Four faculty members vie for SACUA slots

Bruce Frier

Appointment: Frank O. Copley Collegiate Professor of Classics and Roman Law, Department of Classical Studies, LSA; Henry King Ransom Professor of Law, Law School

Education: Bachelor of Arts, classics and history, Trinity College (Conn.), 1964; fellow, American Academy in Rome, 1968; doctorate, classics, Princeton University, 1970

Faculty leadership/governance experience: Interim department chair, Classical Studies (2001-02); Executive Committee, Interdepartmental Program in Greek and Roman History (2001-present); Executive Committee, LSA (1989-92, 1994-95); Library Committee (1980-83, chair 1981-82); Curriculum Committee, LSA (1983-86); LSA Degree Credit for ROTC Courses subcommittee (1985); Ombudsman, LSA (2004-08); Personnel Committee, Law School (l987-88, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2005-06); Senate Assembly (2001-04); Academic Affairs Advisory Committee (AAAC) (1987-89); Chair, Senate Assembly Task Force on Legal Services to Faculty Members (1991-92); Chair, Provost's Task Force on the Campus Climate for Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay Faculty, Staff and Students (2003-04).

"We are in a period of prolonged financial distress for the state of Michigan and for the University. But this circumstance, if properly apprehended, presents an uncommon opportunity for restructuring and renewal. It is crucial that the faculty, through SACUA, play a large role in preventing the University from losing its intellectual and social leadership within the region, the nation and the world.

"Beyond this mandate (obviously the most important issue confronting SACUA), two lesser but still significant issues are of particular concern to me. First, we must begin thinking about the institutional role of lecturers within the governing University faculty and the faculties of the various units. Many of our mechanisms seem outdated in this respect, particularly in light of the Lecturers' Employee Organization contract.

"Finally, I would like to see the faculty more actively involved in the implementation of the provost's task force recommendations on sexual orientation and gender identity."

MacAdam (Photo by Charles Macadam)

Barbara MacAdam

Appointment: Librarian, University Library

Education: Bachelor of Arts, English, U-M, 1972; master of arts, library science, U-M, 1979

Faculty leadership/governance experience: Senate Assembly (1995-2000, secretary 1992-94); SACUA (1997-2000, vice-chair 1998-99); Advisory Board on Intercollegiate Athletics (2000-04); Student Relations Advisory Committee (chair 2002-04, 1992-94); Board for Student Publications (1988-90).

"It is a privilege to be considered for service again on SACUA at this critical time. A strong, informed and effective faculty voice is essential to ensure wise decisions and proper resource allocation, setting the course of the University for years to come. One key University priority should be to sustain the ability to recruit and retain faculty in light of budgetary tensions within the University and challenges to the strength and vitality of the local and state community.

"SACUA should continue to focus energy on more active engagement of faculty across the schools and colleges of all three campuses, and on being an active participant in important policy formation instead of a review forum.

"I would bring a broad knowledge of the University across disciplines and renewed attention to intellectual property issues in light of dramatic changes in scholarly communication and to meaningful development and integration of technology to enhance research and teaching."

Potter (Photo by Deptartment Of Classical Studies)

David Potter

Appointment: Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Greek and Latin, Department of Classical Studies, LSA

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Harvard University, 1979; doctorate, Oxford University, 1984

Faculty leadership/governance experience: Recreational Sports Committee (1991-93); Rackham Faculty Research Grants Committee, Division III (1995-96, chair 1996); LSA Curriculum Committee (1995-98); U-M Accreditation Committee (1999-2000); Academic Affairs Advisory Committee (2004-present); Advisory Board on Intercollegiate Athletics (2005-present); Academic Performance Committee (2005-present).

"I am honored to be considered for service on SACUA at this challenging time in the University's history. I believe that the faculty must retain a major voice in shaping the University's approach to education even as U-M addresses challenges to its funding, autonomy in determining access to its programs of study, and ability to shape a curriculum that enables our students to thrive in the new global economy. To these ends, we must play a significant role in guiding decisions about the University's priorities so as to retain a world-class faculty through the wise use of limited funds in the areas of employee benefits, compensation, facility priorities and dependent care.

"As representatives of the faculty, Senate Assembly and SACUA must have major input in the governance status of non-tenure track faculty, grading policy, the nature of the tenure track, and the criteria for evaluating existing programs in research and teaching."

Riles (Photo by Susan Riles)

Keith Riles

Appointment: Professor of physics, Department of Physics, LSA

Education: Bachelor of Arts, physics, University of California, Berkeley, 1982; doctorate, physics, Stanford University, 1989

Faculty leadership/governance experience: University Shared Governance Task Force (2006-present); Academic Affairs Advisory Committee (2005-present); University Senate Assembly alternate (2005-present); Unit Shared Governance Task Force (2005-06); Administration Evaluation Committee (AEC) (2004-present); Physics Department Executive Committee (2002-04); Recipient of Faculty Governance Service Award (September 2005).

"As a charter member of the AEC and leader of the AEC Questionnaire Subcommittee, I believe strongly in the accountability of University administration to the faculty. As a member of the AAAC, I have advocated for greater faculty authority over academic policies, and was instrumental in the near-unanimous passages of recent AAAC resolutions concerning proposed changes to tenure policies, operations of the registrar and undergraduate admissions.

"As a member of the Unit Shared Governance Task Force and in the Assembly I argued to abolish the disenfranchising "Rule of Two." In short, I am willing to represent faculty assertively on matters reserved in the regents' bylaws to the faculty. I will speak out to defend faculty interests and authority. I believe SACUA can play a critical role in true shared faculty governance between the faculty and administration, as long as SACUA members are vigilant and steadfast. I will be both."