Present: Members: Hadi Esfahani, Robin Kar, Richard Laugesen, David O’Brien, Robert Parker, Daniel Steward, Leslie Struble, Carol Symes, Carol Tilley, H. F. Williamson
The meeting began at about 11:30 a.m. with Kar presiding and welcoming the attendees.
(1) Introductions. Since there were no guests today, introductions were not needed.
(2) Review of the Minutes for the April 3, 2025 Meeting of Policy Committee. Since there were no responses to his request for substantive comments on the minutes, Kar announced that they were adopted by unanimous consent.
(3) President’s Report. Kar hoped to be brief but as we get near the end of the term, a number of things are happening. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who had been involved particularly as we have responded to these extraordinary circumstances and the challenges to higher education. He felt that we have a lot to be proud of, having put on a number of major events that have been high profile and having learned early on about such topics as the autocratization of Higher Education. He also pointed out that informal activities have provided contact across campus and with the administration to help with such goals as protecting academic freedom and our international students and dealing with questions about funding and how to communicate effectively. The challenge is to think creatively to determine how we can preserve our core values as best is possible and what role we can play in this very complex situation. Parker suggested that this group’s actions might offer a model that might be copied at other campuses. Kar agreed particularly since this is not in conflict with other actions but additive. O’Brien reported that the Senate passed a resolution urging the administration to form alliances with other Big Ten Universities for such activities and providing mutual legal defenses.
(4) Review of Promotion and Tenure Panel, Friday, April 18, 2025. Kar reported that it was extremely successful and well attended as it has been in the past.The panelists were Executive Vice Provost Bernhard; Associate Provost Santos; Carol Tilley, Chair of Faculty Advisory Committee; and Curtis Perry, Chair of the Campus Promotion and Tenure Committee. By hosting the panel, we helped attendees understand the value of the AAUP and made them aware that we are a place for consultation. The registrants are placed on our mailing list to continue their contact with the AAUP. It was noted that we might set time limits for the speakers next year to be sure there is enough time for questions. Parker brought up a related issue about what we might do when we learn about departments that are not handling the promotion process correctly. Kar suggested that one project for the Chapter next year could be to address this issue and talk with Bill Bernhard and his staff about our concerns.
(5) Review of “Threats to Higher Education . . .” Webinar, Friday, April 25, 2025. Kar noted that it went well and this event also helped attendees understand the importance of the AAUP and the values it supports by understanding the actions the AAUP is taking to work on these issues. Kar also announced that we would be addressing issues of communication. Since one action authoritarian regimes often take is to turn public opinion against higher education, it will be important that we consider a presentation about how to speak about academic values in these challenging circumstances.
(6) Expanding Communication Channels. Parker raised a concern about the lack of participation of faculty from the STEM fields in these activities. There was a general discussion of this problem and suggestions of how to expand our reach. As Parker noted, science is so targeted right now that it would be an opportunity to help them and help build an alliance with them. Parker noted we might host a session on how the AAUP can help those in these fields handle these challenges. Kar suggested we could start by first contacting individuals in these fields and letting them know we are working on these issues and want to know the primary concerns coming from individuals in these different fields. This could start with holding listening sessions to learn what issues are important with the goal of organizing an event later in the year around some of these priorities. Struble noted that a strong entry point would be to contact the Associate Department Heads in the relevant departments.
(7) Preparation for Annual Chapter Meeting
(a) Date and Time: These will be determined to accommodate the schedules of our speakers.
(b) Program: Presentation by Adrienne Nazon and Jan Erkert on communication issues.
(c) Other: There was no discussion of the plans for the Annual Meeting including the President’s Report and the Report from the Nominating Committee.
(8) Preparation for Meeting with Selected Trustees, Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 7:30 AM at iHotel. The meeting has been arranged though which administrators will be attending is uncertain. The organizers have been provided with the questions prepared by O’Brien and Struble. Kar suggested that we review that list and informally assign questions to individuals such as him, Symes, and O’Brien to get the exchange started.
(9) Old Business
(a) Illinois Informal Leadership Council. The leaders of these groups have been meeting biweekly and feel it has been going well.
(b) Pressure on Regional Centers. Symes noted the continuing importance of determining what can be done to support the Centers and assure their future survival while they are under personal and professional pressure and at risk of losing their Federal funding.
(c) Membership drive. Kar noted that our responses to recent events are helping people to see the importance of the AAUP and the importance of joining the Chapter and possibly the Policy Committee. Parker suggested we develop a letter of invitation to possible members such as those on the extensive listserves we have developed. This could be coordinated with a Town Hall Meeting in the fall about what the AAUP is doing.
(10) Adjournment. Kar adjourned the meeting at about 12:30 p.m. The date of the Annual Chapter Meeting is to be determined.
Schedule for Remaining Spring and Summer Meetings
(a) Annual Chapter Meeting: to be determined.
(b) Meeting with Selected Trustees: May 21, 2025
(c) Meeting of Executive Committee: to be determined.