CSU and its president ‘part ways’
FORT COLLINS — Colorado State University and its president, Joyce McConnell have, as described by its Chancellor Tony Frank, “parted ways.”
“The board of governors and President Joyce McConnell announced this morning that they have decided to part ways, effective June 30 of this year,” Frank said in a written statement. “On behalf of the entire board, we want to thank Joyce for her efforts and wish her well in her future endeavors. The board will be working over the next couple of days to name an interim president as it begins the work to set up a national search that will include — as in past searches — broad faculty, staff and community participation.”
Details of what led to the decision were not immediately available. Mike Hooker, director of community affairs and engagement, said that the university does not discuss personnel matters, but he did provide copies of statements made by McConnell and the board.
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McConnell sent a message to the “extended CSU community” saying that she considered her role as CSU’s 15th president and first woman president to be “the highest accomplishment of my career in higher education. This community is truly extraordinary — capable of transformative action of a scope and speed not often seen in higher education. Together, we have successfully faced challenges of a global pandemic and accomplished what many thought impossible: emerging from the pandemic in a strong position for the future with remarkable consensus reflected in Courageous Strategic Transformation. I thank you for your support, hard work, and unrelenting spirit. I want you to know that I care deeply about you and CSU. This is a truly great, world-class institution with significant statewide and global impact. I thank each of you for making this one of the top universities in the world.”
The separation agreement signed June 8 by, among others, McConnell and Frank, provides McConnell with $1.57 million and requires both CSU and McConnell to not speak ill of one another. McConnell also waived and released CSU from any liability in the termination.
She agreed to resign not only from position as president but also from her tenured faculty position in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources in the Warner College of Natural Resources.
McConnell was paid $550,000 as president. She began in 2019 and had a five year employment agreement. Before CSU, she was provost at West Virginia University.
