June 22, 2011. FL lawmakers craft legislation targeting multi-year contracts
Published: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 6:01 a.m.
Having successfully waged war on tenure in the public schools, it was inevitable that the Legislature would train its sights on community colleges next.
Legislation is reportedly being prepared in the House that would eliminate the use of multi-year contracts at the college level.
“All I can say is tenure is a long and historical issue that contributes to academic freedom,” Michael Brawer, head of the Florida Association of Community Colleges, told The News Service of Florida this week. “This is a local issue and should be left up to the board of trustees.”
Fat chance. This Legislature has no regard for concepts like academic freedom or collegial governance.
With colleges reeling from years of severe state budget cuts, an assault on tenure would only further compromise their ability to recruit and retain faculty in a higher education environment where tenure is considered the norm.
Even as Florida’s colleges seek to enhance their academic offerings and add four-year degree programs, lawmakers seem determined to “reform” them into glorified vocational school status.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110622/OPINION01/110629919