Tsing Hua President's Job Interview Sparks Controversy; Ex-Minister Suggests Confidence Vote

National Tsing Hua University President Wei-Yuan Kao is embroiled in controversy after interviewing for positions at other universities just three days after his reappointment on May 1. Former Minister without Portfolio Chang Ching-sen stated on Facebook that Kao should make a moral judgment about his resignation. If Kao believes he did nothing wrong and refuses to step down, Chang proposed a new confidence vote for Tsing Hua's professors and associate professors as the fairest solution.

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If Kao Wei-yuan believes he did nothing wrong and is unwilling to resign, then the fairest method is for Tsing Hua's professors and associate professors to conduct a new confidence vote on his reappointment.

Chang emphasized that Kao must ask himself if his actions are justifiable: accepting the trust of Tsing Hua's faculty for a second term while simultaneously applying for presidencies at American universities with the intention of leaving if hired. Chang suggested that an immediate resignation would be the most responsible course of action if Kao feels he has betrayed Tsing Hua's trust.

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Kao must first ask himself: on one hand, accepting the trust of Tsing Hua's teachers and students for his second term, and on the other hand, participating in the selection of university presidents in the United States, preparing to leave Tsing Hua after being hired, is this behavior worthy of Tsing Hua?

However, if Kao maintains his innocence and refuses to resign, Chang believes a new confidence vote among Tsing Hua's professors and associate professors is the most equitable approach. Chang pointed out that Kao's initial reappointment was not solely by ministerial appointment but also through a faculty vote. While the university announced he received majority support, the exact vote count was not disclosed. Chang argued that the professors voting were unaware Kao was seeking other positions, a significant piece of information that could have swayed their decision. He asserted that the original vote was flawed due to this lack of full disclosure, and the fairest remedy is to reveal all information and allow the voting faculty to make a new choice.

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The original reappointment vote was conducted without sufficient disclosure of major information, which is clearly a significant flaw.

Chang concluded that if Kao secures majority support in a new vote, he will have legitimate authorization to continue as president. If he fails to gain majority support, it signifies a loss of trust, and he should resign. Chang recommended this democratic process, where the original authorizing body reconfirms their choice, to decide Kao's future.

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The fairest remedial method is to reveal all information and let the same Tsing Hua teachers with voting rights make a new choice.