A public university in Illinois spent a whopping $600,000 to gets its president to step down after just nine months, even though many believe he was doing a good job.
Thomas Calhoun Jr. was only hired as Chicago State University’s (CSU) president in January, but last Friday the school’s board of trustees abruptly decided he had to go, and terminated his five-year contract early without providing any explanation. Because of the manner in which Calhoun was fired, he will collect two years of salary totaling $600,000.
The $600,000 severance fee to dispose of Calhoun is especially notable because CSU has struggled with severe financial problems due to a budgetary impasse in the Illinois legislature and other issues. In the past year alone, the school has laid off 40 percent of its staff, and the situation has become so dire the school may lose its accreditation. Enrollment is dropping and graduation rates for those who do attend are abysmal.
As the trustees made their decision, the room was filled with students, staff, and faculty who showered the trustees with jeers such as “Shame! Shame!” Many carried signs supporting Calhoun and said he’d done a good job given the school’s severe challenges (which all predate his tenure). Video released by The Chicago Tribune showed various attendees giving impassioned speeches denouncing the board.
Even Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner seems baffled by the trustees’ spending priorities.
“We don’t have that many taxpayer resources to go around,” he said, according to The Chicago Tribune. “Taxpayers are supporters of that institution. And you hate to see a lot of money going out for not productive uses. The money should be in the classroom with the students and the teachers.”
Meanwhile, the Tribune’s editorial board said the termination was so baffling that Rauner should respond by firing the entire board.
“This is a school hemorrhaging cash, failing its students and now drained of its last ounce of credibility,” the board said in an editorial. “Whoever voted to fire Calhoun without issuing a candid public explanation should go. Rauner should be demanding their resignations now.”
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