
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 19, 1995                   TAG: 9501190083
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HARRISONBURG                                LENGTH: Short

SOME FACULTY CALL FOR CONFIDENCE VOTE ON JMU PRESIDENT|

Faculty members upset over an academic shake-up at James Madison University are calling for a faculty vote on President Ronald E. Carrier's ability to lead the school.

``We're being treated like clerks in a department store,'' said Jesse Liles, an education professor. ``This is the most serious intrusion into faculty autonomy ... he's done so far.''

On Friday, Carrier announced that as a part of state-mandated restructuring of schools, JMU would merge the College of Letters and Sciences with the College of Communication and the Arts. He also announced that the physics major would be dropped. The move will eliminate 11 staff positions.

In reaction, the steering committee of the faculty senate decided to propose a confidence vote on Carrier's leadership ability.

Whether that vote will be allowed will be decided Thursday by the 35-member faculty senate. If the senate approves the proposal, the full faculty of about 500 could vote on Carrier's leadership as early as next week.

A vote of no-confidence by the faculty would have no official weight but could send a symbolic message to the JMU board of visitors.

Carrier, president of the school for 24 years, said through a spokesman Tuesday that he did not want to comment on the faculty unrest.

But university spokesman Fred Hilton said he hoped faculty would look beyond current anger.

``I hope they keep in mind that Dr. Carrier has taken this school from something of an average school to one of national prominence,'' Hilton said.

by CNB