In a move that already has generated considerable outcry, Louisiana College
trustees approved a policy change designed to establish accountability regarding
selection of classroom textbooks and other instructional materials.
In a move that already has generated considerable outcry, Louisiana College
trustees approved a policy change designed to establish accountability regarding
selection of classroom textbooks and other instructional materials.
As approved, all materials used at the school now must be approved by department
coordinators or chairs and the vice president of academic affairs.
Previously, faculty members had complete control over selection of materials.
The action came after prolonged discussion in executive session during the
scheduled trustee meeting last week.
Except for that action, the meeting was fairly routine, with trustees receiving
reports, including one from President Rory Lee on finances of the colleges.
However, it is the policy change on textbook and materials that is generating
the most attention. News of the action has been published in newspapers throughout
the state – and at least one editorial regarding the action already has
been written.
Also, the Alexandria newspaper has published several letters critical of the
action.
However, in presenting their action, trustees were clear in insisting they
simply were trying to provide accountability to a process that had given too
much authority to faculty members for selection of materials.
Trustees presented the policy change following a two-hour executive session.
Consideration of the issue also came after Lee ordered two books removed from
the college bookstore storage area recently.
Responding to the complaints of a student and at least one observer, Lee ordered
the removal of “A Road Less Traveled” by Scott Peck and “A Lesson
Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines. Both books had been used for a number of
years in a values class.
Following the action, Lee acknowledged that he ordered the removal without
following established procedure. That procedure provides an opportunity for
students who find materials objectionable to be assigned other sources. It also
establishes a process for handling disputes about materials.
In addition to causing some concern among faculty members, Lees action
also prompted trustees to review current policy on selection of materials.
They found it wanting.
As written, the previous policy states:
“The individual teacher is the only one in the institution assigned the
responsibility for developing course content, selecting textbooks and reading
material and determining other requirements for a particular course. (Where
there are multiple sections of the same course, departmental decisions about
these matters are appropriate.) Nothing in this policy shall be taken to abrogate
the principle acknowledged in this first guideline.”
In proposing a change, trustee Fred Malone noted the existing policy provides
“absolute responsibility” to faculty and provides no accountability.
Students who have an objection to materials have a recourse only “on the
back end of the policy,” he said.
“There is literally no academic governance or oversight (for selection
of materials),” he maintained.
As established, faculty members do not have to submit textbooks or materials
for review by anyone, Malone said.
He proposed changes that he said still would provide “primary” responsibility
to faculty members but would require materials to gain additional approval farther
up the academic and administrative ladder.
Malone said the new policy falls in line with the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message
because it provides the balance of academic freedom and academic responsibility
called for in the faith document.
He also said the policy brings Louisiana College in line with other schools
and provides accountability “at the beginning and at the end” of the
selection process.
Following Malones comments, trustees approved the policy without dissent.
The approved policy not only addresses the process for selecting textbooks
and materials but also establishes guidelines for those materials. It reads:
“Individual instructors bear the primary responsibility for the selection
of teaching materials and preparation of course syllabi. It is important, however,
that all teaching materials and assignments, including textbooks and outside
reading assignments, be reviewed and approved by the department coordinator
and/or department chair and the vice president of academic affairs.
“A variety of matters should be considered when selecting and reviewing
course materials and syllabi. All teaching materials and assignments must be
relevant to the subject matter, appropriate in content and purpose, not inordinately
expensive or difficult to obtain and recognized by others in the discipline
as appropriate for the subject matter.
“The administrative process for the selection and review of course materials
shall be determined by the vice president for academic affairs.
“This policy replaces guideline number one of the policy on academic freedom.
It shall be effective December 2, 2003.”
Making the new policy effective immediately adds pressure to administrators,
since textbook selection is underway for the 2004 spring semester at this time.
When asked if that meant spring materials must fall in line with the policy,
Malone said trustees realized there would be a transition time and deferred
response on the question to Lee. When asked, Lee responded that the new policy
would be followed.
Following the meeting, outside response followed quickly. By and large, it
was negative in the first days after the action.
However, Lee also issued a response just three days after the trustee meeting.
