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WEST LIBERTY -- Following an overwhelming vote of no confidence in West Liberty University President W. Franklin Evans on Wednesday, the WLU faculty senate will go before the university's board of governors Wednesday with its recommendations.
Inside Higher Ed reported Thursday that the West Liberty faculty senate took that vote, and senate Chair Sean Ryan confirmed that vote in a Thursday night statement. The vote, Ryan said, passed 14-1 with one abstention.
Evans narrowly avoided being fired by the WLU board for plagiarism in multiple speeches he has made as university president. Evans apologized for not giving other sources proper attribution in those speeches. The board voted Oct. 20 7-5 to retain him, though it voted unanimously to subject him to future unspecified disciplinary action.
Ryan also said that Inside Higher Ed's report that "the senate suggested to the board of governors that Evans not be involved in future personnel decisions at the college, including hiring, firing, promotion and tenure" was not accurate.
"The actions of the faculty senate meeting have not been communicated to the board at this point," Ryan wrote in the statement. "The recommendations of the senate will be communicated to the board of governors properly at the Nov. 3 Board of Governors meeting."
Ryan also wrote that the reference to the senate suggestion to the board on limiting Evans' involvement in future personnel decisions for faculty was "woefully incomplete."
"The purpose behind the recommendations is important and was not mentioned at all," Ryan wrote. "It was discussed in the senate meeting as a recommendation that is intended to establish a professional and ethical environment where staff and faculty feel free to voice candid, but professional perspectives. Such an environment will facilitate the rebuilding of trust between the president, faculty and Sstaff."
Ryan added that another recommendation was made and not reported by Inside Higher Ed, that the board have Evans work with the faculty senate to draft and implement an academic integrity policy applicable to all university employees.
Ryan also added that, while some are not satisfied with the board's decision to retain Evans, the process to reach that decision must be respected.
"(W)e followed the correct process and the board rendered their decision," he wrote. "As a professional, I believe it is important to respect that decision as we wait for the board to determine appropriate punitive actions."
The WLU board will consult with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission on the proper punitive measures for Evans. The HEPC said last week that it will assist the board, but a final decision on punishment must come from the board through its own policies.