Amid Controversy, Hundreds Of Students Vote In Favor Of Univ. President

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Hundreds of students at Mount Saint Mary's University gave a vote of confidence in their president following a controversial firing and re-hiring of two professors.

Controversy started when the Western Maryland school's newspaper reported that President Simon Newman wanted to weed out student most likely to fail in an attempt to improve the school's standing.

According to the paper, when one faculty member voiced concern about the plan to target certain students, the president said, "This is hard for you because you think of the students as cuddly bunnies, but you can't. You just have to drown the bunnies, put a glock to their heads."

The alleged comments drew outrage on and off campus, but President Newman didn't back down. On Monday, he fired two faculty members, including a tenured philosophy professor Thane Naberhaus and pre-law program director Edward Egan.

RELATED: Faculty Asks Catholic College's President To Resign

But on Friday, the president announced that the two faculty members would be reinstated immediately.

Faculty members at the school were not happy.

In an Associated Press report released Friday, faculty members voted 87-3 that despite the announcement of reinstatement President Newman should resign.

In addition to the voting results, the AP also obtained a statement on behalf of the faulty which says, "the dispute had divided the Emmitsburg college community in a way that could not be resolved as long as Newman continues as president."

But tune is a bit different among the student body.

The Student Government Association asked their fellow students to vote if they believe in the leadership of President Simon Newman.

"Never has it been so important for the student voice to be heard at the Mount, said the SGA in an email to the students. "We are at a junction where we, as students, cannot be silent anymore. The Student Government Association is interested in gauging the students' thoughts of the University's President Simon Newman, given recent events. Do you believe in the president's leadership and vision for the future of the Mount?"

In an email obtained by WJZ on Sunday night, the SGA says of 951 out of the 1,573 students, 75.6%, or 719 of them, voted in favor of President Newman's leadership, while 24.4% or 232, voted not in favor.

The Board of the university issued a statement on Friday saying they continue to support President Newman.

"We embrace his vision for the future of the university and believe he is the best person to carry it out," said Board of Trustees member Rev. Kevin Farmer in the statement

Ed Egan called the entire incident a tumultuous and emotional week, but that he would move forward.

"My father went here, I am a graduate, my sister went here, my wife went here, so that hurt, but I can get over hurt," says Ed Egan.

"The votes, along with students comment will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for their consideration," said SGA President Abel Gonsalves in the email.

The faculty has asked President Newman to resign by Monday morning.