University Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Russ Tomlin’s ordered review of political science instructor Ken DeBevoise’s termination is underway.
The review is being conducted through a questionnaire by tenure-track faculty within the
political science department.
Political science department head Lars Skalnes decided in January to let DeBevoise’s contract expire at the end of spring term. Since learning of the decision, former and
current students of DeBevoise banded together to create the Keep Ken Coalition. Members of the coalition actively write, call and meet with administrators, asking the University to reverse Skalnes’ decision.
“We have asked the department and the dean (of the College of Arts and Sciences)” to begin interviews, Tomlin said, confirming that the review began at the beginning of the month. Tomlin first announced the review at a Campus Forum two weeks ago. Results of the review will be released by the end of the month.
Keep Ken Coalition members consider the review a step in the right direction.
“We asked for the review,” Keep Ken Coalition member David Duke said. “We argued that it’s about our education and (the administration) should reconsider (by) taking a
personal look into the matter … Tomlin wants the department to give him some rationale for their decision about letting (DeBevoise’s) contract expire.”
Skalnes said that until the University has issued a formal statement regarding DeBevoise, he will decline to comment on the review and the decision.
“Skalnes is a flawed administrator,” Keep Ken Coalition member Deborah
Bloom said. “He made a rushed decision, and he needs to be held accountable
for it. Other political science department members will have the opportunity to oversee this decision.”
Keep Ken Coalition member David Delmar said Tomlin promised to meet with the group after the review so the coalition could remain involved with the process until the final
decision is made.
“I don’t believe it’s a done deal,” Delmar said. He added that the coalition will continue to push for DeBevoise’s retention, even if the review determines the termination should stand.
If that happens, Bloom also thinks there are other ways for DeBevoise to remain at the University.
One such route could be another department within the College of Arts and Sciences,
such as international studies or history, hiring DeBevoise.
Coalition members said the relationship between Tomlin and the coalition remains positive.
“We don’t want to cross that bridge until it comes,” Duke said of the possibility of the review siding with Skalnes. “But we’ll continue to rally and escalate our campaign. We’re not going to accept ‘no’ for an answer, and we will continue to fight.”
DeBevoise is proud of what the coalition is accomplishing.
“It shows that students really care about the education that they are getting,” DeBevoise said. “This (movement) opens the lines of communication between administrators and
undergraduate students.”
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Keep Ken Coalition sees response to efforts
Daily Emerald
May 5, 2010
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