Last year, University Senate passed two important resolutions supported by AAUP. We have news for you on both fronts.
One (18.11) was to update Miami Policy to protect tenure and ensure academic freedom and due process rights for non-tenure-line faculty.
The other (18.12) requested the formation of an ad-hoc committee to make recommendations on faculty composition and to identify appropriate academic freedom and due process rights for each faculty rank.
The first resolution (18.11) unfortunately has stalled out for now. The Provost has told AAUP that despite Senate’s wishes, the policy has not been revised. The reason she gave is that Miami policy already declares that all faculty have academic freedom. AAUP argues, however, that academic freedom, like any right, requires safeguards—and the majority of faculty at Miami lack them. Miami’s Academic Freedom Principles (part of Miami policy since 1950) describe due process and economic security as necessary underpinnings for academic freedom. All non-tenure-track faculty at Miami can be dismissed at will and without cause, so they cannot count on the protections that enable academic freedom. Please encourage your senators to continue to push for 18.11 to be adopted into policy.
The second resolution (18.12) has fared somewhat better, though it is at risk of dilution. Last week, Executive Committee presented a draft charge for the committee to Senate. Unfortunately, the draft charge did not represent Senate’s intentions. It constrained the committee from discussing whether academic freedom and due process were in fact available to all ranks. The charge referenced the policy that declares academic freedom for faculty, but did not reference the other academic freedom policy—the one that explains the necessary underpinnings required in order for academic freedom to be realized. Senate, unsatisfied, requested several significant changes, and the draft has been returned to Executive Committee for revision.
We salute our Senators on their engaged and informed participation. We have high hopes that the new charge will better reflect Senate’s intentions.
Please express support for these resolutions by contacting your senator and signing our petition to the Provost and President.
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