From Staff Reports

MONTREAT — The faculty at Montreat College in mid-May rescinded a vote it had taken nearly three months earlier, expressing “no confidence” in the college’s board of trustees.

Via a letter to alumni, the faculty cited progress in addressing some of the issues that arose earlier in the year as Montreat considered a merger with George-based Point University.

“This action does not mean that we believe all issues are resolved,” the faculty letter stated. “We will continue to address them with the belief that the channels of communication, collaboration and constructive resolution are now in place for us to work with the board.” The letter, by faculty members Kevin Auman and Patrick Connelly, was posted on th Alumni Association Facebook page.

The “no confidence” vote came in February as the Montreat board of trustees voted to continue merger talks with Point University.

Faculty members took the unusual step, citing a lack of communication by the board and worries that pursuing a merger could mean closing the residential campus.

The Point University board later voted to drop the merger talks.

Montreat has since launched its “all in” initiative, which calls for the college to raise $8 million and to hire a new president. An anonymous donor has pledged $6 million to the fundraising goal.