The University of California at Davis’s chancellor, Linda P.B. Katehi, is resigning from the DeVry Education Group’s Board of Directors amid pressure from public-interest groups, reports The Sacramento Bee.
“I initially chose to accept the appointment because I believed I could contribute to improving the educational experiences of the students attending DeVry institutions, but in light of a variety of other issues that have come to the fore, I have determined that I am unable to serve,” Ms. Katehi wrote in her resignation letter.
Critics of her service on the board have cited fears that the controversy surrounding the for-profit higher-education company, including a lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission alleging deceptive practices, may harm the image of the university she leads.
“It is an epic lapse of judgment for the chancellor to let a corporation that is currently being sued by the Federal Trade Commission for deceiving students to exploit the good name of the University of California,” Ed Howard, senior counsel for the Center for Public Interest Law, told the Bee.
DeVry board members earn $70,000 annually, along with restricted stock units valued at $100,000, the newspaper reported.
Ms. Katehi was named to the DeVry board last week, along with the University of Arizona’s president, Ann Weaver Hart, who is still serving on the board. Ms. Hart could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday afternoon.
