I have heard comments, and read e-mails, where the phrase
"vote of no confidence" was uttered or implied.  Tomorrow is the
first faculty meeting; a ripe time for such an imprudent move.  What
are the implications if the Faculty were to call  for a "vote of no
confidence" on the Chancellor? or on the whole Administration?

The semiotics  of the message would be clear: the faculty is
chagrined, despaired, and demoralized by the budget cuts, the decline
of academic quality, the salary inequities, the administrative salary
increases, and the indolence with which the staff concerns are
received.

The political meaning: It is uncertain how an action like this would
be received by UT Administration; or perceived by our community.
After all, if you are an ignorant bystander, and you see the splendor
of our new dorms, and enjoy the sumptuousness our new Math/
Engineering/ Computer Science building, you cannot help but exclaim:
"UTC is not hurting for money; what are those people complaining
about now?"

The real meaning: if a  "vote of no confidence" is called on the
present Administration...and if it is  a "yes" vote, I am certain
that nothing will happen (e.g. Chattanooga State) If anything, UTC
might be destined to keep the present Administration forever, since
the outcome of these momentous decisions are reported by The
Chronicle of Higher Education. FAIR WARNING !  if a "vote of no
confidence" fails, the proponents of the vote will be labeled as
members of a leftist, ingrate, discontent, rebel-rousing mob.

If we were to take President Johnson's remark seriously, that the
first item on the agenda for UT is "to restore TRUST, "  ostensibly
the message must  not apply to this campus. It is obvious that the
normal venues to redress budget and salary inequities have failed,
and that the present Administration continues to act with
indifference to Faculty needs and aspirations. Is there something new
about all of this? No, not at all... it has been going on for the
past thirty years. Now is the time to  end the  fruitless in-house
dialogue, and bring forth these issues in another forum where they
might be given the attention they deserve.