Southwestern Oregon Community College President Judith Hansen’s employees are unhappy with her. Wielding their most powerful, though symbolic, form of opposition, college faculty passed a vote of no-confidence in Hansen on Tuesday. They also urged the Board of Education to pursue an investigation of her conduct.

The vote was relayed to the board. Only the board can decide to proceed with an investigation or terminate Hansen’s contract.

A two-question ballot was mailed to 80 general faculty last week with a deadline of 4 p.m. Tuesday to respond.

According to Faculty Senate Chairman Bob Fields, 53 votes supported the no-confidence vote, 15 were against and three abstained. Nine faculty members did not return their ballots.

In addition to the no-confidence vote, faculty encouraged the board to proceed with an Oregon School Boards Association-led investigation.

On that vote, there were 62 yes votes, seven no votes and two abstentions, Fields said.

Ballots were sent to all full-time faculty, department directors, academic deans and vice presidents. One also was sent to Hansen.

Hansen e-mailed board members the results of the vote as soon as she received the totals.

“I’m sad that our college is experiencing some misunderstandings and I’m looking forward to resolving them,” Hansen said.

At a meeting last week, the board decided to hire a team of consultants to collect testimony about the college’s working environment.