Faculty members in the Jefferson Community and Technical College system will vote on a no confidence resolution in response to a new tenure policy.The no-confidence vote, scheduled for Friday morning, is aimed at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents and KCTCS President Michael McCall. Last month, the board voted to do away with tenure for new faculty hired after July 1. Proponents say the move will give colleges more flexibility in hiring and save money, but faculty union leaders say it will have a negative effect in the classroom."We're very concered about the quality of education and the quality of the faculty we'll be able to hire," says Barbara Ashley, executive director of the Community College Faculty and Staff Alliance and an instructor at JCTC.Similar votes have been held at several other KCTCS institutions in Kentucky, but regents chairman Richard Bean says the board has no intention of reversing the policy.
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.