Wiley returns to CSULB

By Carrie Porche Jones, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, September 14, 1998

Associate Professor Juniper Wiley, who was denied tenure in the spring of 1997, said she is happy to be back and just wants to melt into the woodwork.

Wiley was denied tenure because a "committee of her peers deemed her to be incompetent," according to an article in the spring 1998 edition of The University Magazine.

Being denied tenure at a university is similar to being fired from a job. However, in the corporate world the employer does the firing, while in the academic world, the denial of tenure is based upon the evaluations of performance by peers and students.

The announcement that Wiley had been granted tenure and promoted to associated professor was made at a meeting of the College of Liberal Arts on Aug. 21.

The same committee that denied Wiley tenure a year ago has reversed itself without explanation. When contacted, Associate Dean of Liberal Arts Dr. Frank Fata said he was the wrong person to contact and could not supply any details.

When approached in her office, Wiley laughed at the issue and avoided all questions.

"I was awarded tenure through the system. I am happy to be back and I just want to do my job. That's all I am going to say. I am not going to comment further," she said.