BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The faculty at Indiana University voted overwhelmingly in favor of a no-confidence resolution for school President Pamela Whitten and two other administrators.
Around 900 faculty members attended Tuesday's meeting, with 93% voting no confidence in President Whitten.
Their petition claims the IU administration is encroaching on academic freedom, citing cancellations of art exhibits and a previous attempt to separate IU from the Kinsey Institute.
No-confidence votes carry no legal authority. However, they are not easily ignored by the institution's governing board.
The last no-confidence vote for a university president was taken in 2005 against Adam Herbert, who ultimately decided to retire at the end of his initial contract.
Following the vote, Whitten issued a statement that read, in part:
"While we will not always agree, our community is made stronger by an array of viewpoints and voices—including those expressed as part of this process.
We serve at a time when trust in higher education is at record lows, and expectations for our role as an economic and cultural driver are at record highs. Our self-concept of purpose and value often differs wildly from how we are viewed by lawmakers, civic leaders, industry and much of the general public. Such differences are not tenable forever.
There is no going back to an earlier time. Demographic changes, resulting financial realities, and political developments are only accelerating. To combat the challenges that mark this new environment, I welcome thoughtful ideas and consideration."