SBOE Disbands ISU Senate

Idaho State University’s faculty and administration have failed to find common ground, and once again the State Board of Education has disbanded the university’s faculty senate.

A year ago a provisional senate was formed by the SBOE with the objective of creating a university constitution. Now, time is up, and there’s no constitution and no senate.

Members of the now defunct provisional senate said it’s not for a lack of trying.

They wrote a constitution that faculty voted and agreed on but was rejected by the administration.

They said President Arthur Vailas has a different idea how the university should work.

“Having to work in an environment that is pretty much autocratic where one person rules instead of one person leads,? Provisional Senate Member Robert Croker said.

In the fall semester, faculty will vote for a new senate, but from now until then one won’t exist.

ISU’s administration said it’s not like the faculty senate is the only voice for the faculty, far from it.

“In absence of a faculty senate there are a number of committees and councils that are doing the work of the university. So it’s not like there is a void that needs to be filled,? ISU Director of Communication Mark Levine said.

None of the people in the provisional senate will be allowed to run for a seat in the fall.

Croker said it’s part of a power grab by the Vailas administration.

“We’re going to see a faculty senate that has pretty much been neutered and has little to no responsibility,? Croker said.

The administration said conflict and disagreement is distracting from the real reason the university exists and hopefully there can be a new start.

“So we can get on with the important objective of educating our students,? Levine said.