Details emerge on why appointment of new Buff State president was rescinded
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo State University is once again looking for a new president after SUNY made the surprising announcement Wednesday night - saying Dr. Chance Glenn will not be starting in the role come July.
Dr. Chance Glenn was appointed to the job in December and was supposed to start on July 1, but SUNY’s chancellor says they've changed their mind.
“We are all disappointed in the outcome of our search, but we have great hope for the future,” said Buffalo State Council President Linda Dobmeier.
The school’s future is now in the hands of interim president Dr. Bonita Durand, who turned 75 on Thursday, and will remain in this position for the next two years.
“One of the reasons that I personally agreed to stay is so that our momentum won't stop. We've made great progress in collaboration. We've made great progress over the past year in identifying strategies and tactics. We have reinvigorated this community,” said Durand.
SUNY and Buff State announced Wednesday that their offer of president to Dr. Chance Glenn was rescinded. SUNY has declined to answer any questions since then.
In a statement to News 4, Glenn says he is disappointed that he's unable to work in the Queen City and that he is working to address the root of the issue in Texas.
News 4 reached out to the University of Houston Victoria where Glenn is still the provost, but didn't hear back.
Earlier this month, a newspaper in Victoria, Texas, provided details about concerns at Glenn’s college. Suny has yet to confirm that report played a part in their decision.
That article says within the past month, the University of Houston Victoria’s faculty council called for Glenn’s removal after allegations of conflict of interest, and transparency, over a $270,000 research grant he received.
Still, here at home, the focus remains on Buff State.
“This campus, this community can make those hard decisions. We can control our destiny and we can still provide the quality education and services that SUNY is known for, and that Buffalo State does very well,” continued Durand.
Buffalo mayor Byron Brown, who was in rumors to fill the Buff State job since it opened in 2022, said he was saddened by the news but his focus remains the same, on the city.
“We've made a lot of progress in the city of Buffalo, but there's a lot more work to do," Brown said "So, I'm very focused on the work that I'm doing as mayor."
Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.