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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Faculty Senate resolution
Letters to the Editor | 11/20/07
Posted online at 10:05 PM EST on 11/19/07
/ Last updated at 2:12 AM EST on 11/19/07
To the Editor:
I was disappointed that the Justice did not print the entire resolution of the Faculty Senate. The resolution notes not only the points you adduced, but the Senate's concern about student rights as well: ("Prof Hindley's case still under appeal," Nov. 13 issue) Faculty Senate Resolution, adopted unanimously at the Nov. 8, 2007 Senate meeting, and read at the Nov. 8 General Faculty Meeting:
The Faculty Handbook states that the Faculty Senate is responsible for issues of "academic freedom" and "the rights, responsibilities … of faculty members" and "University regulations as they affect faculty." Given this, we are seriously concerned about procedures in a recent case in which a faculty member was accused of violating the Brandeis University Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy. The Human Resources policies stress the importance of resolving such issues in an "informal manner" with "flexible" solutions. Furthermore, the provost's letter to the professor includes reference to "termination" as a possibility if the professor does not accept the suggested remedies. This violates section VIIC2a of the Faculty Handbook: "When considering suspension or dismissal, the provost will first consult with the Faculty Senate Council." No such consultation occurred before this letter was delivered.
The Senate recognizes that the faculty and the officers of the University have legal obligations, as well as obligations to protect students. We expect to discuss with the administration issues of mutual concern, including the set of policies governing discrimination and harassment. We also expect handbook and other University policies, including those relating to the jurisdiction of the Committee on Rights and Responsibilities, to be fully and completely adhered to in all cases.
-Prof. Marc Brettler (NEJS)
The writer is Chair of the Faculty Senate.
I was disappointed that the Justice did not print the entire resolution of the Faculty Senate. The resolution notes not only the points you adduced, but the Senate's concern about student rights as well: ("Prof Hindley's case still under appeal," Nov. 13 issue) Faculty Senate Resolution, adopted unanimously at the Nov. 8, 2007 Senate meeting, and read at the Nov. 8 General Faculty Meeting:
The Faculty Handbook states that the Faculty Senate is responsible for issues of "academic freedom" and "the rights, responsibilities … of faculty members" and "University regulations as they affect faculty." Given this, we are seriously concerned about procedures in a recent case in which a faculty member was accused of violating the Brandeis University Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy. The Human Resources policies stress the importance of resolving such issues in an "informal manner" with "flexible" solutions. Furthermore, the provost's letter to the professor includes reference to "termination" as a possibility if the professor does not accept the suggested remedies. This violates section VIIC2a of the Faculty Handbook: "When considering suspension or dismissal, the provost will first consult with the Faculty Senate Council." No such consultation occurred before this letter was delivered.
The Senate recognizes that the faculty and the officers of the University have legal obligations, as well as obligations to protect students. We expect to discuss with the administration issues of mutual concern, including the set of policies governing discrimination and harassment. We also expect handbook and other University policies, including those relating to the jurisdiction of the Committee on Rights and Responsibilities, to be fully and completely adhered to in all cases.
-Prof. Marc Brettler (NEJS)
The writer is Chair of the Faculty Senate.
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