Dr. Zucker Denied Tenure

Student Outcry and Administrative Waffling Follow

During the second week of March, Dr. Ross Zucker, Assistant Professor of Political Science, was denied tenure and informed that his contract with the University would not be renewed. This marked the conclusion of a six year period of instruction during which Zucker developed a large student following at both the Uptown and Midtown campuses.

Dr. Zucker declined to comment for this article.

Pronounced student displeasure with the Faculty Committee on Tenure's decision was in evidence on the Uptown Campus. Yonatan Bendheim, a YC senior and political science major, remarked, "I am dismayed that the Tenure Committee appears not to be concerned at all with the views of the student body on this matter. Dr. Zucker is an accomplished professor who has done much to improve the political science department and has given me insight into the discipline in a way no other professor here has."

Others were simply startled by the development. Brent Kessler, a YC senior and Zucker student, noted, "Many of us were quite surprised by the Tenure Committee's verdict. Dr. Zucker is such an academic asset to this institution that we could not conceive of him not being granted tenure." A YC sophomore lamented, "I had hoped to continue taking his classes for the next couple of years."

The Tenure Committee's decision was handed down despite the strong support voiced by Zucker's many student supporters. Over fifty students signed an enthusiastic letter of support recommending that the Tenure Committee accept Dr. Zucker's bid for tenure. An important consideration in tenure evaluation is the quality and quantity of the petitioner's scholarly publications. Dr. Zucker's supporters point out that he boasts impressive publishing credentials with nine articles published in scholarly journals since 1993 and one forthcoming this year. Dr. Zucker also recently secured tentative approval from a press to publish his book on democratic distributive justice and property rights.

The Faculty Committee on Tenure is comprised of Dr. Pam Grosof, Professor of Statistics at SCW; Dr. Josh Bacon, YC Professor of Psychology; Dr. Aaron Levine, YC Professor of Economics; and Dr. Ruth Bevan, Professor of Political Science.

Traditionally, the senior professor of the relevant department wields broad influence in the tenure decision.

Dr. Bevan could not be reached for comment.

Upon reaching its decision, the Tenure Committee submitted its recommendation to YC Dean Norman Adler. Adler approved the recommendation and thus effectively finalized the tenure denial. Adler remarked, "I like Ross personally, I think very highly of him in many ways. I would also note that I believe in the academic process as it has been effected at Yeshiva."

The recommendation for tenure denial was then forwarded to Interim Academic Vice President for Academic Affairs Sheldon Gelman who has yet to formally act upon it. Gelman indicated that he was "studying the matter but cannot comment further on a personnel matter."

When informed that students feel excluded from the tenure decision-making process, Gelman shrugged and objected. According to Gelman, student course evaluation forms comprise an important element of the tenure review. Gelman insisted that students do not take course evaluation forms seriously enough although he could not elaborate on why he felt this way. Gelman further suggested that in-class student response to Tenure Committee observed lectures is considered in the review process.

Quite irksome to many Uptown Campus students was the veil of secrecy behind which the Tenure Committee's decision was made. The foundation for the Committee's judgment has not been revealed to students. Bendheim believes that "many student concerns would be better addressed if there were a public airing of the Tenure Committee's conclusions. Frankly, I'm quite skeptical about the Committee's findings."

Related Articles:

• Students Defend Zucker
• Zucker Tenure Debacle