AU Graduate Students Respond to Ladner Buy Out
October 27, 2005

We, the graduate students of American University, are appalled at the compensation package that the Board of Trustees has given Dr. Ladner. We condemn and denounce in the strongest manner the opacity under which this board operates. We call for the immediate reconstitution of the Board of Trustees in consultation with the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of this university. Additionally, we call on the board to cease all searches for a permanent president pending such reconstitution. At such time, we strongly call for broad student representation and participation in the presidential search. Finally, we strongly encourage institutional governance reform in collaboration with all campus constituencies.

Deans Condemn Severance Package for Benjamin Ladner
October 24, 2005

As academic leaders of American University, we condemn the decision of the Board of Trustees to offer former President Ladner a multi-million dollar settlement package and the closed process by which that decision was reached. We do not believe this is an appropriate way to manage the University. We must have transparency and accountability consistent with principles of good governance and the values of American University.