Debate among ISU faculty and administration over a proposed policy that would designate many faculty members with the new title “research professor” continued Tuesday during the second of two faculty forums on the issue.

The audience at this second session was considerably larger than that the audience at Monday’s session.

The proposed title has proven to be controversial for several reasons.

Proponents of the policy claim that many faculty members deserve a title that reflects the nature of their position.

An administrator, who preferred her name not be disclosed, said she thought the policy would be good for the university.

“It would strengthen the ability to recruit researchers and assist in spousal accommodations,” she said.

Others disagreed with the notion that such value was in the title.

Harvey Lapan, university professor of economics, said the proposed title does not change the nature of the job or the rights of employees.

“If that’s the case,” Lapan said, “why should it make a difference?”

Details of how the proposed title would be implemented were unclear.

Critics were also concerned the proposed title would effectively depreciate the value of the title “professor.”

The proposal will be voted on by the Faculty Senate on Dec. 11. If the proposal passes, it would need to be approved by the president and provost and, upon approval, implementation planning would begin.