Russian Position at The University of Memphis

[Elizabeth Blake]

Dear All,

I am writing with the sad news that the provost has now informed the faculty senate
that his decision to eliminate the Russian concentration is final.  In private meetings
with me, the provost and the dean explained that the official reason for the
elimination of the position in Russian is curricular with financial reasons playing only
a secondary role, as is evident from the University's on-going searches for new
faculty and administrators.

The administration received Slavists' letters (for which I am very grateful) explaining
the importance of Russian for the University's curriculum and educational mission.
In meetings with the president, provost, and dean, I detailed how eliminating the
study of Russian beyond the second year would affect other programs in the
University and how my efforts to improve Russian enrollments were already
producing positive results, even though I was only in my first year at the University.
However, the administration has decided in spite of my reasoned defense, the
letters, the department faculty protest, and concerns of the faculty senate to finalize
its decision.

During the next academic year when I will be at The University of Memphis on the
standard one-year limited employment contract, I will be helping the Department of
Foreign Languages and Literatures to defend itself against these curricular
decisions which resulted in the elimination of two filled tenure-track positions (the
only such terminations in the College of Arts and Sciences).  If anyone has any
advice or support to lend, please contact me at eblake1 at memphis.edu.

Thank you again for all your help,

Elizabeth Blake
Assistant Professor of Russian, Section Head
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
The University of Memphis

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