Coble’s effort culminates in vote on three-tiered system for fixed-term faculty today

It’s a goal McKay Coble has been working toward for more than two decades.

And today, that goal — giving fixed-term faculty the recognition they deserve — will come up for a vote at the Faculty Council.

“There are some issues that find you, but this became a mission for me,” Coble said.

The proposed resolution would create a three-tiered ranking system for fixed-term faculty, including the titles of lecturer, senior lecturer, and master lecturer.

Coble, a former fixed-term faculty member herself whose chairmanship ends in June, has seen the project grow from a simple task force in the early 1990s into the powerful, policy-making fixed-term faculty committee.

“Fixed term faculty on this campus have always known they had a tremendous advocate with McKay as chair,” said Jean DeSaix, the committee’s chairwoman and a senior lecturer in the biology department.

Also the chairwoman of the dramatic art department, Coble said the assumption that fixed-term faculty only teach is not valid.

“Many of our fixed-term colleagues are superior scholars and researchers and have devoted their lives to teaching, researching and serving Carolina,” she said. “We should recognize that.”

Unlike tenured professors, fixed-term faculty work under contracts that must be renewed annually or every few years.

Coble said the old system was flawed: It lacked both job security and a clear path for promotion.

But not everyone agrees with Coble’s proposed changes.

“I’ve been accused of single-handedly trying to undermine the tenure system at the University,” said Coble, whose term ends in June. “But that was never my intention.

“I simply wanted to establish a parallel line to the tenure track that would recognize the dedication and contribution of fixed-term faculty members at this University.”

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Bruce Carney has worked with Coble throughout her term to develop and implement policies.

“The focus of the chair has to be on the faculty and their needs,” Carney said. “McKay has had a strong drive to make changes for the good, and I really have to take my hat off to her.”

Coble’s other focuses include advocating for faculty in light of budget cuts and addressing their role in the new academic plan.

Bobbi Owen, chairwoman of the advisory committee on undergraduate admissions, said Coble is a renaissance woman with a gift for not only listening, but articulating what she’s absorbed genuinely.

“When she speaks, it’s with the collective wisdom of all the people she’s listened to,” Owen said.

“The Carolina way is to work together, and I think McKay has emphasized a way of concentrating on the positive. And she’s brought that to Faculty Council.”

There are two candidates for Coble’s replacement: lecturer Jan Boxill and professor Vin Steponaitis. The election will be held later this month.

Coble said she’s excited to see the direction the newly elected chair takes the Faculty Council. She added that the new chair should not hesitate to work with administration.

“They know how hard the faculty work and they’re not interested in resting on Carolina’s reputation,” Coble said. “The faculty has an incredible voice here at UNC.

“I just hope the faculty and the Council feels I have served them honestly and that they know what an honor it has been to represent this remarkable faculty.”

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