Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Volume LXX, No. 11 University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. September 21, 1S"79 Tenure c Bv Karan Addv Gamecock Staff Writer Controversy has been raised in the release of two "opinions" by the State Attorney General's office concerning USC faculty, which one USC professor labels as the "opening of Pandora's box." An open nearing was held Wednesday to allow USC faculty members to voice their opinions on the statements issued in the 1976 S.C. State Code, and in the attorney general's opinion on Aug. 6, 1979. The attorney general's opinions would, in effect, reduce the Alltonomv thp iiniv<?r<citv nnvi; possesses in matters of employment, while broadening state government control over the university's hiring and firing procedures. The first opinion would eliminate the present Faculty Grievance committee, and turn faculty grievance cases over to the state grievances committee. The second opinion issued states that the tenure regulations and Drocedures as stated in the faculty manual will not take precedence over state decisions on employment within the university. There is much concern on the part of USC faculty members over the opinions. "I THINK THERE are a number of verv imMtrbnt rMums whv in the best interest of the university and our own professional areas, that we support a system which would allow the decisional process to remain with academic peers/' Professor Robert Patterson said. Much of the controversy centers around a section of the 1976 opinion which defines university employees as state employees. The code- states that "a person a normanant amnlA<roA n( M |#V1 #BtM*?V?tv ViKB|/AVJ VV VI Grad pre By Ronda Template Qamccock Staff Wrftar The South Carolina Master Education was released last Fri ticipated impact on graduate progr "It is definitely probable thai programs at the university will James Bostic, vice chairman of th< on Higher Education, said. The plan recommends tha duplication of academic program and Bostic said, "graduate degre* biological sciences, engineering, 1 and mathematics will be first to be THE COMMISSION will "take , university/' and it is a definite p< find some areas that do not belori T? 11 1J ifeuiuuuiu, oubuc saiu. Frank E. Kinard, assistant dir mission, said that while then possibility" that some areas < eliminated at USC, "no decisions1 this point/' Duplicate programs will be revi< programs "will remain intact/' Kii . Boetic said that while USC wil some academic programs, "it wi singular admissions in some are missions are areas in which USC w academic program in the state, I would not speculate on which at fee ted. IN DESCRIBING THE FUNC Medical School, the commissior school "should place major empha of primary care physicians anc auovMtivy ir?wiiig programs, gra degree programs, residency biomedical research programs sho with corresponding programs ... WMto. 'Pandora's box ;ontrovei! the state after six months of a satisfactory employment." The code adds the six-month period may be extended by three months. Tne present tenure system in the university which provides for virtually "permanent employment has a probationary period lasting a maximum of seven years." If the opinion is put into effect the probationary period during which instructors are reviewed for tenure may be limited to a six- to ninemonth period. Professor Eleanor Williams irni/>arl nnnnnrn f Kn f fKn f fn/if a?? vuivcu uiav uic uiiic mtvui seemed unrealistic for "so crucial a decision as tenure." Other faculty members present agreed with Williams' statement. Julian Kisle of the School of Public Health said distinctions should be made between faculty members and general state employees. I JUST DON'T FEEL that we can judge this type of individual by the same criteria as we can the other kinds of state employees," Kisle remarked. However, there was some confusion among faculty members as to whether the definition of permanent employment within the state was intended as interchangeable with tenure in the attorney general's opinions, i ' Several faculty members said the opinions, if put into effect, would destroy the credibility of the > university in the eyes of i DrosDective instructors, thereby depriving the school of quality teachers. "Both the State Employment > Grievance Committee and the S.C. Budget and Control board will possess the authority to order the | reinstatement of terminated employment and similar actions in >gramsm >n The "Medical I be the major soui Plan for Higher Carolina, with the day with the an- primary care (fan ams at USC. "South Carolina t some academic have duplicate r i be eliminated," commission also e S.C. Commission judge plans that school, although it "unnecessary traditional acader is be eliminated," Bostic said, 4 b Droorams in the originally desisznc health professions family health carc reviewed." THE COMMISS a hard look at the campuses should sssibility they will provision for stud ig at three or four for Coastal Carol Assembly, but vei ector of the com- year. 5 is a "definite The plan emphi >f study will be Lander College ai lave been made at retain their traditi As for the cg uwed, and the best education, it said ?arrl aoiH V. VWliUllOUll^ iu^ii 1 "probably" lose because "public i U eventually have in violation of es as/' Singular ad- requests directly ill operate the only or authorization. 