What Happened: CU President Bashar Hanna announced in an email sent on the eve of a planned walkout against him that he will be stepping down as president of Commonwealth University effective July 31.
Why it Matters: In the email, Hanna stated that he will be accepting an “invitation” from PASSHE Interim Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino to serve as PASSHE’s Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives beginning August 1.
The Background: This announcement follows a series of controversial events that plagued the administration across the 24/25 academic year, from the most recent of the aforementioned walkouts against Hanna scheduled for tomorrow at 2 p.m. to the ongoing wrongful termination lawsuit in which Hanna was one of four defendants in a verdict totaling over $3.9 million and a vote of no confidence in which over 88% of CU faculty voted they had no confidence in Hanna.
(Update Posted 4/29 5:41 pm) University Response:
At the time of writing, The Voice has reached out to President Hanna for comment regarding this decision. An email inquiry from Voice staff to Hanna was answered by Julie Stellfox, the assistant director of strategic communications, who wrote, “At this time President Hanna is not available for an interview.”
Stellfox then directed Voice staff to the press release that coincides with Hanna’s announcement. In which council of trustee chair John Wetzel is quoted as saying, “The Council of Trustees would like to thank Dr. Hanna for his dedication and commitment to our students and their success.”
The release also quoted Fiorentino, who is regarded to have stated, “We are fortunate to bring into the system office someone with decades of experience at the university level as we work to open new doors of opportunity for students across Pennsylvania. Dr. Hanna will be a great addition to the team.”
(Update Posted 4/30/11:31) APSCUF Response:
Dr. Eric Hawrelak, the president of Bloomsburg’s APSCUF chapter, was reached out to by The Voice for comment. In an email he wrote in regard to Hanna’s resignation, “For some time now APSCUF has believed President Hanna needed to step down. Moving forward we need to make sure that the entire campus community is working together in the best interest of our students, faculty, coaches, and staff.”
He further went on to comment on Hanna’s new position within PASSHE and wrote, “I have heard from a lot of faculty. Their concern is, since we have had issues with President Hanna’s leadership ability here at Commonwealth, there are reservations about him moving up to PASSHE, which governs all state universities.”
The Voice will continue to report on this story as it develops
