BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jacksonville State University trustees on Tuesday abolished the university’s Faculty Senate and Staff Council as the school begins carrying out a new state law that gives university boards more control over faculty senates, tenure and curriculum.
The Board of Trustees approved a resolution dissolving both groups, along with their constitutions, bylaws and other governing documents, effective immediately.
The resolution directs President Don Killingsworth, working with the provost, university counsel and other officials, to develop new policies for faculty and staff advisory groups, tenure and post-tenure review and curriculum.
Until those policies are adopted, the resolution says no faculty senate, staff council or similar university-wide group may speak for the university, make decisions on its behalf or bind the university or its administration.
It also leaves open the possibility that trustees could create new faculty or staff advisory groups that comply with the law.
The university described Tuesday’s action in a news release as the beginning of an “orderly transition” to new policies.
“Everything we do as a University should ultimately support student success,” Killingsworth said in the release. “As we move through this transition, that guiding principle will not change.”
Jacksonville State’s action follows Auburn University’s decision in June to abolish its existing Faculty Senate.
Auburn University trustees dissolved that university’s Faculty Senate on June 5 and replaced it with a new faculty advisory group established under rules approved by the board, according to reporting by the Alabama Reflector.
Auburn and the University of Alabama were specifically exempted from the law because both universities have governing authority established in the state constitution. Inside Higher Ed reported that Auburn’s policies closely mirrored HB580 even though the law does not apply to the university.
Auburn also adopted policies reaffirming the board’s oversight of curriculum, courses and degree programs.
Inside Higher Ed also reported that some faculty members objected to the changes, saying that dissolving the Faculty Senate weakened shared governance. Auburn said the new structure would preserve a role for faculty.
The new law began as House Bill 580, sponsored by Rep. Troy Stubbs, R-Wetumpka. Stubbs said at the time that the goal of the law was to improve accountability and transparency by making clear that governing boards have authority over faculty senates, tenure policy and curriculum.
Opponents argued Stubbs had not pointed to a specific breakdown at Alabama’s public universities that would justify the changes.
The bill passed the Legislature in April and takes effect Oct. 1.
Under the law, only a university’s governing board may establish a faculty senate. Existing faculty senates cannot continue after Oct. 1 unless the board establishes them under policies that comply with the new law.
Faculty senates may advise university leaders but cannot have final decision-making authority.
The law also requires university boards to adopt policies on tenure, post-tenure review and dismissal of tenured faculty. Boards also have authority over courses, curriculum and degree requirements, although some of that authority may be delegated to university administrators.
Public universities covered by the law must have those policies in place by Oct. 1.