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Condemnation of the Suspension of the Faculty Senate at
Idaho State University
AS-3010-11/FA/FGA/AA
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (ASCSU), as a
representative body authorized by the California Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA), express solidarity with and support for the
faculty of Idaho State University; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the ASCSU condemn the Idaho State Board of Education's retaliatory
suspension of the Idaho State University Faculty Senate because it conducted a
faculty vote of no-confidence in its president and refused to endorse a
reorganization plan promulgated by the Board; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the ASCSU recognize and support the right of the faculty of Idaho State
University to challenge administrative procedures and mandates when it believes
that they compromise the institution’s academic mission and responsibility to its
students; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the ASCSU encourage local CSU Academic Senates to pass resolutions in
support of the efforts of faculty at Idaho State University to regain their voice in
the academy; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the ASCSU distribute this resolution to the Idaho State Board of Education;
the Idaho State Legislature; the faculty at Idaho State University; Idaho
newspapers including the Idaho State Journal – Pocatello, the Idaho Statesman –
Boise, and the Moscow-Pullman Daily News – Moscow; the Idaho State
University Bengal newspaper; the CSU Board of Trustees; the CSU Chancellor’s
Office; CSU campus presidents; CSU campus provosts/Vice Presidents of
Academic Affairs; the CSU campus senate chairs; the Academic Senate of the
University of California; and the Academic Senate for California Community
Colleges.
RATIONALE: On February 17, 2011, the Idaho State Board of Education
suspended the Faculty Senate at Idaho State University and replaced it with an
interim faculty advisory structure. A week earlier, the Faculty Senate had
conducted a vote of no-confidence in president Arthur C. Vailas, which passed
by 72% to 18%, with a voter turnout of 77%. The no-confidence vote was a
culmination of on-going disagreements between the Faculty Senate and the
president over the restructuring of the university, including faculty
representation in shared governance. Such a retaliatory act is deplorable, since
it violates both the principle of shared governance and of academic freedom.
Furthermore, it creates fear among the faculty and runs contrary to the mission
statement of the university, which aims "to develop citizens who will learn from the past, think critically about the present, and provide leadership to enrich the
future in a diverse, global society"
(http://www.isu.edu/president/statement.shtml). Faculty governance is essential
to the very nature of an institution of higher learning. Especially in times of
budgetary and political crises, the voice of faculty is absolutely critical in
maintaining and forwarding the mission and goals of higher education. The full
voice of the faculty cannot be represented by a governance model imposed by the
administration, as suggested by the Idaho State Board of Education. Credible
representation can only be achieved by a representative body elected by the
entire faculty, a body that essentially reports only to the faculty and one
which can act without fear of retaliatory repercussions.
Approved Unanimously – March 17-18, 2011
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