Members of the University Faculty Senate yesterday debated over a proposed restructuring of the promotion and tenure policy that could be subject to interpretation.

The current structure for promotion and tenure consists of four "cells" or criteria: teaching ability and effectiveness, research competence, scholarship and mastery of subject matter, and service to the University and the public.

Two recent task forces -- Faculty Development and Undergraduate Education -- have suggested that the criteria be changed to include only teaching, research/scholarship and service.

The Task Force on Undergraduate Education suggested the change to promote the notion that "teaching and research are not at odds with one another."

Peter Rebane, associate professor of history at Ogontz Campus, said that in the long run, the problem will be how the criteria is interpreted.

The basic philosophy of the promotion and tenure policy is appropriate but the administrative guidelines drive the policy, Rebane said.

"(The philosophy) is that idea that people have different abilities and skills and all should be taken into account," Rebane said. "Administrative guidelines seem to stress research more . . . weighting some areas more than others."

Leonard Berkowitz, associate professor of philosophy at York Campus, said the four-vs.-three-cell issue was not one to debate, noting that this was the calmest discussion of the policy he had ever heard.

Combining the cells of scholarship and research, Berkowitz said, may lead to "downgrading all other scholarly action outside of research."

Rebane feared that by combining research and scholarship, other activities such as editing a journal or putting together a conference may not get the attention it deserves when someone else is being published in an obscure journal that Pattee does not have.

In opposition to his comments, J. Philip Jenkins, professor of criminal justice and American Studies replied, "Professor (Joe) Paterno's reputation is not based on the two books he's written."

Helen Manfull, professor of theatre arts, asked that the words creative accomplishment be included in one of the cells so that the accomplishments of faculty in the College of Arts and Architecture are not overlooked.

Many of the college's members do not publish in journals but instead write plays or complete landscape designs, Manfull said. She added that people in the arts acknowledge the accomplishments of other areas and ask that the same be done for them.