Phyllis Wise, the new chancellor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, talks with outgoing interim Chancellor Robert Easter, before being introduced to Illinois faculty and guests at Illini Union in Urbana on Tuesday August 9, 2011.
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Wise, in a statement, cited “external issues” that have distracted the university and its operations in the past year. Phyllis Wise’s 1,411 days in office can’t be summed up in 140 characters but her tenure was marked by two Twitter tirades, among other things. There have also been several allegations by athletes in three sports of mistreatment by coaches and staff. Wise says these issues are diverting much needed energy and attention away from the university’s goals.
Wise brought an extensive scientific and administrative background to Illinois when she was hired in 2011 from the University of Washington. However, a university spokesman told the I-Team “she will receive a prorated $400,000 of the retention compensation in a negotiated agreement”. Wise said that she plans to return to the faculty at Illinois. Wise’s resignation letter was released hours after a federal judge rejected a bid by the university to dismiss a lawsuit Salaita has filed over his nonhiring.
Given the aggressive pursuit of expiring collegiate contracts by Nike rivals Under Armour and Adidas, Wise’s position on the Nike board would have created at interesting scenario for Illinois – a second-tier Big 10 athletic program — as it weighed whether to stay with Nike or not.
Earlier this year, the American Association of University Professors, a prominent professors group, censured U. of I. for the decision, saying it violated the principles of academic freedom. The basketball and soccer complaints have led to pending lawsuits. Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed cuts as steep as 31 percent.
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A national search will be conducted for the next chancellor to run the Urbana-Champaign campus, Hardy said.
