Merrimack Sociology Department chairman cited in national publication

A blog post in “Academe Magazine” written by Merrimack Sociology Department chairman Michael DeCesare, who's also chairman of the American Association of University Professors' Committee on College and University Governance, was recently cited in the prestigious “Inside Higher Ed” magazine detailing tenure controversy at the University of Texas's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and its move toward shared governance with faculty members.

“Hopefully, the administration’s moves toward improving academic due process and instituting a shared governance model indicate that it is actively working toward getting itself removed from the AAUP censure list,” DeCesare wrote in his blog post. Inside Higher Ed often cites issues about academic freedom and tenure issues. The AAUP censured the cancer center in June.

“I just think the more people know what’s going on at premier institutions like that, the more careful they will be before they violate shared governance practices,” DeCesare said of the citation in “Inside Higher Ed”. “It’s good to draw public attention to these cases.”

DeCesare is president of the Merrimack chapter of the AAUP and was named chairman of the national group’s Committee on College and University Governance in July.

M.D. Anderson’s president Ronald DePinho recently denied a seven-year term tenure to two faculty members despite recommendations by an 11-member Promotion and Tenure Committee. UT System Chancellor U.S. Navy Admiral William McRaven (Ret.) ordered DePinho to move from a top-down chain of authority to a democratic system.

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Related News

People standing and observing art at the McCoy Gallery.

The Space Between Things Exhibition Premieres at the McCoy Art Gallery

 |
By: Lauren Pardue
On September 15, the McCoy Art Gallery will kick off the 2023-2024 season with its inaugural show: The Space Between Things. Featuring brand new artwork by three Boston-area artists, the show is curated by Jonathan Latiano, Director of the Art and Art History program at Merrimack College.
Resa Blatman

Resa Blatman, Visual Artist, Exhibition Opening at McCoy Gallery

 |
By: Madison Doherty
Merrimack College, and the McCoy Gallery proudly presents, Little Green, new works by renowned artist Resa Blatman! Blatman’s exhibition opens September 20th and runs through November 8th
Three MPA alumni panelists and the MPA Program Director.

Exploring Careers in Public Administration: Insights from Merrimack's Master of Public Administration Alumni Panel

 |
By: Kara Haase
Merrimack College recently hosted an engaging panel discussion with three accomplished alumni from the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program.