[Vision2020] UI Faculty Meeting, Thursday, Feb. 19
Nick Gier
ngier@uidaho.edu
Wed, 18 Feb 2004 14:31:05 -0800
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Greetings:
Since this is a community bulletin board, I'm posting this especially for
retired faculty out there, who may want to participate and help make the
quorum (but you may not vote).
Anyone in the community may want to pledge to the Glenn Grishkoff Defense Fund.
FACULTY MEETING
THURSDAY, FEB. 19TH, 3:30, JEB 104
SECRET BALLOT; EMERITI MAY PARTICIPATE
RESOLUTIONS ON FACULTY GOVERNANCE, ACADEMIC FREEDOM, AND FACULTY FILES
"Glenn Grishkoff is an excellent example of a ceramic artist whose conceptual
frameworks are rising to the challenges of the 21st Century"--peer review
letter
The UI Federation of Teachers is half way through 31 years of service
to the UI faculty. In the past we have only called two special faculty
meetings. In 1975 we won a 2-1 vote in favor of collective bargaining and
in 1980 due process for non-tenured faculty passed by a vote of 99-51. We
have now called for a meeting on February 19 on the issues of faculty
governance, academic freedom, and personnel files.
Although the dismissal of Glenn Grishkoff has generated these basic
concerns, UI faculty will not be asked to make any judgment about
Grishkoff's professional credentials. All that we request is that the UI
faculty vote to allow Professor Grishkoff to finish his probationary period
for tenure.
We have learned that early this year additional documents were added
to Grishkoff's file, and we also learned that the Provost was holding what
he called the "official" file in his office. These facts have led us to
formulate the resolution on faculty files found below.
Professor Grishkoff has participated in twelve juried and
invitational art exhibitions and seven solo exhibitions, including
exhibitions in Japan, California, Washington, Montana, and Idaho. He
recently won the top award at the national competition in Great Falls,
Montana, and last summer he participated in the 60th Scripps College Annual
Ceramics Invitational Exhibition, one of the most prestigious ceramic
exhibitions in North America.
Professor Grishkoff received above average evaluations each year of
his employment at the University of Idaho. In April of 2003, he received a
positive third year review that concluded: "His research record positions
him as having an emerging national and international profile, which when
coupled with his research activity, has given the result of having attained
a notable national reputation."
Then, against all normal expectations and the wishes of the art
department, Dean Joe Zeller rejected the third year review and judged
Grishkoff's work as "insignificant." On June 20, 2003, Grishkoff received a
non-renewal letter from interim president Gary Michael. Sally Machlis,
chair of the art department, requested that Provost Pitcher reconsider the
case, but he chose not to, even with thirty letters of support (one cited
above) from Grishkoff's national peers in his hands.
RESOLUTION ON FACULTY GOVERNANCE AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Whereas, the UI Constitution states that the "immediate governance" of the
University is in the hands of the faculty;
Whereas, the dismissal of Professor Glenn Grishkoff has brought this right
of self-governance into question;
Whereas, the dismissal of faculty normally begins in the department and is
forwarded to the dean and upper administration for action;
Whereas, only under the most unusual circumstances is it appropriate for
the administration to take direct action in such matters;
Whereas, the principle of academic freedom guarantees the right of
individual faculty members to choose their own course of research and
creative effort;
Whereas, the same principle should apply to departments in determining
their own instructional, service, and research goals;
Whereas, the dismissal of Professor Grishkoff threatens academic freedom;
Be it therefore resolved that the UI administration allow Professor
Grishkoff to finish his probationary period for tenure;
And be it further resolved that the UI administration should recommit
itself to faculty self-determination and the principle of academic freedom.
RESOLUTION ON FACULTY FILES
Whereas, faculty have a right to secure and accurate personnel files;
Whereas, until recently Section 3620 of the Faculty Staff Handbook
guaranteed faculty the right to inspect their files, to comment on the
contents, and negotiate that disputed documents removed;
Whereas, Section 3620 of the Faculty Staff Handbook no longer exists;
Whereas, Idaho State policy on open files does not provide the specific
rights that 3620 did;
Whereas, documents were added to Grishkoff's file without his knowledge and
after his dismissal was made;
Whereas, Provost Brian Pitcher refused to investigate the addition of
documents to Grishkoff's file;
Whereas, Section 3620 provided for the existence of only two identical
departmental and college personnel files;
Whereas, Provost Pitcher claims that the "official" files are the ones that
he keeps in his office;
Therefore, be it resolved that the UI faculty vote to reinstate Section
3620 of the Faculty-Staff Handbook;
And be it further resolved that the UI administration recommit itself to
preserving the integrity of faculty files.
