Bill Worger, hired eight months ago as Graduate dean, found himself ousted by University officials last week with no warning.
The University made no formal announcement, including no broadcast e-mail, for the decision to dismiss Worger, according to University officials.
Worger told The Daily Reveille Thursday the University’s decision was a “total suprise” to him and was not his decision.
But Worger said he did not feel comfortable commenting further at this time.
While University officials say its a personnel matter and won’t give any reason for his dismissal, some graduate students are concerned with the dean’s quiet dismissal and are asking for a meeting with the Provost.
Kip Britton, who was Worger’s graduate assistant, said seven graduate students and one undergraduate met on Wednesday to discuss plans to meet with the Provost Astrid Merget and question her decision.
Britton said the group wants answers, and he thinks the reason may point to Worger’s student based agendas and desire to create a more diverse graduate school.
Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said there were several elements of surprise with the University’s decision, including no formal statement from the University.
“So short a stay is unlikely at any University,” Cope said.
A petition to the Provost has begun circulating since Monday to express outrage with her decision. The petition states at least two deans and two interim deans have passed through the Graduate school in the past four years.
“We voice our serious concern that the overarching character of the Provost’s actions regarding Dr. Worger … imply a policy stance of anti-diversity,” the petition said.
——Contact Joy Lukachick at [email protected]