To Begin Anew the Re-Envisioning of Emporia State University

-Whereas, the process by which a plan has been designed to restructure Emporia State University has occurred in secret, and

-Whereas, the case for major budget restructuring at ESU including the suspension of tenure rests on a policy with a stated intention that it be used only to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, and

-Whereas, as measured by hospitalizations, deaths, and the policies of Emporia State University itself, the pandemic is currently waning, and

-Whereas, the federal CARES Act and other legislation were intended to provide money to cushion the impact of the pandemic on institutions such as Emporia State, and

-Whereas, the case for a deep restructuring of Emporia State University rests on an analysis of data have not been shared with ESU students, faculty, staff, or alumni, and

-Whereas, Emporia State University is a unique academic institution and community with its own history, relationships and programs, one which is not to be "parted out" ostensibly for the benefit of other KBOR institutions, and

-Whereas, the administration and faculties of the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and other KBOR institutions have affirmed their support for tenure at Emporia State and have not requested that resources be redirected from Emporia State to their institutions, and

-Whereas, the mission statement of Emporia State University is "Changing Lives for the Common Good," and

-Whereas, Emporia State University has an existing relationship with the Kansas Leadership Center, and

-Whereas, the Kansas Leadership Center's core teachings include, "Leadership is an Activity, Not a Position," and "Speak to Loss,"  among others

THE SIGNERS OF THIS PETITION AFFIRM THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING:

1.  The Board of Regents is asked to reject the proposal for a suspension of tenure at Emporia State, and
2. The current process of review and proposals for restructuring be halted and no further changes be made to the programs, staffing, or structure of Emporia State based upon that process, and
3. Money from the federal CARES Act and other sources be used to stabilize Emporia State's finances and continue current operations for a period of one year, and
4.  The students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners of Emporia State University will partner with the Kansas Leadership Center and begin anew a process of re-envisioning Emporia State, guided by the following principles:
   1. Change is inevitable
   2. The environment of academic institutions, including Emporia State, is changing
   3. Any process of re-envisioning our community is likely to be painful and involve difficult choices
   4. This process of making painful and difficult choices should involved transparency at every level, including meetings, meeting notes, access to reporters (including student reporters), and wide sharing of any and all data being used to justify these decisions with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of our community
   5. This process shall be characterized by widespread involvement of the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners of Emporia State University including, but not limited to, town hall meetings and one-on-one conversations
   6. The final proposal for restructuring Emporia State shall result from this process and shall be presented to Kansas Board of Regents no later than their September, 2023 regularly scheduled meeting.