COLUMN: Academic Senate has needed power, needs to continue asking tough questions
Academic Senate has the power to change Central Michigan University.
It's easy to tell when reading through quotes from Central Michigan University's leadership.
In a media meeting following the Dec. 8 board of trustees meeting, I was among several meeting with University President George Ross, former-Chairwoman Sarah Opperman and Chairman Sam Kottamasu.
But in the meeting one thing was clear — A-Senate needs to continue questioning what is going on at CMU.
During several questions regarding the College of Medicine, I asked Ross how he felt about the A-Senate approving the halt of “all work by, toward, and on behalf of the College of Medicine pertaining to curriculum, non-curricular policies and procedures, and faculty recruitment be suspended until such time as the above concerns have been addressed by and to the satisfaction of the Academic Senate," in early November.
I asked if the motion was still on the table following a dispute about how the vote was taken between Provost Gary Shapiro and A-Senate Chairman Jim McDonald. Ross said he hadn't heard of it being nullified, so the follow-up question was how he felt about the possibility of any halt of CMED. For the sake of clarity, readers should know this is only several days after the A-Senate took a vote against Ross and Shapiro.
"I am concerned a group of senators would act outside of the senate process," Ross responded.
Before another question could be asked, I quickly said how I understand that but asked directly how he felt about CMED.
"I am concerned a group of senators would act outside of the senate process," he responded again.
I explained how I understood the frustration, but asked how he felt about CMED.
"I am concerned a group of senators would act outside of the senate process," he responded yet again, garnering a few laughs from other journalists in the room as they looked at me.
The non-answer answer wasn't surprising, but it does need to be pointed out. I know Ross and other officials know the need for good "public relations," but this isn't the time for that. This is the time for answers, not denial of problems.
But that wasn't the only thing to stick out from that meeting.
Opperman told reporters she thinks it's a minority of people who are angry with the current state of affairs at CMU.
Both seemed unconcerned with any problems, which left me thinking.
So far A-Senate has demanded answers in regard to the lack of leadership and issues with CMED, and it's about time.
If Ross is unsure what these moves mean, that leaves the ball in A-Senate's court to stand up and demand more answers, both on the financial and academic structures of CMU.
Senators need to realize now, more than ever, is the time to ask questions and demand answers.
