CWU president faces no confidence vote

ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University officials say they will not answer further questions regarding the Faculty Senate’s Feb. 4 vote of no confidence involving President Jim Wohlpart, but they released an official statement from the president and Board of Trustees addressing faculty concerns. 

In an email to the Columbia Basin Herald, David Leder, associate director of strategic communications at CWU, said neither the administration nor the Board will comment beyond the prepared statement. 

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to address any of your specific questions, and no one else in the administration or the Board of Trustees will have any additional comments at this time,” Leder said. 

According to reporting by the CWU student newspaper, the CWU Observer, allegations have been made via a petition that Wohlpart has worked to consolidate power and failed to elevate shared governance.

Leder noted that the Feb. 4 action was taken only by the Faculty Senate – roughly 48 members – and was not a full faculty vote. A campuswide vote “has not happened yet,” he said, and there is no schedule for one. 

University statement 

The statement from President Wohlpart and the Board of Trustees acknowledges concerns raised by faculty and emphasizes a commitment to shared governance. 

“The Central Washington University Board of Trustees and administration acknowledge the concerns that have been brought forth by the Faculty Senate, and we remain committed to working with our campus community through our established shared governance and administrative processes,” the statement reads. 

According to the university, the Board has “outlined clear next steps to support collaboration and clarity” and continues to support Wohlpart’s efforts to engage in “constructive conversations” about current challenges facing the institution. 

The statement also says that after receiving the Faculty Senate petition on Feb. 2, Wohlpart and Academic Affairs Committee Chair Jeff Charbonneau invited faculty to participate in mediation and dispute resolution prior to the Feb. 4 vote. That offer was declined by Faculty Senate leadership. 

“Although the offer was rejected… we still believe ongoing collaboration and dialogue is the best path forward to find common ground,” the statement says. “The Board and the CWU administration believe disagreement and healthy discussion can lead to productive outcomes.” 

Trustees meeting 

CWU also announced details of its upcoming Board of Trustees meeting, which will be held Feb. 19 and 20 in Ellensburg and is open to the public. 

The board will begin Thursday, Feb. 19, with an executive session at 11 a.m. The regular public meeting will convene at 1:15 p.m. at the Moehring Event Center and continue until about 4:30 p.m. The session will open with a public comment period.  

Anyone wishing to comment must email their name and topic to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16. 

On Friday, Feb. 20, the board will again enter executive session at 8:30 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, followed by the regular meeting from 9:15–10:45 a.m. Trustees and members of the Executive Leadership Team will then attend a lab demonstration in Discovery Hall. No business will occur during that portion of the visit. 

Meeting materials and the full agenda are available at cwu.edu/trustees. 

Leder said additional information may be available after the board meeting.