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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Inside the building bearing his name, faculty members from all three campuses made it clear: After 20 years at the helm, President Ken Walker needs to go.

"We cannot function like this any longer," said faculty member Marty Ambrose. "I mean nothing is working. We are paralyzed."

Six months after giving Walker a vote of no confidence, faculty unanimously passed a resolution demanding his "immediate resignation."

After a series of scandals, frustration levels hit a boiling point after Walker asked the board of trustees to fire Vice President of Academic Affairs Steve Atkins for insubordination.

"I think faculty stand by Dr. Atkins 100 percent," said union president Ellie Bunting. "Dr. Atkins did what he had to do because he saw violations that needed to be reported."

With the VP slot now in limbo and the college's on-site SACS accreditation a few weeks away, the faculty wanted to send Walker a clear message.

"The faculty at Edison State College today demands the immediate resignation of the district president," the statement read, "so that the process of rebuilding the integrity and distinction of this great institution can begin."

"We wanted to make a statement that we think we need a change and we need to move on," said faculty union president Ellie Bunting.

A college spokesperson declined to comment and said Walker would not be available for an interview.

But students we spoke to say the faculty made the right decision.

"Being paid as much as he's being paid," one student said, "I think they could find someone better."

Walker has said previously he will step down in two years to ensure a smooth transition.

Faculty Statement

Last April because of increasing levels of frustration, fear and distrust at Edison State College; because of a loss of administrative integrity at the highest levels allowing some faculty teaching without the required minimum credentials; students receiving improper course substitutions; students being deceived about program accreditation bypassing equal opportunity processes when hiring top level administrators; and allegations of discrimination in the hiring process, the faculty voted no confidence in the college president.

As a result of that vote, the president made promises to immediately start processes to address these problems. However, since that time, many of the presidents promises have not been kept and levels of frustration fear and mistrust have increased. As a result, the faculty today reaffirms that vote of no confidence.

At the District Board of Trustees meeting that followed the vote of no confidence the board shamed the faculty for not bringing any of these matters to their attention and asked that in the future the faculty keep the board apprised of these situations. When our representative, the president of the Faculty Senate, tried to do just that at the September District Board of Trustees meeting the president refused to place him on the agenda.

It appears that neither the president, nor the District Board of Trustees, have any understanding of the seriousness of these matters. The faculty at Edison State College today demands the immediate resignation of the district president so that the process of rebuilding the integrity and distinction of this great institution can begin.

Matt Grant, Reporter
mgrant@fox4now.com