Why It Matters
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma faces internal governance challenges as faculty members express dissatisfaction with proposed administrative changes.
What Happened
Faculty at the 118-year-old public liberal arts college voted on Sept. 3 to adopt a resolution of no confidence in President Kayla Hale and Vice President for Academic Affairs Makenna Garrison, according to reporting from oklahomawatch.org.
The vote passed with 40 votes in favor, one opposed, and four abstentions.
Faculty leaders argue that proposed policy changes would result in larger class sizes, increased reliance on online instruction and adjunct instructors, and the consolidation or elimination of academic programs. They also cite concerns about shifting curriculum authority from faculty to administrators and altering the school’s distinctive academic calendar.
The proposals include eliminating tenure for new hires, a requirement stemming from a gubernatorial executive order, and removing all references to tenure from institutional policy.
Faculty acknowledge the administration must address politically motivated directives from state and federal officials and update an outdated faculty handbook. However, they characterize the proposed measures as excessive.
By the Numbers
118 — years of operation for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
40 — votes in favor of the no-confidence resolution
1 — vote opposed to the resolution
4 — abstentions in the faculty vote
Zoom Out
Tensions between faculty and administration over tenure policies and curriculum control reflect broader debates at public institutions regarding academic governance and compliance with state directives.
What’s Next
The proposed policy changes are scheduled for discussion at a Thursday meeting of the USAO Board of Regents. Jeannette Loutsch noted that faculty had a voice in matters six months ago, adding, “I’m not saying our ideas are right or their ideas are wrong.”, as first reported by the Oklahoma Watch