The Kansas Board of Regents’ Twitter account and I had a somewhat predictable conversation this morning. For any who find might it interesting, I include it below. The short version: The Kansas Board of Regents insists that academic freedom is now protected; however, sections 3.ii and 3.iv (see p. 32 of agenda) continue to contradict that claim.
The @ksregents will meet next week, May 14-15, and the agenda is now online: http://t.co/1qxnAVLXVm Any questions about what’s scheduled?
– KS Board of Regents (@ksregents) May 9, 2014
.@ksregents I don’t see the social media policy on the 126-page agenda. Did I miss it? If so, where would I find it?
– Philip Nel (@philnel) May 9, 2014
.@ksregents Also, will you adopt workgroup’s recommendation for social media policy or retain punitive harmony/loyalty/discipline edict?
– Philip Nel (@philnel) May 9, 2014
@philnel Yes, the agenda includes a discussion to “Amend the Board Policy on Social Media” – it’s the fourth item on Wednesday (page 32).
– KS Board of Regents (@ksregents) May 9, 2014
@philnel The revised policy is available for review in the Agenda, and includes clear protections for academic freedom and protected speech.
– KS Board of Regents (@ksregents) May 9, 2014
.@ksregents Ah! Thanks! I was looking in the wrong place.
– Philip Nel (@philnel) May 9, 2014
@philnel Agenda also includes a summary of what is in the revised policy, incl. recommendations from the workgroup & from public comments.
– KS Board of Regents (@ksregents) May 9, 2014
.@ksregents Actually, it both includes and rescinds those protections for academic freedom, via harmony/loyalty/discipline (3.iv)
– Philip Nel (@philnel) May 9, 2014
@philnel Nothing is rescinded; clarity was actually given in multiple places throughout the policy, including in the Application para (c).
– KS Board of Regents (@ksregents) May 9, 2014
.@ksregents “best interests of employer” & “impairs discipline by superiors or harmony among co-workers” remain broad, susceptible to abuse.
– Philip Nel (@philnel) May 9, 2014