Grant Tenure to Prof Schuele
Grant Tenure to Prof Schuele
The Issue
Chancellor Howard Gillman,
UC Irvine
Interim Provost Michael P. Clark,
UC Irvine Executive Vice Chancellor
Dr. Diane K. O'Dowd,
Vice Provost, Academic Personnel
Dean Valerie Jenness,
School of Social Ecology
We, the students, alumni, staff, and faculty of the University of California, Irvine, as well as individuals within and outside the realm of academia, respectfully petition Chancellor Howard Gillman, Interim Provost: Michael P. Clark, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs: Diane K. O’Dowd, Dean Valerie Jenness of the School of Social Ecology, and the administration at UC Irvine, to reappoint and subsequently grant tenure* to Professor Donna C. Schuele, JD, PhD, of the CLS Department at UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology.
In July 2007, Dr. Donna C. Schuele, a Lecturer with Potential Security of Employment (LPSOE) was hired by UC Irvine into a position that was tenure-track* and teaching focused. The University communicated to Dr. Schuele that her job would consist of developing and providing “rigorous” instruction for undergraduates within the CLS Department. Additionally, it was made known that Dr. Schuele was being hired in an effort to replace adjunct instructors who failed to display competency and dedication with regard to undergraduate education in the CLS Department.
Approximately one year after receiving UC Irvine’s prestigious “Lecturer of the Year” award (April 2013), Dr. Schuele was notified that her employment would be terminated – a result of not being reappointed to the LPSOE position, which she currently holds – beginning at the end of Winter Quarter 2015 (March 2015). In a letter discussing the basis for this decision, it was alleged that Dr. Schuele’s teaching was insufficient to be awarded tenure, notwithstanding high student evaluations, excellent ratings in peer faculty observations, and outstanding external letters from individuals who had reviewed her tenure file. We, the undersigned, reject the negative characterization of Dr. Schuele’s teaching abilities. The quality of education and instruction that Dr. Schuele provides to students at the University is superior in every respect, and evidenced by peer and students evaluations which clearly indicate a continuous improvement in areas related to teaching performance since her initial hiring in 2007. In March 2013, the UC Irvine Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools released a promotional video, “The UC Irvine Experience”, in which an undergraduate was filmed during Dr. Schuele’s C7 course (Intro to Criminology, Law & Society) and shows students engaging in active learning during her lecture.
Dr. Schuele has been a part of the University of California system for nearly 30 years. A graduate of Boalt Hall (School of Law) at the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her J.D., and Ph.D. (Jurisprudence and Social Policy Program), Dr. Schuele went on to serve as a judicial law clerk on the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Since that time, Dr. Schuele has taught at some of the UC system’s most prestigious campuses and law schools, such as Boalt Hall (School of Law) at UC Berkeley, UCLA (Political Science Dept.), UCSB (Political Science Dept., History Dept., and Law & Society Program), UC Irvine (CLS Dept.) and the UCI School of Law.
In addition to her experience, Dr. Schuele continues to provide an array of vital resources and services for students interested in pursuing graduate or law school, including application and personal statement workshops – at NO cost to the University. Dr. Schuele has furnished meaningful letters of recommendation for countless students, speaking to their academic potential as well as their character and personal strengths. Each course taught by Dr. Schuele in the Department of Criminology, Law & Society seeks to provide students with relevant information and skills necessary for success in the real world. Dr. Schuele’s classes, while challenging, put an emphasis on writing and require students to implement critical-thinking in order to form a coherent argument. The result is a significant improvement in a student’s writing abilities, as well as a deeper understanding of the law and it’s applications within our lives and society as a whole. Within the CLS Department, Dr. Schuele remains the most experienced and qualified professor to teach courses in which issues of law are the primary focus. If the administration does not reverse its decision, both undergraduate and graduate students will suffer in the absence of Dr. Schuele’s mentorship and quality instruction.
