Massey has come under harsh criticism for toxic coal sludge spills in Kentucky waterways, numerous deaths at Massey-owned mines including the Aracoma Alma Mine accident, and the practice of mountaintop removal mining. According to a spokesperson for the House of Delegates, multiple Republican members also signed on to a separate copy of the same statement.Gee had served on the board of controversial coal company Massey Energy since 2000, but resigned in May 2009 in response to a prolonged citizen campaign focused on Massey's worker safety and environmental record. Gee and his leadership team, and we stand fully beside them as friends and partners as they continue to lead West Virginia into the future.”Ī total of 19 GOP senators co-signed the statement, including Majority Whip Ryan Weld, R-Brooke. “We believe that is what West Virginia University is fortunate to have in Dr. “While the nature of uncertain times and continuous change are troubling to many, the greatest asset an institution can have during those times is reliable, compassionate, capable leadership,” Blair wrote. West Virginia Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, issued a statement on behalf of Senate Republicans in support of Gee, calling the veteran president a “leader who cares deeply about the students and faculty he serves.” Officials from across the state weighed in on the no-confidence resolution Monday. “I know that many of you are tired, frustrated, anxious and even angry,” Reed said, “but in my humble opinion, I think there are far more productive ways for faculty to share their concerns than through this resolution.” I want to make a difference in the life of this university and I wanted to transform the university, and we have.”ĭuring her time, Reed explicitly denounced the resolution. “One should be doing something else, but I am here. “At age 77, one should not be a university president,” Gee said. They highlighted many of the accomplishments made under their respective tenures, mentioning changing the culture, transforming fundraising and hiring “world-class” scholars, among others, ultimately attempting to refute the resolution. Gee and Reed were given a chance to address the faculty senate, ultimately speaking for a combined 14 minutes. Maybe come up with a solution of redress or better communication.”Īn attempt to table the resolution and send it to the entire Faculty Assembly also failed. “But I think that maybe the administration and these people and maybe some representatives from the Faculty Senate could have a discussion about this, and maybe come to some kind of resolution. “It sounds like quite a few people have issue with this administration,” Marian Armour-Gemmen, representing WVU Libraries, said. “This is, overall, meant to be an attempt to restore shared governance at this institution, which is very much needed,” associate professor of political science Scott Crichlow said, in favor.
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Speakers, both in person and via video conference, represented both stances of the resolution.
#GORDON GEE PROFESSIONAL#
The final resolution claimed the administration “has exhibited a pattern of failing to respect shared governance and working outside of professional norms that has broad implications for campus climate, the reputation of the university, and the university’s commitment both to providing a high-quality education and to carrying out first-rate scholarship,” “has refused to engage in open, inclusive, systematic practices for hiring qualified candidates for its senior administrative team,” “has failed to carry out a transparent Academic Transformation process” and “has failed to respect either professional norms or relevant academic qualifications and expertise when filling top-tier university positions.”
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One of those concerns - the lack of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students and staff - was removed from the resolution. The initial resolution, which was penned by multiple faculty members, listed five different qualms with university leadership. Gee has served as the university’s president since 2014, while Reed was elevated to her current role in 2019 after serving as the dean of WVU’s Reed College of Media for 15 years. Only 20 senate members voted in support of the no confidence vote, with 103 voting against. WVU’s Faculty Senate struck down a non-binding resolution during a Monday afternoon meeting.