TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

TUFS PresentationTennessee Senate & House Education CommitteesFebruary 9 & March 1, 2011Nashville, Tennessee

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Overview

• Introduction to TUFS• THEC Master Plan• Quality of Higher Education• Issues From Member Senates

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Executive CommitteeJeffrey S. Berman, PresidentUniversity of MemphisPsychology

J.A.M. “Toby” Boulet, President-ElectUniversity of Tennessee, KnoxvilleMechanical Engineering

John Nolt, Immediate Past PresidentUniversity of Tennessee, KnoxvillePhilosophy

H. Lyn Miles, SecretaryUniversity of Tennessee, ChattanoogaAnthropology

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Member Faculty SenatesAustin Peay State University ClarksvilleEast Tennessee State University Johnson CityMiddle Tennessee State University MurfreesboroTennessee State University NashvilleTennessee Technical University CookvilleUniversity of Memphis MemphisUniversity of Tennessee, Chattanooga ChattanoogaUniversity of Tennessee, Health Science Center MemphisUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville KnoxvilleUniversity of Tennessee, Martin Martin

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Meetings With Key Legislators SENATE HOUSEDelores Gresham (R), Chair Beth Harwell (R), SpeakerAndy Berke (D) Craig Fitzhugh (D)Jamie Woodson (R) Joe Pitts (D)Brian Kelsey (R) Dennis Powers (R)

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

TUFS’ Participation in theTHEC Master Plan• Amendment 12 of Complete College Tennessee Act• Appointment to Master Plan Committee• Faculty Senate involvement in implementation• Faculty expertise in evaluation

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Maintaining Quality ofHigher Education• Potential of Complete College Tennessee Act• Increasing numbers of college students for long-term state benefits• Metrics to encourage & monitor process (accreditation processes)• Ensuring quality is not diminished, given no increase in funding

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Other Issues• University governance & faculty expertise• Interaction with legislators• Administrative costs vs. instruction• Educational exploration• Contingent faculty• Summer school & Hope Scholarship

(Did not raise faculty salaries, tenure issues, etc.)

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Successes!• Positive face-to-face contact with legislators• Challenge many myths of academia• Support from THEC Director Rich Rhoda• Higher education restructuring in 2012• Strengthening faculty governance

State Audit of Complete College dataFaculty Senates & administrationFaculty governance: “faculty representation” = Senate COC recommended

• Sharing & collaboration within TennesseeTeaching, research, visiting professorshipsCourse articulationStudent exchange

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

Issue: Targeting EducationHB 368/SB0893 Allows K-12 teachers to criticize “scientific controversies” such as evolution

or global warming, etc., on non-scientific grounds, e.g. religious beliefs—targets biology, anthropology, environmental science, geology, etc. teachers(Rep Bill Dunn, Sen Bo Watson)

HB1732/SB 1415 Prohibits public higher education employees from “disruptions” of educational services—targets unions, educational associations(Sen Delores Gresham, Rep Joe Carr)

OTHER ACTIONSK-12 TenureHigher Education Tenure?

TUFSTennessee University Faculty Senates

Representing over 10,000 united university faculty at ten state institutions of higher education

ContactJeffrey S. Berman, President, Tennessee University Faculty Senates (TUFS)Professor of Psychology, University of Memphisjberman@memphis.edu

TUFS Website