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Relations tested following academic staff terminations this past summer
By Lacey Nemergut
The Faculty Senate has sent a letter to the Bentley Administration expressing frustration and calling for greater input in decisions made by the administration regarding the academic side of the institution.
“The summary and peremptory firing of long-serving and highly regarded members of the highly regarded support staff last May shocked and saddened many members of the Faculty,” said the letter from the Faculty Senate.
“The Faculty Senate was shocked and dismayed at recent firings over the summer,” said Andy Aylesworth, a member of the Faculty Senate.
According to leaders of the Faculty Senate, the firing of certain academic staff members served as the tipping point for the Faculty Senate, causing them to formally express their frustration and demand an effective response from the administration.
“Were this an isolated instance it could perhaps be overlooked; instead, it is merely another in a long line of unilateral operating decisions which cumulatively have eroded the trust that should characterize faculty-administration relations,” said the Senate Letter.
One Senate member proposed taking a vote of no confidence in the Administration. This action would propose termination or replacement of certain administrative members. It received no further attention or support.
“There was a possibility of a vote of no confidence against the Administration. The possibility got shot down because there was a clear majority of not passing a vote of no confidence,” said Andrew Aylesworth, the chairperson of the Faculty Senate.
“…Bentley’s success depends on the ability of the faculty, staff, and administration to work together to meet these challenges,” the Senate letter stated.
Joe Newpol, a Faculty Senate member, said, “There is a perceived communication gap where things are happening that the Faculty is not necessarily aware of until it’s a little bit too late to have a say in it…there are things going on that we would like to know about in advance so we have some input as to what’s going on.”
Aylesworth said, “This was a matter of difference of opinion on how things should run on campus. In general everyone involved is very focused on Bentley being the best it can be and focusing on making the student experience the best it can be. How to do that is a matter of different opinions, and in this economic environment, it is difficult for everyone to know how to respond.”
Gloria Larson and the rest of the administration are expected to deliver a formal response to the Faculty Senate letter on October 19 according to Aylesworth.
J. Terence Carleton, chairman of Bentley’s Board of Trustees, was contacted about the letter but did not comment by press time.
“There are often different views, healthy discourse, on certain matters of governance at many universities,” said Gloria Larson in a prepared statement. “In this case, the faculty has asked for a greater role in decisions that affect the academic side of the institution. Some of these requests can be reviewed and addressed by me and the administration while others require review by our Board of Trustees.”
The Faculty letter proposed certain solutions to the apparent miscommunication. “[The Faculty Senate] requests that there be a faculty representative on the Board of Trustees. This would be a voting member with all the rights of any other board member. This person would be elected by the full faculty to serve a three year term, with the possibility of renewal for an additional three years,” said the letter.
“I am working with members of the Cabinet, and particularly with our academic leadership – Provost Mike Page, Dean of Business Chip Wiggins and Dean of Arts and Sciences Dan Everett – on a response which we will share with faculty and staff,” said Gloria Larson in a prepared statement. “We are confident we will have a productive discussion and reach decisions that will strike a balance between required administrative governance and appropriate representation and input from our faculty.”
“We appreciate the Faculty Senate’s ability to address Bentley’s administration. As a governing organization ourselves, we value the opportunity to make suggestions for university improvement on behalf of a greater population,” said Maggy Reynolds, president of the Student Government Association, who was speaking on behalf of SGA. “SGA also notes the importance of open conversations between different sectors on campus.”
* If you would like to read the letter please look at our attached photo
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{ 1 comment }
Actually, there were more than 20 faculty in the past two senate meetings discussing a vote of no confidence in President Larson. Most of our frustration revolves around Vice President Traci Logan, her incompetence in running the IT department, and lack of ethical leadership. We don’t understand how a woman as smart and competent as Gloria can continue to protect Traci and thus condone her actions. We are being asked to cut back on resources that negatively impact our students, yet she spent a half million dollars on artwork and renovations to three executive conference rooms used by the president and VPs. Why are we continuing to waste over $350,000 a year of students’ tuition to pay a VP who has spent years losing the respect of most faculty and staff?
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