UE professors to have increased, non-voting presence on board committees

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Non-voting faculty representatives will now sit on eight committees of the University of Evansville's Board of Trustees after changes to the school's by-laws.

The new positions come amid a push from many faculty members for more say in important decisions in an arrangement known as "shared governance."

In an email to the UE community Wednesday, UE President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz said the change gives faculty a greater opportunity to discuss policies and decisions the board considers.

"The Board of Trustees and I appreciate the faculty’s dedication to our University and look forward to working collaboratively on our shared vision of creating a meaningful and financially sustainable future for UE," he wrote.

In October, the board voted unanimously to allow for a non-voting faculty representative to join eight committees: Academic Affairs, Athletics, Diversity, Enrollment and Marketing, Institutional Advancement, International Engagement, Investment and Student Affairs. 

The proposal then went to the faculty for a vote. The measure was approved 75-23 with five extensions, greater than the 2/3 majority needed to pass.

The new positions are in addition to the faculty observer, who regularly attends meetings of the full board.

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"With the creation of eight Faculty Representative positions, we are providing our faculty a greater opportunity to discuss policies and decisions considered by the Board of Trustees," board chair Linda White said in a statement. "We appreciate the faculty's dedication to our University and look forward to working collaboratively on our shared vision of creating a meaningful and financially sustainable future for UE."

The by-law changes are the latest development in a campaign from a majority of professors who are wanting more say as the school mulls over job and program cuts.

Many professors believe UE is looking to cut $2 to $3 million from its budget, which could lead to the loss of 20 to 25 jobs. The administration has not commented publicly on those numbers.

The "Save UE" campaign launched in September, and only weeks later UE's Faculty Senate voted "no confidence" in President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz. In return, the Board of Trustees said the body still has full confidence in his leadership.

The "no confidence" vote then passed the entire faculty body.

In a statement, Save UE welcomed the additions to the board committees.

"Open and honest interaction between the bodies that make up a university is a key principle of shared governance," the campaign said. "We hope that the new relationship between the Faculty and the Board results in a greater commitment to shared governance across the university."