From David_Gerber@med.unc.edu Tue Apr 11 16:32:20 2006 Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 16:30:49 -0400 From: David Gerber To: Andrew J Perrin Subject: Re: Request for Information from Candidates for Faculty Office Andrew, I think that this is a very good idea, because it is difficult to know the views of faculty across the campus unless it is someone whom you interact with on a regular basis. The following are my answers to these questions--they may not be as in-depth due to the time frame, but they genuinely reflect my opinion. Best Regards, David Gerber 1.) To what extent to you believe faculty interests differ from those of administrators? This is a challenging question as I consider the diversity of faculty interests throughout the campus and the interests of administrators at the college level versus university administrators. In general I believe that there is more common ground amongst faculty interests and administrators especially as this deals with the general culture and vision for the insitution. This has certainly been my experience with administrators in the school of medicine. That being said, there are times when faculty interests diverge from those of the administrators. My opinion is that this tends to occur in specific situations rather than global perspectives. 2.) How should we maintain academic integrity in the face of increasing financial pressures? Academic integrity is the foundation and ultimate "conscience" by which we should be performing our roles on the campus. It is impossible to deny the increasing financial pressures that continue to occur across our campus. Whether it is related to tuition-issues, class size or research; financial issues are integral to maintaining our infrastructure. We should actively avoid getting to the point where we must choose between our academic culture or finances. Moreso it is shortsighted to prioritize the fiscal nature of our activities over academic integrity because it is the latter concept which has long-lasting ramifications if it is compromised. 3.) What are your views on increasing inequalities within the faculty based on, for example, tenure-track vs. fixed term appointments and differing salary levels? This issue is becoming an increasing "hot point" on campus; independent of your specific academic unit. I have been extremely active in this topic and during the past academic calendar I have participated on a School of Medicine committee focused on career development issues for all faculty (including fixed term faculty) while also serving on the fixed-term faculty committee that was established through the Faculty Council. I believe that our future growth and excellence as a university requires creating a work place where the "best of the best" are attracted. This would translate into outstanding tenure-track and fixed term faculty at UNC. 4.) How would you respond on behalf of the faculty if you found out that administrators had circumvented serious faculty consultation to pursue major outside funding for a controversial new curriculum? I vehemently oppose administrators circumventing the faculty on any major campus issues. Our input and viewpoints are critical to determine how specific actions will be interpreted by the faculty at Carolina. An open dialogue with transparency is a critical approach for both the administrators and the faculty. 5.) Would you prefer to see a faculty governance system that is focused on prominent University issues (e.g., academic freedom and educational policy) or one that is more focused on faculty's specific needs (e.g., benefits and salary)? Or, alternatively, how would you seek to balance the two? I don't believe that our faculty governance system should be artificially restricted to one domain or another. An effective governance structure provides us with the ability to adapt and respond to the critical issues at hand. This includes issues such as academic freedom, policy or faculty specific issues. This approach will also provide us with the broadest opportunities at getting our message communicated with the rest of the campus. -- David A. Gerber, M.D. Associate Professor of Surgery Division of Transplantation Department of Surgery University of North Carolina 4026 Burnett-Womack Building, CB#7211 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7211 (919) 966-8008 FAX: (919) 966-6308 NOTE: The information contained in this email and any attachments is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. Material transmitted may contain information that is confidential, legally privileged, or subject to other statutory protections. Unless indicated otherwise any dissemination, forwarding, printing or other duplication of this email or its attached files is strictly prohibited. If received in error, please notify the sender immediately via the reply option or the telephone listed below, and permanently delete this email.