PLEDGE TO THE GRISHKOFF DEFENSE FUND
Glenn Grishkoff will soon be filing suit against the UI administration, and
he will need the moral and financial support of the UI faculty. He has
already received financial aid from the local AFT and will also receive
additional monies from the state and national AFT. Please pledge to the
Grishkoff Defense Fund at the Latah Federal Credit Union. We will redeem
your pledge if the administration refuses to reinstate Grishkoff and the
suit goes forward.
Name ___________________________________e-mail ______________________________
Department __________________________________________________________________
I pledge ___$100 ___$50 ___$25 ___$10 ___other amount
Please return to Bob Dickow, acting AFT president, music department 4015
PLEASE JOIN US TO PROTECT FACULTY RIGHTS
I hereby apply for membership in the American Federation of Teachers and
its local and state affiliates. Please return this form to Bob Dickow,
music, 4015. Membership includes a $1,000,000 professional liability
policy. Annual dues for the academic year 2002/2003 are $147.84 plus 0.35%
of salary over $20,000 to a maximum of $254.02 in total dues.
Nicholas F. Gier
Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Idaho
1037 Colt Rd., Moscow, ID 83843
http://users.moscow.com/ngier/home/index.htm
208-883-3360/882-9212/FAX 885-8950
President, Idaho Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/ift/index.htm
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<font face="Courier New, Courier" size=1>Greetings:<br><br>
Since this is a community bulletin board, I'm posting this especially for
retired faculty out there, who may want to participate and help make the
quorum (but you may not vote).<br><br>
Anyone in the community may want to pledge to the Glenn Grishkoff Defense
Fund.<br><br>
FACULTY MEETING<br>
THURSDAY, FEB. 19TH, 3:30, JEB 104<br>
SECRET BALLOT; EMERITI MAY PARTICIPATE<br>
<br>
<br>
RESOLUTIONS ON FACULTY GOVERNANCE, ACADEMIC FREEDOM, AND FACULTY
FILES<br>
<br>
“Glenn Grishkoff is an excellent example of a ceramic artist whose
conceptual<br>
frameworks are rising to the challenges of the 21st Century”--peer review
letter<br>
<br>
The UI Federation of Teachers is half way
through 31 years of service to the UI faculty. In the past we have
only called two special faculty meetings. In 1975 we won a 2-1 vote
in favor of collective bargaining and in 1980 due process for non-tenured
faculty passed by a vote of 99-51. We have now called for a meeting
on February 19 on the issues of faculty governance, academic freedom, and
personnel files.<br>
<br>
Although the dismissal of Glenn Grishkoff has
generated these basic concerns, UI faculty will not be asked to make any
judgment about Grishkoff’s professional credentials. All that we
request is that the UI faculty vote to allow Professor Grishkoff to
finish his probationary period for tenure.<br>
<br>
We have learned that early this year additional
documents were added to Grishkoff’s file, and we also learned that the
Provost was holding what he called the “official” file in his
office. These facts have led us to formulate the resolution on
faculty files found below.<br>
<br>
Professor Grishkoff has participated in twelve
juried and invitational art exhibitions and seven solo exhibitions,
including exhibitions in Japan, California, Washington, Montana, and
Idaho. He recently won the top award at the national competition in
Great Falls, Montana, and last summer he participated in the 60th Scripps
College Annual Ceramics Invitational Exhibition, one of the most
prestigious ceramic exhibitions in North America.<br><br>
Professor Grishkoff received above average
evaluations each year of his employment at the University of Idaho.
