Texas A&M said on August 3, 2023, that it will compensate Kathleen McElroy with $1 million after being unsuccessful in hiring her.
Sydnie Henry of Texas Scorecard reports that McElroy is a proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion who also declined A&M’s last employment offer for the post of journalism director after the school amended her contract in response to public outcry.
Texas A&M amended McElroy’s original agreement by subsequently extending to her a three-year directorship of the journalism program along with a one-year contract as a professor with no tenure. Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that she may lose her job at any time.
The TAMU Board of Regents then empowered university representatives to seek a settlement with McElroy and gave the system’s general counsel the authority to look into what transpired.
Results of the study were made public by the Office of General Counsel, which found that “significant mistakes had been made during this hiring process, primarily caused by a failure to comply with the established guidelines and rules that govern faculty hiring.”
According to the OGC investigation, university administrators were informed in early May that there would be questions about McElroy’s hiring because of her background with DEI.
According to the report, former interim Dean Jose Bermudez reportedly said to Department Head Hart Blanton that “the NYT link was poor optics throughout this specific legislative session.”
Following Texas Scorecard’s coverage of McElroy’s hire, “TAMU President Kathy Banks claimed that she had received phone calls from 6-7 members who are on the Texas A&M University Systems Board of Regents raising questions and expressing concerns regarding McElroy’s hiring,” according to the article.
The Board must yearly certify that the law’s requirements are completely implemented as well as that the System remains in compliance with the law, according to SB 17’s DEI provisions, which were previously covered in briefings for the regents. Regents asked McElroy how her promotion of DEI would fall in line with TAMU’s responsibilities under SB 17.
Banks denied having any previous knowledge of the adjustments made to the job offer during a meeting held with the TAMU Faculty Senate after McElroy’s offer letter was changed.
After Banks’ claims turned out to be incorrect, she resigned the following day.
Since the hiring attempt was unsuccessful, the OGC is now requesting that “all faculty offer letters… must have a signature from the Vice President of the Faculty Affairs in order to guarantee compliance with the university’s rules and regulations and to establish a working oversight mechanism.”
Further, “Interim President Welsh has instructed the Office for Faculty Affairs to establish a committee that will make recommendations on suitable safeguards for faculty regarding matters of faculty hiring as well as academic freedom,” according to the statement.
McElroy will continue to work at UT Austin with tenure and earn a $1 million compensation in the meantime.
Author: Scott Dowdy
You kidding me? Texas A&M why fall for this bull? She just another black woman who will show her truth side once she get hired! It has been shown the last 7 years! DEI? More like BLACK POWER TO DESTROY OTHER! Or given bad INFLUENCE TO YOUNG PEOPLE! Be better off hiring someone from a CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.
Anything to go against your Governor. I hope your alumni donations dry up.
IS THIS WHAT OUR STDENTS DESERVE. WHAT WILL THEY LEARN. HATE AND RACISM. TIME TO STOP THIS HIRING BY ”’GENDER” AND ”’COLOR”’. BIGGEST MISTAKE OUR COUNTRY EVER MADE. HIRE BY ”’MERIT”’ ONLY……….. THIS IS STILL AMERICA……………..JUST LOOK AT OUR ”VP” NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
I am ashamed that one of our Texas universities would scam supporters and potential donors,, students, and supporters in this manner! I will never allow a child of mine to enroll in Texas A&M University, and will discourage anyone that I know that plans to go there. This is a disgrace!