Monroe Community College President Ann Kress responded today to a vote of “no confidence” by the college’s faculty and staff, saying many of the claims they raise “simply don’t have merit.”
The vote of no confidence against Kress was 88 percent, with more than 500 ballots cast by faculty and union staff at MCC. They issued a list of 68 specific complaints against her and her senior leadership team, in terms including “gross violations of contractual agreements,” and “failure to uphold the public trust.” The also accused Kress of “violations of the basic norms of collegiate shared governance.” The MCC Faculty Senate also blames Kress for declining student enrollment.
SUNY numbers show enrollment is down at other community colleges as well.
MCC has formally stated its disappointment with the faculty vote.
In a news conference today (Tues), Kress said the faculty senate is consulted on all aspects of policy including budgeting. She said there has not been a lot of transparency about the body’s concerns.
Kress spoke about faculty and union contract negotiations which are now in mediation. She said the college simply doesn’t have the resources to meet the union demands. She says “the resources just aren’t there.” Kress says the faculty first called for an outside mediator. One of three mediation sessions has been held last month.
Kress also notes that it took three years to resolve the last State University system contract, again because the system has fewer financial resources than it had a decade ago.