Members of the leading faculty governing body received an unsettling e-mail from University Provost Philip Hanlon about three hours before their weekly meeting yesterday afternoon.

The subject was his recommendation to the University’s Board of Regents on an issue they have been discussing frequently throughout the semester — the faculty tenure probationary period.

The tenure clock is currently set by Regents Bylaw 5.09 which allows up to eight years for a faculty member to make tenure, but a proposed change seeks to set the upper limit at 10 years for some faculty. Since 1944, each school within the University has been allowed to set its probationary periods, but the periods cannot exceed seven years with a one-year terminal period set for faculty who don’t make tenure.

Hanlon brought the proposal forward for public comment in late February. Recommendations are to be presented to the Board of Regents at its meeting this Thursday.

The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs plans to have SACUA Chair and Statistics Prof. Ed Rothman and Senate Assembly member Benjamin Allen, an assistant professor of cell and developmental biology, speak at the regents meeting.

Hanlon informed SACUA members via e-mail yesterday afternoon that he will suggest setting the limit at 10 years despite the committee’s votes against the proposed change.

Last month, the University Senate voted to express their hesitation to change the bylaw. Rothman and SACUA Vice Chair Gina Poe, an associate professor in the Medical School, met with University President Mary Sue Coleman in late February to express their concerns about Hanlon’s proposal.

Rothman said proposals are usually passed by the Board of Regents after receiving a recommendation from the provost. However, he added that SACUA’s job is to express the opinion of the faculty, which members have roused through previous discussions and votes.

SACUA member Kate Barald, a professor in the Medical School and College of Engineering, said the committee expects the regents to pass Hanlon’s recommended change to the bylaw.

“We’ve resigned ourselves,” Barald said.

SACUA elects new chair and vice chair

During yesterday's meeting, Barald was elected the new SACUA chair by a 5-3 vote. Barald ran against SACUA member Kim Kearfott, a professor in the Medical School and College of Engineering, who was later elected to the vice chair position.

The candidates were self-nominated, and three members were ineligible. Poe and Mojtaba Navvab, an associate professor of architecture, are nearing the end of their three-year term on SACUA, while Rothman, as the current chair, couldn’t run for another position.

SACUA member Rachel Goldman, a professor in the College of Engineering, nominated herself for vice chair, but lost to Kearfott in a 7-1 vote. Kearfott said she is eager to support Barald.

“My commitment is to help and stand behind (Barald) as much as possible,” Kearfott said.

Barald said there is a need to increase respect for University faculty and she plans to address this issue as SACUA chair.

“I think that the process that we’ve begun of trying to be proactive needs impetus and needs to be continued,” Barald said. “I think it’s critical to work on issues in which we can make a difference.”

Rothman, whose term expires on April 30, said the vice chair position is a welcome support system when the chair attends various administrative meetings. He also said he offered Barald insight into the position.

“You walk around with a big stick at various convocations,” Rothman said.

Half the chair’s salary is for his or her professorial work, while the other half is provided by the Office of the Provost.