Nearly 600 members of WVU faculty came out for a mass meeting this afternoon in Morgantown. While it wasn't enough for a "university assembly", they decided to move forward with six different motions.

When the vote came in for the first motion, which called for support of the Faculty Senate vote demanding the resignation of President Mike Garrison, the response was overwhelming.

563 member voted in favor of that motion, 35 against. There were also five other motions on the table, including two motions that asked the composition of the Board of Governors be changed to include more faculty or alumni.

There was also one that called for greater faculty say in selecting administrators. Still another motion wanted an outside panel to hear complaints from faculty and staff to receive concerns about harassment and retribution or employment status related to opinions expressed about administration.

President Garrison released this statement after today's meeting:

"I am aware of the results of the group that met at WVU today. I
recognize the gravity of what has occurred on our campus, and I share
the anger of many who agree that WVU must never compromise the value of
its degrees. I am dismayed that it happened under my administration and
I’m committed to making sure nothing of this sort happens here again.

In addition, I’ve heard from a number of others – on the faculty, among
our students and staff, and among our alumni – who believe that it is
time for WVU to move forward with its business as a University and begin
rebuilding our great University’s reputation for integrity and academic
excellence. I have been charged by the Board of Governors to move
forward, and plan to report to them in June on our efforts.

I am moving in that direction. Today WVU appointed an interim provost,
Dr. Jane Martin, who has agreed to work diligently to see that our
academic programs continue to thrive and to serve our students. I intend
to take additional steps to assure the entire WVU community that we are
moving forward to meet the challenges that face our University and our
state.

I agree with some of the issues that were raised today. I strongly agree
that there is no place for intimidation of any kind on our campus. I am
a believer in free and open debate and that everyone on this campus has
the right to participate in that debate. Any sort of intimidation should
be reported.

I have consistently said that I would work with faculty leaders to help
express to the Governor their desire for additional representation from
the academic community on the Board of Governors."