Faculty across the UW System have taken a stand against the actions of system leaders with a symbolic no confidence vote.
The Faculty Senate at UW-Green Bay became the latest to pass a resolution on Wednesday.
The no confidence vote in UW System President Ray Cross and the Board of Regents stems from what professors said is an inability to do what is best for the UW System schools.
"[Cross] has not had the best interest of the UW System and its faculty, and most importantly its students, at heart," said UWGB engineering professor and speaker of the Faculty Senate Patricia Terry.
The Faculty Senate passed with no confidence resolution with a 24-1-1 vote. The resolution expressed frustration with major budget cuts to UW schools, changes to tenure, and the dismantling of shared governance in the system.
"For shared governance to mean that we have a voice in how the University is run and what decisions are made," said Terry.
Governor Walker fired back at a similar resolution at UW-Milwaukee Tuesday, saying in part, "We want to preserve the world-renowned quality of the UW System while protecting students and taxpayers."
However, that's something most faculty members don't believe is happening.
"From the faculty perspective, it's all about the students," said Associate Professor Steve Meyer. "The students are the ones who are eventually going to really feel these budget cuts."
Some faculty members say they're not expecting Cross to step down.
"What we'd really like is for [Cross] and the regents to redouble their efforts," said Assistant Professor Jon Shelton. "To uphold the integrity of the University System."
UW-Green Bay Chancellor Gary Miller has taken a formal stance against the resolution, releasing this statement:
"I deeply respect the right of the members of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Faculty Senate to express their concerns regarding President Cross and the UW Board of Regents. I appreciated the thoughtful nature of the discussion and I certainly understand the collective challenge we are facing. However, I cannot support this action.
