The Observer, March 3, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 19
"No-confidence" vote good chance to prove leadership
After denying rumors that he planned to have President Edward Hundert
removed by a vote of no confidence last semester, Dr. Lawrence Krauss has set
the wheels of the second faculty-launched no-confidence vote in Case history in
motion. Citing opposition to the financial and academic direction taken by the
President and Provost as well as doubt in their leadership abilities, Krauss' first move culminated in a vote by the College of Arts and Sciences last night.
While some may not have been aware of the rift that has existed between
Hundert and Krauss over the past few years, there is no question as to why this
broke within the last week. Unfortunately for President Hundert and Provost
John L. Anderson, Krauss jumped on the opportunity created by the resignation
of Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers last week following the votes of
no confidence against him.
The president first responded with a message via Case Daily, calling the
move an example of the "divergent views that are constantly aired and encouraged
on our campus." In an e-mail to the Case faculty and staff, he stood
behind all of the decisions that had been made in the last four years and took
responsibility for the economic pitfalls that the university has seen – mainly
those due to lack of philanthropic support.
It is still to be seen whether the small gestures made will be enough for the
university to move past this. Regardless, the president and provost should take
this opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills to the entire Case community.
Instead of hanging back and waiting for the storm to pass faculty, staff,
and students should be informed on equal levels as to what is actually going
on.
Threads on forum.case.edu, chalking in Nord, and whispers and speculations
around campus are how rumors are started, and without any guidance the students
of Case will come to their own conclusions. If the president and provost
want to keep the confidence of the entire university, they must be forthright and not skirt the issues. Perhaps the president and provost assume that students
have no interest in the hustle and bustle of Adelbert Hall and are satisfied with the short and vague message from last week. However, if the chalking in Nord is any indication of how the student body is reacting to the news, students are willing to tackle this issue and fight for who they believe in – whether on the president and provost's side or Krauss'. Students have every right to be informed about campus occurrences, and to develop their own opinions about the
Case administration.
Krauss has already placed all his cards on the table. The university and public
all know exactly where he stands and the reasoning behind the vote of no
confidence. The president and provost must offer students a substantial argument,and one that includes more than a feeble array of buzzwords. They must
prove that their vision is worth fighting for or else students will only have one side to join.
