Initially, the evaluation committee was expected to present its report to the UMass Board of Trustees on Wednesday.
UMass Amherst Chancellor Robert C. Holub is seen at last month's 141st commencement ceremonies. UMass President Jack Wilson is seen sitting behind Holub.AMHERST - The future of University of Massachusetts Chancellor Robert C. Holub continues to remain unclear and his evaluation is not expected to be presented to trustees Wednesday as previously expected.
Initially, the evaluation committee was expected to present its report to the Board of Trustees Wednesday. Last month, the Boston Globe reported that the committee was recommending that Holub not be reappointed.
But the report is not finished and has not be submitted to President Jack M. Wilson, said Robert P. Connolly, spokesman for Wilson’s office.
“It is highly unlikely” it will be presented to the board Wednesday, Connolly said. The board does not meet again until September. Holub’s contract expires July 31, however, his $375,000 contract requires a six-month notification if it is not to be renewed.
Connolly said, however whether the contract is renewed is something the president decides, not the board. Wilson is leaving the position at the end of the month and will be replaced by Robert L. Caret.
Holub met with Wilson, Caret, Philip W. Johnston, chairman of the evaluation committee and trustee; and Board of Trustee chairman James J. Karam last month to discuss his evaluation. Connolly said the plan then was for the discussion to continue and for “us to have something to say about this,” at June 8 board meeting.
Neither Holub or Johnston would comment Monday.
The evaluation committee held forums and took comments from students, faculty, staff, community and political officials among others during the review this past winter into spring.
Some were critical that Holub wanted to investigate the possibility of establishing a medical school with Baystate Health in Springfield without talking to trustees and UMass officials.
Some campus faculty were critical as well of his leadership style and his inability to communicate.
But officials in Amherst and Springfield praised Holub’s work.
Amherst Area Chamber Executive Director Tony Maroulis wrote on behalf of chamber members to Wilson urging him to retain Holub as chancellor.
In an email to the Board of Trustees following the Globe story, Wilson wrote that the review “has yet to reach its conclusion.” He continued that “this is a personnel matter and thus significant procedural and privacy issues pertain. Discussions with the committee and with Chancellor Holub will continue and we have strong hopes that this situation will be resolved in an appropriate fashion.”
W. Richards Adrion, the Faculty Senate representative to the Board of Trustees trustees, said Faculty Senate committees have meet and “we’re trying to sort out what’s what.” But he said, “the uncertainty is not good for the campus, it’s not good for the chancellor. It’s not good for anyone”
Faculty are also trying to figure how the story ended in the Globe and why.
Adrion also they’d like to know “if they’re not going to reappoint him on what basis.”
Holub, one of four finalists for the position just three years ago, replaced John V. Lombardi who left amid controversy Sept. 1, 2007 to become the Louisiana State University System. Thomas W. Cole Jr. served as interim for one year.