Petition UE Board of Trustees to Reject UE Realignment

Petition UE Board of Trustees to Reject UE Realignment

Started
December 13, 2020
Petition to
trustees@evansville.edu and 3 others
Signatures: 5,360Next Goal: 7,500
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Why this petition matters

We, University of Evansville (UE) alumni, community members and friends of the University of Evansville, ask that the UE Board of Trustees reject the realignment proposal recently provided by the UE administration that called for the elimination of several departments, majors and faculty positions. We feel the legacy that began in 1854 at Moores Hill College that was built upon a liberal arts education is being threatened, which also calls into question future sustainability for the University itself.

Alumni and supporters of UE believe in the necessity of a liberal arts education to be able to truly fulfill the mission and value statements of the university. Specifically, the value "Education for the Whole Person" would be incapacitated by these cuts.

Many alumni chose UE because of its strong academic programs - in the arts and in the sciences. For example, UE music ensembles are comprised of students majoring in all areas, cultivating intellectual curiousity and development as students broaden their perspectives and experiences. Liberal arts programs provide opportunities that are crafted to be inclusive of a wide variance of backgrounds, talents and cultures.

These programs make a signifcant impact in the Evansville community and economy. Eliminating them will have a negative ripple effect, through schools, houses of worship, hospitals, clinics, and cultural organizations, as each of these are served by connections to the university.

We ask the University of Evansville Board of Trustees:

  • Please reject the realignment proposal presented by the UE Administration
  • Please honor the principles of the University shared governance system, as this system has been the standard for UE policy making for over 100 years, and dictates equity, transparency, and partnership in decision-making
  • Please honor faculty members by working with them collaboratively prior to asking them to make difficult decisions, such as whether to accept buy-out offers to save programs
  • Please honor the input provided by faculty, alumni, current students, and other community stakeholders, allowing reasonable timeframes for decision-making that allow for productive uses of time to collaboratively create sustainable solutions
  • Please examine any proposal with consideration for how approval would affect UE's ability to fully realize its mission and core value statements
  • Please take into consideration the broad negative effects on future enrollment and community relationships should the focus of UE shift away from a core of quality liberal arts programs and offerings

We respectfully ask this with the understanding that sustaining UE through the current economic and social climate is daunting. We ask you to allow us to support this work as we collaborate towards a solution that will truly honor the history, reputation of excellence and legacy that is the University of Evansville.

 

Support now
Signatures: 5,360Next Goal: 7,500
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • trustees@evansville.edu
  • prezp@evansville.edu
  • linda.white@deaconess.com
  • ma352@evansville.edu