American Association

Why does Claudine Gay still work at Harvard after being forced to resign as its president? She's got tenure

Retrieved on:

Friday, January 5, 2024

Faculty, University, Trustee, Culture, Student, Research, Association, Absenteeism, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, American Association, Review, Politics, Employment, Pleasure

Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned on Jan. 2, 2024, less than one month after University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill stepped down.

Key Points:

Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned on Jan. 2, 2024, less than one month after University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill stepped down.
Some members of the public have been surprised to see that both Gay and Magill remain employed by their universities as professors and researchers.

What does having tenure mean?

Tenure, as the American Association of University Professors defines it, is “an indefinite appointment” that protects academic jobs.
But revoking a scholar’s tenure and the job security that goes with it requires a formal process and investigation.
However, universities rarely end tenure, even when they find evidence that a tenured professor is incompetent.

Does it matter that Gay and Magill stepped down instead of being fired?

Whether administrators quit or are fired has little bearing on whether they can hang on to their tenured faculty position.
When administrators are fired it can justify an investigation of whether there’s cause for their dismissal as tenured faculty too.

What might happen to their salaries and other compensation?

During this time period, they are often paid their administrator salaries.
However, compensation is usually adjusted back to comparable faculty salaries upon their return to faculty ranks.
Neither former president’s salary has been made public, since they were both recent hires and those details are typically released with a significant delay.

What’s the purpose of tenure?

It’s primarily supposed to foster academic research and academic freedom. Once granted tenure, professors and other faculty members may feel more free to research topics that might not be politically popular or that their superior might not approve. Having tenure also makes it easier for professors to discuss sensitive but appropriate topics with their students without fear of reprisal.

What would it take for them to be fired?

Firing any tenured faculty member is a lengthy process. Even if it doesn’t involve a professor who got caught up in a contentious news cycle, the school would form a committee to evaluate any possible charges. The process can take months or years. Given the allegations of plagarism in Gay’s case, she would appear to be in a more precarious situation, but by no means would her dismissal be guaranteed.

What’s changing with tenure?

Those professors and lecturers, who outnumber professors with tenure on U.S. campuses, generally teach more courses and earn less money.
This creates a double incentive for universities, which essentially get more labor at a cheaper price.
It is possible, but highly unlikely, that proceedings will be initiated to dismiss either for cause.

Ray Gibney does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Stories about war, violence and hate crime can cause anxiety, anger and depression in kids -- here's how to discuss bad news with your children

Retrieved on:

Thursday, January 4, 2024

We know from much academic work in this area that we see an increase in anxiety, in worries, in fears, in depression and, sometimes, an increase in anger.

Key Points:

We know from much academic work in this area that we see an increase in anxiety, in worries, in fears, in depression and, sometimes, an increase in anger.
We see an increased sense of hopelessness, and then, at the extreme, an increase in risk for suicide.
How should parents prepare for a conversation with their children about hate and hate crimes, war and violence?
Robin Gurwitch: Before we even begin to talk to our children, as adults we have to put in place our thoughts and feelings.
What are the values and beliefs that we hold in the face of these types of events?
Talk to friends and other trusted relatives to make sure that you have a handle on your emotions.
What specific advice do you have for talking to very young children – and to older children?
Robin Gurwitch: With really young children, under preschool age and younger, they probably don’t know and won’t understand what’s going on.

Robin Gurwitch receives funding from SAMHSA. Some of my efforts are funded as part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, which is funded by SAMHSA. All work is non-profit. All funds for salary support go through my employer, not directly to me.

Want a healthier lawn? Instead of bagging fall leaves, take the lazy way out and get a more environmentally friendly yard

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Can leaves on a landscaped property ever be left as they are, or should they always be mulched?

Key Points:

Can leaves on a landscaped property ever be left as they are, or should they always be mulched?
Susan Barton: A layer of leaves on the lawn will exclude light, which would be detrimental to the lawn.
So when the leaves fall, either rake them up or chop them up with a lawn mower so they are finer and can sift down in through the grass blades.
But if they fall in a landscape bed, or under trees, shrubs and larger plants, it’s fine to just leave the leaves without mulching them.
How can people get the most out of their lawns and make their landscaping more environmentally friendly?
It’s just a different way of thinking about the landscape, and much more environmentally sensitive.

