Faculty members at Indiana University of Pennsylvania have voted overwhelmingly for a resolution of no confidence in the institution’s president, Tony Atwater. According to a statement issued by the campus chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, the faculty union, more than 86 percent of the 777 eligible faculty members voted, and 85 percent of them (568) voted no confidence. The resolution cited Mr. Atwater for disregarding shared governance, overspending despite budget constraints, and an alienating leadership style. Mr. Atwater told the Indiana Gazette that he was not surprised at the vote, and noted that the difficult economic situation had forced him to make unpopular decisions.
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2 Responses to Indiana U. of Pennsylvania Faculty Votes No Confidence in President
willynilly - December 18, 2009 at 9:51 pm
If one were tocare enough to dig to the bottom of the no confidence vote by faculty here is what is found 99% of the time.Faculty says: “The President is disregarding shared governance”.Reality: The president MUST make decisions NOW for the benefit of the ENTIRE institution and the welfare of the STUDENTS. He cannot wait for faculty to decide and suggest/recommend. Time is of the essence. Faculty governance operates at two speeds, slow and stop. The president must act. He is.Faculty says: “The president is overspending despite budget constraints”.Reality: The president is not spending money on the faculty. There are other compelling priorities that need to be addressed with current institutional resources.Faculty says: The president displays an “alienating leadership style”.Reality: The president now regularly says “NO” to the faculty especially their self-centered, self-serving requests.Conclusion: The president is doing an outstanding job and should have his contract extended for 5 years by the Board of Trustees.
jodytg - December 23, 2009 at 9:25 am
As an alum of IUP and haven spoken with many of the faculty members and students – this President has been a lame duck from the very beginning. It is not about him having to make unpopular decisions; many presidents of many institutions make unpopular decisions. It goes much deeper than that and he knows it. He needs to go.