Putting academics first, creating transparency, democratizing
governance and reviving community are steps that need to
be taken to get Eastern Michigan University moving in the
right direction, according to EMU faculty.
 |
COME TOGETHER: Joanna Scott, an EMU professor
of
political science, addresses approximately 160 faculty
during an assembly in the Pray-Harrold auditorium
Sept. 4. Facuty stressed they want to see academics
put first, transparency become the norm, a
democratic governance system practiced and a sense
of campus community created. (above, from left)
Regent Chair Tom Sidlik and Don Loppnow, executive
vice president and provost, and Howard Bunsis,
president of the AAUP, listen. |
After a tumultuous year at EMU that included a faculty
strike and death of a student, faculty hosted an assembly
entitled, "The Future of EMU: What Do We Do Now?" as a
way to help establish a plan of action for the 2007-2008
school year. The assembly took place in the Pray-Harrold
auditorium Sept. 4.
The assembly, attended by approximately 160 faculty, was
a time to create mutual understanding, work toward change
and yes, even bellyache.
"We need to figure out what we are and what we want to
become," said Greg Huszcczo, a professor in the department
of management. "We want to learn and put our learning to
use. We want that for our students."
"How can management and faculty work together? That's
what we can be about and be proud of. We need to make sure
these desires are put into action," he said.
One way for academics to be more prevalent is to treat
it like a living organic relationship between faculty and
students, not refer to teaching as "product" and students
as "customers," said Lynn Nybell, professor of social work.
"'Putting academics first' is a conviction that we as
the faculty must continually assert. We cannot take it
for granted," she said.
Don Loppnow, provost and executive vice president, agreed
with the idea of developing an academic impact statement
and said it should be examined further.
To move forward, a number of faculty, citing recent bad
press, said transparency and providing accurate information
to campus in a timely manner is a necessity.
"We have to stop concealing the truth and obfuscating.
It has to go away," said Mark Higbee, a history and philosophy
professor, who addressed the transparency issue with faculty. "To
restore trust, behavior must change. Questions must be
answered, not ducked or evaded."
Transparency is not only necessary to rebuild trust on
campus, but to do the same with the community and broader
EMU constituencies, Loppnow said.
Tom Sidlik, chair of the EMU Board of Regents, agreed.
"On transparency, I couldn't agree more," he said. "Rumors
are divisive and eat away at any organization. Rumors fill
that void when information is not out there.
Sharing democratic governance was another topic of debate.
Faculty need a "seat at the table" for all major decisions
on campus, including searches for deans, the provost and
EMU's next president; and committees that oversee technology,
campus safety, and new construction and renovation, said
Joanna Scott, a professor of political science.
"EMU's mission as an academic institution, its ability
in fact, and in the press, to deliver essential services
and academic programs, depends on the most important constituency
on this campus a meaningful voice and a vote on all crucial
policy matters facing this University," Scott said.
Faculty also called for building a sense of community,
with a couple professors citing some of EMU's younger faculty
had moved on to other institutions when they felt a lack
of support for their teaching and research efforts.
A number also called for more funding for Halle Library,
the Holman Learning Center and graduate assistantships.
Despite the concerns, faculty were buoyed by the attendance
of Sidlik, Loppnow and Regent James Stapleton.
"The future of EMU has begun now," said Margrit Zinggeler,
a professor of foreign languages and bilingual studies. "Two
regents are here listening. This has never happened before."
"I think we have some systemic weaknesses," Loppnow said. "We
will move forward to address them and move forward during
this interim period where I am at the helm in your behalf."
Despite some of EMU's problems, Sidlik said students he
talked to at the recent orientation said they came to EMU
for a specific program that was offered or because it was
one of the few offered by state universities.
"So, we have some real gems in programs offered," Sidlik
said. "Students come here for the teachers and the programs."
