The University of Akron board of trustees has rejected a recommendation to add faculty and other college employees as non-voting members to various board committees.
The board concluded that it already considers proposals brought by the Faculty Senate and University Council, and its committee meetings are open to the public.
Board Chairman Roland Bauer outlined the decision last week in a five-page letter to UA President Matthew Wilson.
While non-voting members won’t be added, the letter states the board will host new “information sessions” with representatives from the Faculty Senate, University Council and student government to discuss issues and concerns. Bauer committed to at least one such session.
He also wrote that he will appoint trustee liaisons to attend Faculty Senate and University Council meetings.
The proposal arose earlier this year from UA’s “Tiger Team,” which examined issues such as the school’s falling enrollment, university governance and financial problems. It also followed a few years of a sour relationship between many students, faculty and staff and the board and administration under former President Scott Scarborough.
Faculty Senate Chairman Bill Rich was disappointed in the board’s response.
“I think the board passed up a good opportunity to strengthen shared governance at the university and to make their decisions better informed than they have been in the past,” he said.
The “information sessions” could prove to be useful, but the board only committed to one and it’s not a substitute for discussion during committee meetings, Rich said.
“It appears the board has chosen to persist in the willful blindness that has gotten the university into its present difficulties,” he added.
The Akron-American Association of University Professors President John Zipp couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
The 11-member board of trustees now includes two non-voting student representatives. The board also has two non-voting advisory trustees.
The nine voting board members and two student representatives are appointed by the governor.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .