In a symbolic move, the majority of UW-Oshkosh faculty have expressed their lack of confidence in Chancellor Andrew Leavitt’s leadership. Following deep staff cuts last fall, where one in six jobs were eliminated, the Faculty Senate released the results of a no-confidence vote with an 81% participation rate.
Out of 281 faculty members, 58% indicated they had no confidence in Leavitt’s leadership, while 23% voted in favor of him. The vote was called after a petition was filed citing financial and administrative issues, particularly the loss of 20% of the university’s workforce due to budget cuts.
In response to the vote, a statement from the union said, “Seventy-two percent of the 229 faculty voters confirmed in a formal referendum that Leavitt is not the right person for this job.” The petition highlighted areas where faculty felt Leavitt fell short, including overspending of revenues, budget crisis, and a disregard for shared governance groups.
Leavitt refuted many of the points made in the petition, attributing the university’s financial woes to budget cuts and past illegal activities. Despite the no-confidence vote, Leavitt emphasized the importance of listening to prospective learners and earning their confidence.
The university’s budget gap currently stands at $3 million, even after significant staff cuts and cost-cutting measures. The broader financial challenges facing Wisconsin’s public universities are attributed to declining enrollment, an aging population, and reduced state support over the past decade.