LEWISTON, Maine — Chris Camire, president of the University of Southern Maine student body, chastised faculty members for their circulation of a petition seeking a “no-confidence” vote regarding USM President Selma Botman.
“The students don’t have a lot of respect for the faculty and it’s because you’re going down a road of ‘no confidence,’” Camire told members of the Faculty Senate during the panel’s meeting at the school’s Lewiston-Auburn campus on Friday. “I’m very ashamed to be a member of this university, to be a student of a university that would rather behead its own university rather than move forward positively.”
The Faculty Senate is obligated to schedule a faculty-wide referendum after receiving a petition, signed by 53 full-tenured faculty, calling for the no-confidence vote. The signatures represented more than half of the top-level USM faculty and more than the 10 percent of the roughly 340 overall faculty necessary to force the wider vote.
Camire, whose voice cracked with emotion during his address of the Faculty Senate, said his interactions with Botman have shown him that she’s focused on the students and their success. He scolded the petition circulators for organizing a “coup d’etat” to overthrow the president.
“I think you all should consider how much you’re tearing this university apart,” he said. “For those of you that signed the petition … please, for the sake of our university, do something positive, not destructive.”
Petition circulators are seeking Botman’s removal from office, arguing that during her four years at the university’s helm morale at USM has plummeted due to her administrative style and spending decisions. Physics professor Jerry LaSala, who also is a Faculty Senate executive committee member and petitioner, told members of the media in an email Wednesday that he hoped the Senate would set the parameters of the referendum at Friday afternoon’s meeting at the USM Lewiston-Auburn campus.
But Jeannine Uzzi, chairwoman of the Faculty Senate, said members of the group’s executive committee have not yet had enough time to consider all the possible ways to conduct the vote. She added that she plans to schedule open meetings at USM’s three campuses next week for faculty to gather and discuss the issue.
“The executive committee is working very hard to determine the best procedure for that,” Uzzi told her colleagues Friday. “We thought about electronic voting, we thought about setting up voting booths. We don’t have a recommendation ready for today.”
Uzzi said the open meetings would be held Tuesday afternoon in Lewiston-Auburn, Wednesday afternoon in Portland and midday Friday in Gorham. She also said the Faculty Senate will hold an additional meeting on April 20 in Portland.
“I know that this is a divisive issue for everyone,” Uzzi said. “Faculty and students on both sides of this issue are doing what they think is in the best interests of the university.”
During Friday’s meeting, Botman told members of the Faculty Senate she’s taking the petition effort and associated criticisms “to heart.” She reiterated her interest in “working with all of you” to address the concerns behind the petition. Botman reportedly held meetings with faculty during the week in an effort to find ways to reconcile.
“It is a learning experience for me and for many others as well,” Botman said during the meeting. “It’s made possible a series of discussions with faculty and staff around the campuses. I personally am determined to work with faculty and staff. We share common goals.”
While a vote of “no confidence” by a majority of all USM faculty members is nonbinding and would not by itself cause the dismissal of the school president, signees hope new system Chancellor James Page and the University of Maine System board of trustees would take the next step and fire Botman.
“It’s very rare that you get 50-plus of your most senior faculty in the university basically saying we do not have confidence in the leadership and direction of this university any longer,” Mark Lapping, a former USM provost and current executive director of USM’s Muskie School of Public Service, told the Bangor Daily News on Thursday. “That’s a hell of a statement.”
During the past week, faculty members supporting the petition have gone public decrying Botman’s high-profile reorganization plan for the university, saying the consolidation of departments has not freed up more money for classroom spending as promised. They also have said the administration has not done enough to curb a steady decline in enrollment.
Ratcheting tension further is the fact that union faculty members systemwide remain in heated contract talks with administrators nearly nine months after their previous pact expired, and three years since they last saw cost-of-living raises. At USM, frustration over the unsettled contract was exacerbated by news that Botman’s administration agreed to $242,000 in discretionary pay raises for 44 USM university employees last year.
In the wake of the ensuing controversy, UMaine Chancellor James Page suspended all discretionary salary increases for University of Maine System employees, including the 44 University of Southern Maine employees who received $242,000 in raises during a difficult fiscal year.
The system now plans to do a full review of salary increases at each of its campuses.
As a current grad student at USM (as well as getting my undergrad there prior to Ms. Botman’s tenure), I feel Chris Camire’s comments are not representative of the entire student body. I do respect our faculty and their decision to go ahead with the no confidence vote. To me, confidence in university leadership entails their ability to make decisions thoughtfully, something Botman did not do with the implementation of the raises….she didn’t think people would be mad about them?? she didn’t anticipate the backlash??
