The faculty of Emory University’s College of Arts and Sciences voted against a motion of no confidence in President James W. Wagner.
In February of this year, Wagner came under fire for using the three-fifths slavery compromise as an example to the benefits of a compromise regarding the school’s impending academic changes.
The voting window began last Monday and ended Friday.
530 faculty members were eligible to vote, but not all did, says professor Stefan Lutz.
“The total participation was 334 votes casted. That’s about 63 percent.”
Lutz, an associate professor in the department of chemistry, is also this year’s chair of Emory College’s faculty governance.
At stake for President James Wagner was the possibility of a no confidence vote from the faculty based on his ability to effectively lead the university.
The final tally was 201 to 133 against a motion of no confidence in Pres. Wagner.
Lutz says the votes were cast electronically and anonymously.
“That was part of the whole process of also going to an electronic vote so that people could vote without there being a record who voted or so.”
From his perspective, Professor Lutz admits the turmoil surrounding President Wagner has been a challenging and educational experience.
Lutz has been at Emory for eleven years.
He says trying to lead the faculty group “in daring and challenging times” makes for a challenge task.
Part of a statement posted on the Emory college website cited Pres. Wagner as saying “I respect the views of all of our faculty and their right to express concern about the leadership and direction of our institution, and I take to heart the significance of this vote.”
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