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BY JEFF BRANSCOME
University of Mary Washington President Judy Hample, who abruptly resigned last week, says she realizes some think they are "entitled to know everything."
Still, she won't say why she resigned, nor does she plan to address the university community about her departure.
"My reason is personal," she said. "A personal reason is just that--it's personal. I'm not willing to elaborate."
Hample sat down with The Free Lance-Star Wednesday evening to discuss a variety of topics, including accomplishments and controversies during her short-lived presidency.
Hample will have served two years of a five-year contract when she leaves her post June 30. She said she told the board of visitors about her resignation at a dinner meeting last Thursday, a day before it was announced.
"My departure from UMW has nothing to do with UMW," she said. The board of visitors did not ask her to resign, Hample added later.
Hample, 62, would not discuss her future plans. Before coming to UMW, she was chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 public universities.
The UMW board will conduct its third presidential search in three years and must name an acting president.
William Anderson retired from UMW in 2006 after 23 years as president. William Frawley succeeded him, only to be fired in April 2007 after being charged with driving under the influence twice in two days.
Hample, who was hired in March 2008, says she doesn't blame herself for the revolving door.
"It's unfortunate that there's been turnover, but I can't and I won't hold myself responsible for that, because I have a very good personal reason for leaving," she said.
Hample spoke at length about her accomplishments, including the university's recently approved strategic plan. That document, which outlines UMW's future, calls for colleges of business and education and other initiatives.
"I was the person who put that on the table and promoted that and helped to build support for that initiative," she said of the colleges of business and education.
She disagrees with those who say she doesn't communicate with students and faculty. Hample noted that she held several forums seeking input on the strategic plan.
"I don't know where this is coming from that I've been this imperial president who's sat up here and made decisions in this ivory tower," she said. "Not true."
During her first year as president, she said, she made 27 fundraising trips--most outside the state--for UMW's Centennial Campaign.
"That is a tremendous amount of travel for a new president to do to raise money in their first year," she said.
"I know there were complaints, particularly from students, that they didn't see enough of me. Well, there's only one of me, and I can only be in so many places at once."
The Bullet, UMW's student newspaper, wrote in an editorial last year that Hample wasn't visible enough on campus.
Hample said she's talked with students at a variety of settings, such as a "Great Lives" lecture last week about Margaret Thatcher.
"What I haven't done enough of is sort of sit at various locations on campus and chat with people as they come by," she said.
The latest controversy involves a complaint over Hample's $28,000 purchase of new bookshelves for Brompton, the president's official residence.
Someone called the state employee fraud, waste and abuse hot line to complain about the expense. John A. Spooner, the state internal auditor, said recently that a report on the issue will be made public early next week.
Hample said the old bookcases were in poor condition and needed to be replaced. She said she knows there are "a whole bunch of people who don't like me."
"I suspect if somebody else had been living there and gotten the bookcases, it probably wouldn't have been an issue," she said.
Everything she's done, Hample said, has been to improve students' academic experience.
"The life of the university is all about the students and the faculty who teach there, and that has to be our primary concern," she said.
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com
