I was a participating member of the UMass Faculty Senate vote of no-confidence in the Chancellor Javier Reyes on Monday. I entered the meeting with an open mind and a desire to hear from both sides of opinion that would frame the vote. Instead, I have come away disgusted by the process and in its handling. With something that was supposed to have some degree of weight and deliberation, a motion was passed with less than half of those present on Zoom and in person actually voting. There were multiple problems with the vote, a confusing wording of the vote itself, a reliance on technology that was clear that many of the faculty could not quickly adapt to, and very limited time to even respond. People were leaving to pick up their children and attending to other family duties by the time that the vote rolled around at 5 pm. It was never made clear why the motion had to be considered immediately, especially in light of so many problems. A vote of no confidence on this whole process would have been more appropriate. The Faculty Senate at UMass has made a grievous error in this shameful proceeding.

Paul Siqueira, UMass professor of electrical and computer engineering

Amherst