In December 2014, Dr. Schuele accepted an advance contract to begin work on a jurisprudential biography of the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor. The biography, part of the Routledge Historical Americans series, will focus on Justice O’Connor’s background, jurisprudence, and her role in the advancement of women’s rights. Several undergraduate students – both traditional and non-traditional – are currently working with Dr. Schuele on this exciting project. Should the administration choose not to grant tenure to Dr. Schuele, these students will be stripped of the opportunity to continue working on this important venture.
The value that Dr. Schuele adds to the University is undeniable. She provides critical resources to students, offers mentorship and educational opportunities that are severely lacking at the undergraduate level, makes herself available and accessible to students at ALL times, and continues to devote herself fully to the mission of providing a positive and high quality educational experience to each and every student.
Our message is clear: we demand tenure* for Professor Donna C. Schuele.
M. Noah Cowart
mcowart@uci.edu
Undergraduate, Class of 2016
Major: Criminology, Law & Society
Minor: Political Science
Linda M. Naylor
lnaylor@alumni.uci.edu
Alumna, Class of 2012
B.A. Criminology, Law & Society
Minor: Educational Studies
*tenure; tenure-track - According to UCI's Academic Personnel Manual (APM 285-95): "The term "security of employment" shall be substituted for the term "tenure.""
- Faculty members holding a Lecturer with Potential Security Of Emoploment (PSOE) position in their department, upon receiving "Security of Employment" (SOE), are recognized as tenured faculty. When this occurs, their title is updated to reflect the change: Lecturer with Security of Employment (SOE).
______________________________
- Join the "Save Prof Schuele" Facebook Group for regular updates and to learn how YOU can HELP SAVE PROF SCHUELE:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveProfSchuele/
- Please consider leaving a supportive comment at the bottom of the page, and share with us the reason you support PROF SCHUELE!! Share a story, memory, or why you think Prof Schuele should be granted tenure!
Thank You for Your Support! Together, we can help "Save Prof Schuele"
- Please share this petition with your family, friends, and loved one's!
The Issue
Chancellor Howard Gillman,
UC Irvine
Interim Provost Michael P. Clark,
UC Irvine Executive Vice Chancellor
Dr. Diane K. O'Dowd,
Vice Provost, Academic Personnel
Dean Valerie Jenness,
School of Social Ecology
We, the students, alumni, staff, and faculty of the University of California, Irvine, as well as individuals within and outside the realm of academia, respectfully petition Chancellor Howard Gillman, Interim Provost: Michael P. Clark, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs: Diane K. O’Dowd, Dean Valerie Jenness of the School of Social Ecology, and the administration at UC Irvine, to reappoint and subsequently grant tenure* to Professor Donna C. Schuele, JD, PhD, of the CLS Department at UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology.
In July 2007, Dr. Donna C. Schuele, a Lecturer with Potential Security of Employment (LPSOE) was hired by UC Irvine into a position that was tenure-track* and teaching focused. The University communicated to Dr. Schuele that her job would consist of developing and providing “rigorous” instruction for undergraduates within the CLS Department. Additionally, it was made known that Dr. Schuele was being hired in an effort to replace adjunct instructors who failed to display competency and dedication with regard to undergraduate education in the CLS Department.
Approximately one year after receiving UC Irvine’s prestigious “Lecturer of the Year” award (April 2013), Dr. Schuele was notified that her employment would be terminated – a result of not being reappointed to the LPSOE position, which she currently holds – beginning at the end of Winter Quarter 2015 (March 2015). In a letter discussing the basis for this decision, it was alleged that Dr. Schuele’s teaching was insufficient to be awarded tenure, notwithstanding high student evaluations, excellent ratings in peer faculty observations, and outstanding external letters from individuals who had reviewed her tenure file. We, the undersigned, reject the negative characterization of Dr. Schuele’s teaching abilities. The quality of education and instruction that Dr. Schuele provides to students at the University is superior in every respect, and evidenced by peer and students evaluations which clearly indicate a continuous improvement in areas related to teaching performance since her initial hiring in 2007. In March 2013, the UC Irvine Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools released a promotional video, “The UC Irvine Experience”, in which an undergraduate was filmed during Dr. Schuele’s C7 course (Intro to Criminology, Law & Society) and shows students engaging in active learning during her lecture.
