The petition, which has been circulating for two weeks and has enough signatures to prompt a Faculty Senate vote, lists nine reasons faculty lack faith in Leavitt’s ability to lead UW-Oshkosh. They include Leavitt’s oversight of “substantial overspending of revenues” that contributed to the budget crisis and destruction of student support networks built over decades; failure to address potential enrollment declines; and a disregard for shared governance groups. The petition cited Leavitt’s reliance on a consulting firm, not faculty and staff governance, to determine layoffs.
“UW-Oshkosh is strong. Our top leadership is not,” the petition states. “We take no joy in listing the failings of our current leadership. Indeed, we live with their impact every day.”