By a vast majority, Indiana University of Pennsylvania's faculty has passed a vote of no confidence in President Tony Atwater.
The results of the vote, conducted over three days this week online, were announced at IUP's Council of Trustees public meeting this afternoon. Of the 672 faculty who voted, 84 percent indicated no confidence in Atwater. A total of 777 faculty were eligible to vote.
IUP's chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, or APSCUF, called for the no-confidence vote last month.
The vote is essentially a public rebuke of Atwater. The faculty union hopes the action will cause Atwater to reevaluate his leadership. The vote serves as a signal to the IUP Council of Trustees and the State System of Higher Education of the faculty's displeasure as Atwater's annual performance review approaches.
The union cited poor decision making by Atwater; lack of shared governance and input by the university community; an "imperialistic" leadership style that alienates faculty, students and community members; and inappropriate expenditures among the reasons for the vote.
Atwater has said a vote of no confidence often comes with the territory when difficult decisions need to be made, especially in tough economic times.
While the union called for the vote, the 750 faculty members that teach at the main campus and branch campuses were invited to cast ballots.
The last time the union called for a vote of no confidence on an IUP president was in the fall of 2001, when the vote was approved against former President Lawrence Pettit.
Despite the nonbinding vote, Pettit's contract was extended in January 2002. But afterward, Pettit announced he would step down as president in August 2003.
