ASHLAND, Ohio -- The Ashland University Board of Trustees has reaffirmed its support of AU President Carlos Campo, days after the University Faculty Senate issued a no confidence vote and called on the Board to seek new executive leadership.
“The Ashland University Board of Trustees reaffirms our strong and ongoing support for President Campo and continues to believe in his leadership and ability to lead Ashland University successfully in the days ahead,” Board Chairman James H. Hess said in a statement. “We realize that during difficult times, leaders must take decisive actions. Be assured that President Campo and the Board make decisions with the best interests of the Ashland University community in mind.
“The Board of Trustees and President Campo are committed to continued improvement in collaborating and communicating with the Faculty.”
A Faculty Senate vote of “no confidence” is an avenue by which the Faculty Senate has to express its concerns and is not unusual in the realm of higher education. Universities whose administrators have been subject to these votes include Harvard, Louisiana State University, The University of Akron and, most recently, Ohio University in Athens.
According to independent research published by the Wall Street Journal, colleges and universities nationwide averaged 15 no-confidence votes annually between 2013-2017, a rate that is five times greater than the rate yielded between 2000-2004.
“These are difficult times in higher education all across the country and navigating through them requires making difficult and often painful decisions. Perhaps most difficult of all are those decisions that will impact the lives and careers of the Ashland University family,” Hess said.
“But the fact is, we can no longer embrace what we have for years known as the status quo. Thus, each and every decision is made with an eye toward the University’s ability to continue to offer a transformative academic experience now and in the future. We owe that to those who have gone before us, those who support us now and for the generations of Ashland University students to come. Difficult decisions at times are unpopular, and this is one of those times.”