Texas Southern University has officially parted ways with former President Austin Lane, with regents announcing an agreement Thursday that does not accuse him of wrongdoing.
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The agreement, approved by the regents without opposition, comes weeks after the board released a four-page notice of termination for cause that alleged Lane had failed to report allegations of fraud in the university admissions process, and committed other contract violations. Lane was given 30 days to refute the allegations. The notice said he could also resolve the dispute through discussions or non-binding mediation. Both sides met with a mediator Monday, the board said Thursday.
Board chair Hasan Mack said Thursday's agreement was in the “best interest of the university.”
“I think this is the time that we all need to come together and hug the university, and use the passion that everyone has, whatever side that you're on, let's put that into the bucket of moving the university forward and doing what's in the best interest for the students and the community,” he said.
Regent Ron Price, who previously criticized how Lane was earlier placed on administrative leave, said he would vote for the motion “out of respect for Dr. Lane’s wishes.”
“Unfortunately, this is a dark cloud time in the history of this great institution and I have other things to say about this whole scenario and how we got to this point, but out of respect for Dr. Lane and his wishes to move forward with his life, I will be supporting this motion,” he said.
Lane’s lawyer declined comment. Lane could not immediately be reached.
In 2016, Lane was named president of Texas Southern one of the largest historically black universities in the country. He was placed on administrative leave in January but no explanation for the decision was provided at the time.
Lane has denied the allegations in the notice of termination, and released a lengthy response accusing the board of mismanagement. He said in his response that his contract with the university ran through August 2022. His total compensation was $486,000 last fiscal year, according to the Legislative Budget Board.
The details of the mediation agreement — including any financial terms — were not immediately available.
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