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I was hired to initiate a program in Pollination
Ecology for the Division of Entomology, Department of Plant, Soil and
Entomological Science (PSES), in November, 1993. The position description is to conduct research on the
management of insect pollinators to improve their performance in the pollination
of seed and fruit crops, with emphasis on alfalfa seed. The position is 100% research, and is located at the Parma
Research and Extension Center in Parma, Idaho. The position was established by the Idaho legislature as a result of
lobbying efforts of the alfalfa seed industry to launch a research and service
program on the pollination of alfalfa and other small-seeded legumes. Emphasis of the program is on bees other than honey bees, such as the
alfalfa leafcutting bee, as pollinators, and on arthropod pests whose management
may impact pollinators in alfalfa seed. Because
of the close industry connection, there is a 10-15% service component to the
Pollination Ecology program despite the official designation as 100% research.
I received my Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard
University in 1978 after 6 years studying megachilid (leafcutting) bees in
upstate New York for my thesis research. In
the 16 years prior to my employment with the UI, I spent 7 years as a
Postdoctoral Research Associate and Adjuct Assistant Professor at Michigan State
University studying the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of apples, emphasizing
mites and microlepidoptera.I also
spent 8 years studying natural populations of megachilid bees in Michigan as a
non-tenure track assistant professor. For more detail see CV, appendix 3; and Professional
Portfolio, appendix 4.
Readers are
encouraged to consult the Time Line in appendix 1 to assist in understanding the
events that transpired during my 7 years as an Assistant Professor at UI, as
presented in my appeal.
Section 3520 D of the Faculty-Staff Handbook, Criteria for Tenure,
provides that tenure is granted to faculty members who “demonstrate that they
have made and will continue to make significant contributions in their
disciplines through effective teaching and service and their scholarship in the
areas of … discovery and application, as appropriate and specified in their
position descriptions.” The
purpose of tenure is “the protection of academic freedom in order to maintain
a free and open intellectual atmosphere. The justification lies in the character
of scholarly activity, which requires protection from improper influences from
either outside or inside the university”. FSH 3520
The probationary years of my Assistant Professorship have been characterized by an unusual level of controversy centered around issues of academic freedom and affirmative action. In addition they have been characterized by a succession of administrators who did not always recognize the extent of these problems and who did not take recommended action in a timely manner to ameliorate the problems. In this appeal I will argue that PSES failed to comply with prescribed procedures by failing to prepare me for tenure and promotion and by failing to adopt and use criteria specific to my IAES research appointment. In addition I will argue that the Department Head abused my academic rights and privileges including my right to academic freedom, by challenging my research methodology/philosophy. I will argue that the current Department Head acted without knowledge of my perspective on the history of controversy between my program and the alfalfa seed industry. He may have been inappropriately influenced by outside interests. Finally, I will argue that both the University and PSES have abused my right to expect “every good faith effort to make all aspects of the entire affirmative action program work” FSH 3060 C8), including the promotion of women in where traditionally they have not been employed.
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