It is clear in this letter that Chancellor Rodrigues is grasping at any meager, partisan straw he can find in order to gin up false cause to undermine a search process that-up until now- has been both fair and collaborative, drawing three highly qualified candidates for the presidency at Florida Atlantic University. By relying upon “anonymous” reporting as reason to insert himself in this search process, the Chancellor shows that he is unable to separate his political affiliations from his solemn duty to serve the needs of Florida’s university system. Where was this interest in Sunshine Laws when the hiring of Ben Sasse at the University of Florida was called into question and the university refused to provide access to the exact documents the Chancellor is requesting now? Where was the Chancellor’s letter of inquiry when the Board of Trustees at New College had clearly held conversations off the record about hiring Richard Corcoran at a dramatically inflated salary? Based on his patterns of silence and complicity, it is clear that the Chancellor only jumps when the Governor yanks his chain, not when laws are truly violated. In short, Florida’s university system deserves better than this partisan sham of leadership.

The United Faculty of Florida calls upon Chancellor Rodrigues to step back and allow the search process at FAU to continue unhindered or to immediately resign from his position. In the meantime, should FAU be required to document and disclose the information the Chancellor requests, we look forward to seeing the same documentation requested and released from the recent searches at the University of Florida, New College, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Florida International University.

Andrew Gothard, United Faculty of Florida President