Assistant professor accused of profiting from students

By Michele Denney, The Herald Staff

 

A professor in the chemistry department is addressing claims by students that the sale of a manual used in his class over the past semesters violates the faculty handbook.

William Burns, an assistant professor of chemistry and physics, is accused of profiting from the sale of a manual he created for his class.

According to Section III of the ASU Faculty handbook, if a faculty member creates his or her own instructional materials, it must be sold through the ASU Bookstore or a commercial outlet. The handbook also states:
Neither the faculty member nor the department may receive direct financial profit from such sales.

The "manual" was sold to the ASU bookstore by Azul Publishing Company, which Burns is part owner of.

Students had to purchase a packet from the ASU bookstore for $22. The packet contained a syllabus and password for the CLT Blackboard (The Blackboard is a course-management system that is used as an augmentation to regular classes or on-line teaching). Students then had to go to the Blackboard site on the Internet and access the manual from there.

Burns said he spoke to Dr. Linda Pritchard, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and was advised not to comment on the allegations until an inquiry is completed.

When contacted, Dean Pritchard said, "I can't say if he violated anything or not. We are looking into it and after we have completed that inquiry, we will act on that finding." She also said that she would not hesitate to take action against anyone in violation of the faculty handbook.

Lynita Cooksey, vice-president for Academic Affairs, said a previous issue was addressed about the manual in January of 2002. Students were confused about what they were purchasing with their $22. She explained that they were buying the right to use material that was published by the author.

"The same manual in a printed version would be more than $30," Cooksey said. She said that by offering the material on the Blackboard, it was saving students money.

Cooksey also stated that many faculty are also authors and the material they publish can be a study guide, textbook or manual. "However, if it is not being sold properly-then proper action should be taken."

Dr. William Allen, professor of art, also uses the Blackboard in his class and is an institutional advisor for the system.
Allen uses the Blackboard for additional information not available in the textbook. Students have the option of purchasing the password to access the information when they buy their textbooks.

"In a sense, the Blackboard should be used as an extension of the manual," said Allen.
Mark Hoeting, director of Computer Services, clarified that the Blackboard is not paid for out of students' technology fee.

The Blackboard system was used long before the technology fee was started," Hoeting said. He said the money to pay for the Blackboard comes out of the regular university budget.

The question as to whether or not Burns' method for selling the manual violates the faculty handbook will be decided after an inquiry is made by members of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Don James, assistant vice-chancellor of Business, said: "We are investigating thiswe do not have enough information yet to determine anything."