President addresses 3/5ths controversy

At the February 19 Council meeting, Emory President James Wagner read aloud the letter he had received from faculty in history and African American studies, as well as his own written response to it, concerning questions and criticisms about his column in the Winter 2013 issue of Emory Magazine, in which he offered the U.S. Constitutional “3/5ths Compromise” as a model for seeking common ground during politically polarized times. Reading from his response, he said, “I, too, regret my reference to the 3/5ths Compromise and am sorry for the injury and insult that has resulted from my use of it. As you and your colleagues have generously allowed, it was not my intent to offend or insult. Doing so was the result of mistaken judgment and of insensitivity.” Wagner then added, “I do regret the pain caused to those in the community. I can understand people wondering if this is really a safe and inclusive community, when a leader uses an ill-chosen reference such as that.” In response to a council member’s inquiry about the review process leading to publication, he explained that the first reader of his draft is the vice president and deputy to the president, and that several other communications and marketing staff are involved in the review process.

 

Committee on Class and Labor reports

In the February meeting, psychiatry professor Nadine Kaslow spoke on the report concluding the first phase of work by the Committee on Class and Labor—Staff Focus, formed in spring 2010. Kaslow, who co-chaired the committee with Gary Hauk, vice president and deputy to the president, noted from the findings that “class issues are alive and well at Emory as they are in our community more broadly,” but also that while people are generally satisfied with their work and benefits, there were “mixed feelings about compensation.” She also observed, “there are tremendous opportunites in terms of educational growth,” but that the environment does not consistently support professional development and advancement. Kaslow added that factors related to co-employment law hindered the committee’s efforts to gather data on contract workers on campus.

An advisory committee that will be part of the University Senate will oversee the implementation of recommendations concerning infrastructure, community and culture, communication on campus, profesesional development, and several other areas. To read the full report, click here.

 

Council deliberates taking on Faculty Handbook

Council chair Gray Crouse announced the beginning of “a process of really looking at the Faculty Handbook,” anticipating that the council will eventually take “joint ownership” along with other stakeholders in the document. He encouraged council members to look through the document and identify issues “you think we ought to grapple with.” He added that the transfer of the Faculty Handbook to the domain of the Faculty Council will be a gradual process, but one that will signify increasing shared responsibility for university governance with the faculty. Provost Claire Sterk added, “The Faculty Handbook in many ways really shapes what the university is about. There are some challenges here, but it’s going to lay the groundwork for what we are. It’s going to help build the university.” The current version of the handbook is available on the Office of the Provost’s website (click here).