WACO, Texas (ABP) — A former Baylor University assistant professor of nursing is suing the school, alleging her tenure was unfairly denied.
Linda Haynes, a tenure-track professor at Baylor for six years, was informed of the decision in 2003 and subsequently given a one-year contract, which ended last month.
According to an article in the Waco Tribune-Herald, Haynes was told her “poor interpersonal skills” were the cause of the denial. However, nursing students previously nominated Haynes as an outstanding tenure-track faculty member and asked her to deliver the 2004 graduation address.
Haynes, who is looking for another position, appealed her tenure denial to a Baylor board of regents committee but was told the regents could not interfere in tenure decisions.
Haynes was part of the Baylor Faculty Senate, which passed a no-confidence vote against President Robert Sloan last September. Haynes' attorney LaNelle McNamara told the Tribune-Herald the tenure decision was possibly an act of retaliation.
A Baylor spokesperson said the administration does not comment on tenure issues.
Meanwhile, Larry Lyon was appointed Baylor's new senior vice provost June 1, the second recent appointment to the provost's office. Elizabeth Davis was named to a new position of assistant vice provost for academic relations in March.
Lyon, current dean of the graduate school and sociology professor, will oversee Baylor's self-study in preparation for the next visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the university's accreditation bodies. “A lot of work goes in before a visit, and we have about two to three years of work,” said Lyon, who headed up the 1994-96 self-study, from which much of the university's 10-year vision emerged.
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