ELLENSBURG — A group of 49 Central Washington University faculty members is disputing part of the university’s public statements regarding the ongoing vote of no confidence in President Jim Wohlpart, saying the campuswide ballot is already in progress and not pending, as an earlier university email suggested. 

On Wednesday night, the petitioning faculty contacted the Columbia Basin Herald to say the Feb. 11-18 vote was already underway, following a Feb. 4 authorization by the Faculty Senate. The clarification came after the Herald published comments from Associate Director of Strategic Communications David Leder indicating that a faculty-wide vote had not yet been scheduled. 

On Feb. 14, Leder followed up with the Columbia Basin Herald to correct the record. 

“I found out after I emailed you Wednesday that the faculty vote is currently taking place online, and the results should be available on or around February 25,” Leder wrote. “I only learned about the online voting process yesterday. Sorry for any confusion.” 

Faculty concerns 

The 49 faculty petitioners initiated their no‑confidence petition Jan. 20 and submitted it to the Faculty Senate along with extensive documentation alleging that Wohlpart has undermined shared governance, consolidated administrative authority, reduced faculty roles in decision‑making and budgeting, and may have contributed to actions that violated the state’s Open Public Meetings Act. 

The petitioners say Wohlpart’s Feb. 10 email to all faculty and staff, his first direct response after more than two weeks, did not address their core concerns. 

“Though the President says he is addressing inaccuracies, he ultimately does not dispute the facts laid out by the faculty petitioners,” their press release states. 

Forums underway  

The Faculty Senate is hosting three informational forums this week, offering faculty an opportunity to hear directly from petitioners before the Feb. 18 deadline. Meetings are being held both in person at the Grupe Center and via Zoom. 

“This upcoming vote is a decisive moment for the institution’s future,” the petitioners wrote. “For the 49 faculty petitioners, the answer is an unequivocal ‘No.’” 

Open to collaboration 

In statements to the Columbia Basin Herald last week, CWU’s administration and Board of Trustees said they “acknowledge the concerns” raised by the Faculty Senate and emphasized a commitment to shared governance.  

The Board expressed full support for Wohlpart and highlighted attempts at mediation prior to the Feb. 4 Senate vote, an offer the administration says Faculty Senate leadership declined. 

Leder said further administrative comment may be available after the Board of Trustees meets Feb. 19-20.