Bradshaw at the Triota Honor's Society's event entitled, "This is what a feminist looks like." Photo by Karyn Haney.

Tenure denied to women's and gender studies professor

By: Heidi Wigdahl

Posted: 6/5/09

"I'm worried about the health and well being of the Women's and Gender Studies Program," said Melissa Furlette after Dr. Melissa Bradshaw's denial of tenure was announced May 21.

Furlette, a senior and member of Triota, the Women's and Gender Studies Honor Society at DePaul, was one of the many students and faculty members upset over Bradshaw's denial of tenure, encouraging students to write letters to President Fr. Dennis Holtschneider to reconsider.

"Granting tenure is a guarantee of lifetime employment and must be done with great care," said Associate Vice President for Public Relations Denise Mattson. "It is taken very seriously by those applying and those deciding. Accordingly, the process is designed to give every applicant the same opportunity to achieve tenure."

After a probationary period of approximately six to seven years, professors must apply for academic tenure, granting professors more academic freedom as well as securing a position for life at a university unless major problems occur. The tenure process begins with a review at the departmental level and moves up to the college level until finally reaching a university-wide academic board of tenured faculty. The three things they consider are: scholarship, service and teaching. The board makes a decision of approval or disapproval before sending their ruling to Fr. Holtschneider. The president has the power to overturn the board's recommendation. According to Mattson, this would only happen in "rare and compelling circumstances."

This year, 42 professors applied for tenure and/or promotion. Out of those applicants, 33 were for promotion to associate professor with tenure, 25 were successful and eight were denied, according to Mattson.

Currently an assistant professor within the Women's and Gender Studies Program, Bradshaw applied for associate professor with tenure and was one of the eight denied.

Bradshaw taught for two years at Barat College of DePaul University, located in Lake Forest, Ill. before it closed down, moving to the Lincoln Park campus in 2004. Because of this, her probationary period lasted seven years.

Focusing on feminist reclamation work, Bradshaw's passion is deeply rooted to poet Amy Lowell and early 20th century literature. "I thought it was all about literature but coming to DePaul has changed that," said Bradshaw. "The Vincentian mission has enriched my approach to literature."

Another topic of interest for Bradshaw is the idea of the diva that had her asking herself, "What happens when a woman uses her power and creates social change?" The exploration of this question developed into one of the two most popular classes taught by Bradshaw, "Deconstructing the Diva" and "Queer Theory."

Before Bradshaw's denial of tenure was announced, seniors and faculty within the Women's and Gender Studies Program held a round table discussion about the curriculum. Seniors agreed that they would like to see Bradshaw's "Queer Theory" class be mandatory for all Women's and Gender Studies majors.

"She has been an advocate for queer students. Queer theory gives us a lens into a whole different perspective," said Furlette who took Queer Theory, Deconstruction of the Diva and Feminist Themes with Bradshaw. "The education of the future grads has been diminished."

Bradshaw is appealing the decision and will officially know the final verdict in the fall. "I've wanted my whole life to be here," said Bradshaw. "I have faith since there's an appeal process." If the appeal is denied, she will finish up her teaching for the 2009-2010 year before having to find other employment.

This appeal process is done through DePaul's Faculty Council initiate where a formal review is conducted by a Review Board of three tenured faculty members from departments other than the professor applying for promotion/tenure. Their deliberation must focus only on whether the process was deficient and whether a faculty member's academic freedom was compromised. The board then sends their report and decision to Fr. Holtschneider who will then make the final decision.

"I have received six letters of support from Professor Bradshaw's students to date," said Fr. Holtschneider on Tuesday night. "They are very moving letters, talking about what a wonderful teacher she has been and how personally supportive she has been in their lives and development. I have also received three letters from professors at other universities who know Professor Bradshaw personally, encouraging DePaul to reconsider this decision."

"I am completely overwhelmed by the support," said Bradshaw. "It confirms to me that this is the community that I should be spending my time in."

Graduate student Cyndi Torres personally addressed the issue to Fr. Holtschneider at the LGBTQ Studies Luncheon last week. "It's unfair that we're the ones that don't get to have a voice in the process of hiring people who directly impact our lives…It's not about the students."

Torres' undergraduate degree is in Women's and Gender and Queer studies and even received one of her lowest grades of her undergraduate studies from Bradshaw. "When I was an undergrad there weren't a lot of professors that taught with such a high level of expectations for their students," said Torres. "She was really hard on me and created a demanding atmosphere for students. There are few who push you as hard as she did."

"I think I have the most impassioned rigorous students I've ever had," said Bradshaw.

The students have put this into example: sending emails, letters and organizing a march that will be held at noon Wednesday June 10 outside of the Student Center at the statue of Monsignor Egan. People interested in participating can just show up on Wednesday or can contact Melissa Furlette at mfurlette@gmail.com. People can also join the Facebook Cause entitled "Tenure Bradshaw."

Bradshaw is positive about the future saying, "I hope DePaul knows that I am good for them because I know that DePaul is good for me."