Faculty/Staff Protest of Alleged Administrative Failure to Promote Minorities to Leadership Positions

A protest letter signed by 39 faculty and staff was sent to Vice Chancellor John Peters following his 1996 appointment of Professor Charles Glisson as interim dean of the College of Social Work. African American associate dean of the college Jeannette Jennings had expressed interest in being appointed. Peters met with representatives of the group, but Faculty Senate President Dhyana Ziegler continued to question the decision-making process, pointing to a “revolving door of African American faculty and administrators who had left the institution due to perceived unfair treatment.” Dr. Jennings requested and received a leave of absence, from which she did not return to UT.