In an “open letter” to Louisiana Baptists, he said:
“On Tuesday, December 2, the Louisiana College Board of Trustees passed
a revision of the college policy on academic freedom. This change has been misunderstood
by many people.
“The board created a list of guidelines which should be considered when
selecting and reviewing course materials.
“The policy does not dictate the type of materials which are acceptable
or unacceptable; it merely offers guidelines to consider. The policy does require
that all teaching materials be reviewed and approved by the department chair
and the vice president of academic affairs. The revised policy gives the vice
president for academic affairs authority to determine the administrative process.
“Under the language of the policy, individual instructors bear the
primary responsibility for the selection of teaching materials. The four
guidelines for choosing course materials and textbooks are:
” All teaching materials and assignments must be relevant to
the subject matter, appropriate in content and purpose, not inordinately expensive
or difficult to obtain, and recognized by others in the discipline as appropriate
for the subject matter.
“The policy was developed in response to questions about the content of
textbooks and class materials in several Louisiana College courses. No books
are banned under the new policy, as reported. The review and approval
of course materials for the spring semester will begin as soon as the procedures
for implementing the policy have been finalized by the vice president of academic
affairs.
“Reports regarding my recent actions requesting that two books be removed
from the bookstore have been particularly incomplete. The books in question
were not in use in any class during the current semester. In fact, the books
were not even on the shelves of the bookstore. The books were stored in boxes
inside the storeroom.
“The revised policy will be implemented with particular regard to issues
of academic freedom and academic responsibility as found in the Baptist Faith
and Message, the longstanding doctrinal statement of Louisiana College.
“Louisiana College is affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention
and with Southern Baptist churches across the nation. The language of the 1963
Baptist Faith and Message, which was retained in the 2000 edition of the Baptist
Faith and Message is instructive. It states:
” In Christian education there should be a proper balance between
academic freedom and academic responsibility. Freedom in any orderly relationship
of human life is always limited and never absolute. The freedom of a teacher
in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the preeminence of
Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the scriptures and by the distinct
purpose for which the school exists.
“Louisiana College has a distinctive purpose within higher education.
It is our mission to prepare students for a changing world by offering an educational
program grounded in the liberal arts tradition, informed by the Christian faith,
and committed to academic excellence.
“The misunderstandings that have arisen in response to the actions of
the board of trustees have been troubling for Louisiana College. It is our hope
and prayer that this letter will help clarify the actions taken both by the
board of trustees and by me. Continued support by our friends is essential for
the future development of Louisiana College.”
In addition to Lees statement, school faculty members also adopted a
response to the trustee action. Their statement was approved on a vote of 48-8.
It reads:
“We regret and disagree with the recent effort by the board of trustees
to establish a policy of censorship of the Louisiana College faculty. Such a
practice violates the current college policy of academic freedom, limits the
education of students, damages the reputation of the institution, hinders recruitment
efforts, undercuts efforts to obtain badly needed financial support, devalues
degree programs, inhibits the ability of the college to function, demeans the
faculty, students, and the administration, and is inconsistent with the American
tradition of higher education. The faculty at Louisiana College affirm their
commitment to excellence in Christian higher education.”
Meanwhile, in other action, trustees:
Received a report from Lee on school finances. He noted the college
had received a “clean” audit for its recent fiscal year. He also reported
that the college maintains a 30-day operating reserve. Also, long-term debt
was reduced in the last fiscal year by $767,404 to total just over $11 million.
Lee said a financial plan was in place to service the remaining debt. Finally,
Lee reported that the colleges endowment grew by almost $983,000 last
year, an increase of 6.7 percent to more than $25.6 million. “The … statements
… point to a strong and healthy financial institution,” Lee reported.
Received a report on the continuation of a study of faculty hiring
and tenure procedures. A three-person committee currently is reviewing those
processes at the school.
Heard a challenge from trustee Tommy Middleton of Baton Rouge for
trustees to pray for the college staff and faculty members, specifically “for
Gods blessings and Gods direction and Gods wisdom.”
Approved appointment of a committee to review the faculty handbook
of the school and recommend any changes to bring it in line with actions of
recent years. That action came after trustees convened a second executive session
during their meeting. Following the brief session, trustees reconvened to announce
the approved action.