Ward: Governance Process Deserves Respect

The governance process does not deserve criticism just because someone does not agree with the outcome, Chancellor David Ward told the Faculty Senate March 3.

Ward was responding to comments that governance was not adhered to concerning recent campus diversity efforts and the decision not to renew the contract of men’s soccer coach Jim Launder.

“If governance is not going to be respected because you differ with the outcomes of governance, then I think we have a problem,” Ward said in his opening remarks to the Faculty Senate.

Ward was specifically responding to suggestions by W. Lee Hansen, emeritus professor of economics, that as chancellor he has not followed shared governance — the system in which faculty, staff and students all play a part in running the university — concerning minority recruitment and retention.

Hansen raised the issue at the February Faculty Senate meeting by questioning the chancellor’s general support of recommendations from the Civil Rights Defense Coalition, a student group lobbying to increase the number of students of color on campus.

Ward said his commitment to diversity is “unwavering” and stressed that the university’s plan to boost the number of minority students, faculty and staff is consistent with CRDC recommendations. He said he does not want the university to end up in a “backwater” demographically in the next five to 10 years.

Some faculty members have contended that shared governance was not adhered to in the Athletic Board’s decision earlier this year not to renew soccer coach Launder’s contract. About 100 faculty members signed a petition critical of that personnel decision. But Ward, along with three Athletic Board faculty representatives who spoke, assured the senate the nonrenewal decision followed proper process.

Ward pointed out the University Committee — and not he – appoints faculty to the Athletic Board. The Faculty Senate shifted that authority from the chancellor, shortly after Ward took that post. And he called attention to the fact that the majority of Athletic Board members — 12 of 21 — are faculty.

Several people spoke in support of the chancellor and diversity at the meeting. Jane Holschuh, assistant professor of social work, read a statement from the School of Social Work, which also was critical of comments made by Hansen. She read a similar statement from William Reznikoff, professor of biochemistry, who could not attend.

Representatives from the CRDC and the Black Law Students Association voiced their support for the university’s diversity efforts, and more than 20 students attended the Faculty Senate meeting in support of diversity.

“We need more, not less, diversity,” said Greg Maney of the CRDC.

Evelyn Howell, chair of the University Committee, told the audience the committee will present a resolution on diversity for Faculty Senate consideration at its April meeting.

Ward also discussed personnel issues. He maintained that with approximately 18,000 employees, there are bound to be some difficult personnel decisions and that a process is followed in dealing with all cases.

In conclusion, the chancellor urged faculty to stand united. “From time to time we have to learn how to pull together,” he said.