Oregon Public Broadcasting

University of Washington Provost Phyllis Wise appeared before the university's faculty senate Thursday.

She defended joining the board of directors at the Nike sportswear company.

Faculty members said they were uncomfortable with Wise's role and the compensation she'll receive, but it's not clear the group has any say over her decision. KUOW's Amy Radil reports.

Standing before faculty members in a university lecture hall, Provost Phyllis Wise said she understands where criticism over her appointment is coming from, and she wants to address those concerns.

Wise said she believes she can push for positive changes as a member of the Nike board.

Phyllis Wise: "It is absolutely true that the people from the academy have a slightly different and distinctive perspective from their experiences that must permeate the corporate world. And one -- I'm not saying the only -- but one way to do that is in fact to serve on boards when you are nominated to do so."

University of Washington President Mark Emmert stood up with Wise, and said he readily agreed to her appointment because she has no oversight of the university's sportswear contract with Nike.

Emmert said serving on corporate boards holds a potential conflict of interest, but he thinks those concerns can be addressed.

Mark Emmert: "I don't think that the alternative to that is to say, we're not going to interact with or engage with the rest of that world out there."

Faculty members responded that they don't mind interaction, as long as it's done pro bono. Wise stands to earn between $100,000 and $200,000 for her role on the board, in addition to her university salary of $500,000.

Wise hinted that she will donate much of the money to charity, but said her decision is a private one.

Chris Giebel is a professor of international studies. He says faculty members find Wise's appointment ill-timed, with the university and its students facing financial hardship.

Chris Giebel: "A lot of our students are struggling, they are burdened with higher tuition and all of that. And then to accept this board position at a very high compensation is simply seen as damaging our public image in the larger state."

Giebel says he's also concerned that Wise's appointment will discourage scholars from studying Nike and its labor practices.

Wise told the faculty that she would recuse herself from decisions relating to those faculty members. Giebel says he doesn't doubt Wise's personal integrity.

Chris Giebel: "But what I spoke to was a general unease about this as having a chilling effect on the level of faculty deciding in which way they want to pursue research interests."

The UW chapter of the American Association of University Professors has called on Wise to turn down the appointment, and the national chapter signed on to that statement. 

It's not clear that the faculty senate has any jurisdiction over Wise's role. Some members say they will investigate rule changes that could prevent Wise from accepting the board position.