1 iostic said. Bostic many of these re *eas would be af- from the commii couraging public HON of the USC mission and seric i's plan said the ability to carry o< isis on the training tion." I participation in Earlier in the ; iduate biomedical General Assemt programs, and universities in So uld be coordinated from public instil at the Medical Commission on H by the General Asi sy arises non-renewal of contract," Professor Donald Jones said of the opinions. Not all faculty members were opposed to the changes stated in the opinions. PROFESSOR MIKE SMITH said one problem with the current j system would be solved by the new procedures. He referred to cases where grievances were filed against USC Pres. Holderman or the board of trustees. Within the present system, the final decision on grievances rests with Holderman and the board. One professor remarked that the current tenure system was "grossly unfair" and changes were needed. Prof. Perry Ashley, chairman of the Faculty Advisory Committee, presided at the hearing held to obtain the general consensus of the faculty on the issues. About 100 instructors out of over 1,000 employed by the university were present at the hearing. Ashley said the turnout was "excellent." The Faculty Advisory Committee will hold a meeting to prepare a faculty statement on the opinions which will be relayed to the Senate Education Committee. The Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing as early as late October to debate the issues in the Attorney general's opinions, according to Ashley. PROFESSOR JOHN GARDNER expressed uie major iear 01 me faculty concerning -the possible decision by the State Education Committee. "In effect we would be opening Pandora's box, where we would ultimately be included in other areas of state procedures from which we are currently exempted," Gardner said. ay be cut Iniversity of South Carolina should rce ior meaicai eaucauon in sou in USC Medical School specializing in lily practice)," Bostic said. is a poor state and cannot afford to nedical schools," he added. The noted, "it may be premature to USC is developing for its medical the faculty staffing points to a nic health care pattern." 'The USC Medical School was sd for specialization in the field of i." IION'S REPORT said USC regional remain commuter colleges with no ent housing. A proposed dormitory ina was proposed by the General toed by Gov. Dick Kiley earlier this isizes that Francis Marion College, id the College of Charleston should tonal commuter college status, im miss ion's own role in higher 11 kaliairAO flui aiiiiinmt ftnotam i ?v wuvtvu ufv viui^iiv ojravciu ui er education has not been effective nstitutions, in some instances, are tablished procedures and present to the General Assembly for funds Che General Assembly has acted on quests without seeking an opinion ision. This had the effect of en-. institutions to bypass the commsly jeopardize the commission's ut its legislatively mandated funcyear, Riley vetoed several of the >ly's actions on colleges and uth Carolina. Riley said requests utions should be addressed to the igher Education before discussion jembly. W"SWBBB ????-^ v "*.* ."?* *& Vv'&Vy^ *< V > *r- ? - f iv. ' '- BBKQL BHi1 -y ? , 18 M Four hour < stop for Mi By MIcHmIO Niwi Edit Rosalynn Carter visited Columbia Carolina Mental Health Association coming Cafter-Mondale re-election c< Mrs. Carter was met at the Colum Dick Riley, his wife, and about 30 othe After her welcome to the state, Mrs in the polls because "he's facing to added "Jimmy will fight for what country." SHE SAID SHE doesn't live by t\ doing a good job. I have confidence i does." Shf? km id inflation is Kastvl nriinar and, "people are really beginning to c All the decisions concerning the pr have been made by the Carter Admin announce his bid for re-nomination i "This is not the time for him to be c Jimmy is the president, not a candi there are too many problems to de* Washington working on more imports ABOUT 1,700 PEOPLE were presei Mrs. Carter made the second stop i flnrnlirw Rilov intrnHnrpH hpr nc sensitive to human needs and human ] In her 10 minute speech to the cro\ stressed the positive aspects of the Ca She mentioned not one American President Carter took office. She add last seven presidents not to involve th About eight million jobs have been she said, including 20,000 in South Car IN RELATION TO CARTER'S re-o said, "he is bringing together service She said civil service reform is imp< government to determine who is doinf Carter has cut the $66 million natio t * A I _ ? ' ? t ne was eieciea, sne saia, ana ne is v out of business. She added President Carter has "r openness to government." Prom the governors mansion, Mr: meeting with the board of the South C and then to a fund-raising luncheon.] the luncheon would raise over $25 campaign. The luncheon cost $300 a p< Fall Fashioi A preview of fall c fashions for 1979 is 1 presented in today's t issue of the Gamecock. i The special section will I look at the fashions we < feel are best suited for 1 ?? 3381 ^? " 1,"r? ~:". V>Zi''ll^TF^ V>JlY' - r Hadj^f * ?* ' campaign rs. Carter owfing Of Thursday to speak to the South and to raise money for the upimpaign. j ibia Municipal Airport by Gov. t state and local democrats. . Carter said her husband is low j ugh controversial issues." She is in the best interest of the le Dolls because. "I know he's in him, and I know the country ily on the high cost of energy, ! onserve energy." esident's re-election campaign istration. She said she could not although a date has been set. >ut in the country campaigning, date at this time." She added *1 with, and he needs to be in int issues. nt at the governor's mansion as in her four-hour visit to South a, "strong but gentle person, problems." vd at the mansion, Mrs. Carter rter administratipn. life has been lost in war since led Carter is the first out of the e United States in a war. added since Carter's election, olina. rganization of government, she s that have been fragmented." ] >rtant because it will allow the \a good job and who is not. inal budget deficit in half since forking on getting government estored honesty, integrity, and 3. Carter was to proceed to a arolina State Mental Institution Party officials said they hoped ,000 for the Carter-Mondale j irson and $500 a couple. rc Review :ollege students today, rhe photographs were aken at the State Capitol ind feature clothing wrovided by Britton's of l ! - i r* i_ _,uiumuia ana fanis Pavillion. See page 1-A.