In these turbulent times, the resignation of a university president in the middle of the fall semester is not startling news. But when the president announces his resignation on Oct. 21 and leaves the position Oct. 31, observers take note.

That's the way Dr. Horace Judson, Grambling State University's president since 2004, made his curious departure from the cash-strapped historically Black institution. Judson left behind an angry student senate that had taken a vote of no confidence against him and a hostile faculty senate that also was in the process of sending a similar resolution to the full faculty.

He also left behind a physical memorial of his tenure. Judson recently had a formidable iron and brick fence constructed around the president's official residence on campus. Grambling provost Dr. Robert Dixon says the fence cost about $158,000.

"It beautifies the property, enhances its value and provides security," Dixon says while admitting "the decision to have the fence constructed resulted in a great deal of criticism."

SGA president Steven Jackson was among the critics. "We don't have air conditioning in the library; we have an auditorium we can't really use because of maintenance problems including air conditioning. We have our own security issues - and he spends that money on a fence around his house."

But from the University of Louisiana System leadership, there were only plaudits for Judson's presidency.

"Dr. Judson contacted me at the beginning of the semester about his desire to explore other career options," UL system president Dr. Randy Moffett said in a news release. "We were hopeful he would be able to stay on through the semester and are saddened that a close family member's illness accelerated his decision."