Llorens denies tenure to Architecture professors

 
After completing the criteria to gain promotion or tenure, Jin Lee, Kim Ross and Jason Lockhart of Southern University School of Architecture were denied tenure and promotion by SUBR Chancellor James Llorens.
“Because of the recommendation to terminate the architecture degree, granting tenure at this point would create barriers that would not allow us to phase out the program in an expeditious manner,” Llorens said.
Llorens explained earning tenure is defined with guidelines in the faculty handbook including teaching, scholarship, and community service.
Ross questioned the process in which tenure and promotion is given.
“What is the premise for getting promotion and tenure, past work completed or future of work,” Ross asked.
Ross predicts with the recent admittance of new students that the program will take up to seven years to phase out.
According to the 2005-2007 Southern University faculty handbook, promotion & tenure is clearly outlined.
The handbook states in section 4.7 section C page 35,  “Assistant Professor–At this level the faculty member must serve a probationary period of five years, the evaluation for tenure will take place during the sixth year (the critical year). At the end of the sixth year, if tenure is to be denied, written notice of termination, to be effective at the end of the subsequent academic year, will be given.”
Lonnie Wilkinson, Dean of Architecture said the professors passed through each level of the evaluation process of gaining tenure, and promotion to earn their status until the proposal was received by the chancellor.
“The faculty handbook states tenure and promotion is judged by the work of a professor and not what is going to happen to the school,” Lee said.
The faculty handbook lists the seven levels of review.
First the Department Retention, Tenure and Promotion Committee Evaluation in which the retention, tenure and promotion committee  evaluates chosen professors.
The second level involves the department chairperson’s review and evaluation of applicants for tenure.
The third level in the process entitled the College or Division Retention, Tenure, and promotion committee evaluation in which five members selected from the ranks of the tenured faculty within the college or school will evaluate applicants.
The fourth level of evaluation is the Dean’s Review followed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Review serving as the fifth level.
The sixth level is the Chancellor’s Review, and the final level is the President’s Review and evaluation.
The handbook also lists the criteria for tenure in section 4.7 under area F including; teaching excellence, personal and professional development, research, publications, and creative activities, university service, professional activities, and student mentoring which included advisement.
Peace Scott, senior architecture major from Gonzales, Louisiana did not agree with the denial of the professor’s promotion and tenure.
“To be honest I don’t think it’s fair that if they put the years in why they do not have tenure,” Scott said.
She said she wanted to know what the grounds are for tenure.
Lament Anderson, senior architecture major from St. Louis Missouri, questioned the process of gaining tenure as well.
“If they can deny teachers, they can deny students things, ” Anderson said.
He said if they can do it to the School of Architecture they can do it to any other program on campus.