| Updated: 9/02/2011 7:42 pm |
Published: 9/02/2011 2:36 pm |
CONWAY, AR - This afternoon the Trustees at the University of Central Arkansas voted unanimously to buy Allen Meadors out of his contract with the university and appointed a UCA lawyer to temporarily take his place.
"We hope that's fair and that is the motion."
But this wasn't the board's idea. Following yesterdays meeting, Meadors started asking board members to find a way for him to resign.
Board chairman Scott Roussell said, "He felt after the last meeting that there was some lost confidence from the board and from the UCA family."
Trustee Rush Harding III said, "Dr. Meadors said he did not want to put the university through the turmoil of an investigation."
But according to the board, this possible investigation isn't about the former president,s latest controversy.
"There were reservations by all board members because he has done a fine job for us but there were some mistakes made," Roussell said.
Last week, the school’s food vendor, Aramark, approached the president offering $700,000 to help renovate the president’s house in exchange for a contract renewal.
At a board meeting yesterday, trustees were upset they didn't know about the deal. Today, they say that was not the largest factor in the presidents resignation.
"There were some other things that were involved that the board members felt like he should have known better," Roussell said. "I would say the other factors weighed a little bit more."
What those issues are - only the board knows right now.
"At this time I think it’s inappropriate to [discuss the other factors,” Roussell said. “It was an executive session."
Aramark was one of the deciding factors, however. The gift is now off the table.
