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UC President Announces Resignation

UC President Robert Dynes announced his resignation in a letter sent to the Board of Regents today.

Dynes, who has served as president since 2003 and has weathered criticism over compensation practices during his tenure, said he intends to step down in June 2008 or as soon as a successor is appointed.

“The period of my presidency has been filled both with successes that I am very proud to have achieved and difficult challenges that I have addressed and overcome,” he wrote in the letter.

His letter cites changes in his personal life and his initial plan to only serve for five years as reasons behind his resignation.

Provost Wyatt Hume has been asked to serve as the chief operating officer of the university until a new president is chosen.

Dynes, who served as chancellor of UC San Diego before being chosen to be president of the university’s ten-campus system, has faced criticism following state audits that found university compensation policy was violated on a number of occasions.

A report approved by the regents at their May meeting detailed 22 policy violations committed by Dynes during his term as president. Most notable were 17 instances of failing to obtain regental approval for elements of compensation packages.

Dynes acknowledges the criticism he has faced in his resignation letter, but said his practices were always aimed at strengthening the university.

“As you all know, the University’s methods and policies by which it determined and disclosed compensation of senior management over a period of many years became heavily scrutinized and criticized,” he wrote. “I continue to emphasize that these practices were intended for the good of the institution; the intention was to enable the University to remain competitive in the marketplace for intellectual and administrative talent. Only in a few instances were there insignificant incidences of inappropriate action.”

Dynes stated in the letter that he plans to return to the faculty and continue his work in physics.

Richard Blum, chairman of the Board of Regents, submitted a letter to the regents in response to the resignation, saying that the search process for a new president would begin shortly but that Dynes’ contribution to the university would not be soon forgotten.

“During his time of leadership, the University has faced challenges of its own on a number of fronts. With Bob’s guidance, the UC community has continued the journey to an even better University,” he wrote.

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