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Shared Governance

AAUP Statement regarding CAS split

06 September 2022  Chancellor Donde Plowman and Senior Vice Chancellor and Provost John Zomchick are proposing to split up the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) into a College of Natural Sciences (and Math) and a College of Liberal Arts (without Natural Sciences and Math). At a series of “engagement opportunities” in recent weeks, their intent to pursue this plan has become increasingly strong – despite important arguments against the plan from faculty input. Because shared governance is foundational to the American Association of University Professors, we argue against splitting up the CAS on this ground.  Shared governance around such a consequential decision requires (1) more… Read More »AAUP Statement regarding CAS split

Request to Chancellor and Provost to Speak Out Against “Divisive Concepts” Bills

Dear Chancellor Plowman and Provost Zomchick: As we are sure you are aware, the Tennessee General Assembly is in the process of passing a law that will greatly impact our ability to teach courses, topics, and issues necessary to educate our students. We believe our students seek the rigor and challenge of courses from our R1, flagship, land-grant institution because our curriculum not only prepares them for successful careers, but also offers them an expanded understanding of the world in which they live. Bills like SB2290/HB2670 will have a severe chilling effect on what is taught and discussed in the classroom. The bill allows for… Read More »Request to Chancellor and Provost to Speak Out Against “Divisive Concepts” Bills

Statement on Appointment of New Provost

The AAUP at the University of Tennessee Knoxville recognizes that we are in an unprecedented time of pandemic and economic uncertainty, due to Covid-19, and social upheaval, due to the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Nonetheless, we are concerned at the recent appointment of a new provost without any faculty input. The new provost is not an interim provost but seems to be a permanent appointment. According to Section 1.9 of the Faculty Handbook, faculty should have a role in the selection of university administrators. Section 1.9 references a search advisory committee and presupposes that faculty will be involved in the search… Read More »Statement on Appointment of New Provost

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