Faculty, Students Question Bataille’s resignation

By Sarah Mueller / NTNewsNet
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Before a packed auduitorium, University of North Texas Chancellor Lee Jackson spoke in a Faculty Senate meeting to address the mystery surrounding the sudden resignation of UNT President Gretchen Bataille.

More than a hundred people packed the University Union for the meeting. Some spoke of the lack of transparency in the decisions made. Shane Mecklenburger, an assistant art professor, asked the chancellor if he had failed in his leadership capacity.

“I’ll admit it theoretically,” Jackson said. Some students, like Samer Hassan, said he was concerned students’ opinions had no weight with board members.

“What guarantees that the students and faculty voices are heard at the Board of Regents meetings?” Hassan asked during the meeting. He is co-founder of “Keep Bataille’s Vision Alive, a Facebook group.

Many faculty, students and community members expressed shock at the announcement. Faculty Senate President Karen Weiller-Abels called the situation “sad and frustrating.”Former Chancellor Emeritus  Alfred F. Hurley said he is a close friend of Bataille and was shocked when he heard. Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs said he hopes the new administration will be as committed to community outreach as the former president.

“We’re committed to the success of UNT,” Burroughs said.

Provost Wendy Wilkins said that Bataille is not ill or leaving for another position. Bataille’s last day is Feb. 28^th. Bataille has refused to tell her account of recent events, except to say the decision was in the best interests of the university.

Jackson said he supported the former UNT president’s major initiatives, but there were “internal communication issues, concerns and differences” that resulted in her resignation. Jackson characterized the separation as “mutual” and said the differences were minor. Jackson said he would not explain why small differences led such an unexpected separation mid-semester.

“There are circumstances, situations, times when the options one is presented with are not ideal and like any other large organization, decisions are made based on the choices that we have,” Jackson said.

Former Vice President of Finance and Business Affairs Phil Diebel has been appointed interim president for the next 90 days. His tenure begins March 1^st.

UNT bought out Bataille’s contract and she will walk away with $723,000, a research project and a future opportunity to teach in the College of Education. UNT also paid her $20,000 in legal fees.

The university released a public transition agreement, signed by Bataille and Jackson and approved by the board.The agreement detailed the terms of her compensation package and both agree to release the other from future claims.