A Tarleton instructor lost his job after speaking up about $400 parking fees. His colleagues now have their own concerns.
Updated: Jul 1
Ted Roberts has no idea what he will do after Friday.
The 54-year-old former U.S. Army infantry officer was stripped of his livelihood and career as a senior instructor in the history department at Tarleton State in what he calls a retaliatory move by university president Dr. James Hurley.
In April, Roberts spoke up about concerns over $400 parking fees for faculty and staff during a listening tour Hurley was conducting.
The exchange was reportedly tense, but respectful.
Two weeks later, Roberts was informed by Dr. Aimee Shouse, the acting dean of the university’s liberal and fine arts college, that his contract would not be renewed.
“I was stunned,” Roberts told Beneath the Surface News. “I was told it was because I exhibited ‘intolerable’ behavior toward the president.”
Roberts has been an instructor with an exemplary record at Tarleton for 12 years and there has never been a question that his contract would be renewed, he said.
In fact, he said he has never had any interaction with Tarleton’s administration during his career at the university.
“The president had no idea who I was. For the past 14 years I have kept my nose to the grindstone,” he said. “As far as being squeaky clean, I am the squeakiest.”
As an Army veteran, Roberts served two tours in Iraq, the first for 17 months as a platoon leader.
He has spent the past decade teaching those real-world experiences to Tarleton’s cadets.
“I always had positive reviews from my students,” he said. “I enjoy the cadets because I know they will eventually be sent into harm’s way and I want to inculcate them with the experiences I had in Iraq.”
Today, he feels betrayed by a university he dedicated his career to and is mourning a job he excelled at and enjoys.
Many of his colleagues feel equally betrayed.
Following a story about Roberts’ termination by The Chronicle of Higher Education, Beneath the Surface News received more than 50 messages from readers and Tarleton employees, expressing concern.
“This was a complete and total shock to everyone,” a Tarleton employee who asked not to be named said. “Ted is a stellar faculty member; well-loved. Colleagues like him, his students love him.
“If someone like him could be non-renewed for something like this, we have all been stifled – and I think that was the message the administration wanted to send.
“No one believes this was anything other than retaliation.”
Roberts has two civil rights complaints pending, but those could take weeks to make it through the system.
He is worried about the now.
Unless Tarleton reverses its decision, Roberts' time at the university comes to an end this week.
Roberts cares for his elderly mother who lives in the area, so relocating for another job is not an option.
Tarleton’s Faculty Senate hand-delivered a letter dated May 9 to Dr. Hurley and provost Dr. Diane Stearns that states in part:
“The actions by administrators in this regard have resulted in a widespread impression of a retaliatory environment, which in turn has created a chilling effect throughout the university.
“Faculty do not feel safe in speaking up nor respected in their positions with the university. If a well-regarded faculty member can be non-renewed because he ardently spoke up about parking at a ‘listening session,’ then how can any member feel confident in speaking up about more serious matters?
“Certainly, you can understand the atmosphere that has been created and how that is not conducive to a healthy and effective work and teaching environment.”
There has been no response.
The letter went on to state: “We request that in a gesture of good faith, that you reverse the decision to non-renew Mr. Roberts’ contract of employment and allow him to continue his valued role at Tarleton, which will also convey your desire for a healthy and inviting working relationship between administration and faculty.”
Beneath the Surface News reached out to Sven Alskog, director of university communications, for comment, but has not received a response.
Meanwhile, as Roberts continues to grapple with the loss of his job, he said he will continue to share his story.
“I was anticipating retiring in about eight years, but now I’ve had the rug pulled out from under me,” he said.
“People are on eggshells. There is an environment now that if you speak out about anything, there is going to be some sort of retaliation from this administration.
“People have to know what this president and provost have done to a veteran.”
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