No news isn't necessarily good news

I have not yet received word about the dean selection for the College of Agriculture, but meanwhile there are other issues on campus:

From the Plainsman:

AU proposes post-tenure reviews

By Jeff Thompson
Staff Writer

July 21, 2005
Last week, Interim President Ed Richardson proposed a plan that could jeopardize Auburn professors' job security even after they've received tenure.

"He came up with the idea of what he calls, 'periodic review of the faculty.' He did not ask the faculty if this was needed, necessary or a good thing. He simply announced, 'This is going to happen. You will do this,'" said Conner Bailey, University Senate chair.

Richardson is searching for accountability at the University, the adhesive that might connect the parts into a working piece of machinery and rid Auburn of "disconnectedness" between the faculty and administration. The proposal calls for a system that will allow the removal of academic tenure based on a periodic review.

While I understand where Bailey is coming fro on this, I have to support this idea. To give you an idea of the student perspective, there is this quote for a community discussion on livejournal.com:

i think its a good idea there are tons of shitty professors who hang around just cause they have tenure.

While that is a somewhat cynical view, it is an easy one for students to have as more often than not many students see their reviews of professors and instructors ignored in cases of simply poor teaching.

The Faculty Senate should play this carefully, as staunch opposition will be seen by the student body as an attempt to block accountability on the part of faculty.

-the Progressive Conservative