The faculty of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, has issued a vote of no confidence in President Ben Sells. This is reportedly the first time in the university’s 140-year history the faculty has taken such action.
Meanwhile, the university’s board of trustees continue to stand behind Sells’ leadership.
In a 52–21 vote on April 29, faculty members expressed deep concerns over what they describe as a lack of shared governance, academic freedom and a climate of fear on campus, according to multiple local news outlets. OBU is affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.
Several faculty and former staff, speaking anonymously, cited “abuses of power,” restrictions on teaching gender and sexuality topics, and an “anti-queer” agenda, including policies allegedly written into the student handbook that could expel students for same-sex relationships or gender identity, reported KARK NBC 4 in Little Rock.
Unanimous trustee support
Despite the vote of no confidence, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed its unanimous support for Sells in a vote the next day, praising his leadership and commitment to OBU’s Christian mission, The Arkadelphian reported.
Sells acknowledged disagreements, but emphasized a desire to collaborate and maintain Ouachita’s “academically excellent and distinctly Christian education,” reported KATV ABC 7 in Little Rock.
While some students continue to stand behind Sells, faculty frustration reportedly remains.
The administration has reportedly pledged to engage in more intentional dialogue going forward.
See related headlines below:
OBU faculty vote no confidence in president; lack of shared governance cited —KATV ABC 7, Little Rock
Ouachita Baptist University president receives overwhelming ‘no confidence’ vote from faculty —KARK NBC 4, Little Rock
Ouachita president gets faculty vote of no confidence; board of trustees sides with Sells —The Arkadelphian
The links above are a sampling of headlines related to the story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled from news reports by The Baptist Paper.
