NO CONFIDENCE
Faculty levies historic 140-44 vote against Speck
Luke Taylor
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: News
After a month of build-up, the vote open to all full-time faculty Monday resulted in 140 ballots cast for "no confidence" in University President Bruce Speck, with 44 in college. Of the 237 eligible, 184 faculty members voted. The announcement was made during a seven-minute session of the Faculty Senate meeting after administration was excused.
"In general, we feel he is a failed leader," said Faculty Senate President Roger Chelf. "I have tried to get this through the campus just as quickly as I could. It's a very emotional scene. Dragging it out is harmful."
Chelf cited the president's budget cuts to the international mission, his treatment to faculty and "his lack of vision" as reasons for the vote.
"We just don't view him as the person who needs to be leading MSSU."
Before today's vote, the Faculty Senate voted 21-5 in no confidence in Speck on Oct. 5. Because of poor relations with the faculty, the Board of Governors has urged Speck to "improve relations with the faculty and to address faculty concerns." Since then, Speck has held "listening meetings" with the faculty to accomplish that.
Chelf, however, doesn't feel that the situation has improved or that the president can mend the fences between himself and the faculty.
"Bruce Speck appears to 'not get it' yet," said Chelf. "[In the meeting Friday], he apologized to faculty for statements he made…but it was pretty blatant what he said. He called us not good scholars, [that] we cannot collect evidence…we have bent over backwards to supply examples, and they all relate to lack of leadership. I doubt that he's capable of [shaping up]."
So what's the next step?
"I will send a letter to all the board members," Chelf said. "Now that all the votes are in, [they can] review the situation, take a fresh look…"
Chelf is willing to give the board time to make a decision regarding Speck's continued role.
"I think now is the time to give the board some time to seriously contemplate what the options are. Give Dr. Speck some time to realize that even if he remains, that he's perhaps somewhat crippled in what he can lead his faculty to do from this point."
"In general, we feel he is a failed leader," said Faculty Senate President Roger Chelf. "I have tried to get this through the campus just as quickly as I could. It's a very emotional scene. Dragging it out is harmful."
Chelf cited the president's budget cuts to the international mission, his treatment to faculty and "his lack of vision" as reasons for the vote.
"We just don't view him as the person who needs to be leading MSSU."
Before today's vote, the Faculty Senate voted 21-5 in no confidence in Speck on Oct. 5. Because of poor relations with the faculty, the Board of Governors has urged Speck to "improve relations with the faculty and to address faculty concerns." Since then, Speck has held "listening meetings" with the faculty to accomplish that.
Chelf, however, doesn't feel that the situation has improved or that the president can mend the fences between himself and the faculty.
"Bruce Speck appears to 'not get it' yet," said Chelf. "[In the meeting Friday], he apologized to faculty for statements he made…but it was pretty blatant what he said. He called us not good scholars, [that] we cannot collect evidence…we have bent over backwards to supply examples, and they all relate to lack of leadership. I doubt that he's capable of [shaping up]."
So what's the next step?
"I will send a letter to all the board members," Chelf said. "Now that all the votes are in, [they can] review the situation, take a fresh look…"
Chelf is willing to give the board time to make a decision regarding Speck's continued role.
"I think now is the time to give the board some time to seriously contemplate what the options are. Give Dr. Speck some time to realize that even if he remains, that he's perhaps somewhat crippled in what he can lead his faculty to do from this point."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jenn
posted 11/06/09 @ 11:51 AM CST
I disagree with Chelf's comment about the President's role having little affect on the students. I'm not really sure I understand why he would say this. (Continued…)
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