MnSCU faculty union votes to seek ouster of St. Cloud State president
Updated: 4:35 p.m. | Posted: 2:42 p.m.
The statewide faculty union for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system voted Saturday to work to oust St. Cloud State University President Earl Potter.
The Inter Faculty Organization says the motion was brought by faculty from Minnesota State University-Mankato, and came as a surprise to St. Cloud State faculty. The vote came during the statewide delegate assembly.
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"The resolution asks the IFO statewide group to work to remove President Potter," said Jonathan Bohn, a spokesman for the union. "I think where it came from is there's a concern on all of our campuses about the deficits we're facing. We're at the capitol this year seeking $21 million in additional state support."
Bohn says it appears the Mankato faculty believe certain changes happening at St. Cloud due to budget constraints are starting to effect other campuses.
Tom Hergert, president of St. Cloud State University's Faculty Association, said the motion doesn't reflect his views.
"I've worked with President Potter before as the union president about six years ago," he said. "I don't believe the problems at the university can be laid entirely at his feet."
Bohn says the statewide union won't do anything without the approval of the St. Cloud faculty union group.