A member of Suffolk University’s Board of Trustees is set to resign amidst the controversy surrounding the Presidential Search process.
John J. McDonnell, who has been a member of the board since 2012, cited the “unnecessarily and inappropriately tainted” process as reason for his resignation.
“Given my strong commitment to fairness and integrity, I am uncomfortable remaining after the total mismanagement of the selection process for our new President.” McDonnell wrote in the resignation letter, which was acquired by The Suffolk Journal.
McDonnell’s resignation does not come as an attack on newly-elected Marisa Kelly’s ability to execute the job, but he wrote that “appointing Dr. Kelly in this way casts an inadvertent shadow on her reputation.”
McDonnell’s tenure on the Board of Trustee will effectively end at the start of next week.
In the resignation letter, McDonnell advocated for an “outside independent investigation on how this search was handled.”
Rumors and an anonymous five-page document alleging “egregious violations” of the Presidential Search Committee process have been circulating around campus for weeks and have stirred up internal dissent.
“I can only hope that Suffolk learns from this experience so that future selections never again compromise our reputation or the fairness Suffolk University must represent,” McDonnell wrote.
Board of Trustees Chair, Robert Lamb, did not immediately respond to inquiries to comment on the matter.
“The Board is delighted with the selection of President Kelly, and we have no doubt that the exceptionally positive momentum that this University is experiencing will continue under her proven leadership,” said Board of Trustees Vice Chair Mark Sullivan in an emailed statement on Thursday afternoon. “In March, we engaged an outside firm to undertake a thorough review of the search process that led to her selection. Matters identified by that independent review, including any recommendations for improved governance, will be addressed by the Board.”
This remains an ongoing story.
Seth • Apr 13, 2018 at 11:05 am
FREE McDONNELL
Gail Nolan • Apr 14, 2018 at 9:11 am
As a graduate of the University, it pains me to witness this circus. Clearly the Chairman of the Board needs to resign his position. His ego got in the way of his fiduciary duties, which is to put the school first. He put his own agenda first. After he resigns, then John Brooks needs to go. He was the Chair of the search and he allowed Lamb to steamroll him.
When will the faculty and staff stand up and be heard? Their silence is deafening.