Baylor President Announces Resignation, Reassignment

Robert B. Sloan Jr., the longtime president of Baylor University and the mastermind behind the ambitious and costly 10-year Vision 2012 plan, announced today that he will leave his post to become the university’s chancellor.

By Pauline J. Chang, Christian Post Reporter Friday, January 21, 2005

Robert B. Sloan Jr., the longtime president of Baylor University and the mastermind behind the ambitious and costly 10-year campaign to bring the world’s largest Baptist institution into the “top tier of American universities while reaffirming and deepening its distinctive Christian mission,” announced today that he will leave his post to become the university’s chancellor. The surprise role change, which was announced a press conference today, will be effective in June 1, 2005.

“Baylor has been through a challenging period over the past 18 months, and the Board of Regents and the administration have been actively engaged in discussions over this time period about how best to address these challenges and do what is best for the University,” said the chairman of the Board of Regents, Will Davis. “By mutual agreement, the Board and President Sloan have arrived at a decision whereby he will transition from his current role as President and CEO of Baylor University to his new role as Chancellor, effective June 1, 2005. The change in responsibilities will be presented for ratification at the February 3-4 Board of Regents meeting.”

During the news conference, Davis praised Sloan for his ambition to raise the caliber of the 160-year old institution.

“I believe if you look back over the last decade, you will see ample evidence that President Sloan has led Baylor through a period of tremendous growth and progress,” Davis said. “Anyone who walks across this campus or talks to faculty, staff, students, parents, donors and alumni, or to higher education leaders across the nation, will see and hear tangible expressions of the progress made under President Sloan.”

However, Sloan acknowledged the tensions and controversies that arose following the implementation of the vigorous Vision 2012 plan.

“My role as president has become a distraction from the main goal of fulfilling the vision," Sloan said. "Now that the voyage is well underway, it is time for someone new to navigate these sometimes choppy waters, while continuing to aim for the carefully charted destination ahead."

Last year, an effort to oust Sloan failed during the Board of Regents’ July meeting, although by a close vote. Later in the year, the majority of the faculty voted against Sloan and called for his resignation; only the Board has the authority to oust the President.

As his new role as chancellor, Sloan will focus on fund-raising, student recruitment, networking with higher education leaders on the state and national levels, cultivating Baylor’s relationships with denominational and Christian leaders and organizations, and otherwise promote the Baylor 2012 vision to the university’s constituents, according to the university’s press release.

“It has been my privilege to launch the university upon the exciting journey we call Baylor 2012. Now that the voyage is well under way, it is time for someone new to navigate sometimes choppy waters, always aiming toward the fully charted destination ahead,” Sloan said.

“For that reason, the Board of Regents and I have mutually agreed that I will leave the President’s Office to become chancellor at the end of the current semester. The regents and I remain fully committed to the Vision. From the post of chancellor, I will focus on fundraising, recruitment, and promoting Vision 2012 every way I can. This university and the vision for its future remain my passion and my calling,” he said.

“There are undeniable challenges still ahead. They come with the territory. But I am convinced that the Board of Regents and the Baylor family will welcome the new president and give their all to achieve both unity and continued progress.”

Davis will serve as the interim president and an interim president and a presidential search committee will be appointed later this spring. In the meantime, Sloan will continue to serve as president and CEO through May 31, according to the university.

For more information or to read the full transcript of the press release, visit: http://pr.baylor.edu/story.php?id=005632