Ex-Athens State provost gets $95K severance

Sept. 26--ATHENS -- Former Athens State University Provost Ronald Cromwell will receive a $95,118 severance package as part of his resignation agreement from the school.

The university, responding to a public records request from The Decatur Daily, released the settlement statement Thursday.

Cromwell, who must move out of his university-owned house by Oct. 15, resigned Sept. 17. His resignation followed concerns about low morale among professors and questions from the faculty about administration decisions regarding curriculum and finances.

Many of the faculty complaints centered on Cromwell, who had been with the university three years.

Under the settlement, Cromwell will receive $87,756 by Oct. 15 and $7,362 to pay for 18 months of health insurance. He also will receive his base wage through Sept. 17.

Cromwell's annual salary was $131,634.

The settlement states Cromwell can't sue the university or its employees for wrongful termination, age discrimination or any other reason related to his resignation.

The Faculty Senate's motion to consider a no-confidence vote against Cromwell and President Bob Glenn was made the day before the resignation.

At a called meeting Thursday, the Faculty Senate delayed voting on a motion to consider a no-confidence vote on Glenn. Presiding Officer Robby White said the meeting was held because Cromwell resigned.

The 13-member Faculty Senate couldn't come to a consensus on Glenn after meeting for more than an hour in the Founders Hall chapel, White said.

Faculty Senate members would not comment following the meeting after agreeing White would serve as their spokesman.

White said the meeting wasn't contentious. However, raised voices could be heard in the hall at times.

Some professors are ready to move forward with Cromwell no longer at ASU. The opposition continues to push the no-confidence vote because of Glenn's support for Cromwell.

"We felt the need to hold further conversation," White said. "It's important to hear the concerns and talk about how we address those concerns as an institution."

White, a religion professor, said the group is working on a list of grievances. It plans to meet again Tuesday to decide whether these complaints and issues merit a no-confidence vote.

Glenn spoke to the Faculty Senate briefly at the start of the meeting.

In response to an interview request, he sent an email of comments he made to the group. He left the meeting before the group began its debate.

"I am not here to lobby your vote, but to state my intentions to reach out to you as a collective body, and to the faculty and staff at large," he said in the email.

Glenn admitted he "made some mistakes and said some things that are not in the best interests of our university," according to the email.

He apologized to faculty and the Faculty Senate. He said he and the board of trustees are committed to moving past the issues.

"I recognize for us to reach success that more listening and understanding is needed," Glenn said in the email. "More openness and candid exchange is desired. I make that commitment today."

Trustee Mary Scott Hunter said she hopes "cooler minds will prevail" now Cromwell has resigned. Hunter, a state Board of Education member, said she wants to sort out whether the faculty "is just unhappy or if there's a legitimate problem."

She said she wants to know if the professors will be unhappy no matter who's in leadership.

"College professors have a great job," Hunter said. "But, in my experience, some college faculties are just generally unhappy. Is this real, and is this something that can be fixed?"

Sandra Sims-deGraffenried, chair pro tem of the board of trustees, said in an email she couldn't comment until the Faculty Senate makes a decision.

Sims-deGraffenried said her offer for a meeting between the trustees and the faculty remains on the table.

Athens State, a junior and senior university, has 85 professors and 3,186 students.

Bayne Hughes can be reached at 256-340-2432 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @DD_BayneHughes.

Glenn's comments to Faculty Senate

Athens State University President Bob Glenn spoke to the university's Faculty Senate on Thursday afternoon. Here's what he told the group of 13:

Members of the Faculty Senate:

Thank you for allowing me to address the body. This afternoon you will be deliberating issues that will impact the future of our institution. Last week, the Faculty Senate approved a proposal to consider a no-confidence vote. I was made aware of the decision, and today I understand you will be deliberating on how to proceed. I am not here to lobby your vote, but to state my intentions to reach out to you as a collective body, and to the faculty and staff at large.

We have gone through tremendous change over the past two years. It is no secret that it has not been an easy road, but it is a road that we travel together and if we journey together cooperatively, we can achieve great things. I have made some mistakes and said things that are not in the best interests of our university. I have publicly apologized to the faculties of each college and I offer my apologies now to this group. I recognize for us to reach success that more listening and understanding is needed. More openness and candid exchange is desired. I make that commitment today.

When I met with each college, a member of the board accompanied me. Those board members came so that they could hear faculty comments first hand and to demonstrate their willingness to engage with faculty. Following my meetings with the three colleges and the staff areas, I talked with members of our board of trustees. They, like you, are concerned about our direction but are confident that we can work through our differences. They see a University community that is capable of moving beyond current circumstances and embracing a bright future. I share their vision.

Chair Pro Tem (Sandra) Sims-deGraffenried sent an email to Dr. (Robby) White requesting a time to meet with faculty and staff, and I believe this is another action that shows their good faith in seeking the solutions we need. I am convinced that is a good place for us to start. I have met with faculty and staff over the past few weeks and intend to continue that dialogue with future meetings planned.

We didn't get to our present situation in one day nor will we solve it in a day. Respect and trust are built over time. I am convinced that if we will go down this path together, we will restore both. We are part of a wonderful university, and we have great people who make outstanding contributions. Today, you have my promise to work together to address the issues before us.

Robert K. (Bob) Glenn, Ph.D.

President, Athens State University

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