Collin College candidates talk free speech, tenure at forum

by | Apr 26, 2023 | Latest

Seven candidates for the Collin College Board of Trustees took part in in a question-and-answer forum on Monday, April 17.

The event was organized by Maggie Whitt of Murphy, who had staged two previous voter information sessions.

The candidates included Trustee Fred Moses and Place 1 challenger Megan Wallace, Trustee Jay Saad and Place 2 challenger Scott Coleman, and Trustee Stacey Donald and Place 3 challengers Cathie Alexander and Joe Minissale.

Place 2 candidate Philip Timmons did not attend the forum.

About 30 people attended the event that was live streamed on Facebook from the Murphy City Council Chambers.

Each candidate had one minute to answer questions Whitt posed from cards submitted by audience members.

The first question involved the First Amendment rights of professors following the non-renewal of three professors’ contracts for sharing opinions with students.

Wallace, a full-time law student, said constitutional protection of freedom of speech is paramount for a functioning democracy, and the college owes it to taxpayers to manage money better by avoiding expensive lawsuits if possible.

Coleman, a former attorney who is now an assistant principal, said, “These lawsuits have cost the Collin College a lot of money and it’s also cost us our reputation.” He estimated the cases had cost the college about $1 million and there should be a policy in place to prevent similar things from happening.

Saad, a retired insurance executive, said, “Everybody has freedom of speech. I’m a big believer in freedom of speech. I support freedom of speech. But you can’t represent the college. You can represent yourself, but you can’t represent the college.”

Donald, a career college educator, said, “I very much believe in the First Amendment right for our faculty.”

Minissale, a hospital president, said it was important to recruit and retain the best faculty and staff “to deliver great outcomes for the students.” But it also would involve enforcing policies. He said educators should “focus on the job at hand – which is educating the kids” and not espouse their personal views and opinions.

Moses, who had been on the board for six years, said the college had about 1,500 full-time faculty and about 1,500 part-time faculty. “I’m for free speech,” he said. But although professors could have opinions, they were asked not to say they were speaking on behalf of the college.

Another audience member asked whether the candidates would favor granting tenure to professors or continuing the current system of three-year contracts.

Saad said tenure is usually provided at large research-based universities and only two colleges in Texas have tenure. Collin College has a 32% better success ratio for its students, he said, adding, “The reality is that it does not make a difference for our college,” he said.

Donald said, “I have found it is too much for a professor to be constantly working for a three-year contract renewal especially if you have been at a place and proven yourself over and over.” She said the renewals were an extensive, exhausting process that put too much pressure on professors.

Minissale said, “Tenure is not at all the norm at all the colleges and universities in the state of Texas.” He said that with a 98% retention rate for faculty and staff the three-year contract appeared to be working well and it should not be fixed if it was not broken.

Alexander said some schools require faculty to “publish or perish,” but that was not the case at Collin College.

Moses said the present system was working well and the college’s 98% retention rate was a great success.

Wallace said, “I believe in rewarding good work” by offering professors longer contracts, especially if they had been at the college for a long time.

Coleman said the school needed to retain the best professors, not just for three years, but forever.

By Bob Wieland

If you want to read more stories like this, subscribe and support your local newspaper at https://publisher.etype.services/Murphy-Monitor

0 Comments

Public Notice - Subscribe

Related News

Author, biblical scholar releases latest book

Author, biblical scholar releases latest book

Wylie author John Hobbs recently released his latest book, “Digging Deep into Scripture.,” which takes an in-depth look at issues such as true discipleship, the nature of the Bible, the Holy Spirit and more. John Hobbs, DMin., a retired math teacher and pastor from...

read more
Dads, daughters dance under the sea

Dads, daughters dance under the sea

A sea of balloons tumble from the ceiling to end the Friday, Jan. 31, Murphy Daddy Daughter Dance. Long blue streamers and fish mobiles decorated the walls of the Murphy Community Center as girls in bright party dresses danced with their dads. Some of the men had...

read more
Local reps begin work in Austin

Local reps begin work in Austin

Collin County lawmakers have begun work in the 89th Texas Legislature with Rep. Candy Noble visiting the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Rep. Jeff Leach meeting with multiple groups, individuals and constituents from across District 67 and the state. “I’m glad that Gov....

read more
Three trustees to be elected in May

Three trustees to be elected in May

At press time, two Collin College Trustees were among four candidates who have filed for the Saturday, May 3, board election. Candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, to file for election to six-year terms in Places 4, 5 and 6. Place 5 Trustee Raj Menon of Plano...

read more
Murphy PD makes history

Murphy PD makes history

The Murphy Police Department has received national attention for its achievement in completing a 24-month policy implementation in 4.5 months, Chief Jeff Gibson told the Tuesday, Feb. 4, council meeting.Councilmembers also adopted amendments to the city code,...

read more
Registration open for Backyard BBQ teams

Registration open for Backyard BBQ teams

Barbecue grillers are sharpening their skewers and seasoning their firewood in anticipation of Murphy’s first Backyard BBQ Cook-off. The non-sanctioned competition Saturday, May 10, in Central Park replaces Tunes, Tails and Ales festival that was discontinued because...

read more
Public Hearing at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Public Hearing at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4.

The Murphy City Council will hold a public hearing and consider and/or act on an Ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Murphy Code of Ordinances, Section 30.02.153-30.02.154 “Application” and “Notice of Public Hearing” to amend the notification standards, Section...

read more
Public Notice - Subscribe