by Al Greenwood
Senior Staff Writer
University of Houston System Chancellor/UH President Arthur Smith voiced his support for post-tenure review in his first appearance before the Faculty Senate Wednesday.
"I think we have to be ready to be accountable to the public. We are a public university," Smith said. "We should be prepared to justify what it is we're doing with the public dollar."
Although he said he supported the idea of post-tenure review, Smith added that UH should "take the lead in designing it."
In post-tenure review, tenured faculty would face periodic reviews of their performance. Afterward, the review board could revoke a professor's tenure. Many faculty have criticized the process, claiming it will discourage professors from questioning administrative policy and giving controversial lectures.
"I don't see any incompatibility between post-tenure review and academic freedom," Smith said. "It works, and the towers have not come tumbling down. We have had a post-tenure review process at (the University of Utah, where Smith served as president before coming to UH) for at least a decade and a half."
Many faculty and administrators heard the new president speak for the first time on Wednesday. Smith introduced his goals and policies to all the new faces during the meeting.
"We will set the groundwork and, I hope, launch a major fund-raising campaign during my presidency," he added. However, he warned, "The preparation for this takes several years."
He stressed that everyone should spread the word about UH. "Donor development is a long-term investment," he said. "I'm already cultivating potential donors."
Smith also announced an open-door policy. "I will establish one afternoon a month for open office hours, where anyone can come and see me on any subject," he said.
The president even asked the Faculty Senate for a regular slot, which Faculty Senate President-elect Robert Palmer said was unprecedented in his five years as a senator.
Smith also buried any suspicions that UH would kill the Athletics Department. Former UH President Glenn Goerke said in June that the department might scale down or disappear if it couldn't control its deficit. The Athletics Department has averaged a $5 million deficit for the past three years.
"This is a tough town for college sports. We have a lot of competition from professional sports," Smith said. "I think we have the potential to generate a lot of excitement."
Smith said UH must increase ticket sales, increase community support and control expenditures to get athletics in the black. "It's going to be a real challenge."
Smith became UH president April 1, replacing Goerke. Goerke and former Executive Associate Vice President Glenn Freedman will most likely become the co-directors of the proposed Institute for the Future of Higher Learning.
The institute proposal, which the UHS Board of Regents must approve, will preserve Goerke's $191,000 annual salary and Freedman's $112,000 salary until Sept. 1, when the salaries will be reviewed.
"(Goerke's) salary as president will continue through Aug. 31, 1997," Smith said.
"He will receive a one-year leave of absence at his presidential salary."
Smith added, "I have made no commitment about salary levels beyond the period that has already been approved by the board."
Smith said he asked Interim Provost George Magner and Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance James Hale to recommend salaries by July 1.