University of North Carolina system President Tom Ross says, “I’m not ready to stop working at age 65.”
Members of the University of North Carolina board emphasized their decision to replace President Tom Ross next year was not due to his job performance or that he was turning 65 in June, the age at which his four predecessors left their post running what is now 16 university campuses and a residential science and math high school in Durham.
Ross took over as president in 2011 amid a recession that prompted budget cuts and an increase of 55 percent in average tuition since 2008. Ross also confronted a scandal involving fake grades for athletes and other students at the school’s flagship campus in Chapel Hill. In the past five years, the UNC system has increased the output of students earning degrees and incoming research dollars, a report Friday said.
Ross also took office at the same time that Republicans took control of the General Assembly. Since then, GOP lawmakers have appointed all but a handful of the university system’s board.
UNC Board of Governors chairman and Charlotte attorney John Fennebresque praised Ross’s “fantastic work ethic, perfect integrity” and other attributes but found it difficult to explain why he approached Ross days ago about replacing him. A new president might bring important new assets to the job, Fennebresque said, adding there has been no tally of qualities sought in a new leader.
Ross deflected a question on whether he believed he was being sidelined because of political pressure. Fennebresque said politics played no role for him but couldn’t speak for others on the 32-member board.
Attorney General Roy Cooper said Ross was forced out of his position but didn’t offer a reason. The Democrat had spoken to Ross about his departure, Cooper spokeswoman Noelle Talley said.
