Tenure granted in one appealed case

Acting on a recommendation from President Norval Pohl, the regents granted Jacqueline Lambiase promotion to the rank of associate professor of journalism with tenure during the board's meeting March 23. The promotion and awarding of tenure will take effect Sept. 1, for the 2005-06 academic year.

In a Feb. 9 letter, Pohl informed Lambiase that "after a careful evaluation of the available evidence and the recommendation of the University Tenure Committee," he had decided to recommend her to the board on the grounds of outstanding performance in teaching. In doing so, he overturned a denial by Howard Johnson, provost and vice president for academic affairs. The dossier was submitted to Johnson for consideration on the grounds of research. 

Before taking action, several regents, including Chair Bobby Ray, Vice Chair Burle Pettit and Tom Lazo, stated for the record that they trust and support the provost and that their votes to grant Lambiase tenure should not be construed as a lack of respect for Johnson or his judgment.

"Tenure is one of the most important decisions  the board makes," Ray says. "We consider each case put before us very carefully. We acknowledge that in the final analysis tenure is a judgment about the quality of a candidate's past  performance, what the candidate's contributions will be going forward and how this individual will strengthen the educational experience at UNT. In the case of Dr. Lambiase, the majority of the board judged her contributions to be deserving of tenure and promotion."

No other tenure appeal decisions have been considered by the board. On Feb. 9, Pohl presented the Tenure Committee with preliminary decisions to extend the probationary period for one professor and uphold tenure denials for three others.

BY RODDY WOLPER rwolper@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Inspirational speaker "Rudy" Ruettiger to visit UNT
• Regents raise board-designated tuition $6 per semester credit hour
• Defense bill funding of $3.1 million buys UNT two electron microscopes
• International Week at UNT starts April 4
• Project aims to preserve web information for posterity
• UNT to host annual Texas Higher Education Law Conference April 11-12
• April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• Staff Council hears update on campus master plan, proposed child care center
• Work continues on UNT's Academic Plan
• Senate approves tenure appeals process resolution

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