University Times

Faculty members at Tuesday’s Faculty Assembly expressed surprise at learning about a lawsuit filed against the University by the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE), which was triggered by Pitt’s May 2 decision to terminate sponsorship of the Semester at Sea (SAS) program. (See related story.)

They also expressed anger and indignation at learning about the developments in the newspapers and not from Pitt’s administration.

Philip Wion said, “I’m not surprised that there was no discussion of this at Faculty Assembly or Senate Council. But UPBC (the University Planning and Budgeting Committee), which has representatives of the administration, faculty and staff, and is confidential, would certainly be the place to a have such a discussion. If there were problems, shouldn’t advice be requested?”

Wion observed from his service on UPBC that the committee has had fewer discussions about Pitt programs in the recent past, compared to when UPBC was first founded. “This is disquieting” to learn of Pitt’s decision after the fact, he said.

“I think at the very least we should send a request for information to the administration,” Nicholas Bircher said, acknowledging that the response may be there will be no comment on pending litigation.

Alexander Orbach called for a resolution lamenting the apparent demise of Pitt’s SAS sponsorship. “We’re an international university. We encourage study abroad. I would like to express my feeling for the academic loss for the students in losing this program.”

After further discussion, Faculty Assembly crafted and passed a resolution, which 19 Assembly members endorsed; one member voted against it and two abstained.

The resolution states: “Noting with concern the recent reports regarding the termination of the relationship between the University of Pittsburgh and the Semester at Sea program administered by the Institute for Shipboard Education, the Faculty Assembly regrets the loss of this international academic program and requests clarification of the events surrounding the termination.”

Bircher agreed to convey the Assembly resolution to the administration.

Pitt spokesperson Robert Hill told the University Times yesterday: “The University is involved in litigation, so Provost Maher must be careful about what he says. There will be a confidential briefing (June 9) for University Senate officers.”

Reactions to the news of the program’s pending termination from SAS current and former academic deans included:

Susan Hansen, professor of political science and academic dean on the spring 2005 SAS voyage

“I realize from the [June 7 Post-Gazette report] that there are all sorts of legal issues pending, and I do not want to come down on any side of those.

“But I think we had a very successful voyage. [The program was interrupted but continued after the ship sustained damage from a 50-foot wave in the north Pacific.] For faculty, staff and students, including me personally, this was a life-changing experience.

“Regarding safety issues on our voyage, let me reiterate the facts: No lives were lost. There was no water taken aboard. A few students did sustain injuries, but they were not serious. Only one student out of 660 elected to leave the ship before the voyage ended. We successfully made it to Hawaii. We went though multiple levels of inspection, including by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Bahamian officials and others. These were intense inspections that cleared the ship for safe travel.

“It’s important to note in this age of technology, redundancy is built in to everything. If the electricity goes out, there is a back-up generator; if an engine goes down, there are three more engines.

“There is some risk in everything we do, whether it’s taking a plane or driving a car.

“I’m sorry if the program is being terminated. I feel it is a great opportunity for Pitt faculty, and for the University hiring faculty to be able to say, ‘You should think about doing this when you come here.’ The program also emphasizes our international focus.”

Ronald Linden, professor of political science and academic dean for the summer 2005 voyage, which is scheduled to depart from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 17

“Everybody from Pitt [who has signed up for the voyage] knows about [the termination] at this point and not one person has backed out of the voyage. If a faculty member did back out, of course, it would be too late to replace him or her, but I don’t anticipate that.

“Also, those who sign on, sign a contract with ISE and are paid by ISE, and I don’t think their Pitt affiliation changes that.

“My broader concern is that this is a really terrific program. I’m sad that it will end. It’s very unfortunate.”

Seymour Drescher, University professor of history and former SAS academic dean

“Just as the University of Colorado-Boulder gave up the connection with Semester at Sea, there continues to be a strong contingent of students from Colorado. Pitt students can continue the benefits of the Semester at Sea program no matter where it goes. Once the connection is formed, it has legs.

“For faculty, Semester at Sea was a wonderful experience. You get to see some of the transformation of these students, which very often comes because they are able to create by themselves. They blossom. To see that is tremendously gratifying.”

Laurence Glasco, associate professor of history and former SAS academic dean

“Semester at Sea has been one of the most stimulating and engaging academic programs that one could ever imagine. Part of it had to do with the itinerary. The program doesn’t go to the usual places that study abroad programs or tourists go to.

“And my voyages have transformed me. I now teach a course on race and caste. It’s really helped me in my own regular academic curiosity and gave me perspectives I never had.”

—Peter Hart & Mary Ann Thomas