It's appropriate for the executive director to report to the Board of Trustees. But it is unclear how the board defines his responsibilities and measure his effectiveness. Seek a new level of expertise on the board, especially as distance learning expands. Because faculty members fear taht they can be dismissed without cause or fair warning, establish a clear link between performance, contract reviw and renewals. The executive director has a reputation of being autocratic and a poor listener who can become emotional and defensive when challenged or questioned.
Some anger remains over how the executive director was hired.
Too many faculty and staff, as well as the executive director, refuse to let go of the past. Have school leaders set the tone, not compromising on issues of fairness, whether real or perceived. Emphasize team building for faculty and staff, with regular, totally anonymous employee-climate surveys, discussion of the results in all units, and concret action plains. There is a shortage of minority faculty and a declining number of student applications, especially from minorities. Soem qualified minority faculty turn down job offers.