News Summary
Faculty members at the University of Kentucky are expressing fears of retaliation after a no-confidence vote against President Eli Capilouto. The faculty is worried that the administration’s recent governance changes aim to undermine their authority. Issues regarding voter confidentiality have emerged, with allegations that faculty voting records were sought, raising concerns of retribution. The American Association of University Professors also highlighted the potential threats to academic freedom. As the university prepares to form a new Faculty Senate, the tension between faculty and administration continues to grow.
Lexington, Kentucky – Faculty members at the University of Kentucky are raising concerns about potential retaliation following a recent no-confidence vote against President Eli Capilouto. The faculty members believe the administration is attempting to undermine their authority amid proposed changes to the university’s governance structure.
In May, the University Senate expressed its disapproval of President Capilouto’s leadership through a no-confidence vote, in response to his suggestions to dissolve the Senate. The senators accused Capilouto of acting too swiftly and relying on inaccurate information, resulting in what they classified as “unnecessary and harmful division” within the university community. Capilouto has defended his actions as being in line with recommendations from the university’s Board of Trustees, aiming to improve what he describes as an inefficient shared-governance system.
In June, the Board of Trustees voted to adopt Capilouto’s proposed governance changes despite the faculty’s objections. The aftermath of the no-confidence vote has been troubling for many faculty members, who fear retribution for standing against the administration’s plans. Former Senate Council leader, DeShana Collett, has alleged that administrators sought access to individual ballots from the no-confidence vote, which raises serious concerns about voter confidentiality and potential retaliation against dissenting faculty members.
With the Senate being dissolved, control over the Senate’s online voting system has shifted to the provost’s office, creating apprehensions regarding access to individual voting records. Historically, faculty votes have remained anonymous in compliance with state laws and university regulations. The concern among faculty is that attempts to uncover individual voter identities threaten the integrity of secret ballots, a fundamental aspect of representing faculty opinions without fear of repercussions.
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has also expressed significant unease about the implications of recent university actions. AAUP chapter president Karen Petrone has emphasized the necessity of safeguarding the identities of those who participated in the no-confidence motion, while Mark Criley from the national AAUP categorized the request for individual voting records as unprecedented and troubling.
Despite these concerns, a university spokesperson has denied intentions to access individual voting records and assured that there would be no retaliation against faculty who voted in the no-confidence motion. The ongoing fallout from the vote has led to a growing chasm between faculty and administration regarding governance reforms.
As the university moves forward, it is in the process of forming a new Faculty Senate, which will be advisory and consist only of faculty members. Elections for the new Faculty Senate are set to take place in the fall of 2024, with a provisional Executive Committee currently handling interim matters. The staff member who has been placed on leave for archiving the results of the no-confidence vote has not responded to inquiries, and the university has classified this situation as a personnel matter.
Overall, recent administrative changes have sparked alarm among faculty about the potential chilling impact on their willingness to voice concerns regarding administrative conduct. The dynamics at the University of Kentucky continue to evolve as both faculty and administration navigate this complex issue of governance and academic freedom.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Faculty concerns at University of Kentucky
- Wikipedia: University of Kentucky
- Kernel: UK settles journalism professor defamation case
- Google Search: University of Kentucky governance changes
- WDRB: Former Louisville special agent sues FBI
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University governance
- Kentucky.com: Fayette County news
- Google News: University of Kentucky no-confidence vote
