WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-UAH Faculty Senate consider vote to censure president

UAH Faculty Senate consider vote to censure president

By Elizabeth Gentle – bio | email
Posted by Dana Franks - email

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - The Faculty Senate at the University of Alabama at Huntsville said Thursday that they're tired of being left out of the decision-making process at the university.

They said they want the school's president, Dr. David Williams, to provide requested information on issues that impact the campus. The school's housing issue sparked the faculty's request.

Some faculty members said they found out about the residence requirement through students who watched it on WAFF 48 News.

Now the Faculty Senate wants more input from the school's president

Williams made a speech to the Faculty Senate that was brief but blunt when discussing a new requirement that freshmen and sophomores live on campus next fall.

"The policy is not and never was a no-exclusion policy," Williams said.

Many faculty members said they feel the residence requirement will make UA Huntsville less affordable and less competitive.

They also said they should have been given more information by Williams before a decision was made.

"We all found out about it I believe after the decision had been publicly announced,'' said one Faculty Senate member.

The Faculty Senate is considering a vote of censure against Williams, who said housing and improving communication is among his administration's goals.

However, members of the Senate said they are frustrated, saying they feel ignored and not taken seriously.

"I think this Senate has attempted to communicate to the administration that we would like to be involved in shared governments," said a Faculty Senate member.

The Senate requested information from the administration, seeking letters and emails from the community on the housing policy. Williams said those details have private information and cannot be shared with everyone.

Faculty members said they just want a voice.

"It affects us all internally," said faculty member Carolyn Sanders. "We are running scared about enrollment next year. It affect the community in a way that almost no other issue does."

Faculty members voted in favor for a second reading of the censure bill. They will vote on a third reading in January.

©2009 WAFF. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.