Western Kentucky University faculty members are accusing the administration of “egregious” actions that have eroded the trust of the faculty in an issue regarding the employment of all full-time, non-tenure eligible faculty next school year.

On Monday, Provost Terry Ballman announced that those faculty members should expect letters notifying them that they may ultimately not be rehired next school year – an announcement Ballman later walked back in a campuswide email Wednesday.

“No letters of notification will be distributed at this time,” Ballman wrote in the email.

Ballman made the initial announcement during a meeting with faculty members of the University Senate’s Executive Committee. It was made to comply with a university policy that requires non-tenure eligible faculty to be notified by Dec. 15 if their employment won’t be renewed during the following school year. Roughly 150 instructors were to receive the letters.

But on Wednesday, Ballman wrote that complying with that policy is complicated by an ongoing review of WKU’s academic programs and uncertainty about the university’s instructional needs during the 2019-2020 academic year.

“In order to successfully implement the policy, a thorough analysis needs to be done prior to the issuance of any letter,” Ballman wrote.

“We simply have not had the time to conduct the detailed analysis necessary to make any individual determinations in time for the deadline this year. Consequently, no letters of notification will be distributed at this time. Please know that I sincerely regret that my announcement caused unnecessary alarm, hurt, consternation and frustration among many of you.”

However, Ballman’s message wasn’t enough to alleviate concerns from faculty on the University Senate’s Executive Committee.

On Thursday, the group advanced a draft resolution requesting further assurances in writing from administrators.

The resolution states that the proposed changes to the employment protection policy was “an egregious action by the university’s administration that has rightfully resulted in frustration and erosion of trust in the administration amongst all faculty.”

The resolution requests include:

• All non-tenure eligible faculty who are not given notice of possible termination by Dec. 15 will be retained for the 2019-20 academic year unless terminated for cause.
• Blanket notices of possible termination of all instructors will not be sent by the university prior to Dec. 16.
• There will be no efforts to remove or change the date of notification in University Policy 1.2000 to a date later in the academic year.

The draft resolution won’t be finalized until it’s approved by the full University Senate, which is scheduled to meet next week.

During the Senate Executive Committee meeting Thursday, several faculty described the decision as a breach of trust by WKU.

“That some of us are going to be terminated was never the problem,” said Susann Davis, a Spanish instructor, reading from prepared remarks. “The problem is a lack of transparency with the true financial situation of the institution. The problem is that the administration makes decisions based on questionable data. The problem is that the policies that protect faculty are now subject to suspension when they’re no longer convenient.”

Some faculty described the deviation from the policy as an attack on academics and how the university is designed to run, while others advocated working more closely with administrators, including Ballman.

“We need them on our side,” said Lauren McClain, an associate professor of sociology.

Speaking to the Daily News on Thursday, Ballman said WKU needs to proceed prudently to navigate its financial realities. That includes completing its review of all academic programs next spring.

Ballman also signaled a willingness to honor the policy going forward, adding that those instructors will be able to continue their employment with WKU “no matter what through June of 2020.”

– Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.