Student and faculty Senates both call for Oblak to resign
John Larsen
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News
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Both faculty and student Senates called for the resignation of NDNU President John Oblak in separate meetings Tuesday.
The Faculty Senate, by means of a secret ballot, voted to ask for the resignation of Oblak and Cressey Nakagawa, chair of the Board of Trustees. However, according to Dr. Betty Friedman, "We don't know when; it's not clear yet. But this is the first big step."
Friedman, as well as Dr. Jean Nyland, added that the Faculty Senate was inspired by the students.
"They really took leadership," said Nyland. "It was like the child pointing out that the emperor has no clothes."
"It isn't an official vote of no confidence," said Dr. Eric Lichtenstein, who made the motion to vote. "We decided to ask them to resign."
The Associated Student Senate came to a similar decision, though their vote was a definitive, and unanimous, vote of no confidence in President Oblak.
ASNDNU President Mallory Barr plans to present this vote, along with a petition of 220 supporting student signatures, to the Board of Trustees Oct. 24.
The main arguments against Oblak revealed a wide range of grievances.
"He should be active and interested in the school," said Sen. Minh Vu, who represents Rotaract. "Anyone can sit and watch a volleyball game, but if someone gives you a pompon, you shake that pompon."
Vice President Jamie Zunini, asked the senators present what they expected in a president.
"He should know how to spell students' names," said Sen. Caroline Archibald, representing the Programming Board. "It's a small thing, but it's so many small things that lead to a huge disaster."
Another concern expressed at the Senate meeting was the state of the school, its budget and enrollment.
"If you put money for painting, then have it go to painting," said Vu. "If you have a budget, follow it. Where is the money going?"
Students were especially concerned with the safety of current school facilities.
The Faculty Senate, by means of a secret ballot, voted to ask for the resignation of Oblak and Cressey Nakagawa, chair of the Board of Trustees. However, according to Dr. Betty Friedman, "We don't know when; it's not clear yet. But this is the first big step."
Friedman, as well as Dr. Jean Nyland, added that the Faculty Senate was inspired by the students.
"They really took leadership," said Nyland. "It was like the child pointing out that the emperor has no clothes."
"It isn't an official vote of no confidence," said Dr. Eric Lichtenstein, who made the motion to vote. "We decided to ask them to resign."
The Associated Student Senate came to a similar decision, though their vote was a definitive, and unanimous, vote of no confidence in President Oblak.
ASNDNU President Mallory Barr plans to present this vote, along with a petition of 220 supporting student signatures, to the Board of Trustees Oct. 24.
The main arguments against Oblak revealed a wide range of grievances.
"He should be active and interested in the school," said Sen. Minh Vu, who represents Rotaract. "Anyone can sit and watch a volleyball game, but if someone gives you a pompon, you shake that pompon."
Vice President Jamie Zunini, asked the senators present what they expected in a president.
"He should know how to spell students' names," said Sen. Caroline Archibald, representing the Programming Board. "It's a small thing, but it's so many small things that lead to a huge disaster."
Another concern expressed at the Senate meeting was the state of the school, its budget and enrollment.
"If you put money for painting, then have it go to painting," said Vu. "If you have a budget, follow it. Where is the money going?"
Students were especially concerned with the safety of current school facilities.
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