Board of Governors Publicly Censures President

 WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 3, 2021 — West Liberty University’s Board of Governors met today in a 3 p.m. special meeting held in Shaw Hall and on Zoom.

After calling the meeting to order and pursuant to West Virginia Code section 6-9A-4, Chairman Rich Lucas requested a motion to retire to executive session. The motion was made and passed unanimously. 

The only item on the agenda was a human resources matter. The board returned from the executive session at approximately 4:45 p.m. No action was taken during the executive session.

A motion was made and seconded to publicly censure President W. Franklin Evans, and the motion passed, 10 – 0. Two of the board members, Michael Baker and Arlene Brantley, were unable to attend the meeting.

“According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of censure is an ‘official strong criticism and severe disapproval.’ This public censure will be placed into the permanent record of the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting,” said Chairman Lucas.

“The Board has consulted with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC).  Its guidance and experience have been invaluable. The decision to censure President Evans rests solely with the West Liberty University Board of Governors.”

“The BOG listened to students, alumni, faculty senate, staff, WLU Foundation, administration and other stakeholders. The BOG now believes it is time for West Liberty University to move forward and face the many challenges that all universities across the country are dealing with.”

Members of the board include: Jack Adams (vice chairman), McMurray, Pa.; Michael J. Baker, Wheeling; Arlene Brantley, Atlanta, Ga.; Richard Carter, Wheeling; Thomas Cervone, Knoxville, Tenn.; Dr. Jamie Evick (secretary), Glen Dale, W.Va.; Ryan Glanville (WLU staff member), Wheeling; MacKenzi Jones, (student government president), Weirton, W.Va.; David H. McKinley, Wheeling; Jason Metz (faculty member), Pittsburgh; and Stephanie Shaw, Columbus, Ohio.

The West Liberty University Board of Governors, created by the West Virginia Legislature as its governing body, consists of nine members appointed by the Governor of West Virginia and three elected representatives by students, faculty, and staff. 

For more information visit wlibertydev.wpenginepowered.com/bog.  To read the entire Board Resolution, please see below: 

Board Resolution of West Liberty University

Public Censure of President W. Franklin Evans

Whereas, on October 4, 2021, the Board of Governors of West Liberty University received, from Faculty Senate, an allegation or allegations of plagiarism against President W. Franklin Evans; and

Whereas, the Board of Governors conducted its due diligence reviewing the allegations and sought the advisement of West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission; and

Whereas, the Board of Governors recognizes the seriousness of President Evans’ neglect to cite sources in his speeches and/or academic presentation and disapproves of his neglect and finds that his actions and omissions were academically irresponsible; and

Whereas, the Board of Governors will develop with President Evans the goals and actions which rebuild the trust and reunifies the campus community and a committee made up of board members will oversee the rebuilding process and evaluate the progress of President Evans; and

Whereas, the Faculty Senate requests that the West Liberty University Board of Governors direct President Evans to work with the Faculty Senate Policy Committee to craft and public a formal policy for academic integrity that applies to all WLU employees; and

Whereas, President Evans supports transparency, accountability, and the highest professional and academic standards in the Office of the President of West Liberty University;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Governors of West Liberty University:

That the Board of Governors of West Liberty University hereby publicly reprimands and censures President W. Franklin Evans; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of the resolution administering this censure, duly passed and signed by the chair of the Board of Governors, be forwarded to President W. Franklin Evans and included as part of the President’s record for annual evaluation purposes.

Richard A. Lucas, Chair
West Liberty University Board of Governors
November 3, 2021