UTSF Statement on the Resignation of MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz
This morning we were dismayed to read President Guskiewicz’s email to the MSU community where he announced that he is leaving MSU for Clemson University. In his email announcing his resignation, President Guskiewicz implied that the Board of Trustees’ disagreements and public critiques were key to his decision to leave. It was surprising to read these comments in his departing letter to the community. His departure is particularly shocking after the May 17th “special meeting” of the Board of Trustees, in which the community was assured that President Guskiewicz was not interviewing elsewhere, did not have a competing job offer and doubling his salary was urgent and necessary to ensure his continued commitment to MSU. It is now clear that critical information was withheld and we were not truthfully informed about the situation.
As members of the nascent Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF), we are proud that President Guskiewicz's legacy includes the recognition of our union. Nonetheless, we are disappointed that UTSF and the MSU community are left to contend with harmful decisions, such as the unilaterally imposed deep budget cuts to academic programs and graduate education – occurring at the same time as administrators awarded themselves with unprecedented salary raises. These decisions were imposed by the administration without discussion or input from our faculty, but UTSF will fight to minimize the harm these cuts will impose on our entire community. As the search for our next president begins, we hope the next administration will fully embrace shared governance and value faculty expertise in shaping the future of the university.
Despite the turmoil caused by yet another unexpected departure of a MSU President, UTSF is committed to continuing to serve our students and the greater community. Our members and UTSF leadership strive for excellence in our teaching, research and service to this community. We will continue negotiations for faculty raises for the coming academic year and we will continue negotiating the terms of our first contract with the University. More broadly, we hope the Administration and Board of Trustees will move forward with transparency and integrity as they begin the process of searching for a new President, one whom we hope will embody the spirit of shared governance as we strive to uphold the values and aspirations of MSU.
