Major approved

utive Committee requested Sharp to appear at the next faculty senate meeting on Aug. 14.

“We recently wrote to you to express our concerns about the appearance of political influence in actions regarding the hiring, tenure and promotion of faculty,” the letter reads. “Now we find another case in which there is no longer the appearance, but actual evidence, of interference by outside political forces to erode the academic freedom of Texas A&M faculty.”

The committee said the event could harm A&M’s reputation, faculty recruitment and free expression.

“This is not only having a chilling effect on our faculty but is further damaging the national reputation of our university,” the letter reads. “And it will make it even more difficult to recruit and retain the best and brightest talent.”

The committee said they hope to come to an agreement in direction as to avoid similar issues in the future.

“We are requesting that you meet with the full Faculty Senate to discuss these issues and the steps that can be taken to prevent further episodes such as this in the coming academic year,” the letter reads. “Our next Senate meeting is scheduled for Aug. [14], but we are more than willing to schedule a special meeting earlier at your request.” are becoming more intertwined in Texas. This recent controversy of Alonzo’s suspension because of her comments on a political office and McElroy’s mishandled hiring has shown what could be in store for Texas public universities that challenge Texas political offices in the coming academic year.

In response to the letter from the Faculty Senate, Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications Laylan Copelin later released a statement that the internal investigation had concluded with all parties satisfied.

Following news that A&M put professor Alonzo under administrative leave, the Faculty Senate Exec-

“The campus conducted an independent investigation with no interference from Chancellor John Sharp,” Copelin said. “Furthermore, Dr. Joy Alonzo says she has no issue with how the university handled her case. If the faculty wants to suggest changes to the process, Chancellor Sharp said that would be up to Acting President Mark Welsh and the university community since the Chancellor’s Office does not dictate those policies to our 11 universities.”