Apparently the consultant they hired to determine how much of a raise they could give themselves didn’t take the backlash into account either.
Good job stepping up Chris, you will make a fine leader someday unlike the sheltered prima donnas you have to try to learn from. You did make one mistake though, the USM faculty is not only trying to behead USM they are trying to behead the whole system with their own little “Sherman’s March” to destruction. Make no mistake though, us little administrative peons at other campuses will fight back, and even though we consider some of those faculty friends, we will not let them destroy the work that many of us do on a daily basis…most of it in support of their whiny, pathetic backsides.
Chris is still young, so can be forgiven for failing to understand what is really going on. Botman should go, before she does more damage, and then they need someone who inspires people to follow them, even down rocky roads.
hmmmm…..damage to your pocketbook and and assault to your liberal teachings?
yeah. liberal teachers with their books. In fact, books are inherently liberal. they’re made up of lots of words which describe lots of cultures, lots of histories, lots of nuanced worldviews. USM should only assign ayn rand, adam smith and anne coulter from now on to end the narrow liberal indoctrination of reading so many different books.
Either that, or go and visit the world as I did and stop and live there as well.
do you understand how ridiculous it is to insinuate that just because somebody is enrolled at USM that they have no real world experience. to me that shows that you are in fact the one with your head in the ground, not those trying to further their real world education with a university education. life isn’t an either or thing. just because one goes to school doesn’t mean that they don’t continue to exist outside the classroom.
Say night night Botman. Camire is a pawn, and only is taking this stance to make him look like a leader. Lesson learned my friend. Lesson learned. The entire UM system needs an overall. It’s a tough love exercise, Chris. Maybe u should think about that.
pssst that is awetdream you’re having.
better than the wet nightmare USM is having ;)
Nostrajimus, its “overhaul”…….
obviously u can see that I’m a USM grad ;)
What a President of the University says in meetings with a student does not mean much unless they act on those discussions and make things better for the University. It says a lot that so many of the faculty want a vote. Would be interesting to see what they have to say as well as many of the students on the matter.
I also would like to voice my support for the faculty and feel Chris Camire’s “keep it to yourself” approach is reductive and harmful to the future of the University. These teachers happen to be much more invested in the students, the school and higher education than Botman and her cadre of overpaid marketing reps. I understand that the challenges public universities face are not unique to USM, but it’s time to start thinking about the bigger picture and the academic model we want to pursue as a university and a society. Without the faculty, there is no University. Botman seems to misunderstand that the strength of the school is its incredible faculty, traditional classroom courses (as opposed to drive-thru online schools) and affordable tuition. These strengths are slowly being chipped away in favor of the perceived student demand, which has more to do with the current gory economic scene than actual preferences of students. People in a burning building demand fire escapes. Camire’s comments are definitely not representative of students and are akin to accusing anti-war protesters of tearing our country apart. I’ve seen more unity and conversation between faculty and students within the last week than I have in a long time. Camire’s concept of a united university seems hollow, corporate and feel-good, much like Botman’s vision for USM.
Actually I am quite impressed by the faculty stepping up with a no confidence vote. Those raises were totally out of line and why do they even have a few of those people on staff? Clean house and get down to the essentials.
Do you see where this is going? The unionized fat cats who take the summer off, three weeks here and there for vacations, holidays, earned health days and travel on sabbatical vouchers?
The University observes the same holidays that banks and offices do but the administration are the only ones who are unavailable. I have had faculty answers e-mails, take phone calls, and hold meetings on weekends, and after hours, and during breaks. They are on call for their students.
Like other schools USM has breaks, but USM has a winter session and summer sessions taught by the same professors that teach the spring and fall.
If the faculty union has to fight for earned health days, vacation pay, and the option for a sabbatical, that saddens me. I recieved earned health days, vacation pay, and the option for a leave of absence while working part-time as a cashier at Home Depot, where getting hired means signing away your right to a union.
I guess she has them brainwashed pretty good. she may have good academic sense but lousy business sense. Its funny how academia doesnt realize times are tough. This may explain why Barry doesnt have a clue
When someone gets their hands in anothers pocket; you will hear the squeals all the way to the teller cage. Is this fiscal responsibility on Ms. Botman’s part? I think so. I have a suspicion that the faculty have an agenda similar to the national GSA, recent MSHA, and the recent Maine Turnpike Authority.
