On Friday, we learned that the chancellor's exceptional merit proposal had passed. The vote was about 60% to 40%. Since at least some tenure-system faculty voted against it, it suggests that many non-tenure-system faculty simply didn't vote. That's disappointing, but not surprising. But it's not a good day for anybody when the administration can divide us like that.
This morning, an exposé in the globe claims that the committee evaluating the chancellor has recommended his contract not be renewed. Based on what I saw when I attended, that's not a surprise. People who'd attended other sessions with the evaluation committee said that they were pretty consistent. One thing surprised me, however: that the real reason was due to exploring whether a new medical school could be established in Springfield. Trying to add a law school or medical school to Amherst has been the third rail in Massachusetts politics for as long as I've been here. On June 8th, I believe the trustees are going to be meeting in Amherst -- it might be worth attending that meeting to see what happens.
- Steven D. Brewer's blog
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