Four members of the faculty of Northeastern University’s College of Arts and Sciences did not have their contracts renewed (in other words, they were fired) because they did not hold the highest degrees in their fields. Professors have expressed distress at the short notice they received, and at the fact that they weren’t presented with the option of enrolling in a PhD program. Students, for their part, are rallying around the fired professors, saying that while they understand the goal of a faculty replete with top degrees, firing an excellent teacher for the lack of a top degree is counterproductive (one of the fired faculty has been nominated for excellence in teaching awards two of the past three years). Students have begun a petition and demanded meetings with decision makers.

4/18/07  Read More from Northeastern University
4/18/07  Read an Editorial from Northeastern University