In a recent development at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Faculty Senate has shifted its approach from casting a no-confidence vote against three university administrators to focusing on enhancing dialogue with them. This change comes amid ongoing concerns about governance and communication within the institution.
Initially, Susan VanderPlas, an associate professor of statistics, had proposed a vote of no-confidence targeting Executive Vice Chancellor Mark Button, Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Tiffany Heng-Moss, and interim Research and Innovation Vice Chancellor Jennifer Nelson. However, she later retracted her proposal. VanderPlas emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “I still firmly believe that it’s important to hold all involved accountable for the damage that has been done to the foundational conditions of academic work, tenure, shared governance and academic freedom.” Yet, she acknowledged that the motion might not be the best method to achieve this.
VanderPlas noted that since the introduction of the resolution, interim Chancellor Katherine Ankerson had engaged in discussions with key university committees and promised ongoing communication. This development has led to a renewed focus on cooperation rather than confrontation.
Following these discussions, L.J. McElvary, an associate professor in agricultural leadership, education, and communication, put forward a new resolution. This proposal, which will be considered in the next Faculty Senate meeting on April 28, aims to strengthen shared governance and improve communication between faculty and administration. The resolution calls for the mentioned administrators to devise a strategy reaffirming shared governance principles, fostering open communication, and ensuring a collaborative work environment.
The need for such resolutions arose after the Board of Regents’ decision in December to eliminate four programs at the university, resulting in $27.5 million in budget cuts. This decision sparked ongoing concerns among faculty members about the trust between professors and university administration.
Despite the new resolution’s forward-looking approach, some faculty members, including Aaron PeeksMease, an assistant professor of practice in sociology, remain cautious. PeeksMease remarked, “It is a very forward-thinking motion, but also in my experience, when you are dealing with an administration that is or refuses to acknowledge any past wrongs in that process that has taken place, it is very hard to move forward with somebody like that.”
