WU Code of Conduct's First Casualty?
Washburn University Code of Conduct
In May, 2005, the Washburn University Board of Regents passed the Code of Conduct, in spite of the fact that the policy did not flow through the required University Council approval process.
The policy stated that "No employee ... of the University shall engage in any activity which is in conflict with, or appears to be in apparent conflict with, the interests of the University ..."
Violation of the policy may result in termination of employment.
Code of Conduct - Academic Freedom?
Some faculty expressed their concerns regarding this policy at the Town Hall meetings, and their collective outcry of concern did result in some modification of the original version.
In fact, a specific question was asked of the administration regarding the application of this policy on faculty advisors to student groups that may oppose some administrative policies, for example PISSED, a student group that actively opposed the administration's refusal in the Spring of 2005 to cooperate in an effort to determine the working conditions of laborers that produce Washburn University apparel sold in the University Bookstore. Predictably, the administration assured the faculty that they did not intend to put a chill on faculty's participation with student groups.
Code of Conduct - The Harsh Reality
Well, the ink was barely dry on the document before Professor Burton, faculty advisor of PISSED, learned that his employment contract would not be renewed. The September 26, 2005 issue of the Washburn Review reported that Russell Burton, a sociology professor at Washburn University, will not be a member of the faculty after the 2005-06 academic year, in spite of the many positive comments from his students.
As is typical, the administration is conveniently not at liberty to discuss the reason for nonrenewal. However, lack of productivity is not likely the reason. A look at Professor Burton's classes indicate near capacity enrollment in his four Fall, 2005 courses, accounting for over 10% of the credit hour enrollment in the Sociology/Anthropology department. While credit hour enrollment is down overall at Washburn University, the Sociology/Anthropology department has actually reported an increase of 8.7% in credit hours.
Students Lose Again
Professor Burton provided an academic environment that encouraged a lively exchange of ideas. Students have been very supportive of Professor Burton's classroom environment. If the goal of exposure to general studies is to teach students how to think, all indications are that Professor Burton was very successful.
Unfortunately, his absence will not only create a void in the anthropology/sociology area, but will also discourage faculty in other areas from prodding students into thinking about alternative sides of the vast number of issues that they will encounter on a daily basis.
Exposure to divergent opinions expressed in the classroom is the truly transformational experience that students should be able to take away from their educational experience at Washburn University. Students lose when they are deprived of this experience.