Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: News
Stetson Departure | Dean's at-will status not the norm for admins
Though other deans enjoy tenure, Stetson's contract lacked security
Anthony Campisi
From the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences to the dean of the Law School, job security is virtually guaranteed.
The same could be said for any of the deans of Penn's 12 schools, as well as the four undergraduate deans.
Former Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson didn't have that same luxury.
Unlike Stetson, other top-ranking deans are all tenured faculty members, enjoying protection from summary dismissal at the hands of administrators for taking unpopular stances or criticizing the University.
Even President Amy Gutmann and Provost Ron Daniels have tenured academic appointments - Gutmann's is in the Political Science department, and Daniels is a Law professor.
Stetson, on the other hand, spent 29 years as Penn's dean of admissions as an at-will employee, meaning he could be fired for almost any reason and could leave any time he wished.
Employees in most professions are typically hired on an at-will basis as well.
But in academia, professors are granted tenure to protect them from being forced to leave by the University - a right not enjoyed by at-will employees.
As stated in the University's faculty handbook: The "system of tenure is the preeminent means of fostering and protecting academic freedom of the faculty in teaching and in scholarly inquiry."
Though it is possible to fire a tenured professor, a formal process must be followed in order to do that. Charges must be presented before a tribunal of fellow academics, and the professor at risk of dismissal has the right to legal counsel and to contest any charges.
"Anything you say or do within the classroom … would not lead to even the beginning of [this] process," said Larry Gladney, a Physics and Astronomy professor and chairman of the Faculty Senate.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Edwrad Wiest
posted 10/11/07 @ 9:24 AM EST
As a long-time alumni interviewer, I'm as bewildered by this story as everyone else. The question which remains unanswered in this article, however, is whether administrators who were not tenured faculty--or admissions directors at other schools--have either tenure or long-term contracts. (Continued…)
Stephen J. Marmon
posted 10/11/07 @ 10:33 AM EST
I am fairly sure that actually neither the President, the Provost nor the Deans have tenure in their positions. They do have contracts, but I am fairly sure that the Trustees have the right to terminate those contracts at any time. (Continued…)
parent of a Penn student
posted 10/11/07 @ 10:34 AM EST
I appreciate your on-going stories about Dean (he's still "Dean" as far as I'm concerned)Stetson. Each nugget adds information, which is good, solid journalism. (Continued…)
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