The SaveUFCISE community urges all stakeholders to demand accountability for the events of the past 4 weeks that have caused severe damage to UF’s reputation among prospective students, parents, academics, alumni and industry partners, who might have considered joining or supporting the Gator Nation . The stakeholders are no longer so sure that the Gator Nation respects basic research and scholarship integrated with teaching that is vital to a campus ecosystem; prospective faculty recruits are no longer so sure that the Gator Nation respects research faculty status or academic freedom, let alone tenure.
We call for a thorough, academic investigation to shine light on the people and events that caused or condoned the Apr. 11 Abernathy plan.
How could this plan be proposed within an esteemed and illustrious public institution of learning?
Who knew about the Abernathy plan? Since when? What were they thinking? Were they thinking?
What was their analysis of the near and mid term costs and consequences of implementing the Abernathy plan?
What was their analysis of the near and mid term costs and consequences of even proposing the Abernathy plan?
Who misunderstood what? Thanks to the SaveUFCISE website, stakeholders correctly understood both the details of the Abernathy plan and its consequences, despite the College administration’s continued misrepresentations of CISE’s performance, references to “a few bad apples” among CISE faculty, persistent attempts to undermine accurate information presented by the SaveUFCISE community, and false reassurances and glib PR spin about the consequences of the plan.
How did those responsible react as the damage unfolded?
Have they accepted responsibility? Have they admitted mistakes?
What steps will be taken to repair the damage caused by proposing the Abernathy plan?
What checks will be put in place so that such damaging proposals are not put forth in the future?
What is to prevent the College Administration from continuing to single out CISE for special harassment and starvation, as it has for the past 3 years (this could already begin with the details of the budget cut plan to be implemented in July when faculty and students are engrossed in research)?
What checks will be put in place to prevent (perhaps escalated) retribution for speaking out?