'Dismissal,' 'disregard,' 'disdain': U. Senate votes no confidence in Holloway

Yesterday, the Rutgers University Senate, representing students, faculty, staff and alumni, passed a resolution, voting no confidence regarding University President Jonathan Holloway's effectiveness in leading Rutgers.

The vote passed 65 percent, or 89 votes in favor to 47 against the resolution, after it was added to the meeting agenda by Paul Boxer, a professor in the Department of Psychology.

The resolution cites various grievances against Holloway's actions as University president, including threatening to file an injunction against striking faculty, delayed labor contacts, the medical school merger decision without Senate support, an increase in tuition, housing and dining costs and the nonrenewal of Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor's contract.

"We were told just last week that the President would not come and address us here or engage any questions and answers with us here," Boxer said during a discussion before the vote. "He has had multiple opportunities to respond to our conciliatory approaches."

"A vote of no confidence does not have to be the end of the conversation. I believe it's the beginning of a new conversation. And I think it's high time that that conversation be had. Far too many things, acting against the best interests of our University community, have happened," Boxer said.

The week before yesterday's meeting, Holloway sent a letter addressed to Adrienne Simonds, chair of the University Senate, stating that he would not attend the Fall Senate meeting as the President usually does. He said he will speak to the Senate at a broader live-streamed Stakeholder Address on October 24.

In a statement to The Daily Targum, University Spokesperson Dory Devlin said Holloway will keep working with the Rutgers community and University Senate.

"Shared governance remains a priority undergirding academic policies and academic improvement, and the Holloway administration will continue to engage the senate to promote a shared vision, understanding and support for the institution's academic progress," the statement read.