CALEXICO — The majority of San Diego State University-Imperial Valley campus faculty have no confidence in Dean David Pearson, alleging he lacks leadership and creates a campus-wide atmosphere of fear and retribution.
The no-confidence vote against Pearson occurred one week ago, with the statement of no confidence being forwarded to officials at the main campus and around the Calexico campus Monday.
Pearson came on board just over two years ago from the University of Brownsville in Texas, where he was the vice president for partnership affairs.
“We, the faculty of SDSU-IV, recognize that SDSU is faced with numerous challenges as the funding sources for the university and even the mission of the university are being transformed by the current recession. We know there are sacrifices to be made,” says the statement endorsed by SDSU-IV faculty last week. “Our primary concern is that we do not appear to have the leadership in place to enable SDSU-IV to emerge from this turmoil as a strong, effective provider of higher education in the Imperial Valley. We expect an administration that would promote, rather than avoid, engagement with faculty and staff during deliberations on programmatic decisions.”
Several SDSU-IV professors who expressed their disappointment with Pearson’s methods and demeanor stated they preferred not to be quoted for this article for fear of retribution and cited an atmosphere of intimidation.
Emeritus professor Richard Ryan retired from SDSU-IV in May. He said while he doesn’t know Pearson well and can’t comment on his management style, he believes the tenured track faculty at the university “is disappointed that he doesn’t push hard for the needs of the Imperial Valley (campus).”
Ryan explained that “at the best of times we’re a footnote” in the eyes of the main campus
Pearson “needs to be a tremendously strong advocate for Imperial Valley (campus) and I sense that is lacking,” he said.
“It’s really hard for the faculty to speak out on this for fear of punishment and retaliation,” Ryan said. “It’s a very small campus and very small community.”
Several calls to Pearson were not returned by press time.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
To join the discussion and add your comments to this story, please click here to be directed to Facebook.
The no-confidence vote against Pearson occurred one week ago, with the statement of no confidence being forwarded to officials at the main campus and around the Calexico campus Monday.
Pearson came on board just over two years ago from the University of Brownsville in Texas, where he was the vice president for partnership affairs.
“We, the faculty of SDSU-IV, recognize that SDSU is faced with numerous challenges as the funding sources for the university and even the mission of the university are being transformed by the current recession. We know there are sacrifices to be made,” says the statement endorsed by SDSU-IV faculty last week. “Our primary concern is that we do not appear to have the leadership in place to enable SDSU-IV to emerge from this turmoil as a strong, effective provider of higher education in the Imperial Valley. We expect an administration that would promote, rather than avoid, engagement with faculty and staff during deliberations on programmatic decisions.”
Several SDSU-IV professors who expressed their disappointment with Pearson’s methods and demeanor stated they preferred not to be quoted for this article for fear of retribution and cited an atmosphere of intimidation.
Emeritus professor Richard Ryan retired from SDSU-IV in May. He said while he doesn’t know Pearson well and can’t comment on his management style, he believes the tenured track faculty at the university “is disappointed that he doesn’t push hard for the needs of the Imperial Valley (campus).”
Ryan explained that “at the best of times we’re a footnote” in the eyes of the main campus
Pearson “needs to be a tremendously strong advocate for Imperial Valley (campus) and I sense that is lacking,” he said.
“It’s really hard for the faculty to speak out on this for fear of punishment and retaliation,” Ryan said. “It’s a very small campus and very small community.”
Several calls to Pearson were not returned by press time.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
To join the discussion and add your comments to this story, please click here to be directed to Facebook.
