After a controversial traffic accident and a no-confidence vote by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student government, Chancellor Linda Bunnell announced her resignation Thursday, effective May 31.
“We can all be proud of our university’s many accomplishments in recent years,” Bunnell said in a statement. “UW-[Stevens Point] is now ready and poised to proceed to the next level.”
Although the resignation came shortly after the chancellor admitted to ordering three drinks before the car accident that occurred in February, the chancellor did not specify her reasons for stepping down.
UW-Stevens Point spokesperson Stephen Ward said the chancellor’s decision was not the result of these incidents.
“I wouldn’t attribute her decision to those incidents,” Ward said. “I think she addressed those incidents pretty clearly, and both those incidents have been dealt with and responded to.”
Bunnell has served as chancellor for UW-Stevens Point since June 2004 and will officially resign May 31. In her time, enrollment increased to its highest point in 17 years and the number of students of color increased by 24 percent.
According to Ward, the school also increased its number of students traveling abroad to the greatest amount currently seen in the UW System.
“Over the past five years, we’ve developed a culture of progress under her leadership that’s caught on across the campus in a number of areas and … there’s a sense that we’re very glad to continue in that road of progress,” Ward said.
Ward added the chancellor’s decision was unexpected.
“There’s a good deal of surprise and shock as the news settles in, but she’s gotten an overwhelming number of messages today in her office of support and good wishes and some thoughts of concern from people wishing that she hadn’t made this decision,” Ward said.
Although many were shocked and saddened by the chancellor’s resignation statement, several voiced support for her decision.
Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said he thought the chancellor made an appropriate decision to step down.
“Chancellor Bunnell’s decision to resign is appropriate and clearly in the best interests of all parties. This will allow both Chancellor Bunnell and [UW-Stevens Point] to move forward in a positive manner,” Nass said in a statement.
Nass applauded the UW System for taking action by reviewing concerns about the chancellor that have developed over the past several months regarding the February car accident.
“I truly appreciate President Reilly for prioritizing this issue and working effectively to help resolve an escalating conflict over leadership at [UW-Stevens Point],” Nass said. “This is a very refreshing and positive change in how (the) UW System administration approaches serious leadership concerns.”
UW-Stevens Point Provost Mark Nook will take the place of Bunnell as interim chancellor starting June 1.
The school plans to develop a search and screen committee to find a new chancellor; however, according to UW System spokesperson David Giroux, no timeframe has been set yet.
