Faculty and staff at Goddard College say the departure of President Barbara Vacarr is a positive development.
Vacarr, who’s been president since 2010, announced her resignation in late July.
According to a news release, 142 faculty and staff members, signed a “solidarity statement” to show that they are “embracing the presidential transition as an opportunity to stabilize and strengthen the College.”
The release, issued by the staff and faculty union — Local 2322 of the United Auto Workers — also notes that they are in the middle of collective bargaining negotiations.
“The faculty, unionized since the 1990s, has been without a contract since June. The staff, which joined the UAW earlier in the year over Vacarr’s strong opposition, is bargaining a first contract.”
The “solidarity statement” also urges the board of trustees to work with faculty and staff on a number of goals including a recommitment to “faculty shared governance over academic matters,” elimination of expensive outside consultants, and development of a “credible plan to improve enrollment.”
A link to the statement can be found on the United Auto Workers website.
