Shared Governance

Faculty have criticized the agreement with Ariel University, located in a settlement on Palestinian territory. An Israeli consul general called it “a new chapter in academic cooperation between Israel and the United States.”

A bill awaiting Gov. Abbott’s signature would require college administrators to set procedures for faculty governing bodies and appoint their leaders, part of an effort to address “liberal faculty control over universities.”

Faculty may want a break, but the architects of the assault on higher ed won’t be breaking and neither should we, Jennifer Lundquist and Kathy Roberts Forde write.

In the past two years, the Republican-controlled Legislature has weakened tenure, restricted pride flags at universities, overhauled gen ed at one university and pushed institutions to reallocate funding. Some faculty say their roles are being undermined.

Some public universities nixed certain gen ed mandates in response to a statewide order. But through exemptions, multiple degree programs can continue mandating courses that relate to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The agreements, which have raised academic freedom advocates’ eyebrows, said that those wanting a voluntary retirement payout can’t criticize the university or any of its employees.

When Republicans revealed the legislation last week, new provisions requiring faculty to post syllabi and face “productivity” reviews had appeared. The bill quickly passed.

Governing boards, and faculty looking to them for leadership, would be wise to remember the first rule in governance is to do no harm, Andrew Lounder writes.