When the Faculty No Confidence Vote is this Clear, Listen

Professors are as difficult to herd as cats; they rise to their level of expertise by learning to think for themselves and to think critically, which they often do. Even about administration. When they begin to express their views it is not uncommon for lines to be drawn and the lack of consensus emerges. So, when Bryan College Faculty voted near unanimity for No Confidence in the President, it would be wise for the Board of Trustees to listen.

Adam and Eve were the last straw for faculty at Bryan College.

A controversial clarification to the Christian college’s stance on human origins has brought to a head what professors say are years worth of disappointments in the school’s leadership.

The change has roiled the entire Dayton, Tenn., campus. In just the past three weeks:

• A trustee resigned over the issue.

• Faculty passed an overwhelming vote of no confidence in President Stephen Livesay.

• A tug-of-war has erupted over the school’s future, prompting hundreds of students and alumni to voice their discontent with the recent change and causing faculty to stand up in unprecedented ways.

In a secret ballot Feb. 25, 30 professors voted no confidence in the president, 2 voiced confidence and 6 abstained, according to meeting minutes obtained by the Times Free Press.

Faculty Chairwoman Kathryn Saynes said the vote was not made in haste.

“It was not a quick process,” said Haynes, an assistant professor of education.

Minutes from that meeting point to deeper issues than the administration’s recent stance on creation. Faculty had many concerns over Livesay’s leadership:

“… lack of institutional control, budget was secret, decreases in enrollment, top heavy in administration, neglect for body, poor financial management … authoritarian leadership style — alienated faculty, students, cabinet members. Morale on campus is at all-time low — broken, hurting people.

“We are in danger of losing Bryan College.”