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On Campus Blog
Alex Friedrich

Metro State profs pass last no-confidence vote

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Faculty at Metropolitan State University passed a vote of "no confidence" in Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system Chancellor Steven Rosenstone Thursday -- meaning all seven state universities have now formally questioned his leadership.

A written announcement from the association said the vote was unanimous, but with four abstentions.

Matt Filner, vice president of the association, said in the statement,  "The faculty has completely lost confidence in the ability of Chancellor Rosenstone to serve the students, faculty and staff of MNSCU. His neglect of students, lack of transparency, lack of respect for the bargaining process, and mismanagement of MNSCU is unacceptable."

No-confidence votes have been passed by faculty at other university campuses over the past three weeks. Their statewide representative, the Inter Faculty Organization, last month decided to stop participating in the chancellor's overhaul of the system. It was joined by the union for faculty at two-year colleges.

Students at Winona State University and Metropolitan State also questioned Rosenstone's leadership earlier this month. Both they and the Inter Faculty Organization have issues a list of concerns they have with the chancellor.

Metro State professor Monte Bute, action coordinator for the organization, said his group sent trustees a list of complaints back in June.

"The Board of Trustees brushed aside those faculty concerns and gave the chancellor a glowing job review," he wrote. "When trustees failed to take our concerns seriously, it precipitated this series of no-confidence votes on the seven campuses."

System spokesman Doug Anderson again issued written statement given previously by Tom Renier, chairman of the Board of Trustees:

It continues to be disappointing that the faculty union is employing this tactic to stop the critical conversations that make up Charting the Future and the change needed to ensure that affordable and accessible higher education remains a reality for all Minnesotans. MnSCU will continue to seek broad input on the ideas produced by the faculty, staff, and students on the implementation teams and welcome the faculty back to the table any time they choose to return.