Hardin-Simmons faculty issues no-confidence vote, wants Bruntmyer replaced
Hardin-Simmons University's faculty has issued a vote of no confidence in university President Eric Bruntmyer and called for his termination, citing in a statement "serious concerns over the health and future of the university under the current administration."
Faculty members requested HSU's Board of Trustees "begin the replacement process for the university’s top leader," according to a statement shared by Jennifer Eames, HSU faculty president and director of its physician assistant program.
The vote was the result of "a meeting of the entire faculty," Eames said, adding she was "not at liberty to release the percentage (who voted in favor), but it's more than required to pass a motion by our bylaws."
The situation first was reported by the Baptist Standard and confirmed by Eames on Monday to the Reporter-News.
The school's faculty council, the elected leadership group within HSU's faculty, shared the results with the board in the form of a letter, she said.
Bruntmyer was selected to lead the university as its 16th president in 2016, to follow retiring president Lanny Hall.
Coming to Abilene from Dallas Baptist University, he took the reins at an investiture ceremony in September of that year.
More:New HSU President: Eric Bruntmyer Named 16th president of Hardin-Simmons University
Controversies revisited
The HSU board of trustees has supported Bruntmyer, but controversies have dogged his tenure.
Rick Strange, chairman of the that board, said the vote did not include all the faculty or any staff.
“I have worked closely with President Bruntmyer for the last several years and have observed, first hand, the tremendous work he has done for Hardin-Simmons. His actions, which have all been supported by the board, along with the difficult but necessary decision made by the board during the last several years have positioned HSU for a bright future," Strange said in a statement released by the university.
"The board has great confidence in President Bruntmyer and the university’s direction.”
Those issues that stirred controversy include the closing of Logsdon Seminary and related programs in 2020, following staff reductions in 2018.
This year, McMurry University filed a lawsuit that claims HSU breached the contract with the crosstown Methodist university regarding operation of Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing.
The nursing school was founded in 1979 by HSU, McMurry and Abilene Christian University, which bowed out in 2012 to start its own nursing program.
Action 'merited'
A letter to the board that communicated the results of the no confidence vote stated: “We have waited, meeting after meeting, decision after decision, patiently giving space for any signs of stabilization or improvement. The continuous declining results we have seen to date merit action now.”
In a statement, Eames said Hardin-Simmons' namesake, James B. Simmons, was "an abolitionist minister who was not afraid to boldly speak out against injustice."
"We must be brave like Simmons," she said. "The institution has a proud legacy and a potentially bright future, but it is clear the university cannot uphold its historic mission and continue to thrive with the current leadership. Therefore, change is needed."
List of concerns
Specific concerns cited by faculty include “a sharp decline (25%) in enrollment during Bruntmyer’s time in office” and “a lack of drop in expenditures despite steep program and faculty cuts.”
Hardin-Simmons reported a fall enrollment of 1,765. Of those, 428 are new students.
In Abilene, both ACU and McMurry reported solid increases in enrollment. McMurry now 1,245 students this fall.
The statement says more than 50 faculty have either been cut or have left HSU in the past six years, and more indicate they either intend to leave or are currently seeking employment elsewhere.
Other factors driving the vote, according to a statement shared by Eames, include:
A failure to raise funds.
A consistent failure to establish, engage in or develop shared governance as required by accreditation.
Unanswered questions regarding reallocating endowment funds.
Poor handling of the development and implementation of a University Statement of Faith, including "Baptist faculty outcry against the required signature of a Confession of Faith."
Moral 'devastated'
Speaking Monday to the Reporter-News, Eames said faculty morale had been "devastated."
"A survey was done of the faculty (that) revealed significant concerns with the president and how he is completing his job duties," she said, including concerns about "how we're managing one crisis after another."
A "cohesive vision moving forward" is needed, she said.
"My goal is not to hurt the university," Eames said. "We want the university to succeed ... by moving in a different direction."
Eames said data has not been collected on how faculty morale is affecting students' experience, though "we hope that it doesn't."
"We love our students," she said. "That's why we all do this. It's a calling to us as faculty. And in order to continue forward for the betterment of the university, we really think we just need some new leadership and direction ... to get it back to where it needs to be."
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Hardin-Simmons faculty issues no-confidence vote, wants Bruntmyer replaced
