University of Southern California Academic Senate Votes to Censure President Carol Folt

Amidst recent controversies and dissatisfaction, the academic senate at the University of Southern California has taken action against the school's president, Carol Folt. The senate, mainly comprising faculty members, has voted to censure Folt and has also backed calls for an investigation into the administration's decisions.

The resolution, passed after a lengthy meeting, emphasized the widespread dissatisfaction and concern among the faculty regarding the decision-making of both Folt and Andrew T. Guzman, the provost. This move comes in the wake of the cancelation of a Muslim student's valedictory address, the swift clearance of a protest encampment, and the involvement of the police in arresting numerous protesters last month.

Support and Implications

It is important to note that this vote represents only a fraction of the university's 4,700 faculty members, and a vote of no-confidence in the administrators was not taken. Despite the criticisms, Folt continues to have significant support from the university's trustees, and some faculty members have expressed quiet sympathy for her.

However, the vote is deemed to have "far-reaching implications" by William G. Tierney, a professor emeritus of higher education at U.S.C., who has extensively studied campus protests across the nation.