawsuit Against NC State University Oct 11, 2021
Incidents of academics being targeted for their views are on the rise, according to a new report by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). FIRE notes that the number of targeting cases has sharply increased from 24 incidents in 2015 to 113 in 2020. Unfortunately, that trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down … Continue reading ““Death by a Thousand Cuts”: Professor Files Lawsuit Against NC State University”