Texas A&M University President Resigns Amid Controversy Over Journalism Program Appointment
Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks has announced her retirement “immediately” following a conflict over the appointment of Kathleen McElroy as the head of the university’s journalism program. The controversy arose after McElroy faced pushback over her work promoting diversity.
Banks submitted her retirement letter on Thursday, stating that the negative attention surrounding McElroy’s appointment had become a distraction for the university. The resignation comes shortly after the resignation of the dean overseeing the College of Arts and Sciences and a tense meeting between Banks and the university’s faculty senate.
During the meeting, Banks expressed regret over McElroy’s decision not to join the university and admitted embarrassment over how the situation was handled. However, Hart Blanton, a professor leading the communication and journalism department, challenged Banks’ version of events, claiming that she had misled the faculty senate about her involvement in the process.
Blanton also suggested that the increased scrutiny on McElroy’s appointment was due to her being Black. He revealed that someone had altered a draft of a job offer letter, changing the offer from a multiyear term to a one-year agreement, and sent it to McElroy without his knowledge. Blanton shared materials related to the failed hiring with university lawyers and expressed satisfaction with Banks’ resignation.
The controversy at Texas A&M University highlights the ongoing clash between higher education, diversity, and politics. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill banning offices and programs at publicly funded colleges that promote “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Similarly, in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation prohibiting state colleges from spending money on diversity initiatives and forbidding the teaching of “identity politics” in certain required courses.
This incident also follows the failed appointment of journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones at the University of North Carolina. Hannah-Jones, affiliated with The New York Times, was denied tenure after being appointed as the chair in race and investigative journalism. The decision was met with criticism, particularly from conservatives, due to Hannah-Jones’ involvement in The Times’ 1619 Project.
In the case of Texas A&M, McElroy claimed that the university initially promised her a five-year contract but later offered a one-year agreement due to complaints from an alumni group and a conservative publication regarding her work promoting diversity. McElroy, a former New York Times editor and professor of journalism at the University of Texas, ultimately declined the one-year contract.
The collision between academia and politics at Texas A&M University, known for its traditions and strong ties to Texas culture, has raised questions about the university’s decision to alter the offer to McElroy. The Rudder Association, a conservative alumni group, expressed concerns about the “divisive ideology of identity politics” in an email to A&M leadership. However, the exact reasons behind the alteration remain unclear.
The faculty senate criticized the university’s mishandling of McElroy’s appointment, with some arguing that criticism of her diversity efforts should not have influenced the hiring decision. The faculty senate passed a resolution to create a fact-finding committee to investigate the handling of McElroy’s appointment.
As the university begins an investigation into the matter, the resignation of President Banks marks a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the journalism program appointment at Texas A&M University.Texas A&M University President, M. Katherine Banks, has announced her retirement following a controversy over the appointment of Kathleen McElroy as the head of the university’s journalism program. The university stated that Banks would retire “immediately” due to the negative attention surrounding McElroy’s appointment and the subsequent pushback.
The conflict arose when McElroy, a former New York Times editor and professor of journalism at the University of Texas, faced criticism for her work promoting diversity. She was initially offered a five-year contract but was later offered a one-year agreement after complaints from an alumni group and a conservative publication. McElroy ultimately declined the position.
The resignation of Banks comes after the resignation of the dean overseeing the university’s College of Arts and Sciences and a tense meeting between Banks and the university’s faculty senate. During the meeting, Banks apologized for the mishandling of the situation but claimed to have little knowledge of the details surrounding the shifting offers made to McElroy.
However, Professor Hart Blanton, who leads the university’s communication and journalism department, disputed Banks’ version of events. He stated that Banks had been involved in the process from the beginning and had misled the faculty senate about her role. Blanton also suggested that the scrutiny given to McElroy’s hire was due to her being Black.
The controversy at Texas A&M is the latest clash between higher education, diversity, and politics. Several states, including Texas and Florida, have recently passed legislation that restricts spending on diversity and inclusion initiatives at publicly funded colleges.
The incident at Texas A&M also follows the failed appointment of journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones at the University of North Carolina. Hannah-Jones, affiliated with The New York Times, was denied tenure after facing criticism for her involvement in The Times’ 1619 Project.
The resignation of Banks has raised questions about the university’s handling of the situation and the lack of transparency surrounding the altered offer to McElroy. The faculty senate has passed a resolution to create a fact-finding committee to investigate the hiring process, and university system officials have stated that they are in the early stages of an investigation.
In the meantime, Mark A. Welsh III, dean of the university’s government and public service school, will serve as interim president. The university system is determined to learn from the mistakes and improve in the future, according to a spokesperson.
The controversy at Texas A&M highlights the challenges universities face when navigating issues of diversity and inclusion in a politically charged environment. The incident has also raised concerns about the university’s reputation and the loss of trust among faculty and the wider community.
What specific factors led to the resignation of President Banks in the ongoing controversy surrounding the journalism program appointment at Texas A&M University
The contract offer to McElroy.
However, Professor Hart Blanton, who leads the communication and journalism department, accused Banks of misleading the faculty senate and suggested that the increased scrutiny on McElroy’s appointment was due to her being Black. Blanton shared evidence related to the failed hiring with university lawyers and expressed satisfaction with Banks’ resignation.
This controversy at Texas A&M University highlights the ongoing clash between higher education, diversity, and politics. In Texas and Florida, legislation has been signed to limit the promotion of diversity and inclusion on college campuses.
This incident follows the failed appointment of journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones at the University of North Carolina, where she was denied tenure after being appointed as the chair in race and investigative journalism. The decision sparked criticism due to Hannah-Jones’ involvement in The New York Times’ 1619 Project.
The specific reasons behind the alteration of McElroy’s contract offer remain unclear. The Rudder Association, a conservative alumni group, expressed concerns about “divisive ideology of identity politics” in an email to A&M leadership.
The university’s mishandling of McElroy’s appointment has been criticized by the faculty senate, with some arguing that criticism of her diversity efforts should not have influenced the hiring decision. The faculty senate has passed a resolution to investigate the handling of McElroy’s appointment.
As an investigation begins, the resignation of President Banks is a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the journalism program appointment at Texas A&M University.
While the resignation of the Texas A&M President unfortunately highlights controversy over diversity hiring, it brings attention to the need for transparent and inclusive recruitment processes in all institutions. It is essential to address these concerns and prioritize diversity in leadership roles to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.
It’s disheartening to witness the resignation of Texas A&M’s President amidst controversy over diversity hiring. Building an inclusive community should always be a priority, and it’s crucial for institutions to work towards fostering diversity and equal opportunities for all. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and promoting a fair and equitable environment at all levels of leadership.