Report: Faculty morale a problem at University of Nevada, Reno

Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005 | 10:43 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Faculty morale at the University of Nevada, Reno is a problem that must be addressed by the administration, according to a faculty report.

Faculty members feel powerless in decisions that affect the university and think the administration is dishonest in its communications, the report issued last week found.

The administration must "take steps to alleviate the climate of fear and distrust that pervades the UNR campus," the report notes.

"A significant number of respondents described the current climate at UNR as one of fear, intimidation and retaliation," it adds.

UNR President John Lilley said he does not share that perception, but pledged to work with faculty representatives on their concerns.

"We will take it head-on, the way we do with everything here," Lilley told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "You know we don't sweep things under the rug. We deal with it, take care of it and move on."

The report echoes the same criticism some faculty members voiced during a recent evaluation of Lilley by the Board of Regents, said Bret Whipple, board chairman. Lilley won a new three-year contract in June.

"We advised him then that it was an issue that must be addressed, and I continue to be concerned," Whipple said.

But he said Lilley enjoys "tremendous" support from the the UNR Foundation, and local and state business and political leaders.

Of 281 academic and administrative faculty members and staff who responded to the survey in April, the report notes that 17 expressed favorable views about morale on campus.

The report will be discussed Thursday by the Faculty Senate.

Grant Stitt, chairman of UNR's Department of Criminal Justice, headed the committee that conducted the survey.

He said many faculty and staff members chose not to respond to the survey because of a fear of possible retaliation.

"It was sad to hear these things because, more than any other place, a university should be where people feel they have the freedom to express their ideas and opinions," Stitt said.

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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com