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The Faculty Senate at William Paterson University in New Jersey voted no confidence in its president, Kathleen Waldron, last week.
The vote stemmed from concerns that Waldron could not meet performance goals, including enrollment benchmarks, and was not helping elevate the university’s reputation, among other things.
The resolution also cites a lack of transparency and collaboration with faculty and a disrespect for promotion recommendations. Six faculty members were denied promotions in the last year, despite available slots and committee recommendations, according to Arlene Holpp Scala, chair of the Faculty Senate and professor of women's and gender studies.
“A no-confidence vote is not a call for dismissal,” Holpp Scala said. However, she said, it would take time and a new collaborative approach to working with faculty to improve a working relationship that has deteriorated since Waldron’s hiring seven years ago. “If she wants to turn things around, she will have to be more attentive to what people are saying. It is important that the president take immediate actions after this no-confidence vote to show greater respect for the faculty.”
The vote came out 24 in favor of the no-confidence resolution, 10 against and seven abstentions.
The university responded to the vote in a statement provided to Inside Higher Ed.
“The University Board of Trustees fully supports President Waldron and remains very confident in her leadership,” the statement said. “The 45-member Faculty Senate’s vote was related to enrollment and issues that are part of statewide labor negotiations between the faculty union and the state of New Jersey. Those negotiations have been underway for months.”
