Ballman steps down as provost following no-confidence vote from University Senate

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In an email sent to Western Kentucky University faculty and staff Friday, Terry Ballman has stepped down as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Ballman’s decision comes one day after the University Senate called a special meeting and voted no confidence in Ballman’s leadership during a packed-house session inside Grise Hall Auditorium. A no confidence vote in a provost is rare for Western Kentucky University and has not occurred in recent history.

“After discussing with President Caboni what would be in WKU’s best interest, I have made the difficult decision to step down as provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective immediately,” Ballman’s email reads. “I will be serving as assistant to the president for special initiatives until Aug. 30, 2020, after which I will assume regular, full-time faculty status as a tenured, full professor in the Department of Modern Languages.”

On Thursday afternoon, the University Senate held a special meeting to address the recent grievances and concerns surrounding the sudden resignation of Potter College Dean Larry Snyder.

Senators, students, and faculty filled the Grise Hall Auditorium to listen to what others had to say regarding the current situation in the administration.

Guy Jordan, an art professor on the Hill, officially made a motion for the following:

• Be it resolved that the University Senate has no confidence in the leadership of Provost Ballman. This will be voted on by secret ballot.

Following Jordan, several senators in the crowd spoke at length about Snyder’s shocking resignation, all stating that he was forced to do so, and it had to do with neither misconduct or health concerns.

Other senators that spoke said they were concerned with the Provost’s lack of respect for the faculty and the different departments. Several echoed sentiments that they’re fearful of being fired from their roles, without cause, just like Snyder allegedly was. Some senators didn’t even attend the meeting in fear of retaliation in the form of impending academic program cuts.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a vote was held on the resolution, and senators voted 50 to 10 in support of no confidence in Ballman, thus passing the motion.

In another email sent out by university President Tim Caboni Friday, he said Dean Cheryl Stevens has agreed to serve as acting provost for the university, effective Friday. Stevens is the dean of Ogden College of Science and Engineering. Since Dean’s new position will create a vacancy in Ogden College, Caboni asked Associate Dean Greg Arbuckle to serve as interim dean of Ogden College.

“A vote of no confidence is a powerful statement and one I take very seriously,” Caboni’s email reads.

Caboni told staffers they would be hearing from the new leadership next week.

“Academic Affairs also will immediately implement a plan of action to address the concerns of the campus community and to regain the trust of those who have lost confidence. Clearly, we most do more,” Caboni’s email reads.

“To ensure policies and decisions are being vetted more broadly and with input from and conversation with a larger group from across campus, a Provost’s Council will be created that includes senior faculty and leadership representatives from each college. The council will meeting monthly during the academic year to provide guidance and feedback to Academic Affairs,” Caboni said in his email.