Chico State’s Academic Senate voted to pass a statement of no confidence in President Paul Zingg, Interim Provost Susan Elrod, and Vice President of Business and Finance Lori Hoffman Thursday.
It’s largely symbolic. Nothing concrete will affect any of the subjects of the vote.
Paula Selvester is an academic senator and professor of education. She spoke to the importance — symbolic or not — of this vote, and to the responsibility of the senate to represent the parts of the campus that do not get to vote.
“This is a call for competent, committed, inspired leadership. I do not come here with a grudge," she said. "I come here with the voice of former provosts, community members, staff, faculty, students — present and former — and administrators, all of whom have told me their wishes, their stories and their legitimate concerns, as well as their heartfelt request: Can’t you do something?”
Tension between faculty and administration has been brewing for some time now, and that was discussed in detail Thursday.
The provost’s office released department budgets too late, according to the majority vote, and those departments report they were taken by surprise by smaller budgets than expected. They have had to cut class sections — something that impacts both faculty and students.
President Zingg spoke early on in the meeting, reiterating some of the points he made in a letter to the senate Wednesday. He said the resolution contained “broad, sweeping and unsubstantiated and vague generalities.” He also said the no confidence vote didn’t seem to follow due process.
Joe Wills, Chico State’s Director of Public Affairs and Publications, was at the meeting. He said that the thorough, impassioned meeting was indicative of the good at the university.
“Regardless of the vote, the involvement from the faculty and staff and a full room of people here, and a spirited debate are all signs about, really the strength of Chico State at its core. Which is people really care, and they’re very engaged,” he said.
The statement passed on a 24-8 vote.