2008 Woodie Awards
DSP instructors lose teaching positions
Marc Walls
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News
The mathematics developmental studies staff at Austin Peay State University recently filed a grievance against former APSU President Sherry Hoppe for what they contended were violations against APSU and Tennessee Board of Regents policies.
Kay Haralson taught developmental studies mathematics courses at APSU since 1985. This fall, when her post as an instructor was eliminated in favor of the new Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) program, she went on to assume a position as the retention specialist in the office of institutional research.
"I'm in a position I am not skilled for, not qualified for and my skills as a teacher are not being used," Haralson said.
Haralson's new job title was one of the changes made to the developmental studies program enacted by Hoppe that created the SLA program and left several instructors without a program to teach.
"I felt very angry and felt that my 22 years of service was not being appreciated," Haralson said.
Faced with an unsatisfactory situation and the disappointment of not teaching, six DSP mathematics instructors took action and filed the grievence against Hoppe in February 2007.
At the Onset
The SLA program at APSU was introduced to the main campus and Fort Campbell campus in fall 2007.
It replaced DSP which began in 1985. Haralson and fellow math professor, James Sanders, were hired as the first full-time faculty for the program at that time.
"It was always a temporary program," said Harriet McQueen, dean of enrollment management and academic support. "It was to be a five-year program when it began," McQueen said.
"What may have intended to be temporary wouldn't be as long as the number of students continued to increase," Haralson said.
Developmental studies classes were designed for students with low standardized test scores in math, English and reading. Once the student passed the DSP courses, they were determined ready to enter college level classes in those subjects.
Kay Haralson taught developmental studies mathematics courses at APSU since 1985. This fall, when her post as an instructor was eliminated in favor of the new Structured Learning Assistance (SLA) program, she went on to assume a position as the retention specialist in the office of institutional research.
"I'm in a position I am not skilled for, not qualified for and my skills as a teacher are not being used," Haralson said.
Haralson's new job title was one of the changes made to the developmental studies program enacted by Hoppe that created the SLA program and left several instructors without a program to teach.
"I felt very angry and felt that my 22 years of service was not being appreciated," Haralson said.
Faced with an unsatisfactory situation and the disappointment of not teaching, six DSP mathematics instructors took action and filed the grievence against Hoppe in February 2007.
At the Onset
The SLA program at APSU was introduced to the main campus and Fort Campbell campus in fall 2007.
It replaced DSP which began in 1985. Haralson and fellow math professor, James Sanders, were hired as the first full-time faculty for the program at that time.
"It was always a temporary program," said Harriet McQueen, dean of enrollment management and academic support. "It was to be a five-year program when it began," McQueen said.
"What may have intended to be temporary wouldn't be as long as the number of students continued to increase," Haralson said.
Developmental studies classes were designed for students with low standardized test scores in math, English and reading. Once the student passed the DSP courses, they were determined ready to enter college level classes in those subjects.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Debbie
posted 10/03/07 @ 7:35 AM CST
Thank you to the ALL STATE for two great articles making the university community aware of what has happened to both faculty and students alike in this unfortunate situation!
naturallyamac7290
posted 10/09/07 @ 9:56 AM CST
As noted in the article, the number of non-traditional students has consistently increased during the past twenty years. The need for a DSP is quite evident. (Continued…)
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