The funny thing that I am seeing here is that fact that we are acking people to take on more work and responsibilities for the same pay which is great for the budget. The system is increasing peoples pay to be in line with the actual job that they do. We could hire more people pay benefits and spend more money instead so the people who know the culture and staff don’t make as much. The faculty needs to stop having votes unless it is to de-certify the union they belong too which is the real cost to the education process.
Ever check out what they are getting paid and comparing that to folks working real jobs.
And, what is there about their jobs that isn’t “real”?
If you talk to a senior Hospital administrator, or any major business chief; you all would realize that this ‘taking on more responsibility’ is the way of life. It goes without saying that there are little monetary rewards involved other than keeping ones job in tact.
So, brave anon person, where do you work? What are your daily responsibilities? I’m amazed and honored you would take valuable time out of your day to educate us. Maybe you should become a prof at USM!
Where did I work…international medical sales that did not involve unions but instead, team players.
The part I found compelling was, “Union faculty haven’t received a raise since 2009.” I feel for them. Trading in that 3 year old Range Rover for the 2012 model means an increase in monthly payments. From where will that money come?
Have you met any faculty at USM?
A lot of USM’s faculty have other jobs. I have never seen a Range Rover in the faculty lot. The student lot has snazzier cars than the faculty. Were you parking in the wrong place? Just so you don’t get a ticket:
red means commuter, green means resident, and blue means faculty.
I completely support our faculty at USM. Botman’s assault on the university’s integrity began exactly when I had just enrolled. I experienced shock and disbelief when I received an email detailing the proposed “re-structuring”. I have seen my professors struggling with very little support, departments violated and the very essence of the tradition of how a state university ought to serve trampled upon. I am so relieved that our faculty is standing up for themselves-and our students!
It seems that Chris may be out of touch with the students he represents. One of his senators is on Channel 13 stating that she backs the faculty, and does not support President Botman. Another student at LAC was overheard telling the media that Camire did not speak for the SGA at LAC. Perhaps Chris has been swept up by President Botman’s charisma, and finds the Kool-Aid to his liking.
I seem to think that the vast majority of students who are paying attention side with the faculty. The rest just don’t care.
Teaching 9 to 12 hours a week over and over does not make for a heavy load. Yes, originally it takes time to prepare a course but once you’ve taught it, minor revisions take little time at all. All the other crap that goes with your job – committees, etc. are not worth the time they take. If the faculty had to really work 40 hours a week, I could have more compassion but they do not and I do not feel bad for them at all.
Misty, does playing a broken record, reciting broken claims, really work for you?
Having served as an undergraduate teaching assistant, I can assure you that your concept of how much (how little?) professors work is not accurate. The vast majority of our (full time) professors work at least 40 hours per week, often more–much of it unpaid. The professors who do their jobs well serve as mentors, teachers, and community service leaders. The amount of time put into creating courses, conducting research and writing (which is part of their job), and grading papers is more significant than many realize.
Your talking about the University of Fox News.
I am a student at USM and I also voice no confidence in the University President Botman. I have the utmost respect for the Professors at USM. The Student Body President is clearly out of line in his approach and statements.
You are out of line in your approach and ridiculous statement.
With his statements, Camire has shown that he is NOT representative of all students. By questioning the petitioning faculty, he gives me the impression that “it would be easier if this was all just swept under the rug”. I myself am not sure if the raises were correct or not, but I do appreciate the ability to challenge the university’s leadership in questionable situations.
Chris Camire is just sucking up. Not news worthy. But, a no-confidence vote is what you get when you allow tenure to a bunch of do nothings anyway. Even though I have little confidence in the capabilities of both the faculty or its leader, at least its on the table and they can argue it out. My concern is more with the fact that the Trustees allowed her to have a full time publicist on staff. What a huge waste of tax payer money.
I really do not understand where people get the idea that tenured professors are “do nothings”. They are really some of the hardest working people in the state. Not only do they have the responsibility to developing curriculum and teaching classes but they also have to grade, meet with students, and attend endless department meetings. There work is really never done and it is very sad that the public opinion of them is that they are just a bunch of lazy elites. I really encourage anyone with that perspective to spend one day shadowing a university professor to get the real scoop.
That USM faculty sound like a bunch, no a mob, determined to act as some people did in the late 30’s in Europe.
Are you saying OUR TEACHERS ARE NAZIS!? Oh my god. You’re right. The signs have been there all along: extreme conservatism, red-faced hatred of different people, assigining mein kamph to every student!
