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Academic Senate tables no-confidence vote
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State University’s Academic Senate tabled until February a resolution of no confidence in the administration’s campus leadership.
Helene Sinnreich, director of Judaic and Holocaust studies, said the resolution follows an “unprecedented disregard for shared governance.”
The resolution cites Martin Abraham’s appointment as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, though he “was not vetted as part of the search process despite the recommendations of a search committee.”
It also lists the contention “there was no meaningful consultation with students, faculty or staff before initiating major changes including significant reorganization of colleges and the honors program” as reasons of the proposed vote.
“We look forward to partnering with the Academic Senate and with everyone on campus and throughout the community to continue to work cooperatively on behalf of our students and their success,” Ron Cole, university spokesman, said Wednesday night.
In the past, the Academic Senate, which includes 70 faculty members, 15 administrators and 15 students, has had “oversight over these types of activities” but was bypassed in these actions.
“Shared governance is not something that can be thrown away lightly,” Sinnreich said.
The idea of a no-confidence resolution had been brought up before but proponents were talked out of it, she said.
Howard Mettee, chemistry professor, called it a “risky resolution.”
He said censure by the Academic Senate of the administration wouldn’t look good in the community.
Mettee said he thinks the administration has listened to the senate. They just haven’t agreed on some issues.
“Everybody ought to make the attempt to get our act together and get a dialogue going instead of, ‘If I don’t get my way, I’m taking my marbles and going home,’” he said. “My feeling is you’re airing a grievance without a remedy.”
David Asch, associate professor of biological sciences, suggested tabling the resolution until the body’s February meeting.
He said he’s concerned it will be lost in the noise of faculty negotiations and be spun as faculty discontent with those negotiations.
Last week, the YSU-Ohio Education Association, the union representing YSU faculty, rejected a tentative agreement for a new three-year contract. Negotiations are expected to resume.
“I also have a concern because it’s like divorcing your spouse,” Asch said. “Once you’ve done it, you can’t do it again.”
If senate members are still displeased later, they’ve already played their last card, he said.
The motion to table the resolution was approved. Last month the faculty union approved a no-confidence resolution in university trustees and the administration.
Sinnreich said after the meeting that the lack of shared governance began recently.
Several years ago, YSU created the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences out of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Rayen College of Engineering and Technology. That followed a 16-month study, Sinnreich said,
Word of plans to combine CLASS, the Beeghly College of Education and the College of Creative Arts and Communication into two colleges trickled out in rumors a few months ago, she said.
After the news leaked, a committee that included faculty was formed last month. Committee members have been directed to make recommendations by March, Sinnreich said.
“There’s no real rationale except there are going to be three vacancies in the deanships,” she said.