University Times

A standing-room-only crowd attended the April 10 Senate Council meeting in 2P56 Forbes Quadrangle. The only empty chair was at the meeting table, and the nameplate in front of the chair read: O'CONNOR.

Chancellor J. Dennis O'Connor had been scheduled to attend the meeting, which took place the day he announced his resignation. But O'Connor canceled — because "pressing personal and official matters" related to the resignation required his presence, according to a letter read at the meeting by Provost James Maher. University Senate President James Holland added that the chancellor's office had called him to say O'Connor wanted to avoid a "media circus" at the meeting.

In the chancellor's absence, and with camera flashes punctuating every few words, Holland read Pitt's official statement announcing O'Connor's resignation. (For excerpts, see story on page 1.) Provost Maher then read a brief letter from O'Connor to Council members. "Today's Senate Council agenda contains a number of important matters for discussion, and I wish to be a part of them," the letter stated, in part. "Further, these discussions ought to take place in an environment which is more conducive to thoughtful deliberations. Therefore I am asking that this meeting be rescheduled. Sincerely, J. Dennis O'Connor." Speaking for himself, Maher added: "I hope that we can all pull together during the next year to make sure the University runs well and prospers." Holland pointed out that the meeting's two major agenda items — a report on possible future Pitt benefits plans, and discussion of a proposed policy on the roles of University attorneys and individual employees in fact-finding investigations — had been canceled for various reasons. Holland then called on Staff Association Council President Darlene Harris to make her regular report to Council.

From across the room, Council member Nathan Hershey interrupted to ask: Didn't O'Connor just ask us to postpone the meeting? Harris added: "Are we going to adjourn?" Holland later said he couldn't make out what the two were saying. Maher repeated Hershey's question. Holland replied that he had assumed O'Connor wanted to take part in discussing the two main agenda items. Since Council wasn't going to deal with those items, Holland figured Council could proceed with the rest of the agenda. However, the Senate president agreed that rescheduling was possible, even though O'Connor's office already had notified him that the chancellor couldn't attend the Council meeting scheduled for May 8. "Let me work on the schedule," Holland said. "We'll figure it out." Council member Christina Paulston said: "Point of order. Am I right in thinking that, in the absence of the chancellor, the provost is the highest ranking University official?" "I believe that's correct," Holland replied.

"Am I right in assuming that he [Maher] could lead a thoughtful discussion of the issues at hand?" A discussion ensued, at the end of which Maher said he would be happy to field Council members' questions. "On the other hand," the provost said, "I think it is worth noting that the chancellor is scheduled to be the chancellor at the University for more than 12 more months, and that without some element of responsible cooperation he is going to have a much harder job giving the University the leadership it needs. So when he does ask to postpone the meeting, unless there is some overriding reason to continue the meeting, I think it might be good to consider acceding to his request." Senate Council then voted to adjourn. Holland said he would try to reschedule the May Council meeting to accommodate O'Connor. The new meeting date was not set as the University Times went to press.

— Bruce Steele