“Specific charges include compliance issues with Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation, erosion of shared governance, declining student success, elimination of major academic and student programs, inadequate enrollment management, poor budgeting practices and controls, and fiscal management,” according to the release.
Morah said the 11 members who voted represent all full-time, regular faculty at the university, which she said does not have an official faculty senate. Nine of their 11 members are also part of the Wilberforce Faculty Union Association, the union for faculty members at the university.
Morah said faculty have brought their concerns to the Board of Trustees previously but have not been listened to. She said faculty are now barred from Board of Trustee meetings. Wilberforce is a private university.
“All the board does, instead of listening to what we’re saying, instead of really reading the reports of HLC, whatever the president brings to them is what they rubber stamp,” Morah said. “You know, boards cannot and should not — do not — operate like that.”
In a statement, Wilberforce University trustees questioned how wide the support was for the vote that the full-time faculty took and disputed some of the concerns that faculty outlined in their letter.
“While it was reported that eleven faculty members were present (at the vote) that has not been confirmed,” university officials said in a statement. “It must also be noted that eleven faculty members represent a very small fraction of the total number of 114 Wilberforce University workforce faculty and staff.”
The university noted Wilberforce University is accredited from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) without any sanctions. The university was removed from probation on Nov. 4 with no additional sanctions.
“We view the release of this misinformation to the media as an irresponsible act designed to embarrass the individuals and the University and weaken its public profile. It is important to correct the public record with truth in order to protect the University and its future,” Wilberforce trustees said.
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