A journalism professor spoke to the Faculty Senate on Tuesday to discuss possible ethical issues in higher education.

Leslie Hyder, a journalism professor and the Eastern representative for the Illinois Board of Higher Education Faculty Advisory Committee, requested information that could potentially help the committee determine whether the staff of the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General have acted unethically in state universities.

Grant Sterling, associate professor of philosophy and member of the Faculty Senate, said the state of Illinois has recently required state universities to pay a full-time state official to sort through requests for learning materials from Eastern instructors.

Hyder said the reports have suggested that procurement officers have acted unethically allegedly by denying learning materials to instructors based off the idea or purpose of the activity versus state rules.

Hyder said other incidents include the seizing of faculty computers and records for a prolonged period of time with no prior notice that has lead faculty members to have limited access to information required for class or research material.

Other incidents include faculty members requests for materials resulting in delays of research projects and grants, as well as previously proffered vendors for learning materials refusing to submit bids for providing supplies because of the hassle, Hyder said.

“The other issue is the state’s procurement rules,” Sterling said.

Because of the state’s procurement rules, Hyder said the Student Affairs office and various academic departments have had trouble inviting guest speakers and performers.

Andrew Methven, a professor of biological sciences and chairman of the Faculty Senate, said from the adverse effects for students include a delay in the purchasing of necessary technological equipment that could have an impact on a student’s education.

“At this point we are going to send a memo to the Council of Chairs,” Methven said. “I think it’s something the chairs should discuss.”

Methven said the department chairs are more aware of procurement rules since department chairs are the ones who sign-off for requests for new materials and because of this, they are more knowledgeable about any possible ethical problems with procurement officers or rules.

Hyder said in a memo to the Faculty Senate is encouraging members to discuss possible ethical problems with their colleagues in order to bring possible problems to the attention of the Faculty Advisory Committee.

“It is not F.A.C.’s intent to challenge the existence of a need for O.E.I.G. We simply want to determine if O.E.I.G.’s activities and role are having unintended or counterproductive consequences that warrant additional legislative review of its mandate or operations.”

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].