New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

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Students should care about no-confidence vote

This week marks the first vote of no confidence ever undertaken against an NYU President. However, many are dismissing the vote’s significance simply because it carries no explicit consequences. But there will certainly be consequences of some sort, and as students it is our responsibility to be aware of how this vote may affect NYU’s future.

In a traditional vote of no confidence, a legislative body declares by majority vote that they have no confidence in the government. With certain votes of no confidence, the government is then required to resign.

If the faculty of the College of Arts and Science, who convened the first day of their five-day vote yesterday, vote no confidence on NYU President John Sexton, this does not mean he has to resign — and it’s highly unlikely that he will. But the vote will send an important message.

The NYU chapter of the American Association of University Professors has drawn up a Bill of Rights, essentially a list of grievances regarding Sexton’s leadership — or lack thereof, depending on whom you ask.The most contentious areas for professors are the NYU 2031 expansion plan, the policies of the NYU Abu Dhabi campus and the administration’s ignorance of professors’ opinions and needs.

In a survey taken last year, two-thirds of professors polled said they opposed the 2031 plan. They disagree with various parts of the plan, but most fundamentally many of them disagree with Sexton’s reasoning for it, saying that he is exaggerating the need for six million square feet of new facilities in New York.

Regarding NYUAD’s campus, professors have cited concerns about human rights violations of migrant workers in the region. The plan for the campus came from a personal connection between Sexton and the emir of Dubai, which has caused some suspicion. The professors are especially taking issue with the fact that their departments are frequently expected to take on work at global sites without regard for how it will affect their work here at the Washington Square campus.

The vote is not just an expression of dissatisfaction with Sexton but also dissatisfaction with the Board of Trustees. The AAUP Bill of Rights stipulates “the right and obligation of faculty to be represented on the Board of Trustees.” Currently, there are no professors on the board except Sexton himself, who teaches a Gallatin class on God and baseball every year. Instead,the board is made up of wealthy business leaders, including Daniel Straus, who is currently under indictment by the National Labor Relations Board for violating workers’ rights.

I’ve only cited a few major issues that may cause the faculty to vote no confidence on Sexton, but there are a myriad of others outlined in their Bill of Rights. All of these issues affect us as students as much as they affect our professors.It is true that this vote will not cause Sexton to lose his job. But it is far from irrelevant and has already had consequences, including an analysis of Sexton’s leadership in The New York Times, bringing the issues he tries to downplay into the spotlight.

The Times article pointed out that past votes of no confidence for university presidents have actually given more power to the presidents in question because the boards rally around them. Our Board of Trustees has been vocally supportive of Sexton in the weeks leading up to the vote — not surprising, since the Board’s main mission is to raise money, and whatever his other flaws, Sexton is very good at that.

So why should you care about the vote of no confidence? Because it’s making people outside our community notice that not everyone is happy with the man who is ultimately responsible for every policy that impacts our lives at school because it will bring to your attention issues that might make you not so happy with him either, because this university is not a democracy, but the faculty are taking their best shot at making it one. Whether you agree with their grievances or not, we should be proud of our professors who are standing up to their boss for their rights and ours.

A version of this article was published in the Tuesday, March 12 print edition. Jess Littman is a staff columnist. Email her at [email protected].

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  • R

    R.L.Mar 15, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    “Because it’s making people outside our community notice that not everyone is happy with the man who is ultimately responsible for every policy that impacts our lives at school because it will bring to your attention issues that might make you not so happy with him either, because this university is not a democracy, but the faculty are taking their best shot at making it one.”

    Christ, do you proofread this shit??

    Reply
  • D

    David MartensMar 14, 2013 at 11:53 am

    Students should care about the vote because they are the ones who have to ultimately pay for these new international programs as well as NYU 2031.

    Reply
  • P

    Paul FunkhouserMar 12, 2013 at 11:17 pm

    John Sexton is one of these millionaires who tanked the world economy and sees it as an investment / real estate development opportunity. but don’t take it from me..ask John
    http://youtu.be/MiBciXAUPBM
    or ask a cabbie
    http://youtu.be/BOdXRc-o72M

    friday night we launch a protest encampment for housing rights and against sexton’s development plan. come plan a collective resistance strategy with us
    http://www.facebook.com/events/228137157311556/

    Reply
  • E

    Ernesto G.Mar 12, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    As for arguably the most shocking numbers of all, when viewed against the background of Jake Lew’s $685,000 “severance” upon leaving NYU, on his own free will, for an even higher paying job at Citigroup in ’06 and all the forgiven loans in the millions to admin favorites …Faculty compensation at NYU saw an average annual increase of 2.37% in 2003-10. Pres. Sexton’s increase in salary from 2002-10 = 11.37%, currently $1.48 million/yr. The average annual increase in tuition from 2003-10? 5…

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  • E

    Ernesto G.Mar 12, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    During the City Council public hearing on NYU 2031 this past summer, Pres. Sexton was asked to respond to the sobering reality that many NYU undegrads are working not one or two but three jobs & internships. His answer: “They are industrious.” I, as faculty, practically fell out of my chair. Industrious, yes — but also broke! Some figures: Newsweek ranks NYU as the 4th “Least Affordable School” in the nation. Princeton Review ranks us dead last in financial aid and administration…

    Reply
  • E

    Ernesto G.Mar 12, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    Whatever risks attend speaking truth to power, your support spurs us on in our efforts to return NYU to its core ideals. Yes, there are many reasons why we, as faculty, are raising our voices against this president. One of the fundamental reasons that isn’t mentioned here, however, is the price of the “expand or die” corporate bloat to be paid on the backs of the students & parents paying ever-rising tuition and burdened with crushing debt. Is this university for the students — or the suits?

    Reply
  • D

    DisagreeMar 12, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    I see no evidence that professors are standing up for the rights of students. From the article you wrote, it seems they are only standing up for themselves.

    Reply
  • E

    EMar 12, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    Um. The emir of Dubai? You mean Abu Dhabi, right? THEY ARE DIFFERENT PLACES!

    And, this is why faculty in NYC who are arguing against campuses abroad — WITHOUT doing research &/or visiting the campus — just doesn’t make sense.

    Ugh.

    Reply