Academic freedom must be defended on new terms. All too many articles on tenure are attacks on tenure or even attacks on faculty. Too many think we are privileged, inefficient and ineffective. When we took jobs we were known as professors, now we are scarcely known. We need to persuade and demonstrate the relevance of what we are doing and our effectiveness in doing it.
Politicians are our bankers and, as such, can have a major impact on our actions.
Recent discussions in one of our major cities about arts funding have shown how funding bodies can interfere with the functioning of those they fund. We must raise the quality of discussion. Dr. Petschauer then turned to the business of election of officers. All these were by acclamation. The 1997-99 Biennial Budget is still before the Senate Appropriations Committee.