The faculty have spoken

When faculty votes were finally tallied, the message was clear: IU-Bloomington professors want a review of IU president Adam Herbert. By a three-to-one margin, faculty members voted in favor of the resolution for the IU board of trustees to formally and publicly conduct a midterm review of Herbert's performance as University president. \nThough the Indiana Daily Student initially had reservations about such a review ("IDS votes 'no' on resolution to review Herbert," Nov. 28), now that the faculty have spoken in such a forceful manner, with their Nov. 30 vote announcement, we ask the trustees to exercise their power and conduct a thorough review of Herbert to put the whole issue of his effectiveness to rest. More than 750 faculty members on IU's oldest campus have spoken and the trustees have an obligation to uphold the long tradition of faculty governance at IUB. \nWe ask the trustees, who work very closely with Herbert, to rise above their relationship with him and conduct a review of the president with authority and openness. More importantly, the board, an institution which has rubber stamped even the most controversial proposals like the athletics fee, must rise above its status quo. The board must be meticulous in its review process. As outlined in our Nov. 21 editorial, "Considering a proper midterm evaluation," the board must clearly define the criticism against Herbert and cooperate with community members, donors and any others who have good insight into how the president performs his duties. \nSuch a review, no matter the outcome, could ultimately benefit the University. If, after extensive and transparent investigation, the board finds Herbert has been conducting his duties well, he will emerge from the process stronger than ever. This will quiet all but the most unreasonable of critics and put the president in a position of strength with the community, and more importantly with donors. As it is, the issue of Herbert's effectiveness is up in the air as far as the public is concerned. \nIf the board, after careful review, cites a few specific concerns it has with Herbert's job performance, it will give the president a specific list of things to improve upon, instead of the muddled criticisms, much of which Herbert has often dismissed as personal attacks. And, after Herbert rises to the occasion, it will also settle the issue of his job performance with faculty and donors.\nWhat would not be helpful is if the board issues another resolution like it did at their November meeting at IU-East in which members unanimously voiced their support of Herbert's decision to continue the IUB chancellor search after conferring with each other in a closed-door executive session. This would solve nothing and settle even less. Furthermore, it would be a show of contempt for the wishes of a large number of faculty at IU's largest campus.