Boedy says BOR decision could 'chip away at tenure'

By Rakiyah Lenon | Co-editor in chief

Augusta University's chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) met on Feb. 16 to discuss the Board of Regents’ choice about tenure and the nominated USG chancellor.

A bill entitled SB 377 that would amend previous legislation about tenure is expected to be voted on soon. The bill can be read here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/61345.

Matthew Boedy, president of the AAUP Georgia conference and professor at the University of North Georgia, joined the meeting to encourage professors to voice their concerns. Boedy has been outspoken about the concerns educators have about academic freedom and often publishes in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and comments on social media.

Boedy simply put the situation this way: “Tenure is for academic freedom.”

Boedy said that students should care about what takes place with the BOR’s actions toward tenure.

“You should want a professor with tenure because they have protections to say things that other people don’t,” he said.

This decision comes at a time where discussion surrounding critical race theory and how race issues should be taught in academics has gained more attention across the country, as local school boards and states are enacting policies that would ban the teaching of CRT. There also is a similar movement to ban books, such as Columbia County considering banning Harper Lee’s classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” among others.

Boedy mentioned that though students hold certain rights in regards to speech, the case can be different for professors who do not have tenure.

“You have a form of academic freedom in class,” he said. “You have freedom to research—you have the freedom to write.”

The BOR’s decision to make changes in regards to tenure also includes the appointing of a new chancellor.

Former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is the sole and final candidate for chancellor. He was selected in meeting that was not open to public attendance and without input from education faculty.

“You should care about who the chancellor is,” said Boedy.

Former Gov. Sonny Perdue speaking at a rally for then senate candidates Kelly Leoffler and David Perdue Jan. 4, 2021. (photo by Rakiyah Lenon)

Sandrine Catris, history professor and president of AU’s chapter of the AAUP, said that she finds the choice concerning.

“The BOR could take over the right to grant tenure,” she said. "People who are not at all, with any experience in higher [education] would be the one to make these kind of decisions.”

Professors who attended the meeting vouched concerns that the bill would be difficult for lawmakers to read and understand the long-term changes that could ensue.

Boedy said that if the legislation were passed, it would “chip away at tenure.”

“More and more, the issues we are facing is at the state level,” Boedy said.

Boedy said that he hopes people take interest and speak out before the vote.

“We need more people to be engaged,” he said.

Contact Rakiyah Lenon at rlenon@augusta.edu.