Henderson State faculty’s no-confidence measure passes

University’s board urged to make administrative changes

Tenured faculty members at Henderson State University have approved a no-confidence measure in the Arkadelphia college’s president and three of its vice presidents after a $ 3.2 million budget deficit led to layoffs and other cuts.

“With deep regret, the senior tenured faculty of Henderson State University have voted no confidence in our present administration,” the measure says.

It urges Henderson’s board of trustees, which meets Friday, to place President Glen Jones on a oneyear provisional contract and to dismiss the three vice presidents from “their official responsibilities effective immediately.”

The vice presidents are Steve Adkison, provost and head of academic affairs; Brett Powell, who heads finance and administration and student affairs; and Jennifer Boyett, who oversees university advancement and is executive director of the Henderson Foundation.

“We maintain that they are unfit for leadership,” the ballot measure says.

It also accuses the vice presidents of “Dishonesty, and a lack of accountability for their actions and words,” says they lack “fiduciary responsibility” and cites “excessive spending and depletion of our financial reserves.” The vice presidents have significantly increased the university’s debt and have shown a lack “of transparency and communication with faculty and staff,” it says.

None of the vice presidents, Jones or university spokesman Tina Hall replied to requests seeking comment. Hall did, however, respond to requests under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, including one for the vote totals.

Results of the online and anonymous voting, which began over the weekend and ended at noon Tuesday:

■ Favor no-confidence: 47 or 64.4 percent.

■ Oppose no-confidence: 18 or 24.7 percent.

■ Abstain: 8 or 11 percent.

The university employs 86 tenured faculty members. Thirteen did not take part in the vote.

Hall also released an email in which she advised faculty and staff members after the voting concluded that the Planning and Budget Committee had on Monday approved a revised budget recommendation returning matching retirement contributions to 10 percent instead of the previously proposed 5 percent level.

While that appeared to be a victory for faculty members, there was no immediate indication that the administration planned to reinstate seven laid-off staff members, as the faculty also requested.