Why are r/WVU mods deleting content related to West Virginia University's management?
What are you all afraid of in the truth being seen? West Virginia University Potomac State College is part of the WVU system, it is within scope of this subreddit. It is directly part of WVU.
(Paywall free mirrors for second article: Wayback machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20231028135743/https://www.wvnews.com/mineralnews/faculty-votes-no-confidence-in-psc-chief-of-staff/article_bb087180-7526-11ee-9ca4-fbc3981b501e.html )
From the Metro News article:
Resolution
Resolution of No Confidence in the Leadership of Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff Brady Whipkey
Potomac State College of West Virginia University
Whereas the Faculty Assembly affirms the need for an effective and efficient leadership team to ensure sound academic opportunities and fiscally responsible institutional operations;
WHEREAS the Faculty Assembly affirms the WVU system-wide values of service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation; the mission of the WVU system of “a commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture that advances education, healthcare and prosperity for all by providing access and opportunity; by advancing high-impact research; and by leading transformation in West Virginia and the world through local, state and global engagement”; as well as the mission of Potomac State College to “provide a broad range of high quality associate degree programs as well as baccalaureate degree programs at a reasonable cost with a historic focus on teaching and learning and a commitment to providing access to a better life for all West Virginians”;
WHEREAS the Faculty Assembly affirms the need to act in the best interest of students, and that all decision-making should be made by putting the best interest of students first and foremost;
WHEREAS Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff, Brady Whipkey, has failed to fulfill his duties, as outlined in a memorandum from Campus President Christopher Gilmer (attachment), in the following ways:
· Failed to act as a liaison between the president and the campus community. Faculty represent an integral role within the campus community, yet Senior Advisor Whipkey has never engaged with faculty. Numerous issues related to equity have been presented to the Office of the President, and Mr. Brady has failed to engage faculty to resolve these matters. Specifically, faculty have presented proposals for academic advising equity, workload equity, and proposed revisions to the PSC Promotion and Tenure Guidelines. These issues of inequity have been presented to the entire leadership team, and according to President Gilmer “The Senior Advisor is a thought partner to the President, providing trusted counsel on important decisions, and overseeing the operations of the President’s office.” Yet, Senior Advisor Whipkey has abstained from acting as a liaison for these matters. Furthermore, faculty have been told that the proposed P&T revisions are in Morgantown and no action will be taken until their academic transformation process is complete, and that the workload and academic advising equity proposals are on hold until the PSC academic transformation is complete. This inaction is unacceptable, and we view the excuse of waiting for the completion of the academic transformation process as a way of prolonging the oppression of PSC faculty.
· President Gilmer also defined the role of Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff by stating “The senior advisor when functioning as chief of staff may supervise personnel directly reporting to the president and may invoke the president’s designated authority over certain functions.” Yet, Mr. Whipkey lacks the qualifications and experience to supervise the faculty body. Mr. Whipkey had four years executive experience prior to entering his position at PSC. He
served as a Vice President at WVU Parkersburg, a community college, and he has a Board of Governors AAS degree. Furthermore, as a “thought partner” to the President, we contend that Mr. Whipkey’s lack of executive experience at an institution of higher education equivalent to PSC, and lack of an appropriate education, deem him detrimental to the effective and efficient operations of Potomac State College. Additionally, it has never been communicated to faculty when “the president’s designated authority over certain functions” has been invoked upon Mr. Whipkey.
· The Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff “remains on campus as a liaison to the president while the president travels.” Mr. Whipkey is rarely on-campus in the absence of the President, thereby again failing to fulfill his role as a liaison for faculty to the President.
WHEREAS Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff, Brady Whipkey, has failed to fulfill his duties, as outlined in a memorandum from Campus President Christopher Gilmer (attachment), to directly supervise his leadership portfolio in the following ways:
· In his role as the direct supervisor of farm operations, Mr. Whipkey has:
o failed to rectify issues related to numerous complaints regarding animal care;
o allegedly engaged in the wrongful termination of student veteran employees
o allegations of sexual harassment
o failed to “collaborate and partner with faculty who lead all academic aspects of our agriculture programs”, and failed to consider faculty schedules and availability on the two occasions he scheduled a meeting and a student event
o failed to engage a significant number of students in farm operations, thereby hindering the academic experience of our agriculture students
o caused community disdain for PSC, thereby causing harm to the reputation of the College
· In his role as the direct supervisor of the PSC Police Captain, Mr. Whipkey has failed to engage in activities that exhibit a “commitment to safety and health.”
· Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff, Brady Whipkey is identified by Campus President Gilmer as “the administrations’ primary champion for athletics.” Yet, he does not attend their meetings, engage in media campaigns, or attend events on a regular basis.
· Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff, Brady Whipkey is identified by Campus President Gilmer as “the administrations’ primary champion for development of new strategic projects and programs including the proposed major in veteran’s advocacy.” Yet, his only involvement has been to conduct a survey of a group of veterans on the Morgantown campus with total disregard for the veterans of the Keyser campus.
WHEREAS questions about the position of the Senior advisor and Chief of Staff from the PSC faculty and staff have been intentionally changed to “the Office of the President” faculty have been denied transparency for all inquiries concerning this position thereby hindering shared governance;
WHEREAS administrative positions were terminated under the guise of fiscal responsibility, only to have money saved by the termination of those positions reinvested in the new position of Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff;
WHEREAS the need for a Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff is grossly exaggerated based on consistent declining student enrollment and budgetary constraints;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Faculty Assembly of Potomac State College has no confidence in the leadership or decision-making abilities of Senior Advisor to the President and Chief of Staff; and
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Faculty Assembly of Potomac State College has no confidence in the ability of Brady Whipkey to continue to serve in any capacity at Potomac State College.
