—–Original Message—–
From: Solano, Judith
To: Auxter, Tom ; Bova, Frank ; Branch, Laurence ; Breslin, Tom ; Carr, David; Chase, Arlen; Chopra, Manoj; Cook, Ida; Holder, Maurice; Klostermeyer, William; Lenz, Tim; Lindsey, Charles; McDonald, Patrick; Mecholsky, Jack; Permuth, Steve; Platt, Richard; Power, Nick; Reck, Brianne; Richardson, Laurie; Robinson, Katherine; Shaw, Eric; Solano, Judith; St. Hill, Halcyon; Standley, Jayne; Walker, Eric; Ward, Pat; Worthen, Dreamal; Yost, Rick
Sent: Fri, Jun 19, 2009 4:04 pm
Subject: Reorganizations & layoffs

Statement at June 18, 2009, Board of Governors Meeting, Orlando, Florida

I realize, as we all do, that these are difficult times requiring the universities to take actions they might otherwise wish not to take. I would like to comment on two such actions.

First, there is the need for some to reorganize and possibly eliminate academic units or programs. Many of our universities have policies, procedures, or, at the very least, standard practices providing for the involvement of the faculty in discussions regarding the organization and reorganization of academic units. It is my hope we would not declare “financial exigency” as a reason for ignoring and bypassing these policies and practices. If a university as large and complex as the University of Florida can engage its Faculty Senate in these painful discussions, as I know they did, then there is no reason our other universities cannot do the same.

Second, there is unfortunately the need for some to layoff faculty. Our UFF contracts all contain articles with very specific language governing how universities must handle layoffs. I do not doubt that our universities are following this language to the letter, but I am concerned one could do so, while still violating the spirit of the contract. Here is where my two points may well intersect. It is quite possible one could reorganize for the purpose of creating what the Union contract calls a “layoff unit,” which, I would submit, is not in keeping with the spirit of the contract.

As a case in point, I have recently been watching with some concern what is currently going on at FAU, with respect to the reorganization of their College of Engineering and Computer Science and the subsequent layoff of five tenured faculty members. It has been difficult for me to get all of the facts on this case, so at the moment I find the situation to be very suspect.

It is up to UFF to enforce the contract and ensure these five faculty members at FAU receive due process. However, as the faculty member on this Board, I would be remiss if I did not point out that whenever faculty members are threatened, all of us must be concerned, as it is the faculty who will enable our universities to become “Engines for the New Economy.” The faculty is developing high quality research resulting in real-world applications. In addition, the faculty is developing the talent and skills of a cutting-edge, highly skilled workforce. Therefore, when our faculty is threatened, our mission itself is threatened.