Rapid change creates rift between Columbus State president, faculty

Columbus State University is struggling to repair a marriage.

But this broken relationship doesn't involve a husband and wife -- it’s between the school's president and faculty.

In April, 62 percent of the faculty at Columbus State voted no confidence in President Tim Mescon. The vote had no direct impact on Mescon’s job; the state Board of Regents unanimously renewed his annual contract just a month later.

But the consensus on both sides of the divide is that the vote did send the message that Mescon, who arrived on campus almost two years ago, must slow down his sweeping campus reforms, which have included reorganizing academic programs and colleges and revamping rules on promotion and tenure.

More than that, those involved say, he needs to discuss his plans with the faculty and consider their concerns before making decisions.

"I expect things will be different next year, but it will be hard for there to be trust," said Susan Hrach, executive officer of the Faculty Senate. "A lot of my colleagues would say trust is broken and it's not something that's possible to regain."

Former University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen Portch has met with Mescon and advised him to slow down and to seek and listen to faculty advice. Portch said he's planning to return to campus in July for a retreat with Mescon and his cabinet.

The cabinet now includes representatives from the Faculty Senate and Staff Council, additions Mescon made after the no-confidence vote. He also has committed to monthly meetings with the senate's executive committee.

"In retrospect we might have moved too quickly; it was too much, too fast," Mescon said. "I get it. I heard it. I know I need to modify my own behavior. I want to do everything I can to make this work. It's about listening in a very profound way and moving in what is collectively viewed as an appropriate manner."

The question is how quickly the faculty and Mescon can resolve their differences.

Portch said the situation "is not totally irreversible," but it won't be easy. Improved communication on both sides is key, he said, as well as realistic priorities for what can be accomplished.

"You have to trade peanuts for elephants," Portch said. "You don't have to win everything; let the little ones go."

Student body President Joshua Burston said students were blindsided by the faculty's call of a no-confidence vote.

Many of the school's nearly 8,200 students are happy with the president, he said. Mescon made the campus wireless, provided more student clubs and teams, and opened new buildings, Burston said.

"We have confidence they'll get through this, but students are caught in the crossfire right now," Burston said. "We love the president and he's done a lot of great things in our eyes. The president is supposed to make big decisions and he's always going to either be the hero or the villain."

Mescon replaced Frank Brown, who led Columbus State for 20 years. Mescon previously served as dean of the college of business at Kennesaw State University.

In the competitive metro Atlanta higher education market, Mescon led aggressively, making quick changes to keep the college ahead of other programs and attractive to students. The business college won numerous national accolades.