Leaders of Florida universities to talk about academic freedom

March 1, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Leaders from two other Florida universities will join the University of Florida provost, general counsel and faculty in a discussion of academic freedom from 3 to 5 p.m. on March 8.

“A Conversation about Academic Freedom” focuses on the most formidable concerns facing academic freedom today. This is the third event in this spring’s Faculty Development Series and will be held in Emerson Alumni Hall Room 209.

Lawrence Abele, Florida State University provost, and Hudson Rogers, associate provost and associate vice president of academic affairs at Florida Gulf Coast University, will join Janie Fouke, UF provost, Pam Bernard, UF vice president and general counsel, and UF faculty in a conversation on what can be done to save academic freedom.

Fouke will moderate and host the conversation with each of the panelists speaking briefly on various topics related to academic freedom.

Abele will trace the history of academic freedom and review its recent political trajectory, such as House Bill 837. As a central administrator of a university without faculty tenure, Rogers will speak on the relationship between tenure and academic freedom. Bernard will discuss the intersection of values, collegiality, academic freedom and tenure.

Following these presentations, panelists discuss with each other and with the audience the most important issues and biggest challenges facing academic freedom in Florida and the nation.

Members of the UF community are encouraged to participate in the discussion by attending the event.