University of Louisville President James Ramsey offered his resignation to the school’s Board of Trustees in a meeting on Wednesday, but according to the terms of the agreement, he would stay on as interim president until as late as June 30, 2017.
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The school said Monday its board of trustees is scheduled to convene a special meeting Tuesday.
The board announced the news just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday night, noting the resignation was effective immediately.
Ramsey has not clarified whether he will remain president of the Foundation and has dodged questions about it.
But it’s unclear what, if any, of Ramsey’s requests the board agreed to honor. “And Ramsey’s compensation, upwards of $2.8 million in 2014, has drawn widespread scrutiny for being much higher than comparable institutions pay”.
Ramsey became head of the public university in 2002 but in recent years drew criticism as it became the target of inquiries from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
During his tenure, Ramsey has helped boost the school’s profile, increasing graduation rates and academic standards for incoming freshmen, while leading highly-successful fundraising efforts.
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After Bridgeman read the letter, the board went into executive session – a move challenged by a Courier-Journal reporter. Beshear sued Gov. Matt Bevin, saying his abolition of the old board last month and appointment of 10 new members was unconstitutional.
