MOSCOW The University of Idaho's Faculty Council has chosen further communication instead of a confrontation with UI President Elisabeth A. Zinser over proposed changes to the tenure and promotion process.
The council voted Tuesday to give Zinser another two weeks to be more specific in her objections to a proposal that would give teaching and public service equal weight with research and publication when faculty members are considered for tenure and promotions.
In what amounts to a ''pocket veto,'' Zinser has returned the proposed policy to the faculty council without approving or vetoing it.
Some faculty members urged the council to send the measure back to Zinser for a decision one way or the other. The faculty could override a veto with a two-thirds vote.
''If she doesn't want to approve it, let her veto it,'' A. Larry Branen said. Branen, former College of Agriculture dean and now a faculty council member, has been critical of the university's lack of commitment to good teaching.
Council member Mickey E. Gunter said the faculty has little to gain by butting heads with the president, at least until Zinser clarifies her position.
UI Provost Thomas O. Bell agreed.
''I think we are on the verge of a refinement in the promotion and tenure policy,'' Bell said, urging further dialogue on the issue. ''It would not cost us anything but a little time and energy.''
A motion adopted by the council Tuesday requests Zinser to present a written list of specific objections at least two days before the council's Oct. 12 meeting. The president is also invited to attend that session.
Zinser has already sent to the council a typewritten outline that explains her objections in general terms.
Council member Larry A. Stauffer called the president's list ''unsatisfying.''
Mark D. Anderson, also on the faculty council, said he was disturbed at the ''backhanded way this got slapped back to us.''
Anderson said he's willing to wait another two weeks, though.
''There could be political ramifications to a veto,'' he said.
In her written list of objections, Zinser calls for at least five faculty forums at which further input would be gathered. She also asks the faculty to be more rigorous in defining its terms.
The president also wants the council to reconsider its proposal in terms of the UI's mission statement and role as the state's center for ''research, graduate education and the granting of the Ph.D. degree.''
