The Post didn't write about Assistant Professor Bill Reader's tenure struggle for almost a year. We don't write a story every time a faculty member is granted or denied tenure, even if that instructor is in our college.
I learned the details of Reader's case about a month ago after talking to him about his fight to gain tenure. Reader's narrative was compelling, and I assigned Post Campus Editor Wesley Lowery to look into the story. After reading through Reader's personnel file, we decided that a split tenure committee and three human resources complaints were viable reasons for Journalism Director Tom Hodson to deny Reader tenure based on collegiality. Student evaluations are not the only considerations for tenure, and even though Reader is a well-liked professor, we did not feel Hodson overstepped his bounds. I instructed Lowery to watch out for new developments.
Friday's hearing added new elements to the story. Throngs of students came to support Reader through the three-hour meeting with a Faculty Senate panel. Testimony revealed tensions in the journalism school and cracked the porcelain image of one of Ohio University's most touted programs. Continued student protest and involvement make this a story we'll keep following.
Ashley Lutz is a senior studying journalism and editor in chief of The Post. Give her your opinion on Post coverage at al164906@ohiou.edu
4 Opinion
Ashley Lutz
