“It’s time for all supporters of the university to stop thinking meek acquiescence is a winning strategy,” said professor Bill Tracy, one of the resolution’s supporters.

In a statement released after the vote, Regent President Regina Millner defended Cross, saying the board has “total confidence” in him. Millner also criticized the faculty members’ response to the new tenure policies.

“Most Regents will be disappointed by this overreaction to the board’s decision to put in place very reasonable and fair tenure and layoff policies,” Millner said. “The new policy brings an enhanced degree of accountability, something that is long overdue, and codifies a new level of fiscal responsibility.”

Disagreement over ‘no co

nfide

nce’

Several members of the Faculty Senate — the 220-person governance body for just over 2,000 UW-Madison professors — said they agreed with the resolution’s complaints about Cross and the Regents, but questioned its conclusion.

“The real issue here is the words ‘no confidence,’” said Brian Mayhew, a business professor who proposed an amendment stripping that provision from the resolution.