Hample to step down as head of universities
HARRISBURG — The chief executive of Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities, including Slippery Rock, gave notice Monday that she plans to resign more than a year from now, citing a desire to pursue other opportunities.
Judy Hample, who was appointed chancellor of the State System of Higher Education in August 2001, said she will step down from her $327,718-a-year job by July 31, 2008.
"I've been thinking about this for a few months, and I've decided it's time for me to move on," Hample said in an interview Monday afternoon.
Hample, 59, who is one of the state's highest-paid employees, will leave one year before her current contract is set to expire in 2009.
Previously the chancellor of Florida's university system, she became the second chancellor of Pennsylvania's system, which was founded in 1983.
Hample said the timing of her announcement was intended to give the system's governing board enough time to appoint a successor before she leaves. She is considering several options, including writing journal articles on higher-education issues, a job with another university or university system, and consulting.
It also would be less awkward for her to explore new job opportunities if the board knew of her plans to leave, Hample said.
"Once people find out that you're looking at jobs, no matter how seriously you might or might not be considering that opportunity ... everyone assumes you're leaving," Hample said. "This allows the system to move ahead."
Gov. Ed Rendell and Kenneth Jarin, the board's chairman, praised Hample for achievements that included boosting the system's enrollment to record levels — from less than 100,000 to more than 109,000 — and improving student retention and graduation rates.
The union representing 5,500 university professors, which is negotiating with Hample's administration for a contract to replace the one that will expire Saturday, gave Hample mixed reviews.
Pat Heilman, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, said Hample has successfully lobbied for more funding and helped the universities earn national recognition.
But Heilman criticized Hample for implementing certain academic policy changes without consulting faculty.
The state system schools are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester universities.
