Date: February 13, 2007
To: All Faculty and Staff
Fm: The Board of Trustees
Dear Friends,
Since our letter of February 5, we have been in discussions with the various parties we had contacted regarding the proposed process in which all issues concerning the Principia community are put on the table for resolution. We viewed fact finding to be a part of this procedure. Consequently, we support engaging an independent fact finder to establish any facts the parties to the process believe are necessary to reach resolution on any issue. The identity of the fact finder would be agreed to by the parties to the resolution procedure.
We reject the calls to remove Stuart Jenkins as CEO and a member of the Board of Trustees. The purpose of the dispute-resolution process, among others, is to establish the facts and then decide what actions, if any, should be taken. To date, we have only been provided with vague accusations of misconduct. To act on these charges without any orderly process of fact finding would be the height of unfairness.
Similarly, we reject the College faculty’s vote of no confidence and their call for the CEO’s resignation. The manner in which the College faculty arrived at their no-confidence vote was unacceptable. We object to the one-sided standard used in gathering and weighing evidence and testimony. We object to the failure to request information from the Board of Trustees and others with first-hand knowledge that would verify or refute statements or that would present another perspective on the accusations. Furthermore, it would be irresponsible for us to act based on the views of one group without taking into account the views of other constituencies on both campuses.
We are mindful of our responsibilities as Trustees to uphold the Purpose and Policies of The Principia. Policy 6 states:
“The Principia shall dedicate its service to the task of training its students to think – and to think clearly, vigorously, fearlessly, tolerantly, unselfishly.
The ability to gather and weigh evidence and to form conclusions that are free from personal influence or selfish considerations is essential to the formulation of sound judgment and to the exercise of constructive citizenship in a democracy. The Principia shall encourage its faculty, staff, and student body to learn by practice and experience to test their thinking by reference to divine law as given in the Bible and as interpreted in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy.”
The Principia community should afford all of its members the respect and courtesy to hear all sides of any issue or position so that thoughtful conclusions can be reached. This is a minimum standard of conduct for the Principia community that has not been followed. The proposal to conduct a dispute-resolution process, including an independent investigation, meets this standard. We have asked for representatives from the St. Louis campus to participate in this process. We urge that the faculty, staff, and students on the College campus forward to us promptly the names of two representatives from each constituency so we can together select an independent fact finder and begin the process that will lead to resolution and reconciliation.
We request that all representatives from both campuses meet with us on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Guest House on the College campus to agree on a fact finder and make a preliminary list of the issues to be resolved.
We look forward to taking this next step with you.
Sincerely yours,
The Board of Trustees
Katharine Bullock Helen Elswit Margaret Foerster
Willard Hanzlik William Hays Durant Hunter
Stuart Jenkins Michael Sharples Charles Spaulding, III
Christopher Towle