Workplace Blog

Austin-American Statesman: UT regents discuss border fence

Regents unanimously offer support for fence while criticizing plan to leave 166 acres of the campus on the other side.

University of Texas System regents, hoping to avoid a lawsuit by the federal government, called Wednesday for negotiations to resolve a dispute concerning a proposed border fence that would cut through parts of the campus of UT-Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.

Inside Higher Ed: Next Generation President

Some high profile appointments — most notably Drew Faust at Harvard University last year — have created a sense that the college and university presidency is diversifying. Actually, while the numbers of women leading campuses have been increasing, the rate of growth has slowed, and the increases for non-white presidents have become minimal. In fact, the most dramatic change among college presidents in recent years may not be increased diversity, but increased longevity in office.

Inside Higher Ed: In Colorado’s Chosen Chief, Faculty See Tenure Foe

The sole finalist to become president of the University of Colorado system was, as a state teachers’ union describes it, “the architect and chief proponent” of changes at Metropolitan State College of Denver that “eliminated tenure as we know it.” Bruce Benson, the owner and president of an oil and gas exploration and production company since 1965, served as chair of Metro State’s Board of Trustees during the 2003 policy alterations.

“Just to have someone like this who’s worked so hard to undermine academic freedom being the only person considered for the president at CU just blows our minds,” said David Sanger, president of the American Federation of Teachers’ Colorado chapter. The union sued over the 2003 changes to the faculty handbook, which deleted earlier protections ensuring that, in the event of layoffs, non-tenured faculty would lose their jobs before tenured professors and that the university would make efforts to relocate tenured faculty within the institution, in addition to changing hearing procedures.

Rocky Mountain News: CU groups grill Benson

Skeptics unhappy with answers from finalist for top post

Oilman Bruce Benson moved to reassure skeptical University of Colorado students and faculty members Monday that he will respect academic freedom and not attack tenure if he is selected to lead the school.

But some campus leaders remained in doubt after more than three hours of meetings with the sole finalist for CU president.

Student co-President Charles Gilford III said Benson failed to provide clear answers on basic questions, such as his vision for the university.

Inside Higher Ed: Taking Conflict of Interest Seriously

The session leaders asked for a show of hands. Who in a room filled largely with private college presidents knew that their institutions have conflict of interest policies that apply to individuals? Most arms shot into the air. No surprise there.

But in response to a similar question with only this slight twist — policies that apply to institutions — only a few tentative hands rose. Kathleen Santora, chief executive officer of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, said she wasn’t surprised by that result, either.