Maryland Foundation unhappy with board of regents; board chair resigning
The University of Maryland Foundation issued a blunt letter to the school’s board of regents over its actions this week surrounding the football program. And the board of regents is undergoing a change in leadership.
The foundation is in the midst of a $1.5 billion fundraising effort for the school system. That effort, it says, is in jeopardy because of what the foundation says could be a pattern of conduct designed to undermine university leadership.
“We are doing all we can to assist the legislature in helping to fuel the continued advancement of this Flagship university in Maryland,” the letter states. “And we are deeply distressed that you have not only dented our momentum in having raised over $900 million in this $1.5 billion campaign and over $3 billion including past campaigns, but you may have dealt our efforts a fatal blow. The Board’s reckless conduct failed to consider any of these factors and occurred with virtually no consultation with any campus stakeholders.”
You can read the full letter here.
Thursday afternoon, board chair James Brady issued a statement and said he would be stepping down effective immediately.
And I respect the many people – including elected leaders, members of the public and members of the board – who disagreed with the recommendations a majority of this board ultimately made. These were difficult decisions, based on information included in reports stemming from two investigations and a great deal of thought and deliberation.
I understand that reasonable people could come to other conclusions. And even among our board, some did.
Going forward, however, I believe the board needs to be able to return to the important business of supporting and advancing Maryland’s public university system, for the benefit of its students and families, and of people across the state.
Board recommended retention of D.J. Durkin
The board of regents announced Tuesday that it had accepted the findings of investigations into the circumstances surrounding offensive lineman Jordan McNair’s death in June and into the culture of the football program. But while the board said it accepted the findings of those investigations, it recommended that coach D.J. Durkin, athletic director Damon Evans and president Wallace Loh should be retained.
Brady was the man who made those announcements.
Durkin’s retention lasted 24 hours. He was fired by Loh — who had previously said he was accepting the board’s recommendations — after mounting political pressure Wednesday. Earlier Thursday, the Washington Post reported that the board recommended the school retain the trainers involved in the care of McNair after he collapsed at a May workout. The school admitted that mistakes were made in the treatment of McNair and he was not immediately immersed into a cold tub when the warning signs of heat stroke were present.
Thursday afternoon, the Baltimore Sun reported the school’s accreditation would be under review. Students are not able to receive federal financial aid at unaccredited institutions. There’s no indication what, if any, action would be taken because of the review.
The foundation’s main request in the letter is for the board to reaffirm that its role is “limited to setting policy, appointing a president and holding her/him accountable, and that presidents have full authority to manage their institutions, including personnel decisions.”
Loh, who clearly was not comfortable with the idea of Durkin returning at Tuesday’s press conference, announced he’s retiring at the end of the year.
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.
Follow @NickBromberg on Twitter
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