Cary Nelson

Dear Scott;

When I read or read about Cary Nelson, I sometimes think it would be a great panel discussion to have Nelson, Horowitz, Naomi Schaefer Riley, George Kuh and John Gardner discuss higher education—and perhaps Parker Palmer or Betsy Barefoot as moderator. The one thing that all of these scholars have in common is that their work ethic makes it possible for us to know where they stand on critical issues—they diligently study and systematize their thoughts, and true to Boyer’s model of scholarship, give us a peek for critique. Some, like Barefoot, represent a more stately and cautious or balanced approach. And, from what I can tell, so does your staff. What I like about Cary is his sustained engagement through the years in these issues. While I find his interest in collective bargaining somewhat confusing to his other central issues—especially during this new economy and time for collaborating with the funding public—at the least his view is no suprise to the membership. While the AAUP is going backwards in membership, other organizations are realizing significant gains. Perhaps Cary can benefit from a dialogue with folks like Charlie Nutt and Nancy King who have helped to build NACADA into an organization surpassing 10,000 members this year, doubling in the past few years. The same seems to be occuring with interest in groups like the National Resource Center at USC (first year studies). And BTW, for the panel—if you want to have a rather lively and engaging (though predictable) respondent, ask Thomas Mortensen. His tirelessly brings an informed opinion to the table. Thanks for this update, and cogratulations to Cary Nelson.

Jerry Pattengale, AVP for Scholarship & Grants at Indiana Wesleyan University, at 7:00 am EDT on April 20, 2006

Outspoken Advocate

Having been in academia for decades and having seen the changes from logical thinking by administration to just unbelievable outcomes, we need strong advocates for the profession the voice of reason in decision making has been suffocated for some time. I wish the best for Cary Nelson.

Dr. P, Old Prof, at 9:40 am EDT on April 20, 2006

Congratulations to Cary Nelson

If anyone can turn around an increasingly marginalized AAUP, it’s Cary Nelson. He will revitalize the organization and push it once again to the forefront of protecting faculty input into the governance of higher education at the nation, state, and campus levels. His election has long been awaited by a post-1970s generation of beseiged faculty.

Long ago I let my AAUP membership lapse because I couldn’t face the depression of attending chapter meetings on my campus of five faculty members arguing about the same number of positions or strategies.

Recently I have returned to the fold. Two years ago, in response to increased faculty activism, the AAUP chapter at Ohio University was reestablished with a relatively young executive committee that has been calling meetings of active faculty members seeking to rebalance the relationship between faculty and administration on this campus, to restore the practice of shared governance, and to place the emphasis on undergraduate education at Ohio University. Cary Nelson is just the leader our chapter needs at the national level.

Joseph Bernt, Professor of Journalism at Ohio University, at 9:40 am EDT on April 20, 2006

AAUP

Whatever else the AAUP is, it is not “just another union.” We entered the collective bargaining domain over 30 years ago not to represent faculty but rather to help them represent themselves. In the AAUP model of unionization each campus defines its own needs and aspirations; we do not impose priorities on a local chapter. We need to do a better job of publicizing this fundamental difference. Of course over those 30 years the nature of the faculty has changed dramatically. Two thirds of the teaching is now done by contingent labor with no job security and often without a living wage or health benefits. Unlike traditional faculty, they cannot negotiate their benefits or working conditions individually. They need to act collectively if they are to be treated fairly. Thus traditional arguments against collective bargaining have little relevance to the emerging corporate campus. Meanwhile, the AAUP continues its objective investigation of violations of academic freedom and continues to be by far the best source of detailed policy statements about a wide range of higher education issues. I defy anyone to find a single AAUP policy statement in any way distorted by a collective bargaining perspective. On the other hand, when a strong union local defends a faculty member’s academic freedom one begins to understand the value of professorial solidarity. Finally, one small correction: my reference to hundreds of email addresses referred to those signed up for AAUP listserves. We have addresses for thousands of members, but far fewer than we need. We plan to fix that problem this summer.

Cary Nelson, Professor at University of Illinois, at 9:55 am EDT on April 20, 2006

small typo

In an otherwise flawless piece, the title of one of Professor Nelson’s books was mis-written. The correct title is __Will Work for Food: Academic Labor in Crisis__.

Gregory Anderson, teacher at De Anza College, at 11:00 am EDT on April 20, 2006

Meet me at La Brea

I am proud to know that Cary Nelson will be out there defending the right of post-menopausal English professors to storm pro-life displays. But Jerry, here is a better panel group — Big Bill Haywood, Samuel Gompers and Mother Jones. After a rousing discussion, we could all wander down to the tar pits for a dip.

sillyone, at 2:50 pm EDT on April 20, 2006

On the other hand

Some guy named Zeke would dismiss AAUP and ask for professional organization...to do what, Zeke? tenure, academic freedom, pay negotiations etc are the work of an organization that is willing to stand up against those who would curtail or diminish or dismiss the professional needs of faculty. Organizations for doctors and lawyhers may be “professional,” but they are strong unions protecting the rights and needs of their membership.

The problem with AAUP is that is half in favor of collective bargaining and half opposed to it. And they have for years done little or nothing for part-time teachers, so that at present the ratio of pt to fulls increaes at the expense of those who would make a career of teaching college.

fred lapides, at 6:10 pm EDT on April 20, 2006

One Concrete Suggestion

The AAUP is a valuable organization and will become yet more valuable as it incorporates the changes Nelson suggests. The fastest way to increase membership, in my view, is to lower the cost of dues.

I only pay AAUP dues some years. I feel bad about this because I use their materials all the time. The resources on academic freedom and tenure, for instance, are helpful to my department every time we do peer review, not just in tenure cases. The reason I usually don’t join AAUP is the cost.

I’m at a poor school in a poor state; not only are salaries low, but we have to subsidize our research and teaching pretty heavily out of our salaries if we expect to remain active in the profession at all. Sometimes I just don’t have the cash to join—it is a big chunk. I’m not sure how these things work, but if it were possible to join at a cheaper rate in exchange for, say, not getting a paper edition of _Academe_, I wouldn’t let my membership lapse as often as I do.

Congratulations to Cary Nelson.

Professor Zero

[P.S. I foresee getting advice here, so FYI, I already get grants, consider moving, ask for salary adjustments, etc. I pulled in over $95,000 in external funding this year. What we are expected to subsidize ourselves at my institution, are the sorts of things agencies expect the universities they support to fund internally. Believe me, I am senior faculty, I understand what I am talking about, and I do not exaggerate.]

Professor Zero, at 5:25 am EDT on April 21, 2006

Good luck but not much hope

I withdrew from membership in the AAUP almost 20 years ago when I realized it was dominated by people who, despite their carefully-worded policies:

a. Insisted on hiring preferences for women and minorities and discrimination against whilte and Asian males, and

b. Were demons about academic freedom for women and minorities but were happy to see white and Asian males’ speech suppressed and their jobs terminated unless they behaved like good little politically correct lapdogs.

When the AAUP speaks about academic freedom, they are simply hypocrites. When they reform themselves, I will consider re-joining. But, I doubt that will ever happen. The organization is now so monolithic PC that it will have to die and another organization that represents ALL the faculty will have to take its place.

Withdrew years ago, at 5:30 pm EDT on June 6, 2006