Faculty senate last obstacle for parent/professor day

By Scott Ammons
Senior Staff Writer

The faculty senate proved to be Dr. Breeden Blackwell’s most formidable opponent and the students’ saving grace thus far, in the quest to institute a parent/professor day at UNCP.

On March 2 Blackwell, a UNCP Board of Trustee member, told the faculty senate, “I have no plan, only an idea; a concept of making UNCP unique in the UNC school system.”

Blackwell said he believes instituting a parent/professor day at UNCP would help increase the university’s student retention rate (UNCP currently ranks last in the UNC school system for student retention), and help solidify the school’s motto: “UNCP- where learning gets personal.”

Citing personal experiences Blackwell referenced Louisburg College, a private, two-year school, that already has parent/professor conferences implemented.

“As a parent I found these conferences to be a rewarding experience,” Blackwell said.

If approved by the faculty senate, the conference day could begin as early as fall of 2005. Dr. Roger Brown, university provost, told the faculty senate that if they approve Blackwell’s idea, it could probably be worked into the 2005/06 school year schedule.

However, Brown did advise approaching this issue with caution. “It all has to be voluntary in order for it to work. If it were a coercive part by the university, it would be a bad thing,” Brown said.

Personal experiences were not enough proof for senate members that parent conferences were needed or necessary at UNCP.

Faculty senate member Dr. Susan Cannata, an assistant professor in the English, Theatre and Languages Department, cited three reasons why she can’t endorse the trustee’s idea.

• The legal rights of students.

• Conferences don’t seem to foster a student’s ideas and responsibilities; it seems to oppose what we are teaching.

• Students that don’t accept their academic responsibilities are parenting issues not institutional ones.

As each faculty senator pondered and discussed Blackwell’s proposal, Dr. Cannata’s reasons echoed around the room.

Dr. Kim Gunter, assistant professor in English, Theatre and Language Departments, said she believes that Blackwell and the Board of Trustees’ heart is in the right place, but the initiative is wrong.

“I appreciate the concern for parental involvement. However, is there a different way we can achieve our goal, some ‘middle ground’ the board may consider?” Gunter asked. Blackwell responded, “I don’t have an answer for that right now.”

When asked what would happen if the faculty senate didn’t approve a parent/professor day, Black-well quickly referred the question to Chancellor Allen Meadors. The Chan-cellor told the senate, the issue would go back to the Trustees for their review.

Blackwell concluded his time with the senate with a thanks and final plea. “There are a lot of reasons not to do something ladies and gentlemen. I’m just asking you to consider this for the parents,” he said.

No motion to adopt, discuss or table this issue for a later date was made.

Faculty senate member Dr. Nancy Barrineau of the English, Theatre and Languages Departments said, “There is a limit to what parents, should expect from their children. Barrineau said she wouldn’t endorse this idea under any circumstance.”

At the request of several senate members, a faculty senate resolution opposing parent/professor conferences is being drafted for presentation to the executive committee. The committee will discuss the resolution and vote on whether to adopt or deny the senators’ request.

Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Jesse Peters said, “I believe the sentiment behind the proposal is a good one, but it seems like the faculty disagree with that. Generally, the senate chair is neutral, so I don’t engage in debate.”

If parent/professor conferences are instituted as policy, UNCP will be the only school in the UNC school system that has one.