In April of 2003, he received a positive third year review that
concluded: “His research record positions him as having an emerging
national and international profile, which when coupled with his research
activity, has given the result of having attained a notable national
reputation.”<br><br>
Then, against all normal expectations and the
wishes of the art department, Dean Joe Zeller rejected the third year
review and judged Grishkoff’s work as “insignificant.” On June 20, 2003,
Grishkoff received a non-renewal letter from interim president Gary
Michael. Sally Machlis, chair of the art department, requested that
Provost Pitcher reconsider the case, but he chose not to, even with
thirty letters of support (one cited above) from Grishkoff’s national
peers in his hands.<br>
<br>
RESOLUTION ON FACULTY GOVERNANCE AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM<br><br>
Whereas, the UI Constitution states that the "immediate
governance" of the University is in the hands of the faculty;<br>
Whereas, the dismissal of Professor Glenn Grishkoff has brought this
right of self-governance into question;<br>
Whereas, the dismissal of faculty normally begins in the department and
is forwarded to the dean and upper administration for action;<br>
Whereas, only under the most unusual circumstances is it appropriate for
the administration to take direct action in such matters;<br>
Whereas, the principle of academic freedom guarantees the right of
individual faculty members to choose their own course of research and
creative effort;<br>
Whereas, the same principle should apply to departments in determining
their own instructional, service, and research goals;<br>
Whereas, the dismissal of Professor Grishkoff threatens academic
freedom;<br>
Be it therefore resolved that the UI administration allow Professor
Grishkoff to finish his probationary period for tenure;<br>
And be it further resolved that the UI administration should recommit
itself to faculty self-determination and the principle of academic
freedom.<br><br>
RESOLUTION ON FACULTY FILES<br><br>
Whereas, faculty have a right to secure and accurate personnel
files;<br>
Whereas, until recently Section 3620 of the Faculty Staff Handbook
guaranteed faculty the right to inspect their files, to comment on the
contents, and negotiate that disputed documents removed;<br>
Whereas, Section 3620 of the Faculty Staff Handbook no longer
exists;<br>
Whereas, Idaho State policy on open files does not provide the specific
rights that 3620 did;<br>
Whereas, documents were added to Grishkoff’s file without his knowledge
and after his dismissal was made;<br>
Whereas, Provost Brian Pitcher refused to investigate the addition of
documents to Grishkoff’s file;<br>
Whereas, Section 3620 provided for the existence of only two identical
departmental and college personnel files;<br>
Whereas, Provost Pitcher claims that the “official” files are the ones
that he keeps in his office;<br>
Therefore, be it resolved that the UI faculty vote to reinstate Section
3620 of the Faculty-Staff Handbook;<br>
And be it further resolved that the UI administration recommit itself to
preserving the integrity of faculty files.<br><br>
PLEDGE TO THE GRISHKOFF DEFENSE FUND<br><br>
Glenn Grishkoff will soon be filing suit against the UI administration,
and he will need the moral and financial support of the UI faculty.
He has already received financial aid from the local AFT and will also
receive additional monies from the state and national AFT. Please
pledge to the Grishkoff Defense Fund at the Latah Federal Credit
Union. We will redeem your pledge if the administration refuses to
reinstate Grishkoff and the suit goes forward.<br><br>
Name ___________________________________e-mail
______________________________<br>
Department
__________________________________________________________________<br>
I pledge ___$100 ___$50 ___$25 ___$10 ___other amount<br>
Please return to Bob Dickow, acting AFT president, music department
4015<br><br>
PLEASE JOIN US TO PROTECT FACULTY RIGHTS<br><br>
I hereby apply for membership in the American Federation of Teachers and
its local and state affiliates. Please return this form to Bob
Dickow, music, 4015. Membership includes a $1,000,000 professional
liability policy. Annual dues for the academic year 2002/2003 are $147.84
plus 0.35% of salary over $20,000 to a maximum of $254.02 in total dues.
<br><br>
</font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
Nicholas F. Gier<br>
Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Idaho<br>
1037 Colt Rd., Moscow, ID 83843<br>
<a href="http://users.moscow.com/ngier/home/index.htm" eudora="autourl">http://users.moscow.com/ngier/home/index.htm<br>
</a>208-883-3360/882-9212/FAX 885-8950<br>
President, Idaho Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO<br>
<a href="http://www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/ift/index.htm" eudora="autourl">www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/ift/index.htm</a></html>
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