The current climate regarding academic freedom and tenure at our state universities and colleges, and indeed across the country, has raised concerns among faculty. In response to this, the Faculty Senate held a virtual town hall on November 10, 2021, which was attended by over 100 interested parties. Opening statements (see below) were followed by a question/answer and comment session.
Faculty Senate President Dr. Timothy L. Boaz provided a summary of the events of the past few weeks and the issues we are facing including the attempts by the University of Florida to curtail the academic freedom of three professors, the tenure fast-tracking of the Florida Surgeon General, who espouses herd immunity to COVID-19 through natural infection, at the University of Florida, and a proposal for legislation of a post-tenure review process. President Boaz’s full statement can be viewed here.
Faculty Senator and Faculty Senate Executive Committee Member-at-Large Dr. Brian Connolly addressed the principles of academic freedom and tenure, specifically as defined by the AAUP. He followed with a review of the potential impact of the post-tenure review. Senator Connolly’s full statement can be viewed here.
Faculty Senator Dr. John Lennon concluded the opening statements with a detailed analysis of some potential negative effects of the post-tenure review proposal that was drafted by the University of Florida, reviewed by SUS provosts, and sent to Florida legislators. Senator Lennon’s full statement can be viewed here.