April 12, 2007
 
BREAKING NEWS: WVU Faculty Senate Votes 'No Confidence' in Garrison, Endorses Nellis for WVU Presidency
 
By HNN Staff
 
Morgantown, WV (HNN) -- In an unprecedented move, the WVU Faculty Senate met in an emergency session late Wednesday afternoon, April 11, 2007, on campus to debate, deliberate, and ultimately vote overwhelmingly to express 'No Confidence' in WVU Presidential Finalist Mike Garrison.
 
The Faculty Senate also voted 47--5 to endorse the candidacy of Dr. Duane Nellis, current Provost at Kansas State University and formerly Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at WVU for seven years. The resolution called Dr. Nellis the 'only qualified candidate' remaining in the process.
 
The various colleges at WVU are all represented by Faculty Senators who meet regularly to discuss and vote on issues important to faculty and also broader subjects concerning the university. As each Faculty Senator approached the microphone, they expressed that the faculty at their respective colleges at WVU had instructed them to vote for the resolution.
 
Some concerns voiced about Garrison, a Morgantown attorney and WVU alumnus, ranged from what some called a lack of experience in administering an office in higher education. Others were concerned about WVU's national reputation if Garrison were selected over the more experienced Dr. Nellis, who raised $50 million for a capital campaign at WVU as Dean of Arts and Sciences.
 
The meeting was cordial, professional, and gave all interested parties a chance to speak. A few members of the WVU Board of Governors, who will ultimately announce their selection this Friday, were in attendance as well.
 
Faculty Senators representing all the colleges at WVU were present, including: Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy, Forestry and Agriculture, Law, Library Sciences, and Health Sciences.