Professor Promotions

Dave Morgan, a graduate student studying IT, addressed the Senate with a concern about the role of teaching at RIT. Previously, the administration would allow professors to attain tenure with or without a ‘terminal’ degree (a doctorate in most cases, a masters in some). The primary test was whether or not the individual professor was qualified for tenure, and not necessarily how they got that experience (through industry or through graduate school).

Recently, the RIT administration has begun systematically passing up non-doctors for tenured promotions. “[Favoring those with advanced degrees] discourages people from [the] industry who are experts in their area from becoming professors at RIT. A good professor needs passion, needs to want to work in their field, they need expertise in their field... They don’t need that piece of paper that hangs on their wall,” Morgan said. “We’re not looking for Ph.D.s. We want people who want to educate students, who want to work with students.”

Student Government has decided to invite the Provost and others in to a Senate meeting so that they may voice student concerns over this issue.

Student Conduct

Dawn Soufleris, Chief Conduct Officer of the Center for Student Conduct & Conflict Management Services gave a presentation about the current state of student conduct on campus. Soufleris stated, “There were a total of 1,474 student misconduct cases this year, that being a 7% decrease from last year, having a demographic breakdown of 76% male and 24% female. 13% of students of 2006-07 were repeat offenders.” Of these cases, she said, “96% of these cases are not appealed. We’re very proud that most students are happy with our decisions.” These cases are said to cover misconduct in the forms of drug use, alcoholism, mental illness, and violence. “Unfortunately, the thought of suicide increases each year. The age between 18-25 is when most mental health problems appear,” Soufleris said. “If we think someone is going to freak out, we try and help them.” Soufleris also noted, “Most of these problems occur with first year students and graduate students.” These cases are also said to spike during winter quarter. SG has worked with the Center to increase student-focused printed material and increase awareness on campus.

Full Student Conduct statistics are available at www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/studentconduct

Global Village

Dr. Heath Boice-Pardee, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, addressed Global Village and how its construction and appearance will affect students. “The first phase of the project will begin this summer with the removal of 10 Riverknoll apartments,” Boice-Pardee said. “There will be different cultural themes throughout, which will prepare and expose students to different cultures before they may decide to study abroad... All housing will be open to students, studying abroad or not, and will be very affordable. The ground levels may house small retail stores.” Students who are being relocated due to the removal of their apartment will be accommodated by RIT Housing.