IDS votes 'no' on resolution to review Herbert

In light of the Bloomington faculty vote (which ended 5 p.m. Friday) on a resolution to review Adam Herbert's performance as IU president, we thought it was high time the Indiana Daily Student take a stance on the recent hullabaloo that has dominated discussion on our campus. \nSince the debacle began (when Herbert chose to delay the IUB chancellor search), the Bloomington faculty has dictated the debate, and we've dutifully reported its concerns on the front page of the IDS. We've written staff editorials encouraging a civil and mature debate, and we've criticized many of Herbert's decisions. We've implied our distaste for a partial, biased resolution. We've tried to highlight the need to consider the input of more IU students and faculty from the other seven IU campuses. We want an IUB chancellor above all else. But until now, we haven't explicitly declared a stance on the resolution. \nA midterm evaluation of Herbert would waste the trustees' time, cause unnecessary insult to injury and further fuel allegations of racism. \nWe strongly commend IUB faculty members for taking an active role in the policies and administrative affairs of IU; after all, they are the foundation of the University. "... The (Bloomington Faculty Council) constitution provides this process for raising issues of importance with members of the Bloomington campus faculty," law professor Fred Cate told the IDS. The faculty has made its point clear. We, too, have concerns about Herbert's job performance and hope to continue keeping him accountable for his actions. But what might have been legitimate University concerns now seem like petty complaints to tired ears. We understand many are skeptical about Herbert's performance. By now, he should be well aware of the complaints. They've been publicly aired in the media for weeks, and if he fails to act on them, it's the truest testament to his character as a leader.\nNonetheless, we must ask: What will a review by the board of trustees accomplish?\nThe trustees have other external jobs, they do not have time to waste evaluating a president when IUB already lacks a chancellor. Moreover, if the board decided to review Herbert, it's doubtful the trustees would come to a decision of significant importance. Six of the nine trustees were on the board that originally passed a unanimous decision to approve Herbert as president. And only one trustee assured the IDS he would support a review of Herbert.\nIt's unlikely the board would take such a severe stance as to suggest firing the president. Maybe the trustees would publicly reprimand him, but the current scrutiny seems to have provided enough embarrassment. \nWe haven't even considered the possibility that the board might actually disagree with the Bloomington faculty's concerns. This in turn could potentially feed the racial dimension of the debate that has already taken on a life of its own. The Bloomington Black Faculty and Staff Council encouraged fellow black professors to vote "no" on the resolution (see page one). \nWe vote "no" as well. Not because of race, but rather out of concern for the future of our University and education. Let's hold Herbert accountable, but let's also be practical.