Regents Fire Baylor President

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) – The Baylor University board of regents today has fired President John M. Lilley, saying he was unable to unite the school’s students, faculty and administrators.

Board Chairman Howard K. Batson repeatedly declined to discuss specific shortcomings, referring instead to the board’s lack of “confidence in John’s ability to unite various Baylor constituencies.”

The firing came during the regents’ annual summer retreat, held this year in suburban Dallas-Fort Worth. Lilley had been president since November 2005.

Lilley did not immediately return messages left at his office.

Board members had offered to let Lilley complete his five-year contract and begin their search for a new president in January. But the regents say Lilley rejected that offer.

Regent Harold Cunningham has been named acting president. He is a former vice president for special projects and former vice president for finance and administration.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)