Academic ChalkingColorado State University

Natalie Barnes, ART100

Art & Public Discourse

What is the role of a

university education in

a democratic

society?

Campus Equity Week is designed to draw attention to the working conditions of faculty—the vast majority of whom are now in insecure part- and full-time non-tenure track jobs, often subject to exploitive employment conditions.

American Association of University Professors

American Association of University ProfessorsStatement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good [which] depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition.

Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth.

Academic freedom in . . . teaching . . . is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning. It carries with it duties correlative with rights.

Source: AAUP

ACADEMIC FREEDOM IS AT THE HEART OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCITY…and the core of CSU’s values

The values that support the CSU Mission:Be ACCOUNTABLEPromote CIVIC RESPONSIBILITYEmploy a CUSTOMER FOCUSPromote FREEDOM OF EXPRESSIONDemonstrate INCLUSIVENESS and DIVERSITYEncourage and reward INNOVATIONAct with INTEGRITY and MUTUAL RESPECTProvide OPPORTUNITY and ACCESSSupport excellence in TEACHING and RESEARCH

--from Colorado State University’s Mission statement

To produce well-trained employees in a free-market economy.

To create intelligent citizens in a self-governing democracy. To grow leaders from that intelligent citizenry. To ensure that every student, no matter the wealth of his or

her parents, has a chance at the American Dream. To advance knowledge through faculty research. To broaden minds of students even in areas

not immediately relevant to their careers. To enable students to interact with people

different than themselves and ideas different from their own.

To help students find a passion—and even a purpose in life.

From an address by Richard D. Kahlenberg, Senior Fellow at The Century FoundationSource: the Chronicle of Higher Education

WHY IS ACADEMIC FREEDOM IMPORTANT IN YOUR EDUCATION?

Who is teaching you?

Go by many names: Contingent Faculty, Adjuncts, Non-

tenure track, Special Faculty, Temporary Faculty

May be either full-time or part-time “At will” Not eligible for tenure The following information is from the

2011 CSU Factbook

What We Do:

Teach 31% of lower level student credit hours

Teach 19% of upper level student credit hours

And, Given the Trend . . .

. . . More Adjunct Faculty will Be Teaching You in the Future

Tenure-track Faculty Adjunct Faculty0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Percentage Increase by Faculty Type Over Last Decade

Tenure-Track FacultySecurely employed Free academic voice

4%

83%Adjunct FacultyEmployed at will Silenced academic voice

Contingent Caucus Websitehttp://contingentcaucus.wordpress.com/Why should you care?

ACADEMIC FREEDOM IS AT THE HEART OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCITY

The values that support the CSU Mission:Be ACCOUNTABLEPromote CIVIC RESPONSIBILITYEmploy a CUSTOMER FOCUSPromote FREEDOM OF EXPRESSIONDemonstrate INCLUSIVENESS and DIVERSITYEncourage and reward INNOVATIONAct with INTEGRITY and MUTUAL RESPECTProvide OPPORTUNITY and ACCESSSupport excellence in TEACHING and RESEARCH

For more information on this issue visit the Contingent Caucus website:

contingentcaucus.wordpress.com

SO WHAT THE HECK DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH

ART YOU ASK?

The issues of non-tenure track faculty are

social justice issues.

Many artists deal with social issues as a major focus in their art.

Many artists use words (text) as an integral element in their art. Pay attention to they way they present the

text.

Remember that reference a student made in regards to the new “point of view” introduced during the Renaissance was – almost like choosing a word to

emphasize…

Barbara Kruger

Jenny Holzer is mostly known for her large-scale public displays that include billboard advertisements, projections on buildings and other architectural structures, as well as illuminated electronic displays. The main focus of her work is the use of words and ideas in public space.

What IS the role of a university education in a

democratic society?

Think about this…

You’ll be writing a statement about academic freedom, feel free to approach the issue however you’d like.

Use the little checksheet passed out at the beginning of class and write YOUR name and the name of up to two friends who are collaborating on this project.

You may work in groups of up to but no more than 5 students (this includes guests). With your group brainstorm three ideas around the concept of Academic Freedom. Look at your homework – you’ve already done one! Why is academic freedom important. How do we insure this right will be enforced. Do you want to address any issues of social justice with your statement?

Select the strongest statement…then revise to make it more powerful.

With your group take some time to think about and discuss a revision

that makes the WORDS stronger. Once you’re done with your three ideas and have the final done post your sheet on the wall so we know your finished. One of ‘us’ will initial your sheet. Staple your homework sheets to the form.

You will re-write your revised statement in a public forum to earn your credit.

Now, take some chalk and publish your statement on the plaza.

When you finish ask one of ‘us’ to initial your slip. Have them collect it so I can record your points.

If you have a friend along to help, you MUST INCLUDE THEIR NAME AND CSU ID or their relationship to you ON THE BACK OF THE SLIP. Put a star by their name so I know they count for extra credit.