Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks has resigned following controversy over the failed hiring of a journalism professor. The university had announced the hiring of Kathleen McElroy, a journalist and professor, but later changed the terms of her proposed employment. McElroy, who is Black, believes her hiring was affected by backlash due to her work on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. A state law banning such programs in public universities is set to go into effect next year. The university is launching an investigation into the failed hire, and the Faculty Senate has formed a fact-finding committee. McElroy intends to remain a professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks has resigned "immediately" following controversy surrounding the appointment of Kathleen McElroy as the head of the journalism program. McElroy, a former New York Times editor, faced pushback over her work promoting diversity, including an opinion column advocating for more nonwhite faculty members. After initially being promised a five-year contract, McElroy was offered a one-year deal, which she declined. The situation led to the resignation of the dean overseeing the College of Arts and Sciences and a tense meeting between Banks and the faculty senate. Banks cited the negative attention as a distraction for the university and expressed embarrassment over how the situation was handled.
Texas A&M President Kathy Banks claims she was unaware of changes made to an offer letter that resulted in a prospective journalism professor declining the position due to conservative backlash. The university's administration did not reach out to the candidate again, citing the potential for legal action. The mishandling of the hiring process has led to calls for an investigation by the Faculty Senate, as professors express dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency. The incident has damaged the university's reputation and highlights the ongoing scrutiny and resistance faced by universities regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
