In a memorandum Tuesday to the department of biological sciences, President Bill Perry said he would not be initiating removal proceedings on the chair and interim vice chair of the department.

On Sept. 11, the department of biological sciences took a vote of no confidence, which is the first step in removing a chair and vice chair from office.

The results of which were 12 for no confidence, 10 for confidence and two abstentions.

The vote was against Chair Andy Methven and interim Associate Chair Marina Marjanovic.

“In that vote, a two-thirds majority of all probationary and tenured faculty members of the department of biological sciences was not obtained,” Perry said in his memorandum.

A Board of Trustees regulation states, “In appropriate circumstances, removal of a Chairperson from office may be initiated by vote of a two-thirds majority of all probationary and tenured faculty members of the department/division, or by the dean of the college after consultation with members of the department/division and the provost/academic vice president.”

The regulation continues to state that the president makes the final decision with respect to removal of a chairperson.

“By the Board of Trustees regulations, it was an advisory vote and it did not reach the level it called for so at this time the dean and department of biological sciences is continuing to talk on how to proceed,” said Blair Lord, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Mary Anne Hanner, dean of the College of Sciences, said according to the BOT regulations there was no other action to be taken after the vote.

“In that vote a few weeks ago.it wasn’t a two-thirds vote so no further action has been taken by me,” she said.

Hanner said any decision though, even if the vote had been a two-thirds vote, would be decided by the president.

Hanner said the work of the department continues as it would.

“We’re continuing to work toward

better communication among members of the faculty and administration in the department of biological sciences,” she said.

She said she will assist the department as they work through this disagreement.

“It’s clear issues still exist there that are not resolved,” Hanner said. “It’s my greatest hope that they’ll find common ground and work toward improving the situation there.”

In the memorandum, Perry said the department of biological sciences is a strong department.

“The selection of a new department chair can support the further advancement of the department,” he stated in the memo to the department. “I encourage your full participation in the search process in order that the next department chair can begin with full confidence of the entire faculty.”

Emily Zulz can be reached at 581-7942 or at eazulz@eiu.edu.