Reinstatement of President Mike Lee in Light of Chancellor Overreach
Be it resolved that the Academic Senate affirms its support for the reinstatement of President Mike Lee and calls upon the Chancellor's Office to respect the autonomy of the campus administration and the principles of shared governance;
Be it further resolved that the Academic Senate urges the Chancellor's Office to engage in constructive dialogue with campus leadership and stakeholders to address any concerns or issues in a manner that respects the values of academic freedom, inclusivity, and shared governance;
Be it further resolved that the Academic Senate expresses its commitment to working collaboratively with campus and system-wide leadership to ensure the continued success and well-being of our academic community.
Whereas, the academic freedom and autonomy of our campus are fundamental to fostering an environment of academic excellence and student empowerment;
Whereas, the recent decision by the Chancellor to overstep their authority to discipline a campus president in response to the president's decision to listen to the concerns and voices of student protesters represents a breach of the established principles of shared governance;
Whereas, the campus president's willingness to negotiate in good faith to address student protesters’ concerns and unwillingness to employ violent tactics demonstrates a commitment to the well-being and inclusivity of our academic community;
Whereas, the actions of the Chancellor disempower campus leadership to effectively serve the needs of the campus community and undermine the trust and confidence of students, faculty, and staff in the ability of the Chancellor’s Office to respond appropriately to campus concerns;
Whereas, the reinstatement of the campus president is necessary to restore faith in the principles of shared governance and to uphold the autonomy of the campus administration in decision-making processes.