SACUA issued a statement condemning recent statements made by Regent Weiser. Faculty Senate members, lecturers, and clinical faculty had the opportunity to endorse the statement through an electronic ballot. Of 7,320 faculty members, 1,837 participated in the vote. Of the 1,837 voters, 1,807 endorsed the statement, and 30 faculty members voted no.
The text of SACUA’s Statement follows:
The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA), the executive arm of the University of Michigan (Faculty) Senate, strongly rejects and condemns Regent Ron Weiser’s comments to the North Oakland Republican Club on March 26, 2021.
The Detroit News reported and published a video in which Regent Weiser can be heard calling, among other improper language, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; Dana Nessel, the state attorney general; and Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state, the “three witches.” In response to a question about supporting opponents who would run against Representatives Fred Upton and Peter Meijer (both voted in favor of impeaching former President Trump), Regent Weiser responded that “Other than assassination, I have no other way than voting them out.”
SACUA believes that the language used by Regent Weiser and the intention of such language altogether perpetuate misogynistic attitudes that continue to oppress women and girls while it incites and perpetuates violence. As an elected representative of the people of Michigan, and an incumbent in a leadership position at the University, Regent Weiser must uphold the University’s professed values of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and he must model responsible public behavior.
Disrespect of women and incitement to violence against elected officials is a betrayal of the trust our community – students, faculty and staff – places on Regent Weiser. SACUA believes strongly and without any hesitation that Regent Weiser cannot be an effective leader in our community.