We are writing to invite the entire Macalester Community to join us for a town hall meeting on April 23 to discuss issues surrounding non-tenure-track (NTT) faculty at Macalester. Drawing on a diverse panel representing tenure-stream faculty, NTT faculty, administrators, staff, students and alumni, the town hall is an opportunity to share some of the significant developments since last spring’s suspended union vote, to open campus dialogue and to build community. One of the key recommendations that emerged from Macalester’s Resource and Planning Committee (RPC) Spring 2015 report is the facilitation of communication around NTT issues, and the town hall meeting is an important step towards that objective.

This public conversation will begin with a brief review of recent progress in working conditions for non-tenure-track faculty in the Macalester community. Then the floor will be open for questions. The majority of the hour will consist of an open Q&A session, during which all members of our community will have the opportunity to pose questions to the panel and to make comments. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The town hall panel is made up of Britt Abel (faculty, RPC last fall), Susan Bush (faculty and alum), David Ehren (staff, alum and RPC), Lynn Hertz (Assistant Provost, RPC last fall), Liz Jansen (faculty), Joy Laine (faculty), Juliette Rogers (faculty and RPC co-chair), Lucy Westerfield (student, RPC) and Cole Yates (student, RPC). In addition, Susan Green (faculty), Tina Kruse (faculty) and Leah Sand (faculty and alum) will introduce and facilitate the discussion. We are grateful to all these colleagues for their willingness to participate in the town hall.

The town hall will take place at noon on Thursday, April 23 in the Weyerhaeuser Chapel. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have, and we look forward to seeing you there.