UCLA Senate Rejects Censure, No Confidence Motion Against Chancellor Block
TL/DR –
The UCLA Academic Senate has voted against censuring and making a “no confidence” statement against UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, despite criticism over the university’s response to a pro-Palestinian campus encampment and violent mob attack. On the “no confidence” resolution, 79 faculty members approved and 103 opposed, while on the censure decision, 88 faculty members approved, 88 opposed, leading to a tie and therefore a failure to pass. The votes were in relation to whether Block had failed to ensure student safety and mishandled events related to the pro-Palestinian encampment and ensuing violence.
UCLA’s Chancellor Avoids Formal Disapproval by Academic Senate
The UCLA Academic Senate voted against issuing a “no confidence” statement and censuring UCLA Chancellor Gene Block. The vote was in response to criticisms over the handling of a pro-Palestinian campus encampment and violent attack against it.
On the no confidence resolution, 43% of representatives opposed UCLA’s top leader, with 79 faculty members approving, 103 opposed, five abstaining, and seven members not voting. In terms of censure, the votes split evenly, with 88 faculty members both for and against censuring, hence it did not pass.
Academic Senate Chair Andrea M. Kasko later addressed the faculty in a letter, acknowledging the division among them regarding recent events. UC President Michael V. Drake expressed his support for Chancellor Block’s commitment to the University in challenging times.
The votes centered on Chancellor Block’s handling of the pro-Palestinian encampment and associated violent events that started April 25. On April 30, a mob attacked the encampment overnight, leading to numerous injuries and arrests.
More than 200 members from various UCLA departments, elected to represent 3,800 faculty members, conducted the vote. This vote comes as a significant point in Block’s 17-year tenure, which he announced last year will end on July 31.
Opinions among the faculty were divided. Some viewed the censure resolution as an attempt to scapegoat Block, while others saw it as a necessary form of accountability.
Michael Chwe, a political science professor and member of the legislative assembly, viewed the close vote as an achievement, stating, “This is the start of many things people are doing to bring accountability and to protect student safety on campus.”
In light of the recent events, a letter signed by more than 900 faculty and staff members throughout the UC system demanded Block’s resignation, amnesty for peaceful protestors, and divestment from military weapon production companies.
In other news, the US Congress is investigating UCLA for alleged antisemitic events, with a hearing in Washington, D.C. scheduled ahead. This follows several actions by U.S. university faculty regarding administrations’ handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
The UCLA situation began on April 25 when students set up an encampment to express solidarity with Palestinians and condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza. The encampment was deemed unlawful on April 30, leading to a violent mob attack against students, with law enforcement intervening several hours later. Investigations into the situation are ongoing.
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