SPSA urges Regents to reverse changes to post-tenure review
The Southern Political Science Association (SPSA) strongly opposes the recent changes to post-tenure review in the University System of Georgia.
The mission of the SPSA is to improve teaching and research in the discipline of political science, and we think that these policy changes drastically diminish the ability of tenured faculty at Georgia’s public colleges and universities to pursue this mission. Academic freedom is the very foundation of teaching and scholarship and all faculty, political scientists, in particular — given the subject matter of their research and teaching — are at risk when the protection of the tenure system and academic freedom is weakened.
We call upon the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to reverse the changes to post-tenure review that weaken the protection of tenure and academic freedom.
CHRISTOPHER WLEZIEN, SPSA PRESIDENT; MARC HETHERINGTON, PRESIDENT-ELECT; CHERIE D. MAESTAS, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT AND ROBERT HOWARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
U.S has spent billions helping other countries
A recent letter writer blames Republicans in Congress for not allowing the development of educational systems and democratic governance for other nations. Guess that he has never heard of foreign aid. Between 1946 and 2019, the United States, with the blessing of Republicans, provided $94 billion ($195 billion in constant U.S. dollars) to Latin American countries. In 2020 alone, $1.7 billion was provided, plus an additional $141 million for COVID-19 relief.
This aid helps to support economic reforms, education, child health and nutrition, agriculture, disaster relief and many other projects. However, no amount of monetary aid can guarantee a democracy, educate and lift all people out of poverty, or provide a stable, safe future for families. The U.S. cannot “nation build” and can only invest in helping governments foster safety and prosperity for their citizens.
Oh, and the Republicans who supposedly foster racism and radicalization just elected the first woman of color to be lieutenant governor of Virginia.
HENRY ANDERSON, LILBURN
