In a reversal of an earlier decision, JSC President Barbara Murphy has granted tenure to a popular professor in the Fine and Performing Arts Department.

“I’m very happy to have been awarded tenure. After being denied last year, and then being given a second chance, I am particularly delighted,” said Assistant Professor of Performing Arts Diane Huling-Reed after being informed recently that the president had reconsidered a spring 2007 decision in which she endorsed the Promotion Tenure and Review (PRT) committee’s recommendation to the administration not to grant her tenure.

“What is encouraging is to see that the process itself, while strenuous and stress-inducing, worked,” Huling said. “Without the support and encouragement of the president, though, I would not have had this opportunity. I look forward to continuing my work with the students here.”

A number of music majors were shocked by the announcement of that initial denial last fall, some of them conveying their dismay and disappointment to the president in personal letters.

When asked for comment on this latest development, PRT Chair Jim Black, Academic Dean Daniel Regan and President Murphy noted longstanding policies that prohibit specific comment on personnel matters, but one thing is clear: Murphy ultimately reconsidered her initial acceptance of the PRT Committee’s recommendation based on a variety of factors and circumstances.

Dean of Academic Affairs Dan Regan explained that while the PRT committee and academic dean may make recommendations about whether or not to grant tenure, the college president has the final say. Regan added, however, that the academic dean’s recommendation usually corresponds with that of the PRT Committee, and in turn, the president’s ultimate decision is usually in agreement with the recommendations she receives.

This is not a universal truth, though, according to Regan: “Generally the recommendations are in line with each other’s recommendations, but not always.”

In addition, Regan said that a decision reversal such as this is not common, but is also not unheard of.

Regan explained that a full-time professor is reviewed for tenure after working at the institution for six years unless that faculty member announces his or her resignation. The term tenure means permanency, Regan said, adding that it is the most important decision a college can make. For the recommendation process, Regan explained that PRT recommendations go first to him, and then his go to President Murphy; both of these must be in written form.

While Regan declined to comment on his personal recommendation for Huling-Reed because it was a personnel matter, he did say, “For years I have been clear about how effective a teacher Diane Huling Reed is, and so I am delighted, actually, that her proven teaching prowess is going to continue to be available to JSC students. She really is a very good teacher.”

As for the role students play in potential institutional decisions, Regan said, “I think that at every stage of the process, everyone who recommends or decides is taking into account a number of different considerations – what’s good and important for students, what’s fair to the faculty member involved, and also the integrity of the tenure review process.”

The dean stressed that Huling-Reed’s teaching competence has not been an issue: “I have gone on the record for several years now about how much I value Diane’s teaching and teaching skill, and I really am delighted that this decision provides a way for generations of Johnson State students to have access to her classroom teaching.”