BoT tips hat to faculty, incoming deans

The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees added more than ten faculty members to its growing roster of tenured faculty Tuesday, May 25.

To justify the awards of tenure and dean appointments, outgoing Provost Anthony Perzigian explained the reasoning behind why all the appointments took so long to finish.

The restructuring of academics played a large role in the delay. After finishing the plans, UC administrators were able to appoint the most appropriate applicant, Perzigian said.

Awarding tenure to many professors brought up a few questions, however. Perzigian reiterated the process and attempted to assure the rest of the board.

Despite having an approximate 75 percent rate of tenure for the 2,000-plus full-time faculty, the process was taken seriously and immediately, Perzigian said.

“We have a very rigorous, multilayered process of review,” he said. “Tenure begins in hiring.”

Faculty members who do not think they are fit to be tenured generally do not attempt to gain the status. In the pool of senior scholars who do, however, up to 95 percent are awarded the position, Perzigian said.

Some faculty members hired by UC come with an agreement of a tenured status, though.
University committees also helped develop a bachelor’s degree in technology program, aimed toward returning students and alumni.

“We are making history today,” Perzigian said. “This will open many doors to adult Ohioans.”

The board passed all issues brought up before them.

Perzigian gave a nod to interim deans, too.

“[The interim deans’] steady hands did provide us with leadership in challenging times,” Perzigian said.

It was also announced that, in honor of Perzigian’s decades-long service to the university, a conference room in Van Wormer Hall was to be named after him.

Also on the agenda was BoT Secretary Thomas Humes’ presentation regarding UC’s bicentennial event — which is nine years in the future.

The celebration will be comprised of a year’s worth of events that will “create the greatest event in the university’s history,” Humes said. “create the greatest event in the university’s history,” Humes said.

Humes and former chair of the Board of Trustees H.C. Buck Niehoff presented the proposal, which will be funded entirely by outside sources.

Humes acknowledged the scope of the project, planning and general struggles involved in developing the event.

“My wife has recommended doubling the insurance policy,” he said.