TRUSTEES' COMMENTS REGARDING THE DECISION TO CONFER TENURE AND PROMOTION--BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING OF 2-24-03

CHAIRMAN BENNO SCHMIDT: I would like to say that I commend the Chancellor for his leadership in this matter. It is, of course, unusual, as he rightly said, but it is very clear under our Bylaws that the Chancellor is not only authorized to make a judgment and bring that to the trustees but is responsible for making recommendations to the Trustees with respect to all tenure matters. I want to commend the Chancellor for taking the responsibility in this complicated case in a way that I agree is entirely consistent with the highest academic values and the interests of the University. So I want to commend you on your leadership in this matter.

TRUSTEE RANDY MASTRO: I, too, want to commend the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor (Frederick Schaffer) for their responsiveness and resolution of this issue. Today's decision reaffirms a very important principle--that faculty tenure at CUNY is not a popularity contest. It's about academic excellence. And I applaud the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor for working out this solution.

TRUSTEE KAY PESILE: As I stated before, I certainly want to commend the Chancellor and Rick Schaffer for all their efforts for seeing this through since I brought it to the Chancellor's attention in early October. This is an equitable solution. Thank you again.

Motion to confer tenure and promotion unanimously adopted, with no abstentions.