From paquettd@DENTISTRY.UNC.EDU Mon Apr 16 19:03:55 2007
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:00:23 -0400
From: "Paquette, David" <paquettd@DENTISTRY.UNC.EDU>
To: Andrew Perrin <aperrin@perrin.socsci.unc.edu>
Subject: RE: Faculty Governance Survey

Andrew: I thank you for your initiative in posting candidate responses
and promoting faculty governance.

1.) What issues, concerns, and areas do you hope to address through your
service on faculty government? Response: Continued enhancement of the
academic environment on campus for students; recruitment, development
and retention of faculty; strong university relationships with local,
state, national and global communities; interdisciplinary teaching and
research initiatives; competitive recruitment of undergraduate, graduate
and professional students

2.) To what extent to you believe faculty interests differ from those of
administrators? Response: I believe that both UNC faculty and
administrators may present different, important vantage points during
the ongoing dialogue; however, both groups concur on the institution
achieving its overall mission (i.e., that UNC-CH serves "all the people
of the State, and indeed the nation, as a center for scholarship and
creative endeavor").


3.) How should we maintain academic integrity in the face of increasing
financial pressures? Response: Disclosure of any potential conflicts and
active discussion among all stakeholders should be part of the discovery
process. Ultimately, academic integrity or autonomy in the classroom and
laboratory must not be compromised because of internal or external
economic forces. 


4.) What are your views on increasing inequalities within the faculty
based on, for example, tenure-track vs. fixed term appointments and
differing salary levels? Response: UNC-CH needs to continue analyzing
and identifying potential inequalities within its faculty based on
academic appointment (tenure-track versus fixed term) or other factors
(e.g., gender). As members of a premier state university, we need to
question whether we appropriately recognize and reward individuals for
excellence in teaching, service and engagement, in addition to
research/scholarship. This institution strongly values and promotes
diversity. Faculty inequalities (real or perceived) may undermine
diversity and should be addressed.

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? Response: As a candidate for the Faculty Council, I anticipate
a balance between large University issues and faculty specific needs.
The agenda will likely reflect dynamic events or opportunities that
occur over the academic year. Faculty will be active in contributing to
this agenda. Both the "big picture" and details will be needed in our
maintaining excellence at Carolina. 

6.) Are you a member of the American Association of University
Professors (AAUP)? Response: Not currently


7.) Any additional comments? Response: None

David Paquette, DMD, MPH, DMSc
Department of Periodontology
UNC School of Dentistry
Brauer Hall 111, CB #7450