To the editor:

According to your report on his evaluation by the Kansas Board of Regents, Chancellor Hemenway cited increased minority faculty as one of his accomplishments. However, the regents had better check the chancellor’s math.

According to Kansas University’s own data, the number of tenured minority faculty in 2001 totaled 79, down from 82 in 1999, so there are actually fewer minority faculty in secure, permanent positions above entry level. Minority faculty are not being retained or promoted.

Including tenure-track as well as tenured minority faculty, there were 126 in 2001. This is an increase from 125 in 1999, that’s true, but I would hardly brag about an increase of one in a three-year period. The only reason why there appears to be an increase in 2001 was that KU lost ground in 2000. There was a significant decrease in the number of minority faculty in 2000 (down from 125 in 1999 to 119 in 2000). But honestly, KU has only been making up lost ground this year, and that is not a true increase.

What are the prospects for 2002? Pretty dismal, according to KU’s data: the net gain in minority faculty and librarians from 2001 to 2002 is 0. That’s right, 0. There have been 11 hires and 11 terminations, which equals a net gain of 0.

In the year 2002, KU is still a long way from the chancellor’s 1995 goal of “200 in 2000.” Is that what he is trying to hide? Or is he having trouble with his math?

Cynthia Annett,

Oskaloosa