CRYSTAL LUONG
Editor in Chief
Doubt and disappointment marked the conclusion of the tenure process for Dr. Lynn Reynolds, communication professor, as Pepperdine denied her grievance in late June.
“I hope and pray that Pepperdine will act with integrity in the future,” said Reynolds, who will be dismissed by the university after completing the final year of her contract this year.
After a Dec. 10 recommendation by the Seaver Rank, Tenure and Promotion Committee to deny her tenure request, Reynolds initiated a formal grievance of the decision. In interviews with the Graphic in the spring, Reynolds claimed foul play during RTP proceedings. Her complaints included the alleged mishandling of her portfolio, inaccurate evaluation ratings and the report’s omission of the faith unit incorporated into her courses.
However, Reynolds’ grievance process carefully followed guidelines, according to Provost Darryl Tippens. As the chief academic officer, Tippens designated a person to serve as secretary of the grievance committee and also furnished Reynolds with a list of six members of the committee, from which she could choose three for her hearing panel.
Tippens declined to comment beyond matters of process.
Following grievance procedure, University President Andrew K. Benton evaluated the hearing panel’s recommendations and finalized Reynolds’ dismissal. He stands by the integrity of the process.
“The report was thoughtful and thorough,” Benton wrote via e-mail to the Graphic. “The panel took its job very seriously.”
Communication Division Chair Dr. Robert Chandler, whose RTP evaluation of Reynolds was among the causes for her appeal, said he met with the hearing panel once and confidentially submitted all relevant files, data and documents requested of him.
“I believe that the final grievance panel decision was reached by people of integrity who carefully considered all of the factors and reached their decision in good faith, balancing all of the materials that they investigated,” Chandler wrote in an e-mail to the Graphic.
Reynolds, who suggested she would file a lawsuit for labor discrimination prior to the grievance hearing, said she has decided to not press further with the matter. But this does not change how she feels Pepperdine has become more concerned with status and ratings, while only giving “lip service” to faith-based learning.
“The current administration needs to look at the goals that (former) President Davenport set out,” said Reynolds about goals that all faculty members would apply faith to every curriculum unit in every course.
Benton suggests otherwise.
“My reaction is that Dr. Reynolds is disappointed, and in her disappointment, she has described how she feels about the process,” he said. “I must respectfully disagree with her.”
For this academic year, Reynolds will be on off-campus duty assignment, conducting research and writing about faith and learning issues at Christian colleges. Reynolds, who joined Pepperdine in 1999, said she currently is in talks with five other institutions and plans to remain in Christian education.
Chandler said Reynolds will be missed, but the Communication Division will continue to place priorities on service and scholarship: “The entire division wishes her all the best for her future and is confident of her success … I have faith that the division will move forward and adjust to the difficult changes that have come about.”
08-29-2005