This month at the annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), Interfolio is hosting a panel discussion on the involvement of faculty in the business decisions of academic institutions.

This Thursday, January 21, during the AAC&U 2016 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, Interfolio is pleased to host a public conversation between two excellent thinkers on a subject that remains pressing as we move into a new year.

WHERE: “Franklin Square” conference room (downstairs) at the Grand Hyatt in downtown DC.

WHEN: Thursday, January 21, from 1:30-2:30 PM EST

As we put it in the AAC&U program, here’s the idea behind the panel discussion.

Scholars who create and disseminate knowledge are made vulnerable when they are alienated from university policy and strategic decisions. As universities continue to come under financial pressure, business wisdom carries greater weight in conversations about institutional viability—but at what cost? How are faculty included (or not included) in decision-making related to the academic mission? What kind of solution will sustain the operation of institutions while affirming faculty as the drivers of the academic mission?

We have the privilege to welcome Adrianna Kezar, Professor of Higher Education and Co-Director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California. Professor Kezar is a national expert on change, governance, and leadership in higher education; her research agenda explores the change process in higher education institutions and the role of leadership in creating change. With the Pullias Center, she co-directs the Delphi Project on the Changing Faculty and Student Success, a partnership with AAC&U.

In addition, we’re thrilled to introduce Fredrik deBoer, a scholar of writing assessment, applied linguistics, writing program administration, and higher education policy. He is author of, among other thoughtful pieces, the article Why We Should Fear University, Inc (New York Times Magazine, September 9, 2015). He has published numerous essays and articles all over the place, including pieces on the history of the U.S. college, on campus activism, and on the widening scope of the academic humanities.

Interfolio’s founder and current chief product officer, Steve Goldenberg, will introduce the two speakers and moderate the conversation.

We should also note that we’ll have an Interfolio booth at the conference! A number of us will be in attendance—some going to sessions, all happy to talk about what Interfolio does and technology’s place in these issues.

Are you going? Want to find us? Questions? Get in touch at events@interfolio.com.

Otherwise, see you there!

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