U of I trustees want university president to gain faculty support
By Dulce MoraU of I trustees want university president to gain faculty support
By Dulce MoraThe sentiment comes a week after 130 faculty members from the university’s Champaign-Urbana campus called for President Michael Hogan’s dismissal. In that letter, the faculty wrote they had “no confidence in President Hogan’s leadership.”
The letter prompted Monday’s emergency closed meeting between the trustees and Hogan. The board took no direct action at the meeting, but board chairman Christopher Kennedy said it was productive.
“We let him (President Hogan) know we thought we needed our people to change or we needed change in our people,” said Kennedy. Kennedy said the board still stands by Hogan, though he acknowledged the concerns raised by faculty.
“When we have so many of our incredibly important professors writing letters to us that express their concern, that, in and of itself, represents concern on the part of the trustees,” said Kennedy.
He added that board members expect President Hogan to identify specific actions that will help regain the faculty’s support. Kennedy said the board will review Hogan’s job performance frequently, beginning March 15.