The guidelines in place at Syracuse University for staff and faculty members partaking in a political election are fair. However, SU should consider adjusting compensation if faculty members reduce their university workload in order to campaign.

Eric Kingson, a professor of social work in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, announced last month his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for New York state’s 24th Congressional District. Kingson’s decision to run for office while continuing to teach at SU as a full-time professor does not violate any institutional rules.

According to SU’s policies on partisan political activity, guidelines for a faculty or staff member involved in a political election include solely displaying their views as their own and not using the university’s name or resources in connection with the campaign. These individuals also cannot place SU’s name or insignia on any documents used to carry out their political campaign or work on related political activities during working hours.

The existing guidelines are rational and prevent professors from bringing their campaigns into the classroom. While the university’s policies successfully keep these entities separate, SU should take into account that the compensation of any staff or faculty member running for office should continue to match the workload they manage at the university.

Carrie Smith, program director of the School of Social Work in Falk, said all professors negotiate with the dean and faculty chairs of the department they work in to determine which classes they will teach based on the needs of the unit.

At the point where a professor is reducing their work hours in order to focus on the political sphere, the university should consider adjusting that faculty or staff member’s pay accordingly.

Professors have a commitment to SU and its students. While staff and faculty are encouraged to run for office, the university should take the amount of dedication the individual is able to make to the university community when spearheading a political campaign in account in regard to compensation practices.

Published on October 7, 2015 at 12:47 am

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