AF.05.01 2004-2005 Annual Report The Senate Bylaws provide for a standing Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure (AFT),
whose investigative duties include possible infringement of academic freedom, and allegations of violations of the role of faculty in governance as specified in the University Statutes and unit bylaws.
As appropriate, the Committee shall conduct hearings, and shall submit recommendations and reports to the Chancellor and the Senate. The following is a summary of issues considered by the Committee during the 2004-2005 academic year. Promotion and Tenure Questionnaires.
Annually since 1981, AFT has received for examination the Promotions and Tenure (P&T) Questionnaires from the Office of the Provost. Last year, the Provost’s Office asked the Committee to consider if academic units needed to continue to submit their P&T procedures each year. AFT recommended that a complete database (including each campus academic unit) of P&T procedures be assembled and posted on a website administered by the Provost’s Office. Once this is established, units only need to update their procedures when changes have been made to these procedures.
Sloan Grant.
At the request of a senator, the Committee investigated the possible implications of components of this Grant for UIS faculty, in particular, the provision that all faculty must teach at least one on-line course each year. The Committee was satisfied with the response from UIS faculty that this Grant includes the requirement that a few degree programs be placed online within three years, but with no mandate for individual faculty.
Statutory Revisions.The Committee unanimously endorsed SP.01.04, statutory revisions which seek to clarify the process for amending the University Statutes. This item is scheduled to be voted upon at the April 25, 2005, UIUC Senate meeting.
Use of University facilities to promote political activity.
The Committee responded to a letter from then Associate Chancellor Larry Mann on the question of private use of campus facilities, internet facilities in particular. The campus formulated a policy stating that the use of University internet facilities to promote political activities is prohibited.
Complaints.As of this writing, the Committee has no open investigations but received a couple of inquiries during this academic year. Faculty should be aware that the AFT Committee is available for informal consulting at any time.
Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure
Peter Loeb, Chair
Clifton Brown
Elizabeth Hearne
John Kindt
Robert Rich
Lynne Rudasill
H. Fred Troutt