Getting those call for letter emails? Here’s what they mean
Screenshot of a Call for Letters email for the professors currently under consideration for tenure.

Getting those call for letter emails? Here’s what they mean

It’s that time of year where emails with the subject “Call for Letters” begin to fill up students’ inboxes. Most students ignore them, mark as read and/or delete them. However, these requests are important and here’s why. Tenure is awarded to professors in order to…

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“Like jumping off a cliff”: Matthew Lepinski on Apr. 26 and beyond
A headshot of Matthew Lepinski, taken from the New College website.

“Like jumping off a cliff”: Matthew Lepinski on Apr. 26 and beyond

Associate Professor of Computer Science Matthew Lepinski first came to New College in 2015, as Computer Science was in the process of transitioning into a full-fledged Area of Concentration (AOC). After working to build this AOC alongside the Applied Data Science Graduate Program and bringing…

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New College faculty denied tenure
An image of the podium from a press conference held by the New College Union after the Board of Trustees meeting on Apr. 26. Photo taken by Veronica Jolley.

New College faculty denied tenure

“Shame on you,” shouted those attending the Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting on Apr. 26, as each faculty member seeking tenure “failed” their run, in the words of Chair Debra Jenks (‘80). Following a grievance filed by the New College Chapter of United Faculty of…

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Board of Trustees shuts down faculty seeking tenure, community members: A deep dive into their most divisive meeting yet
Former Trustee and then-Chair of the Faculty Matthew Lepinski leaving the meeting after announcing his lack of confidence in the board, following their vote to deny tenure for five faculty members. Screenshot from the official New College YouTube channel

Board of Trustees shuts down faculty seeking tenure, community members: A deep dive into their most divisive meeting yet

First they came for former President Patricia Okker, then they came for the Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence (OOIE). And on Apr. 26, the New College Board of Trustees (BOT) continued its trend of disruption by denying five faculty tenure applications, despite all five…

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Faculty members provide commentary following tenure denial
The podium that community members stood before in order to deliver public comment during the Apr. 26 Board of Trustees meeting. Photo by Sophia Brown

Faculty members provide commentary following tenure denial

The Catalyst invited members of the New College faculty to provide written statements, opinions and commentary following the Apr. 26 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting and the denial of five of their colleagues' tenure applications. Here, they speak on the work they perform at New…

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Interim President Richard Corcoran meets with faculty for Q&A session
A headshot of Interim President Richard Corcoran. Photo courtesy of Flickr

Interim President Richard Corcoran meets with faculty for Q&A session

On Apr. 12, the New College faculty gathered for its monthly meeting, where professors discussed usual end-of-the-year agenda items and also tackled concerns surrounding their relationship with the new administration. The agenda included motions for endorsement of two statements: one from the New College faculty…

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BOT Academic Affairs subcommittee discusses admissions policies and a “representative and diverse student body”
Trustee Charles Kesler is a member of the Subcommittee of Academic Affairs. Photo by Basil Pursley

BOT Academic Affairs subcommittee discusses admissions policies and a “representative and diverse student body”

The Academic, Student and External Affairs Standing Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees (BOT),  met on Apr. 17 to discuss upcoming items for the Apr. 26 BOT meeting, vote on a few small amendments and discuss reports from the college. Notice of this…

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Corcoran asks seven faculty to withdraw tenure applications: What faculty protections are in place?
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Interim President Richard Corcoran speak during a news conference in Fort Lauderdale. Taken by Joe Raedle (Getty Images).

Corcoran asks seven faculty to withdraw tenure applications: What faculty protections are in place?

Just hours before the tenure application deadline, Interim President Richard Corcoran spoke to seven New College professors on Mar. 15, asking them to withdraw their applications. According to Faculty Union President Steven Shipman, Corcoran’s explanation for this was that he didn’t have enough time to…

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Explaining the “Call for Letters” emails: how students can shape academic opportunities on campus
An exterior shot of Cook Hall, where the Provost's office is located. Photo taken by Sophia Brown.

Explaining the “Call for Letters” emails: how students can shape academic opportunities on campus

The end of each semester is marked by emails from the Provost’s Office to students, asking them to fill out Instructional Evaluations—to share their thoughts on the content of their courses and the helpfulness and accessibility of their professors. Students are highly encouraged to fill…

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Debunking the tenure process: how students can be involved in the promotion of faculty
Photo courtesy New Colege Digital Archives Student and Professor circa 1960s.

Debunking the tenure process: how students can be involved in the promotion of faculty

Professors can hold a variety of different titles, including assistant professor, associate professor and simply, professor, but it can often be confusing to know what these titles truly mean. The difference in these titles comes down to tenure, which gives professors job security, allowing them…

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