The resignation of a university president in the wake of a botched hiring involving a Black academic still has many unanswered questions.
Texas A&M University President Katherine Banks resigned on Thursday following a botched hiring process involving a Black journalism professor, as questions remain as to who exactly made multiple offers to the applicant and how diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) played a role in them not wanting to accept the position.
However, the deal evaporated in less than a month after faculty members reportedly expressed concern about her DEI-based initiatives while at the newspaper, the Texas Tribune reported earlier this month.
Banks submitted her resignation letter late Thursday, according to A&M, one day after the university’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution to create a fact-finding committee into the mishandling of McElroy’s hiring. The former president denied being privy to changes in the job offer, but took some responsibility and claimed that McElroy was a victim of “anti-woke” hysteria and outside interference.
