Education dean resigns amidst controversy
Dean Newman to step down at end of June

Gord Reid, Toban Staff

In a letter distributed to the staff and students of the faculty of education, Dr. Judith Newman will officially resign her position of dean of the faculty as of June 30, 1996.

While pointing out several challenges facing the faculty in the coming months, Dean Newman cited no particular reasons for her resignation. Dr. Newman expressed a desire to continue her tenured professorship within the faculty's humanities and social sciences department, in both teaching and research roles.

The announcement followed a "review of the dean's leadership" recommended by a special delegation which met with Vice-President (Academic) Dr. James Gardner in mid-December. According to Gardner, such reviews are commonplace for deans, serving as an annual evaluationof the performance of their duties.

While such assessments are frequent in most faculties and schools at the U of M, Dr. Newman's review was marked by the complaints of colleagues, thereby prompting an investigation. The investigation, headed by Dr. Gardner, was called to "resolve current problems regarding dissatisfaction with the faculty administration and the many proposals for change."

"I received an expression of concern that came from several members of the faculty regarding the administration of the faculty," answered Dr. Gardner when questioned about a petition collected by dissenting education staff members.

Education students seemed surprised at the news

"Sure, there have been a lot of changes in [the faculty of] education, but I don't know why she'd be leaving after just two years," stated an anonymous education student.

"You never see that as a student. You'd never think that she'd resign."

The selection process for a replacement for Dr. Newman has already been set into motion. A Presidential Advisory Committee will soon be formed from representatives of the faculty, the student body and "outside interests" to begin the screening of applicants.

This article first ran in The Manitoban, Vol. 83, No. 20 (January 17, 1996). While it stands up well against my previous news stories, my recent experience at The Shorthorn makes this article's weaknesses evident.

The biggest and most glaring omission is the lack of balance in the story. I quoted Gardner, but neglected to track down either Newman or one of the faculty members who lodged the complaints. I also see at least three instances of the passive voice; the last sentence would be much tighter if I had phrased it something like: "The university soon will form a Presidential Advisory Committee composed of faculty members..." Oh well.

And the "anonymous education student"? My friend Val Klassen (now Val Harder). It's been nine years, and I hardly consider myself a journalist now, so journalistic integrity's right out the fricking window. Or something like that...