Ball State faculty tables no-confidence vote in trustees

Ball State University's Faculty Council has decided to hold off on considering a resolution declaring a lack of confidence in the board of trustees amid the former president's abrupt departure.

The resolution was tabled Thursday after acting president Terry King urged faculty leaders to meet with board chairman Rick Hall, an Indianapolis attorney and former Ball State basketball player, before making a decision, the Star Press of Muncie reported.

The "resolution of dissatisfaction and a request for reforms" was prompted by former university president Paul Ferguson's resignation Jan. 25 after only 17 months in office.

King said Hall would be disappointed if the faculty council passed such a resolution without meeting with him first.

"I would urge you to table this resolution and have this discussion . almost immediately . as early as tomorrow," King told about three dozen faculty council members. "Absent a dialogue, I don't think we are making an informed decision that you would hope to make. In my experience, dialogue is always good in helping to solve issues like this."

Some faculty members questioned why there hasn't already been a dialogue, but they ultimately agreed to send a delegation to meet with Hall.

The lack of transparency over Ferguson's resignation has caused "frustration within the faculty," ''lack of confidence within the board of trustees," and concern over "the university's ability to choose another top-flight candidate to serve as Ball State's president," the resolution said.

The document also said the lack of transparency has damaged the university's reputation and "generated many unwanted rumors and speculation."

King said the closed meeting with Hall will not involve any negotiations, nor will it cover "personnel matters," meaning the reason why Ferguson left the university.