The University of Maine System trustees have accepted the resignation of the Portland university’s president.
The board unanimously accepted University of Southern Maine President Glenn Cummings’ resignation on Wednesday during a special meeting, where some faculty members told the Portland Press Herald they were denied a chance to speak.
Faculty are concerned that Cummings’ departure could disrupt the university’s continued growth and was prompted by a disagreement between him and the trustees over the vision of the school’s future, according to the Press Herald.
Last week, the USM Faculty Senate approved a resolution asking the trustees to reach a new contract with Cummings.
Cummings, who has been president since 2015, will step down and return to a position within the faculty in June 2022, the Press Herald reported.
The presidential search committee will be chaired by Trustee James Erwin.