Tensions ran high at SUNY-ESF last spring as former President Quentin Wheeler faced intensifying opposition from college faculty on a number of issues. Academic Governance, SUNY-ESF’s faculty governing body, prepared to vote no confidence in Wheeler for a second time since November 2016 as the Graduate Student Association and the faculty union called for Wheeler’s contract to be terminated. 

Wheeler announced in March 2018 that he would resign by the end of June after weeks of increased conflict between college administrators and faculty. Here is a breakdown of the initiatives that heightened tensions between SUNY-ESF administrators and faculty:

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Vote of no confidence

AG voted no confidence in Wheeler in November 2016, citing what they called examples of poor leadership and a climate of fear in speaking out against his agenda. The 92 to 55 vote didn’t affect Wheeler’s tenure, but sent a clear signal about the campus community’s concerns to university stakeholders.

A bill of particulars listed Wheeler’s failures with SUNY-ESF’s strategic plan, obtaining funding and managing financial resources and his relationship with the Board of Trustees. It was released in February 2016. Other examples AG listed as poor leadership included ignoring objections about his interim provost appointment and decisions “that further the President’s agenda rather than promoting ESF’s shared goals and vision.”

AG passed a resolution in December 2017 calling for increased consultation between college administrators and faculty. The resolution urged the SUNY-ESF Board of Trustees to consider Wheeler’s “ongoing inability to effectively consult with faculty” on decisions impacting the university’s academic mission when reviewing his reappointment.

Removal of three department chairs

SUNY-ESF abruptly removed three department chairs from their positions just days before the start of the 2018 spring semester as the college implemented a new policy limiting department chairs to two three-year terms.

David Newman, chair of the forest and natural resources management department; Gary Scott, chair of the paper and bioprocess engineering department; and Donald Leopold, chair of the environmental and forest biology department, were told to step down from their positions in January.

Newman — in an email obtained by The Daily Orange to his department’s students — said he originally believed he would step down in August and the action to remove him immediately was taken against the “advice and overwhelming objection” of the department faculty. Leopold also said in an interview with The D.O. that he believed he would step down in August.

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Though the three former department chairs were allowed to remain part of the faculty, it was unclear how their positions would be temporary filled.

“The students have not been told who they should talk to in the case where they need a department chair,” said Kelley Donaghy, a chemistry professor at SUNY-ESF and former AG executive chair, in a January interview.

Wheeler, at a January town hall with administrators and SUNY-ESF students, said the department chairs were removed because they did not work to implement decisions agreed upon by leaders in the administration. He said the chairs needed to “pull in the same direction” as other college leaders on initiatives like increasing out-of-state applications and attracting donors.

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Wheeler’s resignation

Multiple campus organizations attempted to address the tense situation on campus.

The GSA released a statement expressing “disappointment” in what it said was a lack of consultation with the group about academic initiatives. The Undergraduate Student Association passed a resolution calling for campus-wide reconciliation and clarification of major academic strategic plans.

In March, 85 percent of SUNY-ESF’s faculty union, United University Professions, voted to recommend Wheeler’s contract be terminated. AG then approved the first steps to vote no confidence in Wheeler for a second time in less than two years.

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The next day, March 21, Wheeler announced in an email to the SUNY-ESF campus community that he would resign by the end of June.

“Opposition to initiatives focused on the financial, academic, and research foundations of the College have become a distraction to our students, faculty and staff, and the administration,” Wheeler said in the email.

David C. Amberg was appointed interim president by the SUNY-ESF Board of Trustees, SUNY-ESF announced in June. Amberg, who previously served as vice president for research at SUNY Upstate Medical University, began his term on July 1. SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson and the SUNY Board of Trustees will begin a search for SUNY-ESF’s next permanent president, according to a SUNY press release.

Process for choosing a new president

According to SUNY guidelines for conducting a presidential search, a search committee made up of six full-time faculty members, a student and others will determine acceptable candidates.

The College Council then presents three finalists from that pool to the chancellor, who interviews each candidate. The three candidates may also give a presentation to SUNY senior staff and members of the SUNY Board of Trustees. The board then reviews the chancellor’s choice for president.

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Nepotism accusations

Administrators were asked at the January town hall whether they considered hiring the wife of Provost and Executive Vice President Nosa Egiebor as a part-time employee nepotism.

“She was not hired into a position without a search,” Egiebor said at the time. The provost also said it was a “spousal hire” and a condition of his employment that the university hire her when a position became available.

Egiebor said that his wife was hired to help develop an English as a second language program and has a doctorate in social sciences. SUNY-ESF is hoping to bring more international students, the provost added, who will need language services.

“There’s nothing to do with nepotism, but that might just be the rumor on campus,” Egiebor said.

Wheeler and Egiebor said spousal hires are common in higher education.

Published on August 28, 2018 at 1:27 am

Contact Mary: mdcatalf@syr.edu | @mrycatalfamo