The faculty senate at Kennesaw State University tabled a decision Monday on whether to support the school’s new provost.
Timothy Chandler, an associate provost at Kent State in Ohio, was chosen as the Kennesaw school’s academic leader last month, but he has come under fire for an academic review he co-wrote in 1998. It cites Communist philosopher Karl Marx several times and includes passages critical of capitalism.
Earlier this month, local newspaper columnists questioned Chandler’s beliefs and whether he should be leading KSU.
Faculty members backed off voting on a proposed resolution expressed support for academic freedom, along with support for Chandler becoming KSU’s next provost and university President Dan Papp’s decision to select him.
“I haven’t done all the homework on the issue to make a decision yet. It’s still a moving target,” said assistant professor Earl Holliday, who moved to adjourn the meeting when members couldn’t decide whether to continue discussion, vote on the resolution or postpone the issue to allow more time for discussion with colleagues.
Other members were concerned that the resolution could pose a problem for Papp if he decided to rescind Chandler’s position.
Papp appeared briefly and read a statement saying he would do what was in the best interest of KSU. He had not seen the faculty’s proposed resolution and made no further comment and did not take questions.
Last week, Papp issued a similar public statement saying he does not believe Chandler is a Marxist or anti-American. Chandler has said he still intends to begin the KSU job in July.
Reaction to the criticism of Chandler and his views in the 1998 paper has been mixed.
“My colleagues are very supportive of academic freedom . . . some are concerned whether someone chosen as an administrator should have certain beliefs,” said Kevin Gwaltney, a chemistry professor, past president of the faculty senate and member of the university search committee that vetted Chandler. “In terms of support of the faculty and whether Chandler comes, only time will tell.”
Gwaltney is undecided about the resolution.
He said he agrees with its endorsement of academic freedome but added, “I have not decided if this is the best course of action for the faculty senate.”
The faculty senate meets again April 11 and if the Chandler matter is still unresolved could discuss the provost resolution then.
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