Professor Denied Tenure Sues New College of Florida

[Sancho]

New College of Florida professor who was denied tenure by the Board of Trustees has filed a lawsuit—along with the United Faculty of Florida—against the board and the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees higher education in the state. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of a recent state law that limits arbitration, News Service of Florida reported.

Plaintiff Hugo Viera-Vargas was one of five faculty members denied tenure by NCF’s Board of Trustees in April, despite receiving approval at every other point in the process. Trustees cited “extraordinary circumstances” in the tenure denial as the college undergoes major changes driven by a new board majority appointed by Republican governor Ron DeSantis, who has directed members to push NCF in a conservative direction. The board has complied by ousting former president Patricia Okker and installing DeSantis ally Richard Corcoran as interim president.

Viera-Vargas, a professor of Caribbean/Latin American Studies and Music, appealed the tenure denial, but his appeal was reportedly shot down; Corcoran cited a state law passed earlier this year—SB 266—that limits arbitration of faculty grievances.

The lawsuit argues that “the arbitration ban curtails Viera-Vargas’s academic freedom and forces him to engage in self-censorship,” and that he was denied tenure, in part, because Corcoran disagrees with “certain subjects” that he teaches. A faculty webpage notes race is part of his research area.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2023/08/07/professor-denied-tenure-sues-new-college-florida

[jimfields33]

1. Only 5 professors were turned down for tenure?

At my university, they had way more than that turned down every year. If you missed it three times, you were out. Interesting if this lawsuit goes anywhere.

[Sancho]

2. It was 100% of applicants already approved for tenure...

...DeSatan's new appointed president (a politician) changed the tenure decision because of "woke" professors.

In Florida, we have collective bargaining agreements protected by the Florida Constitution.

[cab67]

3. I'm willing to bet these weren't the only five denied tenure at the time at NCF.

But they were probably the only ones who'd been approved for tenure by their departments, deans, and provost.

In many states, he'd have a solid case for violation of contract. In fact, in my state, the university would have already settled with him. That being said, Florida may do things differently.

[Old Crank]

5. They were denied by DeSatans new board of trustees

Normally they would be essentially a rubber stamp because of the other steps involving approval for tenure. Since the board members would be unlikely to have great knowledge of a professor 's field of study. They would defer to the process, which would be laid out in writing with all the documentation to support the action.

[Marthe48]

4. unless ron has flitted to a new thing

This case may end up in front of the (formerly) supreme court, where the unelected, lying, fascist majority will gleefully f**k the plaintiff over.