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‘Deeply disappointed’: PVAMU Alumni Association responds to abrupt resignation of president Dr. Ruth Simmons

HOUSTON – The president of Prairie View A&M University announced her early resignation last week, prompting several organizations from within the university system to respond.

SEE ALSO: Ruth Simmons will resign early as president of Prairie View A&M University

Most recently, the president of PVAMU’s National Alumni Association says members are deeply disappointed about the decision, specifically by Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp’s response.

PVAMU, which is a Historically Black College/University, is part of the greater Texas A&M System.

President Dr. Ruth J. Simmons was set to resign in June 2023.

Sources say just months before her resignation, Simmons began hiring department heads, which Sharp says is against policy.

“When Presidents in The Texas A&M University System announce they are leaving, they cannot hire senior staff or Deans except on an interim basis, so that the new President can choose the leadership team he or she will be working with during their term. This decade-long policy applies to all of our Presidents‚” Sharp’s letter read. “I informed Dr. Simmons that we will not make exceptions to this policy and she chose to resign. I am sorry she chose this path, but I am forever grateful for her service at Prairie View A&M University and look forward to even greater things in the future.”

Subsequently, PVAMU’s alumni association released a letter, stating they only care about the treatment of their presidents despite the recent disputes over new hires.

They believe Simmons should be ‘lauded’ for her ‘stellar contributions’ to the university, and say ‘very little had been forthcoming from the Texas A&M System.’

“While it appears that her early departure may have been triggered by a dispute regarding the scope of President Simmons’ power and authority during her final months in office, this is not the issue that matters to most alumni and students,” PVAMU’s alumni association President Mark Falls Sr. wrote. “We care about the treatment of our president as well as about whether actions taken by the Texas A&M Chancellor and Board of Regents serve the best interest of our university, faculty and students.”

Sharp concluded his note by stating Dr. Tomikia LeGrande will take on Simmons’ duties as President on June 1.

SEE ALSO: Biden appoints Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons, Taraji P. Henson to historically Black colleges board

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