Susan Barton does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Most US nursing homes are understaffed, potentially compromising health care for more than a million elderly residents

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Jasmine Travers: There are 15,000 nursing homes with approximately 1.2 million residents.

Key Points:

Jasmine Travers: There are 15,000 nursing homes with approximately 1.2 million residents.
Only 25% of nursing homes were found to be meeting those total nursing hours in 2019.
How does nursing home staffing affect the quality of care and health outcomes for residents?
When nursing homes are understaffed, that means there might not be a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants to, for example, answer call bells.

As suicides rise in the US, the 988 hotline offers hope – but most Americans aren't aware of it

Retrieved on:

Friday, July 28, 2023

Emmy Betz: Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States.

Key Points:

Emmy Betz: Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States.
We had been seeing suicide rates rise from about 2000, up until around the COVID era.
There was a small dip in rates during those COVID years, which was great, but unfortunately we’ve now seen rates increase again.
In 2021, there were 48,000 suicide deaths in the U.S., which is about one every 11 minutes.
Particularly concerning are increases in suicide rates among young individuals of color, where there have traditionally been lower suicide rates.
It’s really important that journalists talk about suicide, and that we raise awareness, and we get these messages out.
There are guidelines from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other large organizations that really spell out best practices for journalists.
Watch the full interview to hear more about the 988 hotline and suicide prevention.

As a summer heat wave pummels the US, an expert warns about the dangers of humidity – particularly for toddlers, young athletes and older adults

Retrieved on:

Monday, July 17, 2023

So we’ll have more hot days and more extremely hot days, which result in an increased frequency, duration and intensity of environmental heat waves.

Key Points:

So we’ll have more hot days and more extremely hot days, which result in an increased frequency, duration and intensity of environmental heat waves.
Kenney: The primary means by which humans get rid of body heat that’s built up is by evaporation of sweat.
Why are infants and older adults particularly vulnerable to heat and humidity?
So individuals on both ends of the age spectrum tend to be particularly vulnerable to what we term classic heatstroke.
Is the heat index a good measurement of how hot it feels and how people’s bodies are affected by heat?
It doesn’t account for radiation from the Sun, for example‚ but it’s much better than the heat index because it’s much more physiological.
Watch the full interview to hear more about how heat and humidity affect your health.

Food insecurity already affects 12 million US homes -- and reductions in SNAP benefits won't help

Retrieved on:

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Hilary Seligman: Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the limited or uncertain access to enough food for a healthy life.

Key Points:

Hilary Seligman: Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the limited or uncertain access to enough food for a healthy life.
Hilary Seligman: The most recent data suggests that about 1 in 10 households in the U.S. are food insecure.
And this rate is even higher among certain groups, like Black and brown households and households with children.
Hilary Seligman: Food insecurity is an inability to access enough resources for your basic needs.
Hilary Seligman: One of the misconceptions is that people who are experiencing food insecurity don’t want access to a healthier diet.
Hilary Seligman: The best solution for food insecurity is SNAP, which used to be called the food stamps program.
An example of this would be the work requirements that will push people out of the SNAP program and likely increase food insecurity rates.

Saying that students embrace censorship on college campuses is incorrect -- here's how to discuss the issue more constructively

Retrieved on:

Monday, June 5, 2023

Versions of this claim include the falsehoods that students “shut down” most invited speakers to campuses, reject challenging ideas and oppose conservative views.

Key Points:

Versions of this claim include the falsehoods that students “shut down” most invited speakers to campuses, reject challenging ideas and oppose conservative views.
Such cynical distortions dominate discussions of higher education today, misinform the public and threaten both democracy and higher education.
Since 2020, numerous state legislatures have attempted to censor forms of speech on campuses by citing exaggerations about students and their studies.
The most common targets of such censorship are programs that discuss race, gender, sexuality and other forms of multiculturalism.

