Sean McKinniss

My thanks to the faculty, staff, and reporters who continue to write me–and urge me to update this database! Today, I added a batch of votes from 2024 and 2023. I also fixed some broken links.

I will add my list from 2022 soon.

This week, I spoke with two journalists from The Chronicle of Higher Education. Megan Zahneis wrote about recent and prominent votes and Laura Krantz wrote about underlying reasons for no-confidence votes.

As I spoke with them, I realized this database is in need of a thorough update! My thanks to the faculty and administrators who sent notices and updates this week. Please check back as I add new votes.

I updated the database today after a long hiatus. There are now over twenty votes from 2021 recorded.

Also, Mae Kuykendall and I spoke with the Detroit Free Press about no-confidence votes across Michigan.

Thank you for visiting. I appreciate messages from faculty, presidents, trustees, and media. I learn a lot as well!

Today, I added numerous votes of no confidence to the database, including sixteen from this year. COVID-19 influenced many, but not all, of the votes in 2020. The remainder of the academic year will be interesting to say the least, especially from a governance perspective.

After a long absence, I added several new votes to the database. Numerous faculty, administrators, students, and reporters have prodded me to update the data. I appreciate your encouragement!

This morning, an article about the rise of no-confidence votes on campuses appeared in the Wall Street Journal.  I spoke with Doug Belkin, who wrote the piece, and shared some data and insights with him.  The article is available here.

I added a few votes of no confidence this weekend, including the notable vote at Howard University.

In addition, I spoke with Tri States Public Radio in Macomb, Illinois about a recent no confidence vote at Western Illinois University.  Interestingly, faculty voted against the entire administration–not just the president.  You can hear my thoughts on the vote here.

Last week, Michigan State University’s Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passed a vote of no confidence in the university’s Board of Trustees.  Many readers asked for data about votes against governing boards, not presidents.  I spoke to the Washington Post and the Lansing State Journal to share my perspective.

Last weekend, I updated the no-confidence vote database–after a very long hiatus!  There are now over 180 cases cited in the database.  I also fixed the broken link to my master’s thesis.

Remember, you may now download the entire database as an Excel, CSV, or PDF file.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about the data.  I am always pleased to speak with students, faculty, administrators, and reporters.

Thank you for continuing to visit the database.  The number of faculty, students, administrators, scholars, and journalists who have used this site is beyond my expectations.

Many visitors have suggested a different theme that makes the no-confidence vote database easier to read.  I installed a very minimalist theme that I think improves the appearance.

I also added a feature that allows users to download the database in various formats.

Finally, I added several cases to the database.  The total number of no-confidence votes I have logged is nearing 170!