Boston College faculty were recently given the opportunity to hear an insightful message from Gary Rhoades, who gave a lecture entitled “Academic Freedom and Responsibility in Hard Times.” Sponsored by the Boston College chapter of the American Association of University Professors, the lecture allowed faculty and graduate students to discover the importance of freedom in scholarly work. The talk also focused on the necessity for university administration to engage faculty members in decision making at Boston College.
Dr. Rhoades, a professor at the University of Arizona, stressed the importance of academic free speech throughout his presentation.
“Faculty members need to be allowed to freely express their ideas and opinions in the classroom, through their research and publications, and in general public matters or community concerns,” he explained.
He also argued that university faculty should have the freedom to voice concerns or suggestions about the university that employs them, without fear of punishment or reprimanding of any sort.
The American Association of University Professors, or AAUP, encourages a “shared governance” when dealing with proposals or issues concerning the university.
According to the AAUP website, shared governance refers to, “governance of higher education institutions in which responsibility is shared by faculty, administrators, and trustees.” Through shared governance, university faculty should be involved in “personnel decisions, selection of administrators, preparation of the budget, and determination of educational policies,” according to the AAUP.
Speaking directly to professors, Dr. Rhoades advocated for the involvement of the faculty in academic initiatives.
“Academic decisions should be in the hands of academics and driven by academic logic, more than by anticipated short-term revenues, to benefit students and society,” he explained.
Nonetheless, Dr. Rhoades did clarify that the AAUP does not expect professors and faculty to make all decisions for the university or to be the final deciders in any given situation. Instead, the AAUP simply asks for faculty to be allowed input in these decisions.
Also, in his presentation, Dr. Rhoades discussed contracts between the university and the faculty. He explained that language must be included in these contracts, as well as the university handbook, to ensure academics the right to have input with university procedures.
Dr. Rhoades talked specifically about the Boston College handbook, and said that the language in it is unclear. In order to meet AAUP standards, and to ensure academic freedom and shared governance, clauses in the handbook must be examined and reworked so that faculty are completely clear about their rights and protections.
The primary focus of university faculty, according to Dr. Rhoades, needs to be serving the public and benefiting students and society as a whole. Therefore, top university priorities cannot be short-term profit, improving national rankings, or other goals in what Dr. Rhoades calls “academic capitalism.”
In financially tough times it may seem difficult to focus on academic freedom. However, Dr. Rhoades explained that it is still a vital concern.
“There is more need than ever for an independent faculty voice for the public,” said Dr. Rhoades.
Dr. Rhoades feels that the Boston College chapter of the American Association of University Professors can be a step towards accepting a collective responsibility for academic freedom.
“It has actually been seen as an important resource by the administration,” said Dr. Rhoades.
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