First Ever “No Confidence” Vote in the History of College of DuPage –

News Release

College of DuPage Faculty Association

For immediate release:

Full-time faculty at College of DuPage pass vote of no confidence in college president.

The union representing full-time faculty at the College of DuPage has passed a vote of “no confidence” in the leadership of College President Dr. Robert L. Breuder.

The secret-ballot vote was taken and tabulated on Sept. 10, 2014. The balloting followed a series of informational meetings during which faculty members had opportunities to discuss and debate Dr. Breuder’s leadership and management of the institution.

“This vote of no confidence reflects a deep and profound discouragement with the leadership of the current president,” said Glenn Hansen, president of the College of DuPage Faculty Association (CODFA). “Such a vote has never occurred before at the College of DuPage. It highlights a sad chapter in the history of this excellent educational institution.”

Hansen said many factors have contributed to faculty disenchantment with Breuder. The tipping point, he said, occurred recently over the president’s well-publicized efforts requesting the governor to release $20 million in state funds for the purpose of constructing a new building. Breuder’s email to trustees admitting questionable need for the building was an embarrassment to the institution and an affront to taxpayers and other public institutions in Illinois that are desperate for funds, Hansen said.

Hansen said Breuder’s tenure at the college has also been marked with pitched battles between the college administration and its employees, including full-time faculty.

“The president has contributed to the creation of an environment of turmoil, distrust, fear and intimidation,“ Hansen said. “The high-profile political infighting on the board of trustees is just a recent example of the atmosphere on campus that has arisen during the tenure and leadership of Dr. Breuder. This type of environment is unacceptable in an institution of excellence. Yet, it exists at the College of DuPage.”

Faculty members were asked to cast their ballots in response to the following statement:

The College of DuPage Faculty have no confidence in the leadership of Dr. Robert L. Breuder, President of the College of DuPage.
I agree with this statement.
I do not agree with this statement.

Voter turnout was 250 of a possible 306 eligible voters. The final results are as follows:
Agreeing with the statement: 189
Disagreeing with the statement: 53
Spoiled ballots: 8

Hansen said a formal letter explaining the vote of no confidence was emailed to the chair of the College of DuPage trustees on Sept. 18, 2014. Email copies were sent to all trustees and Dr. Breuder.

“Our goal as faculty members is to create and retain the high standards of excellence for which the College of DuPage is known,” Hansen said. “We take no pride in this vote of no confidence. We bring this matter to the attention of the board of trustees in the hope that they will understand the seriousness of our concerns, and that they will take action to improve the situation. Our students, community, staff, faculty and other stakeholders deserve no less than our best efforts to work together in making COD the very best it can be.”

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