Temple University’s board of trustees announced its intention to dismiss Temple’s president, Neil D. Theobald, on Tuesday after a unanimous vote of no confidence, Philly.com reported.
Less than a month ago, Theobald removed Temple’s provost, Hai-Lung Dai, from his post, after the school raised $22 million less than expected for Temple’s merit scholarship program. Dai stays on as a tenured member of the Chemistry department. Temple spokesperson Kevin Feeley told Philly.com that the decision to oust Theobald was “largely based on Theobald’s handling of events” surrounding Dai’s dismissal, in addition to the scholarship deficit.
The board will officially vote on the dismissal of Theobald on July 21. He was given the opportunity to resign, but he did not.
Art Hochner, president of the Temple faculty union, told Philly.com that “It’s shocking and unprecedented, losing the two top leaders outside of the health system at once. I’m unsure what this means for the university as a whole, but it certainly is an earthquake.
Theobald was named Temple’s 10th president in August 2012. Under his leadership, Temple launched its “Fly in Four” program to encourage graduation in four years, removed the SAT score requirement for admission and initiated a plan to build a football stadium on campus.
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