A message from the Marquette University Board of Trustees

A message from the Marquette University Board of Trustees

On Nov. 25, the Marquette University Academic Senate voted on a resolution of no confidence in the Executive Leadership Team. The resolution passed by 1 vote, with 18 for, 17 against and 2 abstaining.

In response, the Board of Trustees is sharing the following message with the campus community.

Marquette Board of Trustees affirms full confidence in Executive Leadership Team

The Marquette Board of Trustees has full confidence in the university's Executive Leadership Team - including President Ah Yun, Acting Provost Sarah Feldner and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joel Pogodzinski - as it continues to propel Marquette forward in pursuit of excellence.

Marquette is in a strong financial position today precisely because the Executive Leadership Team has been proactive in addressing the demographic, economic and societal challenges facing higher education. We know change can be challenging, but this dynamic team refuses to stand still in the face of significant disruption in the higher education landscape.

The Board-approved Marquette 2031 strategic plan has laid out an ambitious, inspirational roadmap for where we want to be as a university heading into the next decade and beyond, and we expect the Executive Leadership Team to see that through. With the Board's unanimous selection of President Kimo Ah Yun, we will continue this positive momentum, implementing the strategic plan without delay and continuing to ensure that Marquette remains grounded in our mission, vision and guiding values.

The no confidence vote does not deter our belief that the Executive Leadership Team is leading with our Catholic, Jesuit tradition at heart. That said, we are committed to continued, respectful dialogue and collaboration to address our complex challenges and create solutions. Those solutions cannot begin and end with tuition increases; we must also look inward at ourselves and how we operate.

There are multiple pathways for faculty members to share feedback with the Board, including next week when the executive committee of the University Academic Senate meets in-person with the Board subcommittee devoted to academic excellence, as is done each year.

Now is the time to move forward together as we transform the lives of our students, strengthen Marquette's existing areas of excellence and create new possibilities.  

Signed, 

The Marquette University Board of Trustees 

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