EASTON, Pa. — After a faculty vote of no confidence for Lafayette College President Nicole Hurd, the school’s board of trustees has issued a resolution endorsing “complete confidence” in her.
Hurd later Friday release her first statement on both the faculty vote and the trustees letter, saying she recognizes "that many are troubled about divisions within the Lafayette community and the future of our beloved College."
In a letter issued to the campus community by board Chairman Robert E. Sell, the group conveys its confidence in Hurd “and her leadership of our cherished institution.”
It comes just days after faculty passed a majority no-confidence vote against her.
'Such a challenge requires leadership that can enact change where needed. And that is why the Board has passed a resolution strongly affirming its support of Nicole Farmer Hurd."Lafayette College board of trustees letter
The trustees' letter speaks on the college’s mission of “building a strong future for the institution” while both using current strengths and historic accomplishments.
It also credits “several notable wise pivot moments,” and the atmosphere of the school and its community as part of its success.
Leadership, the board’s message reads, also is integral to that success.
“It is also true to say that higher education faces pressures that challenge the status quo and require us to move beyond past accomplishments," the board letter reads.
"It is imperative that as a community we come together to position Lafayette College to achieve future success. Such a challenge requires leadership that can enact change where needed.
"And that is why the Board has passed a resolution strongly affirming its support of Nicole Farmer Hurd."
In response to the board statement, the original group of faculty members who signed the no-confidence motion, sent a statement.
"Through shared governance, the faculty exercised their solemn responsibility to protect the best interests of the college and its students," it said.
"The board bears responsibility for choosing the president. We will continue to perform our duties with excellence and uphold the mission of the college."
'The common bond of caring'
In her letter reacting to the trustees vote, Hurd said,
"I am humbled by the statement of support by our board of trustees, and also by the many of you — faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents—who have reached out with words of encouragement and care."
"At the same time," she wrote, "I recognize that there are decisions that I and my team could have approached differently.
"As a community of educators, we seek to learn from these experiences, and I always welcome your comments and feedback as we strive to make this College strong in service to our students and the community.
"I have carefully read the motion of the faculty and its supporting documents. While I disagree with many of the assertions put forward in the motion, some of which I addressed at Tuesday’s meeting, I know that the concerns come from people who are deeply committed to this College and its future.
"Despite our disagreements, we share the common bond of caring for Lafayette. It is from this place of shared purpose that I invite us to move forward together.
"In that spirit, I am encouraged that we are formally initiating constructive conversations between faculty, administration, and Trustees that will intentionally ensure the College maintains its strong commitment to shared governance and rightful standing as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country."
'Future is not guaranteed'
The board's correspondence acknowledges the faculty’s original decision, and says, “we commit ourselves to work with President Hurd to resolve the impasse and maintain transparency.”
“The Board resolution directs the president and administration to work with the faculty to establish the proper vehicle —inclusive of faculty, administration, and Board participants — to discuss and better understand the concerns and grievances shared, and chart a path forward,” the letter states.
Lafayette College has a "faculty and staff who care deeply about this institution, and a driven, inspired president who is fiercely devoted to promoting our progress and advancing our reputation.”Lafayette College board of trustees letter
Following those statements of success, the letter goes on to say, “the future is not guaranteed," again delving the institution's good fortunes.
Among them, it says, is a "faculty and staff who care deeply about this institution, and a driven, inspired president who is fiercely devoted to promoting our progress and advancing our reputation.”
Tuesday’s faculty vote ended with 102 members in favor of the no confidence declaration, 86 against it and six abstentions, according to sociology professor Caroline Lee, among 10 professors who presented the motion.
According to the 12-page motion first highlighted in the college’s newspaper, The Lafayette, Hurd allegedly prioritized athletics over academics and excluded teaching staff from decision-making,” highlighting an “ongoing crisis of leadership, and threats to the role of the faculty and to shared governance.”
"It’s not our job to decide the next step, but I hope that we have a quick resolution and can get back to moving forward at this incredible institution," Lee said in a prepared statement issued several days ago.
"As the motion says, the faculty of Lafayette College will continue, as we always have, to provide steadfast service and leadership to this institution and deliver a world-class academic experience to the students of the College.”
It's the first time in the college’s nearly 200-year history that the no-confidence vote was used against a president, The Lafayette reported.
Nine points of support
The new resolution lists nine points in its support of Hurd.
It says she has helped surpass a record number of applications at 10,528, increased overall diversity in the student body and added 15 new permanent positions, including six tenure-line openings and nine new lecturers.
It also says she increased the travel funding for faculty, concluded the “Bring the Roar” fundraising campaign with a record $5 million gift that would help support 1,000 new student opportunities, and finished numerous construction projects and renovations, including the Simon Center for Economics and Business.
“As the Board’s resolution makes clear, our faith in President Hurd and her dedication, energy, and abilities to lead Lafayette College is unwavering.'Lafayette College board of trustees letter
It also says she attained the “highest level of assurance from the college’s independent auditors regarding financial statements for fiscal year 2024, and secured another Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s favorable bond ratings of A+/A- and Aa3, respectively.
Finally, it says she enhanced the college’s standing in yearly rankings, including the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings and U.S. News & World Report/Liberal Arts College rankings.
Ultimately, though, the resolution does not directly address the major concerns raised by the faculty.
“As the Board’s resolution makes clear, our faith in President Hurd and her dedication, energy, and abilities to lead Lafayette College is unwavering," the resolution reads.
"She is, in our estimation, best positioned to lead this College in this most extraordinary time, and she will maintain and advance Lafayette’s position as a top-tier liberal arts college in the United States."
“The Board of Trustees joins with President Hurd in recommitting to uphold the mission of the College.
"Through sincere and constructive dialogue, we can support one another in the common purpose of Lafayette College and its influential role in higher education.”
'Power, dedication and excellence'
In her letter, Hurd said, "The College is strong across its finances, enrollment, academic programs, and planning efforts.
"Even from this position of strength, however, we also face the many challenges the rest of higher education does. We will only thrive in our third century if we face these challenges together.
"Though there are obstacles ahead, I am extremely optimistic about the future of Lafayette College. As I told the faculty this week, my optimism comes from what I know to be true after my three and a half years as your president."
Hurd said she "know[s] and respect[s] the power, dedication, and excellence of our world-class faculty, who are exceptional teacher-scholars and provide invaluable service to the College."
She also said she is "grateful both to our long-serving faculty who have built this vibrant institution, and to our new colleagues who are bringing their talents and scholarship to their classrooms, research, and creative activities."
"I know the commitment of our talented staff who support our campus community, from caring for the well-being of our students and staff to the stewardship of our technology, buildings, and grounds so we can deliver a world-class education," she says.
"I know the curiosity, passion, and creativity of our students, who are prepared by our dedicated faculty and staff to live lives of impact, transformed by the education they receive here.
"I know the deep pride and commitment held by our Trustees and the more than 30,000 alumni who think of Lafayette as a place to lift up, invest in, and call home.
"And finally, I know that, when we come together, we are a beacon in these challenging times — an inspiring exemplar of the power of a liberal arts education.
"I look forward to what we will do together."
