Patricia Fairchild isn't surprised. I can't believe the Board of Regents accepted what Pacheco said at face value. Meanwhile, Pacheco has yet to make his final recommendation on the controversial proposal to eliminate the UA's journalism department, but it's expected soon. As with physical education, the Faculty Senate review committee harshly criticized the recommendation and accused the administration of ignoring or twisting facts and violating procedure. Neither the statistics or nuclear engineering maneuverings are expected to result in the loss of tenured faculty, since other departments will be absorbing the professors.
Physical education is another story.
Despite a proposed transfer of some faculty to other departments, five of the program's eight tenured faculty will be released by 1998 when the program meets its official demise. Drawing the university attorneys into the fracas was a way of establishing a legal precedent, and goading faculty members who disagree into a legal battle. Since 80 percent of the university budget is consumed by payroll, Sypherd contends this is the best place to cut. He also said tenured faculty are not sacrosanct. There is also the question of dead wood floating around the university system.