FAIRBANKS — Faculty members at a second branch of the University of Alaska have approved a resolution of no-confidence in the president of the statewide system.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Faculty Senate voted Monday roughly 2-1 to express a lack of confidence in UA President Jim Johnsen, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.
The UA Anchorage Faculty Senate approved a similar measure last month.
UAF faculty complaints focused on decisions Johnsen has made under a statewide reorganization brought on by budget deficits. Faculty members said they want a more meaningful role in decisions.
“He needs our help,” said Gordon Williams, a professor in the UAF Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
A university system spokeswoman defended Johnsen’s record on inclusiveness.
“President Johnsen and the Board of Regents understand that change is necessary, that change makes people uncomfortable and not everyone will be happy with the outcome,” UA spokeswoman Robbie Graham said by email.
The reorganization has involved nearly 250 faculty, staff, students and community members, she said.
Physics professor Don Hampton voted against the resolution and expressed concern about how it might look to the Alaska Legislature. He agreed, however, that communication has broken down.
“I have heard from many faculty members that it seems like what we say kind of ends up in a vacuum,” Hampton said.
The UAF Faculty Senate unanimously passed another resolution asking Johnsen and the Board of Regents to set aside the decision to base the School of Education at the University of Alaska Southeast.
