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. @em_broyles, @mosbren and I are attending today's faculty senate meeting -- today, the senate will discuss a vote of no confidence in the chancellor and other resolutions. Follow along on this thread to keep up to date on the senate's discussion and decision.
Chair Michael Behrent explained the history behind "no confidence" language, reminding the senate that no confidence doesn't mean immediate action, but is viewed as a strong opinion from the senate
The senate voted to change the order of the agenda to discuss the on-campus polling place before the vote of no confidence
Resolution to advocate for Plemmons Student Union to be the on-campus voting site passes -- 90% of the senate voted in favor (36-1-4)
Now, the senate is discussing the resolution of no confidence in the chancellor
Michael Hambourger, associate chemistry professor, is the author of the resolution. He says he understands it's difficult to lead now, but communication and considerations of of health and safety of students, faculty have not appeared a priority to the chancellor
Hambourger discussed faculty salaries, a lack of preparation to keep students, faculty safe from COVID-19, and Everts' lack of discussion about HB2 and the death of George Floyd.
He says she's more worried about the image of the university than she is about the wellbeing of students and faculty.
Benjamin Sibley from the Dept. of Recreation says he opposes the resolution and that he and his colleagues do in fact feel supported by the university. He said he sees progress toward the university's goals in growth
Ray Williams, from the Dept. of Biology says it's easy to cast blame and he doesn't hold the chancellor personally accountable. Though he says there's room for improvement in transparency
Martha McCaughey from the Dept. of Sociology says the chancellor is making decisions that are detrimental to the university, and supports today's vote on the resolution of no confidence
She says the chancellor has "gutted academics," and that Everts' priorities are misplaced.
Several faculty members saying they will vote against the resolution. They say their departments believe it would be detrimental to vote this way when everyone should be working together to get the university through this time
Well.. the meeting just got "zoombombed." Moving on in discussion now
Dana Powell, Dept. of Anthropology, says the vote of no confidence will send a strong message and her department is very concerned about the impact the mishandling of this fall semester will have on students
Earlier, many faculty members said now is not the right time to vote on a resolution like this. Others are now opposing that statement. They say there's never a right time.
Clark Maddux, director of Watauga Residential College and professor of interdisciplinary studies, says he can't accept the decisions App State has made to schedule football games and put students, faculty in harms way.
He said he's anxious about the fact that many tenured professors aren't speaking out, and that it's their responsibility to speak for untenured professors who may not be able to speak out
Scott Marshall says he wants to postpone today's vote on the resolution to the Sept. 14 meeting, a regularly scheduled senate meeting
Michael Behrent explained at the start of this meeting that he knew the time wasn't ideal. 6 senators are absent from this meeting.
Typically, 3 people are missing from senate meetings per Carrie McNeil, administrative associate for faculty senate
The senate is still debating whether to postpone their vote on the resolution.
The senate voted not to postpone their vote on the no confidence resolution.
Jeff Bortz, Dept. of History, says voting confidence in this administration would signify that things are fine at App State, but he says things are "very very far from fine" for many faculty members.
Martha McCaughey says some senators have told her they would feel uncomfortable with their votes on record, and is asking for a secret ballot -- this would mean that senators' votes would remain anonymous.
Clark Maddux says the senate would have to go into executive session to have a secret ballot
Michael Behrent says he doesn't want the meeting to turn its focus to procedure/process rather than the issue at hand.
Motion to vote on the resolution just passed
CORRECTION: senators are voting now to close or continue debate
Now the senate will vote on the resolution of no confidence in the chancellor
NEW: Faculty senate approved the resolution of no confidence in the chancellor. The vote was 23-12-6.
The senate is now debating a resolution to "hold the board of governors and Chancellor Sheri Everts responsible for any illness and death resulting from COVID-19 as a result of reopening campus..." according to the agenda
Matthew Robinson from the Dept. of Government and Justice Studies proposed this resolution.
He says that obviously this resolution would not hold the administration legally culpable, but a is instead a recognition that the decision to reopen campuses may and will cause illness and death. He says those who made this decision should be held responsible.
Jay Fenwick, Dept. of Computer Science, says he was very nervous to come into class today. But, there's no way to know that if a student or faculty member gets sick that it came from their return to campus.
He says he felt safer on campus today than he did at Harris Teeter on Saturday afternoon, and that he feels the university has taken all precautions to make campus safe
Robinson is further explaining that his concern is not just for the campus, but for Boone and Watauga County
A vote to remove "and Chancellor Sheri Everts" from the resolution failed after it tied. Behrent says every vote must have an absolute majority to be approved.
After a vote, the resolution passed. The next faculty senate meeting will be Sept. 14. Story with @em_broyles coming soon
