[information]On March 21, the Faculty of Arts & Sciences voted for a resolution of “no confidence” in President Lewis Duncan, the first instance in Rollins history.
For complete coverage of this story, review the following articles:
- The Sandspur’s initial coverage of the no confidence vote including a podcast with Vice President of the Faculty Dr. Dexter Boniface.
- The Sandspur’s article reflecting on President Duncan’s response to the no confidence vote.
- President Duncan’s complete response to the no confidence vote.
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Given the significance of recent events, the A&S faculty would like to address the reasons and make clear the concerns prompting its vote of no confidence in President Duncan. We must respectfully disagree with his view of affairs and stress the substantive concerns we see linked to these events.
The president suggests that the Quality Enhancement Plan and Demonstration of Learning Team represent faculty consultation on curricular matters. But these initiatives simply are not relevant, for they are linked to accreditation requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and are part of an ongoing institutional process begun before the president’s tenure and unconnected to the concerns prompting the faculty’s vote.
While the president acknowledges institutional planning, he fails to address his repeated pattern of ignoring faculty, staff, and student efforts in favor of arbitrary action.
A vote of no confidence is a blunt message linked to the president’s actions. In passing this resolution the faculty has acted in good faith to voice its concern about his pattern of troubling decision-making, which is more informed by trends than by reasoned examination of our institution’s history, strengths, and identity. As noted in our resolution, the president’s lack of communication and reluctance to engage the faculty on significant curricular matters is driving these concerns.
While the president acknowledges institutional planning, he fails to address his repeated pattern of ignoring faculty, staff, and student efforts in favor of arbitrary action. Faced with no clear path to create unity of purpose, the faculty acted in good faith to voice its concerns to the Board of Trustees. The faculty recognizes the challenges facing higher education, and it is acting in the hope that Rollins will be able to face these challenges as a strong and united community.
Signed,
Vidhu Aggarwal,
Associate Professor of English
Barry Allen,
Professor of Environmental Studies
Pedro Bernal,
Professor of Chemistry
Wendy Brandon,
Professor of Education
Alexander Boguslawski,
Professor of Russian
Dexter Boniface,
Weddell Chair of the Americas and Associate Professor of Political Science
Gabriel Barreneche,
Associate Professor of Spanish
Sharon Carnahan,
Professor of Psychology
Julian Chambliss,
Associate Professor of History
Martha Cheng,
Associate Professor of English
Tom Cook,
Professor of Philosophy
Don Davison,
Professor of Political Science
Joan Davison,
Professor of Political Science
Philip Deaver,
Professor of English
Kimberly Dennis,
Associate Professor of Art History
Hoyt Edge,
Hugh F. and Jeanette G. McKean Chair of Philosophy
Lynda Glennon,
Professor of Sociology
Dana Hargrove,
Associate Professor of Art
Paul Harris,
Professor of Psychology
Philip Kozel,
Associate Professor of Economics
Harry Kypraios,
Professor of Economics
Tom Lairson,
Ronald G. and N. Jayne Gelbman Chair of International Business
Barry Levis,
Professor of History
Susan Libby,
Professor of Art History
Lee Lines,
Professor of Environmental Studies
Jennifer Queen,
Associate Professor of Psychology
L. Ryan Musgrave,
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Robert Moore,
Professor of Anthropology
Maurice O’Sullivan,
Kenneth Curry Chair in Literature, Professor of English
Charles Rock,
Professor of Economics
Ed Royce,
Professor of Sociology
Eric Schultz,
Professor of Economics
Rachel Simmons,
Professor of Art
Bruce Stephenson,
Professor of Environmental Studies
Claire Strom,
Rapetti-Trunzo Chair of History
Kenna Taylor,
Professor of Economics
Rick Vitray,
Archibald Granville Bush Chair of Mathematics
Jay Yellen,
Archibald Granville Bush Chair of Mathematics
Visiting and untenured faculty members, lecturers, and adjuncts were not sent this letter for their signature because of their vulnerable status.
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