Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle reacts to a question during a meeting with the Westfield State University Board of Trustees. Dobelle was questioned on expenses incurred for trips, lodging, and meals related to the university. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD (AP) — Faculty members and librarians at Westfield State University are planning a no-confidence vote in school President Evan Dobelle later this month.
The Oct. 16 vote was scheduled after Dobelle missed a deadline Thursday to explain travel spending criticized by an outside auditor and state inspector general.
After Dobelle missed the deadline, state Higher Education Commissioner Richard Freeland froze $197,000 in university funding and recommended withholding another $2 million for a planned science center.
Buzz Hoagland, president of the faculty and librarian union, told The Republican that the union will present the vote results to the school’s Board of Trustees.
Dobelle spokesman George Regan says Dobelle plans to submit documents to Freeland on Monday and criticized Freeland’s decision to withhold school funding as a form of blackmail.
