Mark Ari Petition for Tenure Line

March 11, 2013

University of North Florida

Dear Faculty, Alumni, Students, Parents, and Friends,

For those who are unaware, Mark Ari is a full-time Senior Lecturer at the University of North Florida, whose contract is renewed on a year-by-year basis. The intent of this petition, as expressed above, is to respectfully request the UNF leadership to consider Mark Ari’s credentials, service, and accomplishments as grounds for a special case promotion to a tenure line in the English Department.

For so many UNF students, Professor Ari is one of a handful of career and life-defining professors. His dedication to his students is unmatched, as is represented by his recently winning an Undergraduate Teaching Award for the third time since he became eligible to receive the award as a full-time instructor in 2006. Professor Ari has deep knowledge of his subject matter, as well as extensive involvement and promotion of his field through publications and editorial duties. Further, he has built a large and active literary community at UNF, a community that brings together students and faculty from across many disciplines and which ties students to UNF even after they graduate.

Professor Ari is a teacher par excellence, with the ability to inspire students to become active participants in their educations and to grow exponentially in their creative and academic writing abilities, all while acquiring the skills and knowledge that will lead them into successful careers after graduation. Professor Ari is an irreplaceable teacher and mentor.

We would like to submit this petition by April 15, 2013 to the Office of the President, the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the English Department. Please forward this petition broadly to UNF students, alumni, faculty, parents, and other members of the UNF community.

For a complete bio of Mark Ari and more information on this petition, please see: petitionforari.blogspot.com