Contact: Nat T. Bender, 908-377-0393, nbender [a] aftnj.org
ed note: David Hughes, Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty union president and professor of Anthropology is available for interview
The Executive Committee of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty union (www.rutgersaaup.org) approved a resolution today calling for the following:
Resolution regarding the allegations against Coach Kyle Flood approved by the Executive Council of Rutgers AAUP-AFT on September 9, 2015
Whereas: Recent allegations that Head Football Coach Kyle Flood initiated communication with a part-time lecturer about an F grade she or he assigned to a football player have caused concern within and outside the University community. Quite properly, the University has initiated both internal and external investigations.
Whereas: All instructors are entitled to academic freedom in research and teaching, including in the assessment of students’ work; Academic freedom is an essential component of quality higher education and the freedom for faculty members to assess students’ work without external pressure is an essential component of academic freedom.
Whereas: The integrity of all Rutgers diplomas – past and future – depends upon the integrity of a grading process free of external interference;
Whereas: It is essential the University act decisively and publicly to maintain its credibility
Resolved: The Executive Council of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT full-time faculty union urges the University to carry out an investigation that includes all possible communications between Coach Kyle Flood and the instructors of football players, with particular attention to possible intimidation or bullying of vulnerable, contingent faculty.
Further resolved: That the University should commit itself now to the full disclosure of the results of the investigations undertaken in relation to these allegations.
Finally resolved: That the university should publicly affirm its commitments to academic freedom, the integrity of the grading process, and the separation of coaching and academic staff.
About: The Rutgers AAUP-AFT is the facuty union at Rutgers. We could be described as “Legacy-Rutgers”: we represent more than 6,600 full-time faculty, part-time lecturers, graduate student employees, counselors and postdoctoral scholars. The mission of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT is to ensure the educational quality and academic integrity of Rutgers University by enhancing the professional lives and conditions of employment for those we represent.