Cantor’s contract renewal evaluation should be made public
Correction: The original article used conflicting language in defining the process of the chancellor’s review. The review was not a required step of the positions contract renewal. The language has been changed to reflect this fact.
The university has recently begun circulating a survey to students, faculty, staff and alumni about Nancy Cantor’s performance as chancellor. The survey is part of Cantor’s contract reevaluation led by the University Senate.
The evaluation should have been the first step before the Syracuse University Board of Trustees officially decided whether to renew Cantor’s contract. But for reasons unknown, the Board of Trustees already decided to renew her contract this summer.
It is commendable that the University Senate is going forward with the review, despite the fact that it will have no impact on the Board of Trustees’ decision.
Transparency and thoughtful evaluation are the things a healthy university needs; going forward with the review will at least still show that these things are still important to the faculty.
The renewal of a chancellor should not be resigned to a private decision. Cantor should request that the evaluation be made public as an act of good will. If Cantor won’t ask for her evaluation to be made public, the University Senate should take it on themselves to do so for the benefit of the campus.