1. Avoid stereotypes about college students

The idea that college students are hostile to opposing viewpoints is false.
Such figures have benefited, politically or financially, from sensationalism about a college “free speech crisis.” In opinion polls, college students typically express stronger support for free speech and diverse viewpoints than other groups.
Judgments about higher education based on sweeping generalizations about college students conflict with the full realities of campus life.

2. Consider all forums for free speech in universities

Universities are major centers for the study of the First Amendment, the free press, human rights, cultural differences, international diplomacy, conflict resolution and more.
Despite occasional disruptions over bigoted speakers, universities offer numerous forums for free speech, open debate and intellectual diversity.
Debates over free speech in higher education can be improved by acknowledging the many forums in which people speak freely every day.

3. Recognize the true threats to free speech on campuses

The notion of hostility to such ideas on college campuses has surfaced in numerous bills that create new forms of state interference in education.
Politicians in those states justify ending tenure protections by claiming that professors teach students to censor free speech.
Such rising government interference creates a genuine threat to free speech on college campuses and in society beyond.

4. Understand the role of academic freedom

The ability of citizens to exercise academic freedom is not only vital in education.
Academic freedom includes the freedom to attend a university of one’s choice.
The freedom of an institution to offer a wide range of subject matters to students.
It rewards deeply cynical views of higher education and restricts a freedom that should be available to all Americans.

How corporations use greenwashing to convince you they are battling climate change

Retrieved on:

Monday, May 15, 2023

Many corporations claim their products are “green-friendly.” But how do you know if what they’re selling is truly eco-safe?

Key Points:

Many corporations claim their products are “green-friendly.” But how do you know if what they’re selling is truly eco-safe?
Thomas Lyon: Greenwashing is any communication that leads the listener to adopt an overly favorable impression of a company’s greenness.
Thomas Lyon: I still love the old concept of the seven sins of greenwashing.
For example, when you see an electric hand dryer in a public restroom, it may say on it: This dryer protects the environment.
One of the increasingly common forms of greenwashing … is a hidden trade-off between the company’s market activities and its political activities.
You may get a company that says: Look at this, we invested US$5 million in renewable energy last year.
And they may not tell you that they spent $50 million lobbying against climate legislation that would have made a real difference.
Perhaps the foremost among them is: Is this offset actually producing a reduction that was not going to happen anyway?

Superintendent turnover is increasing and gender gaps are barely budging, but accurately assessing the consequences remains a challenge

Retrieved on:

Monday, May 15, 2023

During the last several years, tense school board meetings where superintendents were fired erupted in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia.

Key Points:

During the last several years, tense school board meetings where superintendents were fired erupted in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia.
Within this tense environment, a recent study found that nearly 40% of superintendents reported being threatened or feeling threatened on the job.
And, 63% of superintendents reported feeling worried about their mental health and well-being over the past two years.

New insights into superintendent turnover

And for a newly published research study in the academic journal Educational Researcher, I conducted a comprehensive, national analysis of superintendent turnover in over 12,500 public school districts since 2019.
A superintendent change occurred at least one time in 35% of districts nationwide, and 6% of districts experienced two or more turnover events.
Though we are unable to determine the exact cause, my research also shows that districts serving larger proportions of students of color were significantly more likely to experience superintendent turnover.

The role of gender

Town and suburban districts were significantly more likely to experience superintendent turnover than urban and rural districts.
My research also revealed that superintendent turnover rates for men increased at nearly twice the rate of that for women.
Though the jump in turnover rate for men could have narrowed the superintendent gender gap, the gap barely budged.
Among districts that experienced turnover, very few hired a new superintendent who was a different gender than their prior superintendent.

Why superintendent data matters

For example, ILO Group’s analyses show that half of the nation’s largest 500 districts have experienced superintendent turnover since March 2020.
Moreover, national, longitudinal superintendent data would allow for deeper examination of the contributors to and consequences of superintendent turnover.
If ensuring some teachers and students are not disproportionately at risk of undesirable superintendent churn, sustained support for and efforts to collect and analyze national longitudinal superintendent data must be prioritized.