ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 23, 1997 TAG: 9701230031
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
Concerned that the public thinks of hard-working professors as no more than basement-dwelling researchers, Virginia Tech's Faculty Senate this week decided to polish its public image.
The senate agreed to continue to explore two plans that remain in the early stages of development. Not only will it pursue a formal communications plan, it will look into how to obtain legislative influence in Richmond - including whether to hire a lobbyist.
"It's certainly far from unusual for people to hire people or engage in lobbying practices," said Tom Sherman, the education professor who has headed the effort.
Among groups that faculty members have talked with are the Virginia Education Association, the high-profile group that represents public school teachers. Still, Sherman thinks "we're far away" from hiring somebody to represent the faculty, and any serious lobbying push would not come until next year.
Professors see such actions as this year's apparent 2percent pay raise as evidence they're losing ground with the public.
"There are some things we need to learn to do," Sherman told his fellow faculty. "It's not going to be easy it certainly looks like we can improve our lot greatly by acting on our own behalf."
Sherman unveiled two proposals. One suggests actions ranging from meeting with legislators to meeting with groups already involved in lobbying.
The second plan is broader, looking at ways to broadcast the good works of faculty to the public. Ideas include everything from setting up a speakers' bureau so professors are available for talks at public functions to trying to place feature stories about professors in the media.
The Faculty Senate's proposals come at a time when professors around the country are wondering how to convey their interests to state legislators, said a Washington, D.C.-based advocate for professors.
"It seems like there are a lot of public questions about the quality of higher education, perhaps pushed by the expense of higher education," said Ruth Flower, director of government relations for the American Association of University Professors. "Are [students] getting what they're paying for?"
In particular, the practice of tenure - which commonly awards lifetime job security - has come under attack. In Texas, a bill to require a type of post-tenure review has been filed, while a Colorado legislative committee is studying tenure, she said. Professors defend tenure, earned over a grueling period of several years, as protecting academic freedom.
Flower also said it's unusual for a single school's faculty to hire a lobbyist, in part because it's expensive.
"Usually, they check it out and find out they can do it themselves," she said.
Tech's administration already keeps a close eye on the General Assembly, and a "government liaison'' works on President Paul Torgersen's staff. Sherman said there's no intent to clash with the university's efforts, and that a two-pronged approach might help.
"I think the story of the faculty is not divorced from the story of the institution; therein we may see things differently," said Larry Hincker, the university spokesman.
But he added, "I think that it's a political right of anybody to petition their representatives."
Tech's faculty includes an estimated 1,450 members.
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