Sacramento State President Donald Gerth addressed some Faculty Senate members? concerns Thursday regarding his recent actions with the Office of Vice President of Academic Affairs, but steered away from saying why Bernice Bass de Martinez no longer holds the position.

Senate members Sylvia Navari and Juanita Barrena drafted a resolution for the Oct. 8 meeting asking Gerth to explain why Bass de Martinez, who held the position of vice president of Academic Affairs and provost until a few weeks ago, was “placed on administrative leave in such an unusual, abrupt and disruptive manner.” The resolution also asked why the University?s administrative order of succession had been changed from one in which Bass de Martinez?s former office was first in line to succeed the president to a “seniority by years” system.

Though Gerth explained the order of succession, saying the person who would currently serve in his absence is Vice President and Chief of Staff Elizabeth Moulds, he declined to comment on Bass de Martinez, saying he is unable to discuss personnel issues.

“I do not discuss personnel issues, and I assume if I did I?d be fired,” Gerth said.

Gerth also responded to a report printed in The State Hornet Oct. 17 that noted contradictions in comments made by Gerth and Bass de Martinez regarding her leave of absence.

In a memorandum from the President?s Office released Oct. 8, Gerth said Bass de Martinez was taking a one-year leave of absence “at her request,” but Bass de Martinez said she had no plans to leave the University before early October.

“I am confused by reports in The Hornet,” Gerth said. “I think the reporter was confused.”

Gerth declined to comment further on what he found confusing in the article.

The resolution initially asked that Gerth answer specific questions regarding Bass de Martinez?s departure, but senate members voted down that motion, concluding it was an encroachment on a managerial decision.

“I don?t like the tone of the resolution,” said senate member Ted Lascher. “The Senate is stepping over the line.”

During her leave of absence, Bass de Martinez will continue to earn her $13,000 monthly salary while working with a University-funded program in West Africa. She said she would work with the program from Sacramento, though she may travel to the country in the future.

Bass de Martinez will be able to return to the University as a tenure-track faculty member once the leave of absence is completed, but her administrative positions could be filled by that time. Both she and Gerth declined to say what would happen with the positions.

Ric Brown will replace Bass de Martinez for the remainder of the semester, holding the title of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs in Charge, according to the memorandum issued by Gerth.