By Olivia Krauth–

In an interaction one professor called “admittedly difficult,” President James Ramsey’s routine president report to the faculty senate today quickly became uneasy.

Ramsey came to discuss two things: state budget cuts and the provost search. Ramsey said some faculty members were “surprised and shocked” they were doing an internal search for provost.

“I was surprised and shocked that you were shocked and surprised,” Ramsey said.

Faculty members in attendance were unhappy the provost search was only open for internal candidates, not allowing people outside of U of L to apply.

“We have a need to have a national presence. We tend to hire many of our prior deans, provosts, whatever, internally. I think by bringing other individuals in from all over the country, that provides us with a national reputation building process,” one faculty member said, beginning a discussion on the decision to focus the provost search internally.

“We need new people coming in from outside having an impact on what we do.”

Ramsey said the former board of trustees wanted a mix of internal and external leaders at U of L to not stifle leadership development but also raise our national profile.

Another faculty member, who requested anonymity, continued the discussion.

“There’s a lot going that we do not feel we know about, that we do not feel included in,” they said.

Faculty members later said they were asked for their opinion once on how the search should be run, with one saying, “I did not realize that was our only opportunity to weigh in.”

“He heard the opinion, but not necessarily from all of us,” they continued, saying they thought an external search was necessary.

“I’m going to do the best that I can for as long as I can,” Ramsey said. “I’ll be blunt – I don’t know how much longer I will be here.”

The back-and-forth continued in a half-full Chao Auditorium, with several faculty members quietly listening.

“You’re saying there’s no possibility of redefining that search,” the faculty member asked Ramsey.

“I think it’s time to move on,” Ramsey responded after a long pause.

“I’d like to go in different direction with this conversation if we can,” one faculty member said after Ramsey, ending the tense 11 minute discussion. Ramsey discussed the budget and answered questions for another 30 minutes before leaving.

When asked after the meeting, Ramsey said the quote was normal and he has said similar things in public speeches. Ramsey recently spoke at the Rotary Club of Louisville, where he said, “I’m 67 years old and I don’t know how much longer I’m going to have all this fun.”

“I’m 67 years old, my wife’s having some health issues,” Ramsey said after today’s meeting. “I never expected to work this long, so I’m just playing this out.”

The faculty senate meets the first Wednesday of every month at 3 p.m. in the Chao Auditorium.

 

File photo / The Louisville Cardinal