General Faculty Meeting
January 17, 2008
Report on the outcome of the Faculty Senate Representatives Meeting with Dr. Hensley on December 11, 2007.
Number of faculty in attendance: 28.
Administrator present: Dr. Ann Lotven, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Meeting was called to order by the Faculty Senate President-Dr. Shirley Garick at 10:00 AM.
Dr. Lotven’s Announcements:
Enrollment-up by 43 students and 283 credit hours.
Construction on new site-1st building (Science and Technology) ready in April this year and summer classes could be offered there. 2nd building projected to be finished in June 2010. First freshmen class to start in the fall semester of 2010.
Dr Garick called on the Representatives who were present during the meeting with Dr. Hensley on December 11, 2007, to share their recollections of the meeting. The faculty recalled that Dr. Hensley stated that he had offered the position of Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) to Dr. Rosanne Stripling and she accepted. He then said that he had spoken with Dr. McKinney (Chancellor, Texas A&M University System) who supported his decision and that the recommendation will go before the Board of Regents on Friday, January 25th, 2008. He further said that the appointment of Dr. Stripling will be permanent once approved by the Board of Regents. The faculty also recalled that Dr. Hensley said that Dr. Stripling is at liberty to appoint whoever she wants as the dean of College of Arts & Sciences and Education.
Faculty Reaction: Discussion ensued with the following points made by various faculty members:
An interim VPAA would be more appropriate.
The new President should be allowed an open opportunity to select a new VPAA that is best matched to his or her strengths, vision, and style.
A national search should be conducted for such a high level position in the university.
A national search would demonstrate that the university complies with its stated commitment to equal opportunity and diversity.
An interim VPAA would not bind the new President’s hands with local political pressure in choosing a different VPAA.
The VPAA is the chief academic officer of the university. Yet, the academic side of the institution (the faculty) had no voice in the selection.
A formal search process creates a community of support for the candidate who is chosen.
President Hensley acted in the best interest of the University to ensure continuity.
Some faculty expressed the view that a copy of the minutes of this meeting be sent to the Chancellor in hopes that at least he would be aware of faculty discontent with the process.
A vote of any kind is determined not to be in the best interest of the institution since it may be viewed as being antagonistic.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:25 AM.
Minutes taken by Godpower O. Okereke, Secretary, Faculty Senate Representative Council.