By nonofficial early indications, big out-of-state Democratic PAC money failed Tuesday to nominate extreme, marginal Republicans who stood little chance of winning in the November general election where centrists determine
CU to pay Mark Kennedy $1.3M in departure deal as Republican regents decry removal of president
Former GOP congressman will step down from CU presidency by July 1 after 2 years on job
Shawna Noel Schill
Posted at 9:37 PM, May 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-19 23:37:03-04
BOULDER, Colo. â University of Colorado President Mark Kennedy will receive a $1.3 million lump-sum payment when he departs his role as leader of the four-campus system by July 1, according to an agreement approved by the CU Board of Regents on Wednesday.
The deal outlining the details of Kennedyâs departure after two years on the job passed on an 8-1 vote, with Regent Heidi Ganahl, an at-large Republican, voting no. The regents are expected to name an interim president soon and initiate a search process for a permanent successor.
Last day on the job at Colorado will be July 1. 12:23 pm, May 19, 2021 ×
File photo of former UND President Mark Kennedy. Photo by Eric Hylden/Grand Forks HeraldEric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald
Former UND President Mark Kennedy will be leaving the University of Colorado system on July 1, with a $1.3 million payout in hand.
The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted 8-1 on Wednesday, May 19, to pay out Kennedy’s contract. They also voted 6-3 against allowing Kennedy to serve out the rest of his contract.
Kennedy s total payout will be $1.35 million. He was set to make $850,000 in the final year of his three-year contract; the additional dollars include unused vacation time and other money.
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Mark Kennedy
The regents approved the buyout on a 8-1 vote Wednesday, with Regent Heidi Ganahl casting the only dissenting vote. His contract will end July 1.
The decision came less than a month after the
Kennedy’s appointment two years ago was a party-line decision made by a board that, at the time, was the only state body led by a Republican majority.
Concerns arose immediately among some in the CU community about Kennedy’s stance on hot-button social issues during his time as a lawmaker.
The conflict came to a head when the board this year flipped to a Democratic majority.