Concordia president says she was asked to leave

The sudden resignation of Concordia University president, Judith Woodsworth, continues to breed confusion throughout the campus.

Despite an announcement from the university that Woodsworth had left voluntarily for “personal” reasons, even she offers a conflicting view. “I would have been happy to continue as president, but some board members said that they had lost confidence and they felt I should step down,” she told the Globe and Mail. “I was not given the reasons, so that’s all I can tell you.” The university maintains the story that Woodsworth left on her own accord, pointing out that the Board of Governors did not vote on her departure.

Woodsworth, who left midway through a five-year term, is the second president to leave in three years. Claude Lajeunesse left the top post in 2007, and, like Woodsworth received a hefty compensation package. No fewer than five vice-presidents have also left the university in the past five years.

Lucie Lequin, president of the faculty association, says the high turnover will deter quality candidates from seeking administrative posts. “Who will dare apply for the position?” she asked.