Feb. 13, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Morton, or 717-236-7486, Ext. 3007
Faculty and coaches at Commonwealth University declared their lack of confidence in university President Bashar Hanna’s leadership in a vote this week.
The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties polled its members as well as nonmember faculty and coaches at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses via electronic, anonymous ballot Tuesday and Wednesday. Of voters, 88.65% said they do not have confidence in President Bashar Hanna’s leadership. These results will not be broken down by bargaining unit, chapter, or membership status.
“Many of our members were ready to conduct this vote 10 months ago or more,” Lock Haven APSCUF Chapter President Dr. Stanley Berard said. “I hope that the chancellor, the board, and the trustees understand the gravity of the situation.”
In December, APSCUF’s state president, Dr. Kenneth M. Mash, called upon the Commonwealth University council of trustees to vote on Hanna’s leadership, too. The next regularly scheduled meeting of Commonwealth University’s council of trustees is slated for March 7, according to the council’s webpage.
“Should the Commonwealth trustees still support the president, it is no longer adequate for them to put out a general statement of support,” Mash said. “If they want to support Hanna, they should do it in a public meeting with a roll-call vote — something they have not yet done. But the faculty and coaches have spoken, and Bashar Hanna needs to step aside, and if he refuses to do so, he needs to be fired.”
Mash’s comments echoed his November statement calling for action.
“My colleagues did not want to take this stance,” Mash said, “but all other communication has apparently not been effective. The bottom line is that his lack of leadership and behavior has affected students. Students see the consequences on the university, and student journalists have called for him to go. Our students, faculty, coaches, staff, and entire university community deserve better.”
Bloomsburg’s chapter president echoed the solidarity.
“These results indicate that the faculty and coaches at Commonwealth University are united to support our students along a new path that will benefit us all,” Bloomsburg APSCUF Chapter President Dr. Eric Hawrelak said. “I hope that the chancellor, the board, and trustees will join us and do what is best for our university.”
APSCUF represents about 5,000 faculty and coaches at the State System campuses: Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester.