Whereas Mansfield University of PA, as part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), is an integral part of the region as an employer, educational institution, economic energizer and significant resource for the Commonwealth and beyond; and Whereas Mansfield University has experienced the stresses of such factors as inadequate funding appropriations, recent and numerous retrenchments, enrollment reductions due to the shrinking population, and other outside negative factors; Be it known that the constituents of Mansfield University are united to respectfully request an exception to PASSHE policy prohibiting the hiring of an Interim-President into the permanent post of President and allow our current Interim President, Mr. Scott W.H. Barton to be placed in this position without a national search.

We, the undersigned, believe that Mr. Barton is best person for this position given his previous service as Vice President of Finance, and his significant work to date which has reduced our debt significantly in a very short time. Furthermore, Mr. Barton has positively changed the work environment at Mansfield University through his willingness to find alternatives to retrenchment and program closures in order to solve the financial crisis made worse by previous leadership. His knowledge of Mansfield University, the unique challenges facing this PASSHE Institution, and his ability to improve our situation significantly in his short tenure make him the best candidate to move Mansfield University forward in the coming years.

Given that there is precedent for this exception within our system, and given that Mr. Barton has uniquely positioned Mansfield University for a more secure and solvent future, it makes no sense to bring in an outside individual to attempt to lead us in this current time. Therefore, we current members of the faculty, staff, students, alumni and regional constituents resolve that Mr. Scott W. H. Barton should be appointed President of Mansfield University without further delay in order to insure our momentum, problem solving, and excellence as a PASSHE institution.