University of Denver faculty members have cast votes of no confidence in the university’s chancellor, though he also retained significant support among the staff. 

Out of 577 faculty members who voted, 324 said “no confidence” in Jeremy Haefner, according to data provided by a professor.

A vote of no confidence is largely a symbolic gesture. It does not require any specific institutional action or leadership change. 

Some faculty have lost confidence in the chancellor’s ability to meet the challenges it is facing, Aaron Schneider, a professor and co-president of the University of Denver’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, told The Denver Gazette. Schneider provided the vote data.

Meanwhile, the university’s Board of Trustees remains confident in Haefner’s leadership, members said in a statement in late May.

“Through Chancellor Haefner’s leadership and the efforts of his team, the University of Denver has achieved significant milestones — all building on the efforts of faculty and staff over many years,” the board said. 

All faculty members were sent a voting form in June and 577 of the university’s 822 eligible faculty members responded. About 30% did not vote at all.

Almost 37% — 211 faculty members — voted in favor of Haefner, while 42 faculty members voted to abstain. 

Haefner was appointed to the position in 2019 by the university’s Board of Trustees.

In addition to the no confidence votes, a student petition critical of Haefner garnered more than 1,000 signatures, according to Schneider.

According to student publication The Denver Clarion, DU’s Faculty Senate voted June 4 to express no confidence in Haefner. 

Declining enrollment at the state’s largest private university created a deficit last fall, which led to layoffs and budget cuts. The university closed the deficit in December, according to an email sent to DU faculty Dec. 5. 

DU found itself $12 million in the red when the $590 million in revenue it took in could not keep up with $601 million in expenses, according to Chief Financial Officer Mark DeLorenzo.

DU spokesperson Jon Stone said the recent vote shows that faculty care “deeply” about the university’s future.

“The University of Denver Board of Trustees maintains its unanimous support of and trust in Chancellor Jeremy Haefner,” Stone said. “The chancellor and board are committed to working with all faculty, staff and students to ensure a strong and enduring future for the university.”

Denver Gazette freelancer Carol McKinley contributed to this report.