Faculty of a campus 'in crisis' vote for Hamline's president to resign

[AUDIO LOGO] CATHY WURZER: In our top story, there's another development in the controversy over academic and religious freedom at Hamline University. Yesterday, the majority of full-time faculty members called for University President Fayneese Miller to resign her position. She's under fire for her handling of the fallout from a student complaint about a lecture in an art history class last fall.

That's when adjunct professor Erika Lopez Prater showed a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad. That upset some Muslim students. The professor was not asked to return to the school the following semester. The situation has created a controversy over academic freedom and religion and inclusivity that's made international headlines.

Here to talk with us about the faculty vote is Professor Jim Scheibel. He's the president of the Faculty Council at Hamline University. Thanks for joining us. Welcome.

JIM SCHEIBEL: Thanks for having me.

CATHY WURZER: Out of the 130 full-time faculty, 71 voted in favor of this no confidence vote-- the statement. What was behind the meeting and the vote?

JIM SCHEIBEL: Well, there's been a crisis at Hamline. There's been harm done. And the faculty wanted to make a statement. We knew we had to make a statement. But some 60 people were-- it's hard to craft a document for 100 people-- but we wanted to make a strong statement that there is not a contradiction between religious freedom and academic freedom and inclusiveness. That's what Hamline was built on.

But there has been great damage done. There's been division. And we need to have a rebuilding. And the faculty that voted believe that we need new leadership. There's great damage that's been done. We believe, because of our foundation, our reputation, we can rebuild. We know it's going to be a lot of work. But we need new leadership at the top.

CATHY WURZER: So you say great damage has been done to the college's reputation.

JIM SCHEIBEL: Yes. Hamline has a great reputation, the oldest university in Minnesota. And we've stood for being involved in the community, for high academics, for creativity. And we know we have to rebuild that. I mean, all over the world, people right now have questions about Hamline. But we do believe, with the faculty and the students and staff, we can rebuild that reputation.

And like so many things, from adversity can come even better. And I just had class this morning, and the students are ready. And I know the faculty is ready, as well as people in the administration, to move forward, to rebuild our reputation, to be leaders in Minnesota and the country.

CATHY WURZER: Why is it necessary for President Miller to resign? I mean, what does removing one person accomplish?

JIM SCHEIBEL: Well, the first thing we need to show-- I mean, some people have framed this as academic freedom versus religious freedom. And you can't be a leading university without both of those. And we know there's been damage done. And we've heard from alum. We've heard from people, contributors and donors. And that we need to show, in a way, we're the old Hamline-- I'd say we need to be the old Hamline, but the Hamline of 2023 and into the future.

And as I said, we can do it. But we need new leadership at the top.

CATHY WURZER: Is there also something going on with-- I know some faculty were upset when the president combined programs to cut university spending. I'm wondering, how does that factor into this? And how did debates on campus that existed before this winter play into the vote?

JIM SCHEIBEL: I think there was part of that history. There are some of my colleagues who believe that the president should have been removed some time ago. So they play into it. But we spent a month crafting a response to the current crisis and situation and we put forward our principles. But it did come down to we need new leadership and we're ready to move forward.

And I'm very encouraged. I've heard from the provost-- the interim provost, and other people, like, we're going to move ahead. And it's not going to be easy. The class I was just in-- I mean, there's been hurt done. But I think, Cathy, I see that this can be an opportunity for us to, as professors, even be better in what we teach in the classroom. And it's a different-looking student body than 25 years ago. So I think this is a good signal to move on. And we're ready to do that.

CATHY WURZER: You mentioned the students. I don't know if you saw this, that Becky Dernbach, a reporter from Sahan Journal, had a story yesterday. And she wrote about how some Muslim students had been navigating a return to campus as this controversy just keeps going. And one student she talked with was worried about the future. That in the future, students will be on their own if they feel hurt by something a professor has done.

What would you say to students who are worried about not being supported?

JIM SCHEIBEL: Well, one of our hallmarks has been our care of students. And as I said, we need to look at how we can better demonstrate that. One of President Miller's strengths was she had a great relationship with some of the students. She loved our student athletes and was great motivation to them. And I always admired her history in civil rights.

But with that said, I know certainly part of the challenge-- and it's why we need leadership-- we need to move forward. And we believe we cannot do that with her as the president at this time.

CATHY WURZER: You still feel that students will be supported moving forward?

JIM SCHEIBEL: Yeah, we stand for that. We always have. And it concerns me and hurts me that some people-- some of the students-- do not feel there's that care. And to the faculty, that's a challenge. Our history has been knowing their names, knowing things about them, and ensuring that they're not only good students, but good citizens and ready to be leaders.

CATHY WURZER: Let me ask you about-- I'm just curious about this-- as a professor now. President Miller has said the school supports academic freedom and also students' well-being. How does one allow for the robust exchange of ideas in a classroom while some students may be uncomfortable, even traumatized, or feel disrespected? How do you balance that?

JIM SCHEIBEL: Well, students should never-- no one should ever feel disrespected. And as I said, there's not a contradiction. I've met with many students over the time to-- with COVID and different things-- were seeking help. And we look at the whole person. And I think we can do that.

And I know the Faculty Council and other people are ready to work and dialogue and look for different steps that we might take to assure the students they are number one. They are our focus here at Hamline. We will provide the best learning, and challenge them. But there just is not a contradiction. There might be tension between freedom of religion, inclusiveness, and academic freedom, but it's not a contradiction.

CATHY WURZER: And how do you think adjunct faculty should be supported moving forward?

JIM SCHEIBEL: Well, they're an important part of any institution of higher learning today. And they're part of the Hamline community, and we've reached out to them before-- in the current situation. They are represented by a union, so they have that voice. But over the years-- my 16 years at Hamline-- we've worked very closely. And they're a part of Hamline education. We need them. They do a great job. And we want them to feel here at home.

CATHY WURZER: And a final question here, Professor Scheibel. The president and the chair of the Trustees say that Hamline will hold conversations on academic freedom and student care. Do you have any insight as to what that could look like?

JIM SCHEIBEL: Now, I think that takes a lot of work. I see that as sort of the first thing put forward. But it's going to take more than people speaking at us. As one of my students said this morning, we don't need outside people. We might need some facilitators. But we need to have the discussion and dialogue among ourselves, faculty, staff, and students.

But I applaud-- it's right to say we need to look at, what does it really mean about-- what do we mean by academic freedom? What do we mean by freedom of religion? We're known for inclusiveness. What does that really mean? And like I say, it's really been challenging. But from that diversity, I think we can be leaders.

CATHY WURZER: All right, Professor. Thank you for your time.

JIM SCHEIBEL: Always a pleasure.

CATHY WURZER: Jim Scheibel has been with us. He leads Hamline University's Faculty Council. He voted yesterday to publicly ask for the College's president to resign. Now, we reached out to Hamline University President Miller. She was not able to be on today's show. But we may hear from her later this week.