Dr. Schuele has been a part of the University of California system for nearly 30 years. A graduate of Boalt Hall (School of Law) at the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her J.D., and Ph.D. (Jurisprudence and Social Policy Program), Dr. Schuele went on to serve as a judicial law clerk on the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Since that time, Dr. Schuele has taught at some of the UC system’s most prestigious campuses and law schools, such as Boalt Hall (School of Law) at UC Berkeley, UCLA (Political Science Dept.), UCSB (Political Science Dept., History Dept., and Law & Society Program), UC Irvine (CLS Dept.) and the UCI School of Law.
In addition to her experience, Dr. Schuele continues to provide an array of vital resources and services for students interested in pursuing graduate or law school, including application and personal statement workshops – at NO cost to the University. Dr. Schuele has furnished meaningful letters of recommendation for countless students, speaking to their academic potential as well as their character and personal strengths. Each course taught by Dr. Schuele in the Department of Criminology, Law & Society seeks to provide students with relevant information and skills necessary for success in the real world. Dr. Schuele’s classes, while challenging, put an emphasis on writing and require students to implement critical-thinking in order to form a coherent argument. The result is a significant improvement in a student’s writing abilities, as well as a deeper understanding of the law and it’s applications within our lives and society as a whole. Within the CLS Department, Dr. Schuele remains the most experienced and qualified professor to teach courses in which issues of law are the primary focus. If the administration does not reverse its decision, both undergraduate and graduate students will suffer in the absence of Dr. Schuele’s mentorship and quality instruction.
In December 2014, Dr. Schuele accepted an advance contract to begin work on a jurisprudential biography of the first female Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor. The biography, part of the Routledge Historical Americans series, will focus on Justice O’Connor’s background, jurisprudence, and her role in the advancement of women’s rights. Several undergraduate students – both traditional and non-traditional – are currently working with Dr. Schuele on this exciting project. Should the administration choose not to grant tenure to Dr. Schuele, these students will be stripped of the opportunity to continue working on this important venture.
The value that Dr. Schuele adds to the University is undeniable. She provides critical resources to students, offers mentorship and educational opportunities that are severely lacking at the undergraduate level, makes herself available and accessible to students at ALL times, and continues to devote herself fully to the mission of providing a positive and high quality educational experience to each and every student.
Our message is clear: we demand tenure* for Professor Donna C. Schuele.
M. Noah Cowart
mcowart@uci.edu
Undergraduate, Class of 2016
Major: Criminology, Law & Society
Minor: Political Science
Linda M. Naylor
lnaylor@alumni.uci.edu
Alumna, Class of 2012
B.A. Criminology, Law & Society
Minor: Educational Studies
*tenure; tenure-track - According to UCI's Academic Personnel Manual (APM 285-95): "The term "security of employment" shall be substituted for the term "tenure.""
- Faculty members holding a Lecturer with Potential Security Of Emoploment (PSOE) position in their department, upon receiving "Security of Employment" (SOE), are recognized as tenured faculty. When this occurs, their title is updated to reflect the change: Lecturer with Security of Employment (SOE).
______________________________
- Join the "Save Prof Schuele" Facebook Group for regular updates and to learn how YOU can HELP SAVE PROF SCHUELE:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveProfSchuele/
- Please consider leaving a supportive comment at the bottom of the page, and share with us the reason you support PROF SCHUELE!! Share a story, memory, or why you think Prof Schuele should be granted tenure!
Thank You for Your Support! Together, we can help "Save Prof Schuele"
- Please share this petition with your family, friends, and loved one's!
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on January 13, 2015