bernard
THEE Realist
Earlier this year, Thomas Hudson at Jackson State University resigned after the board placed him on administrative leave with pay. Then Felecia Nave was terminated from Alcorn State University.
All this has left students, faculty and staff and alumni wondering: Why is this happening? Mississippi Today spoke with more than a half-dozen former IHL board members, university administrators and faculty to understand the causes.
It’s unusual that LaForge — or for that matter, any president — was fired at all, some trustees said. Even presidents whose tenure ended in scandal have been allowed to step down. William Bynum Jr., the former Jackson State president who was arrested in a prostitution sting in 2020, resigned.
In a written statement to Mississippi Today, IHL acknowledged the board prefers presidents to resign.
“That is common among employers,” IHL wrote. “No one wants to have to terminate an employee.”
The board added it could not comment on LaForge’s specific personnel matter.
mississippitoday.org
All this has left students, faculty and staff and alumni wondering: Why is this happening? Mississippi Today spoke with more than a half-dozen former IHL board members, university administrators and faculty to understand the causes.
It’s unusual that LaForge — or for that matter, any president — was fired at all, some trustees said. Even presidents whose tenure ended in scandal have been allowed to step down. William Bynum Jr., the former Jackson State president who was arrested in a prostitution sting in 2020, resigned.
In a written statement to Mississippi Today, IHL acknowledged the board prefers presidents to resign.
“That is common among employers,” IHL wrote. “No one wants to have to terminate an employee.”
The board added it could not comment on LaForge’s specific personnel matter.
7 university presidents have left in the last year. Why is turnover so high?
One fired college president warned his former peers: "Watch your back."
mississippitoday.org