COB up for discussion

OK, day one of APSCUF-KU XChange and I’ve already received a request from one of our members to put up an issue for discussion.  Here’s the email from Thomas Grant, Associate Professor of Accounting (posted here with his permission):

Kevin, If you are going to be “putting up content for discussion”, how about floating this one:

How many APSCUF members at KU know that between 30 and 40% of the COB faculty were recently given letters from their dean, which stated that within the next 3 to 5 years they will be “phased out” from teaching courses to Business majors? Keep in mind that many of these faculty have been teaching Business majors here at KU for over 20 years and some for over 30 years. This is all part of the push for AACSB accreditation and is penalizing faculty who were hired under a different set of hiring standards (back when students actually mattered and good teaching was something to be respected). Many of us in the COB wonder whether others on campus know about this and if they do, do they care?

Thomas J. Grant
Associate Professor of Accounting

What say you?

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in the media

APSCUF-KU held a joint Conference on Labor in Higher Education in Harrisburg on October 15-17th.  Here’s some stuff that came out of the conference:

• Here’s me being interviewed by Marc Bousquet for AAUP Online.  The interview focused on Article 11 of our contract–conversion of temporary faculty members/lines to tenure-track.
• Bousquet’s full post for AAUP Online, “Stabilizing Persons, Creating New Lines,” also includes a link to an article by Bill Hendricks of California U of PA, “Negotiated Conversions: Living with Uncertainty.”
• On Sunday, October 25th I was interviewed on the Harrisburg-based “The Rick Smith Show.” I was asked to come on the show to discuss last week’s labor conference, issues facing state faculty members, and, what the recent surge in student enrollment means for schools, students, and staff.”
• An excellent piece called “Is Your Fiscal Crisis Real?” posted by Marc Bousquet on his “Brainstorm” blog for the Chronicle of Higher Ed.
• Bousquet’s “Is Your Fiscal Crisis Real” post includes the PowerPoint presentation at the APSCUF/PSEA conference by Howard Bunsis, AAUP.  The presentation shows data that raises serious questions as to the reality of PA’s fiscal crisis.  You can check out the presentation right here.
• Also check out Marc Bousquet’s site How the University Works for lots of info on current higher education labor issues.

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