A student member of Penn State’s Faculty Senate has drafted a measure detailing a potential vote of no confidence against President Neeli Bendapudi, Penn State’s Board of Trustees, and the Faculty Senate itself.

Roman Marte, a student senator from Penn State Behrend, pledged his measure, titled “Avoiding Catastrophe by Necessary Interjection,” would make a statement against almost all non-athletics power brokers at the university with the specific exception of student senators.

Marte’s proposed vote of no confidence stemmed from three complaints: the inability of Bendapudi, the board, and the senate to find common ground on a budget model that doesn’t hurt students; the lack of transparency from Bendapudi and the board on the potential closure of Commonwealth Campuses; and the disorganization of the Faculty Senate regarding a potential vote of no confidence against Bendapudi.

Marte’s measure expressed discontent with a potential upcoming vote of no confidence against Bendapudi, noting such a measure was a trap and would lead to an attempt to discredit the Faculty Senate by Bendapudi, her administration, and the Board of Trustees.

“The goal is not to have the motion pass — if it does, that would be a miracle — even if it doesn’t, our win condition is far easier to reach,” Marte wrote. “The Board cannot take total control of the narrative if we prevent the no-confidence vote. If you, the reader, are against this proposal, please consider the alternatives. We are on the brink of probable catastrophe. The time for action is now: the risks of inaction far outweigh the risks the proposal brings.”

Marte also expressed dissatisfaction with student leaders at Penn State, calling them “foolish” for believing the actions of the Faculty Senate would not have a negative impact on the student body.

“The student representatives, in self-interest, consider posturing themselves and come out looking professional compared to the faculty senate. The student representatives, in complacency, believe this is an adult issue beyond the bounds of student representatives,” Marte wrote.

“They are nothing but complicit, willfully blind, treasonous wretches who disrespect every student they represent — a striking mirror image of the Board of Trustees. The current disorder within the faculty senate poses an unprecedented threat to the student body. If we were to disband every student governance group overnight, it would not have half the negative consequences that the looming shift in the balance of power entails. The faculty senate is the bastion that safeguards students from the institution behind Penn State.”

Marte quoted Plato at the end of the document, writing, “The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”

Marte’s no-confidence measure is one of at least two that could come forward at the Faculty Senate’s next meeting on February 25. Onward State previously reported the no-confidence measure against Bendapudi referenced by Marte. While the measure is not on the Faculty Senate’s agenda for its upcoming February 25 meeting, it can be brought forward independently.

At least two Commonwealth Campus Faculty Senates are also analyzing potential votes of no confidence against Bendapudi. Faculty members at Penn State Altoona and Penn State Greater Allegheny told Onward State their organizations were looking at such measures and they expected several other campuses to do the same.

An anonymous individual sent Marte’s measure to Onward State around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, and Marte confirmed his authorship around 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Marte noted that with the publication of Onward State’s article, the need to put forth the resolution would not be necessary.

“If this is to go public, I would like my recommendation to the Faculty Senate should be abundantly clear: Unify, and in this unification, vote no confidence in the President and Board of Trustees,” Marte wrote to Onward State after a request for comment. “They have duped you. The time to discuss optics is over; tyranny is afoot. A weakened faculty senate spells doom for both faculty and student alike.

“I hope that Onward State will, as I have, make its position clear — that we will not accept the continued lack of transparency and ill will of our administration.”

Folks can read the full measure below.