The Last of 2024
The Marquette Tribune Volume 108, Number 6
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
www.marquettewire.org
campus news since 1916
Interview with President Kimo
Photos by Owen Weis owen.weis@marquette.edu
President Ah Yun previously worked as the Provost and Dean of the College of Communication. He plans on prioritizing the cost of tuition and housing for students. By Sophia Tiedge
sophia.tiedge@marquette.edu
After Kimo Ah Yun was announced the 25th president of Marquette University, the Wire was able to sit down with him following his press conference Wednesday to talk about issues facing campus. Ah Yun has been the acting president since former President Michael Lovell’s passing in June. After a presidential search that involved interviewing current acting provosts, deans and presidents, the
By Sophia Tiedge
Board of Trustees unanimously nominated Ah Yun. Here’s what to know about Ah Yun’s thoughts on campus issues: Communication with Academic Senate University Academic Senate is a group of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students that advise Marquette Administration and the Board of Trustees. As provost, Ah Yun was a part of UAS and attended their monthly meetings. He said having this
experience in his back pocket will help him connect with constituents in every part of campus and keep an open dialogue alive on campus. Even though Ah Yun announced Dean of the College of Communication, Sarah Feldner, as the acting provost Thursday, he said working on the official search for his next provost is high on his priority list. “One of the things that will be high on my priority is having a provost who wants to engage with Senate,” Ah Yun said.
During his time as provost, Ah Yun said he has been able to create ways for UAS to give input on things like the budget and capital projects on campus. “The important thing is to listen and find out what’s happening and ask, ‘what are the ways we can work together to address the most pressing needs,'” Ah Yun said. Vote of no-confidence Marquette UAS announced See KIMO on page 2
MU faculty vote no-confidence
sophia.tiedge@marquette.edu
Marquette University Academic Senate voted no-confidence in the Executive Leadership Team which includes University President Kimo Ah Yun, Executive Vice President Joel Pogodzinski and Acting Provost Sarah Feldner Monday. The vote needed a majority and passed 18-17 with two abstentions. The decision to vote no-confidence means the body does not support the policy of administration. This decision comes amid growing concern among some faculty about communication between University Leadership regarding a proposed increase in faculty workloads, ongoing budget cuts around the Marquette 2031: Securing Our
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Future plan, the number of tenure-track faculty lines, salaries of university executives and rights of Marquette faculty to unionize. Ah Yun was announced as university president last Wednesday, after the resolution to conduct a vote of no-confidence was proposed by UAS Nov. 18. UAS is made up of 38 Marquette faculty, graduate and undergraduate students that serve as an advisory body for University Leadership. Before the vote of no-confidence could happen, 2/3 of the senate needed to vote in favor of having the no-confidence vote. This was also done by anonymous paper ballots and came out to 24-9 in favor of the vote. The no-confidence vote does not
SPORTS.......................................................5 OPINIONS..................................................9 FUN & GAMES........................................10 A&E................................................................11
cause any direct legal action, however at some U.S. colleges in the past year, university presidents have stepped down after votes of no-confidence. “No-confidence votes are becoming increasingly common nationwide due to the growing challenges facing higher education,” Kevin Conway, university spokesperson, said in a statement. “However, it is important to remember that any vote of no-confidence is a non-binding, symbolic act by an academic governance body.” A message from the Marquette Board of Trustees about the vote said they believe the Executive Leadership Team is guiding the university with their Jesuit beliefs at heart.
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“We are committed to continued, respectful dialogue and collaboration to address our complex challenges and create solutions,” the message from the Board of Trustees said. “Those solutions cannot begin and end with tuition increases; we must also look inward at ourselves and how we operate.” Elaine Spiller, a UAS senator that brought the vote of no-confidence resolution to the senate on behalf of concerned faculty, said the reputation of the university and recruitment of faculty and students will not be harmed by this vote. If anything, she said this vote will hopefully evoke some change to draw students and faculty into the university.
Sports
Remaining Resilient Through Recovery
Charia Smith is back after tearing her ACL in an off-season workout. PAGE 7
See VOTE on page 2
A&E
Festive Feast
The Wire's favorite winter comfort foods. PAGE 11