Faculty Senate elected new leadership last night, called for the president to change his health benefits policy and delayed a vote on censure for next month.
The censure vote, which would constitute formal public criticism of Ohio University's president, provost and chief financial officer, was up for a second read and vote yesterday. But Ken Brown, the resolution's sponsor, asked to postpone the vote because senate is currently conducting an evaluation of President Roderick McDavis.
In order not to prejudice that review either way because of a vote on this resolution
I would like to postpone the vote until June Brown said.
Senate did not let McDavis off the hook entirely, however, passing a resolution out of the Finance and Facilities Committee that accused him of violating the Faculty Handbook in his health care decisions and called on him to rescind the portion of the $2.1 million of health care cost increases that exceeds the $860,000 senate approved. The resolution will require the provost's signature to take effect.
Joe McLaughlin, who presented as chairman of Finance and Facilities last night but was also elected to chair senate next year, said he's not sure the provost will be willing to support the resolution.
I can say that in the past the provost has been publicly supportive of the president's decisions on health care
and I don't know whether she will decide consistently (with the president) or not
McLaughlin said. I think it's important for the senate to be on the record and officially respond to the president.
Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl has said in past interviews that she signs resolutions on behalf of the president and the Board of Trustees, and therefore must seek input from them before signing.
Finance and Facilities also put forth a resolution to clarify the handbook language to avoid further misinterpretation on whether increases in out-of-pocket health care costs require senate approval. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
Senators also elected their new leadership last night, including McLaughlin as chairman. They named David Thomas as vice chairman, the position he held this year, and Elizabeth Sayrs to secretary.
McLaughlin said he sees greater interest in Faculty Senate - as shown by high turnout in college-level elections this year - as a sign of greater opportunities and responsibilities for the chairman.
I took that as a validation of the work we've been doing in the past year
he said. I've been in Faculty Senate for a long time. I've chaired committees and now I look forward to chairing senate. I think it's an important year coming up.
1
News
Emily Grannis
