Program Closures and Terminations at Concordia University Chicago

The AAUP sent a letter today to the president of Concordia University Chicago, Russell P. Dawn, to inform him that the university's faculty senate had sought the Association's advice and assistance regarding recent actions by the CUC governing board and administration to suspend key provisions in the faculty handbook, discontinue academic programs, and terminate faculty appointments. Following a "program prioritization process," the university terminated the services of fifty-one members of the faculty and staff, including long-serving faculty members with tenure. Tenured faculty member Daniel R. Tomal and other terminated faculty members who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation had requested the AAUP's intervention.

The letter recounts the AAUP's understanding of the timeline of events and cites relevant AAUP policy documents in outlining concerns about the actions of the governing board and administration. It concludes by calling for restoration of the faculty handbook, the rescinding of program closures and appointment terminations, and adherence in any future actions to the principles and standards cited in the letter.

Read the letter.

Update: The AAUP sent a follow-up letter to President Dawn on February 25, after one month with no response. The letter asked if his silence was an acknowledgement of the validity of the claims listed in the January letter and added that the AAUP continues to look forward to your substantive response.

Read the follow-up letter.