149 of 168 Faculty Members Vote No Confidence in President Bergeron

Photo courtesy of Zoe Dubelier ’23

On Mar. 8 at approximately 1 p.m.,149 faculty members voted no confidence in President Katherine Bergeron, while 11 expressed confidence and 8 abstained. 88.6% of faculty members have now officially joined the broader community which has strongly protested against Bergeron throughout the last two weeks. Based on the results of this vote, it is clear that the Connecticut College community is ready to part ways with Bergeron. 

A faculty vote of no confidence is not binding, as it does not hold the power to remove the president. It is, however, an official statement from the faculty that they do not support Bergeron as the president of the College, and lack confidence in her ability to do what is best for Conn as an institution. 

This official vote is unprecedented in the history of the College. In 2000, 78 of 105 tenured professors, approximately 75%, signed a letter in opposition of former President Claire Gaudiani. This contributed to the movement that led to her resignation. Today, SVE released a statement reaffirming their demand that Bergeron resigns. 

With this vote, the fourth Fanning takeover in College history continues to surpass the timeline and scope of any previous movement. Students have occupied the building for 10 full days, while the everyday operations of the College, both academic and extracurricular, have been greatly disrupted. Although the administration has taken steps to address the demands put forth by SVE, the campus community has not accepted the piecemeal nature of their response. Students, faculty, and staff continue to speak out, through votes, testimonies and physical protest, with the goal of meeting all eight demands and making Conn a more equal and inclusive college.

Update:

DRAFT RESOLUTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESIDENT OF CONNECTICUT COLLEGE Updated Tuesday 3/7/2023: 

“WHEREAS the faculty are fully committed to and believe in making Connecticut College an inclusive and equitable community for all to work and learn; 

WHEREAS actions and inactions by President Katherine Bergeron have precipitated among faculty a growing mistrust and loss of faith in her ability to lead and represent Connecticut College; 

WHEREAS the Connecticut College community can no longer function effectively while DRAFT 

Katherine Bergeron is president; 

WHEREAS President Katherine Bergeron’s lack of collaborative leadership has resulted in an inability to retain senior administrators, especially a Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion; 

WHEREAS the faculty have communicated concerns about the President’s actions to the Board of Trustees without remedy; 

WHEREAS the faculty have the responsibility once again to urge the Board of Trustees to fulfill their charge and duty to guide Connecticut College through these troubling times; therefore, be it 

RESOLVED, that we, the faculty of Connecticut College, formally declare that we have no confidence in the leadership of President Katherine Bergeron. 

RESOLVED, that we, the faculty of Connecticut College, call upon the Board of Trustees to provide a prompt announcement of President Katherine Bergeron’s transition from office and the immediate appointment of an acting president.”