By Jason Schwartz
Mary Jane Saunders, the embattled Florida Atlantic University president who has had to deal with several controversies over the past year, has resigned.
“When I accepted the presidency of FAU three years ago, I did so with a vision to expand upon the excellence of this richly diverse and strong institution with a focus on academics and student success. We, as a campus community, have successfully accomplished these goals,” Saunders wrote in the letter to FAU Board of Trustees Chair Anthony K. G. Barbar accepted. “There is no doubt the recent controversies have been significant and distracting to all members of the University community. The issues and the fiercely negative media coverage have forced me to reassess my position as the President of FAU. I must make choices that are the best for the University, me and my family.”
Barbar regretfully accepted the resignation on Tuesday.
“The Board respects your desire to return to the faculty, a decision we know you made in the best interest of the University,” he wrote in his letter to Saunders.
Under Saunders’ watch, the university had been in the media spotlight for a number of controversies over the last 12 months: Students protested the proposed naming of a football stadium by a prison group and a backlash after a professor raised questions about the Sandy Hook and Boston tragedies and another professor whose lessons involved students stepping on a piece of paper with the name Jesus written on it.
Tensions on campus increased to the point where police were reportedly stationed in the president’s office and Saunders had a bodyguard.
Saunders is not leaving the university; she will return to a faculty position and be assigned a special research project.
FAU hopes to have an interim president in place by the fall. At that time, a search committee for a new president will be formed.
Here is the text of the announcement from FAU:
BOCA RATON, Fla. (May 15, 2013) – Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees Chair Anthony K. G. Barbar accepted FAU President Mary Jane Saunders’ letter of resignation late yesterday (see attached), responding with a letter (see attached) expressing regret and praising her for her many accomplishments.
“On behalf of the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees, I regretfully accept your resignation,” he said in his letter. “The Board respects your desire to return to the faculty, a decision we know you made in the best interest of the University.”
In her resignation letter, President Saunders wrote, “ When I accepted the presidency of FAU three years ago, I did so with a vision to expand upon the excellence of this richly diverse and strong institution with a focus on academics and student success. We, as a campus community, have successfully accomplished these goals.
“There is no doubt the recent controversies have been significant and distracting to all members of the University community. The issues and the fiercely negative media coverage have forced me to reassess my position as the President of FAU. I must make choices that are the best for the University, me and my family.”
Barbar added that President Saunders showed her dedication through attendance at events on campus and in the community.
“She attended every athletic game, arts performance and FAU-sponsored event that she could,” he said. “Few major community events were held without her involvement. Throughout her time as President, she consistently demonstrated a genuine love for the University, its students and the community. She has been fully committed morning, day and night to the betterment of FAU. We thank President Saunders for her service and dedication to the university.”
President Saunders’ list of accomplishments at FAU is extensive (see attached). During her tenure, freshmen applications and enrollment doubled; philanthropic donations significantly increased; the University received a perfect score on the 10-year SACS reaffirmation; the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine was opened; and a number of capital improvements were accomplished, which include the opening of FAU Stadium, as well as new residence halls, classrooms and research facilities.
“The list of accomplishments you made during your three-year tenure is long,” Barbar wrote. “FAU, its students and the region benefited from the strong vision you had for the University’s future – a future.
Below is Mary Jane Saunders resignation letter obtained by The Boca Raton Tribune:
