In a 1-10-4 vote last Tuesday, the AUSA Senate decided not to support a resolutions praising the appointment of Marc Holtzman to the new, previously non-existent position of president of the University of Denver.
A day later, the faculty met to discuss Holtzman’s appointment. Faculty representatives then presented their comments about not being consulted by Chancellor Daniel L. Ritchie and the DU Board of Trustees about Holtzman’s candidacy and appointment. Ritchie met with the faculty at a roundtable discussion Friday.
The Undergraduate Women’s Council and PRIDE held a silent protest at 2 p.m. as Ritchie met in the Daniels College of Business with the faculty. The student group met outside Evans Chapel at 2 p.m. and walked over to the lawn outside of Mary Reed. PRIDE member, Scott Kercher, said that protestors planned to wear tape on their mouths to demonstrate being silenced.
The student government’s decision not to actively support Holtzman’s appointment and the faculty meeting reflect the dissatisfaction of the campus community with the surprise appointment.
The university learned about Holtzman’s appointment at a press conference May 1.
The AUSA resolution in support of Holtzman was presented by DCB Senator Andrew Petraitis, who said, “President Holtzman is a great asset to this university and will help to create new relationships with potential donors and employers. I trust the decision of our chancellor and our board of trustees [whose] job it is to make these appointments, and I trust their decision wholly.”
Petraitis’ resolution was rejected vehemently by members of the student senate.
Senator Chris Adams said the decision to appoint Holtzman as president offended him as a promoter of diversity. Adams is the senator of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering and head of the Diversity Committee for the Senate.
“Appointment of Mr. Holtzman has been a slap in the face to the Diversity Committee,” Adams said. “What this means is that every single African-American and Latino-American and woman was not given a chance for this position. Because of this, the appointment of Mr. Holtzman was against the law.”
Adams retracted his statement during the meeting when Senior Senator Nic Marcheso argued.
Marcheso said, “I understand it was not opened up to everyone, which does include Anglo-Saxon men. If we’re going to attempt to play lack of regards to racial issues, I think that’s not fair.”
AHUM/SOCS Senator Linda Knight said, “While I do agree that a university should be run like a corporation, I do not think this was done in an appropriate manner. This goes against what [Chancellor Ritchie has] been telling us that we’re a cohesive body.” AHUM/SOCS Senator Amber Kirchenschlager agreed.
In defense of Holtzman’s appointment, Petraitis said, “These people are only trying to better DU and it bothers me when people protest when they do not know the facts. Before protesting, find out more about the great things President Holtzman will do for DU.”
AUSA President Jake Bakker said he thinks that support for Holtzman is growing.
“Following the chancellor’s roundtable discussion I believe students are more welcoming to the idea of Marc Holtzman’s appointment as president. And they should,” he said.
“Holtzman’s expressed interest in furthering our institution should not only be accepted, but celebrated,” Bakker said.
