Colorado State University's President Joyce McConnell Resigns
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4)- Colorado State University's President Joyce McConnell and the university have decided to part ways. McConnell was hired in 2019.
McConnell is also a former provost at West Virginia University. During her three years at CSU, she faced some allegations of racial bias on CSU's campus.
CSU made national headlines in September 2019 after a social media post showing four CSU students in blackface with arms crossed with the caption "Wakanda forevaa" – a reference to the movie Black Panther – went viral.
McConnell later faced backlash when she informed students that the freshmen in blackface didn't violate school policies and were protected under free speech.
CSU and McConnell mutually agreed to part ways. Her last day will be June 30.
CSU Chancellor Tony Frank released this statement, "After much deliberation, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System and President Joyce McConnell have decided to part ways and President McConnell will be leaving CSU as of June 30, 2022. President McConnell expresses her sincere appreciation for the opportunity to serve as the 15th and first woman President of CSU and that it has been one of the highest honors of her professional career. In the following days, the Board and President McConnell will be working to ensure a smooth transition as the board embarks on its search for her replacement. The Board thanks President McConnell for her efforts leading the university, particularly during challenging and unprecedented times. The Board wishes President McConnell all the best in her future endeavors."