MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Faculty and students are demanding regents oust the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s top administrators, arguing their leadership has been erratic and incompetent.
Faculty members and students sent the regents a letter Thursday expressing a lack of confidence in Chancellor Bernie Patterson’s administration.
The letter comes after the administration announced in March they wanted to eliminate 13 programs to help cope with a $4.5 million deficit. This month the administration scaled that back to six majors.
The letter argues Patterson’s staff expanded enrollment and over-hired when they should have planned for a leaner future. The letter also notes a student dean who handled sexual misconduct complaints resigned after he himself was accused of sexual harassment in 2015.
Patterson said in a statement that his administration is leading the school through “necessary change.”
UW System spokeswoman Heather LaRoi didn’t immediately reply to an email.
