University of Mary Washington officials have fired President William Frawley.
The decision was announced this afternoon, after a nearly five-hour Board of Visitors meeting.
The board announced it had fired Frawley “with cause,” but did not elaborate other than to say recent events have reflected badly on the university.
"It's been very difficult," said BOV Rector Bill Poole. "This was a major decision and you don't do that lightly."
When asked why it took so long for a final decision, Poole said "we wanted to be as fair as we can ...we didn't want to rush to judgement."
Frawley was notified of the decision today through his attorney.
Frawley's status has been uncertain in the wake of two driving under the influence charges earlier this month.
He was charged with DUI in Fairfax County April 10 and in Fredericksburg the next day.
He flipped his car in Fairfax, police said, and left Inova Fairfax Hospital the morning of April 11 against medical advice. He was taken to Mary Washington Hospital after his Fredericksburg arrest and released five days later, officials said.
He faces court appearances in May and July.
Frawley was put on paid leave earlier this month. Rick Hurley, a vice president at UMW, is serving as acting president.
Frawley was inaugurated last year as the seventh president at UMW. VIDEO: Click here to see video from Frawley's inauguration.
The Board of Visitors voted last spring to hire Frawley for a term of five years.
"We had three very strong candidates," then UMW Rector Mona Albertine said at the time, "but he had the overwhelming support of the board."
Frawley replaced outgoing president William Anderson, who led the public university in Fredericksburg for 23 years.
Frawley holds a doctorate in linguistics from Northwestern University and a master's in linguistics from Louisiana State University. He earned his bachelor's in English from Glassboro State College, now known as Rowan University.
STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON BOARD OF VISITORS
April 30, 2007
After a great deal of deliberation and in recognition of our obligations to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington has decided that it is in the best interests of the University and the University community that this Board terminate Dr. William J. Frawley from his employment with the University, for cause, effective immediately.