I dropped out of USM a month ago because I felt that I had no connection to the school. I’ve had incredible teachers and have had nothing but great and productive encounters with staff; however each year at USM (during the 7-to-5 school reduction) I’ve seen brilliant people hamstrung and prevented from doing their best. Obviously we cannot pin all the blame on Botwin–But everyone is feeling the pressure to perform; and trust me, students notice. We notice when our learning community slowly gets eroded.
As a student of USM, I am honored to have those who are so talented in their field on campus as educators.
The U Maine System is just that, a system. When we access the system we should look at SMCC, USM, and USM’s graduate programs as one would look at elementary, middle, and high school. SMCC’s switch to a two year community college means that instead of four years at USM many debt weary students transferring in to finishing up their degree.
We need to embrace this relationship and realize that getting a degree at USM is an option for those who might not have attended before. I enrolled at USM in 2003 because of the praise for the faculty and curriculum from those who attended. After two undergraduate degrees I am back for my Masters.
When people ask me about USM, I say it is a privilege to take an entry level course with a professor knows their subject intricately and to be able to continue your education with the same faculty. Professors still take the time to say
hello, or answer a question, years after I have taken their course. That is the community I am proud of.
It’s not a snazzy new logo that draws students in, it’s word of mouth. Invest in our faculty and our curriculum. They are our marketing department and they are worth far more than we are paying them.
I would like to say that Chris Camire, despite his title, does not accurately represent the views of the student body.There is growing discontent among the student body and it is not because they are upset about the faculty questioning the authority of their “fearless leader” President Botman. On the contrary, it is because of the the decisions Botman has made in the face of a 5 million dollar short-fall to invest in the administration not in the faculty. I have been attending the University of Southern Maine on and off since 2001 and one of the reasons I keep coming back is because unlike student body president Camire I am PROUD to be a student here. Another reason I keep coming back is because of the quality of the faculty (note I did not say the quality of the admins). If I am ashamed of anything it is to be a member of a student body to have elected a Student Body President who has the AUDACITY to publicly question the integrity and judgment of our tenured faculty, people who have far more experience with the University of Southern Maine and have much more intimate knowledge of the systemic problems that threaten no only their livelihoods but the reputation of the University as a whole. I encourage all who read this article to take into consideration that Chris Camire is just one voice among many, his is just one with a touch of hubris.
“I’m very ashamed to be a member of this university, to be a student of a university that would rather behead its own university rather than move forward positively.” This is a troubling statement for so many reasons. Not only is our student body president ashamed to be a student here but he equates the presidential position with the university as a whole. This isn’t a classical sovereignty, this is a public university.
Chris Camire may not have respect for the faculty and he may be very ashamed to attend the University of Southern Maine, but a lot of students don’t agree with him on either point.
I have immense respect of the faculty and I’m proud to be a part of the university. That’s why I’m so opposed to the steps the Selma Botman has taken and hope that she can be replaced.
Her approach has been erratic an irrational, it has driven down enrollment and pushed us from surplus into debt. Then the debt has bee used to justify even more counterproductive measures that harm both the university and the student body. Her vindictiveness has been downright shocking, matched only by her refusal to do her job or take responsibility for her actions.
When she arrived she was given nothing but good faith, but her time with us has been destructive and at some point good faith has to end. If she took responsibility for her failures that would be one thing, but instead she takes credit when things go well and places blame when they don’t. When the faculty has tried to work with her to fix things (at her request, no less) she has shut them out.
Even a cursory examination of the names on the petition will show that it includes people are not people known for rushing to judgement, they are not people who take rash action. This was not something that came about without good cause.
I understand that Camire is reacting to the boat being rocked, but what he has somehow managed to miss is that we’re off course and the rocking is a result of people trying to steer us back on course. Sometimes fixing things is difficult or even painful, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be fixed.
Even a quick look at the numbers will show that Selma has not been doing a good job. We went from making 2.7 million in profit to being 7 million in the hole in a year. Selma points to falling enrollment as the cause, but student credit hours declined by 3.4% which only amounts to 2.2 million. If the problem were just falling enrollment we’d be half a million in the black instead of 7 million in the red. Just as importantly, falling enrollment is due in part to her policies which have been counterproductive at best.
All of this is to say nothing of the fact that willingness to spout falsehoods (consider for example the 18% figure she gave which turned out to have no basis in fact) demonstrates that she is not taking the job seriously.
I respect the faculty and I am proud of the University of Southern Maine. If I am disappointed in either at all it’s because they didn’t act sooner. Selma Botman has been hurting the university and with it the students and faculty. That needs to stop.
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Chris Witham
Senior majoring in Math and Classics at the University of Southern Maine
Former Student Senator