Some profs question role in U. decisions

The divide between faculty and administrative agendas might be growing at universities across the country, but not all Penn professors believe the trend has affected the University.

A survey of faculty members conducted by professors Martin Finkelstein of Seton Hall University and William Cummings of George Washington University found that 64 percent of American professors believe there is a "strong emphasis" on top-down management at American schools, while only 31 percent believe there is a focus on collective-decision making.

The perception that administrators are more strongly promoting their agendas while providing less for the faculty can be attributed to a "new model of management" borrowed from the business world that "does not fit the academic scene," Cummings wrote in an e-mail.

According to Finkelstein, the current economic conditions will increase administrators' influence in academics because more emphasis will be placed on cost.

"The traditional model of higher education - an individual professor teaching face-to-face in the classroom - is very expensive and does not scale well to the new demands," Finkelstein said.

Penn Political Science professor Henry Teune has witnessed this shift during his 40 years at Penn.

"In the 1970s, [the universities] commercialized. In the 1980s, they bureaucratized," Teune said. "During this time, the faculty continued to give up turf."

Despite the "fundamental difference of interest" between the administration and the faculty, Teune said there has been a definite decline in faculty involvement at Penn.

"You're lucky to see three faculty members out of 400 at a meeting," Teune said. "Most of the faculty don't know what is going on."

Faculty members said administrative affairs is not a top priority

"Though they might grumble about decisions that affect them, most faculty members don't have an interest in actively participating in issues outside their department," said Political Science Chairman Avery Goldstein.

According to Classical Studies Chairman Joseph Farrell, getting faculty participation is difficult because faculty "don't want to be bothered with mundane business," but the administration is often hesitant to involve faculty in more controversial decisions.

Farrell added that he was satisfied that most issues received "a fair hearing and a vigorous debate before any action was taken."

The Faculty Senate - of which every professor is a member -- provides an opportunity for involvement.

The Penn system creates numerous checks and balances so "the faculty voice is always heard," explained Harvey Rubin, chairman of the Faculty Senate. "Many people sign up year after year. They really believe the Senate makes an impact."

Chairman of the Faculty Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission Reed Pyeritz said he believes "Penn is better than any other institution at which I have worked" because faculty is involved in all major institutional decisions.

"This emphasis on cross-school collaboration is a hallmark of Penn," said incoming Provost Vincent Price, "one I expect to continue and further develop."

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