On July 18, 2024, the JMU exec committee sent a letter to all JMU instructional faculty to share our concern about the JMU presidential search committee. We noted that while there are 7 BOV members on this 11 person committee, only a single member was chosen from the more than 1000 instructional faculty.

And a correction and apology is necessary. Our letter implied that Suzanne Obenshain would serve as both the Board of Visitors Rector-Elect and chair of the presidential search. This is incorrect, and the mistake was mine. Suzanne Obenshain is the BOV Rector-Elect and Kay Coles James, a member of the BOV, is the search chair.

As a member of the 2024 AAUP-JMU exec committee, but speaking only for myself, I welcome conversation about important topics. The selection of JMU’s next president, and the process by which that selection will be made, is a vitally important topic. Our July 18th letter generated conversation and comments from several folks in our the community, with responses ranged from strong agreement to strong disagreement. I encourage more.

In solidarity,
Roger Thelwell, 2024 AAUP-JMU secretary