Faculty Senate called a special meeting after President Roderick McDavis invited eight additional faculty members to the Ohio University executive vice president and provost search committee.
The Monday meeting will discuss the resolution senate passed Jan. 12, asking faculty not to join the committee if objections to its structure were not addressed.
Senate called for a faculty majority, faculty chairperson and a smaller committee. The Faculty Handbook requires search committees for academic appointments be chaired by a faculty member and recommends committees consist of six to 14 members. Six of the original 23 committee members were faculty.
Additional faculty invites bring the total number of faculty members on the committee to 14, two less than a majority. President McDavis also asked distinguished professor Tad Malinski to serve as co-chair alongside Rathindra Bose, dean of the Graduate College. Malinski accepted the position.
López also asked the president to extend the deadline for when faculty must accept or decline their committee position. Originally, invitees were asked to respond by Jan. 26, but López wanted senate to have the opportunity to issue a statement first.
The list of those invited to participate on the search committee was released yesterday, after The Post filed a public records request. López said he was disappointed that, despite his making a personal request for the list last week, it was only released after The Post's request.
I found it to be so offensive and just a slap in the face for the senate. So I am extremely disappointed with the way the administration is acting
López said.
Rebecca Watts, the president's chief of staff, said McDavis was focused on giving those invited time to respond without pressure.
The president's primary concern was with the individuals invited to serve. Watts said, adding, If there are any individuals who have rethought their decision to serve that is absolutely their prerogative and they can just notify the president's office.
All but four of the faculty members have already accepted a committee position. English professor Sherrie Gradin, film professor David Thomas, and health education and counseling associate professor Valerie Conley were granted an extension until Tuesday. All three are senators.
Don Flournoy, professor in the School of Media Arts and Studies, declined the committee position because he will be on leave Spring Quarter.
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Emily Grannis, Wesley Lowery
