Suffolk University and the Collapse of Shared Governance

In an ugly soap opera still unfolding, Suffolk University's efforts to govern itself responsibly imploded over the past couple of weeks in an acid cloud of public "he said/she said." As the Suffolk debacle deepened, the finger pointing became a matter of public record.

Margaret McKenna, a seasoned, well respected, and often opinionated higher education leader, is at the center of the maelstrom. Ms. McKenna, a civil rights lawyer, successful former long-term president of Lesley University, and foundation executive, has been in office for eight months, not even long enough for an annual performance review. A faction on the Board, led by its chairman, Richard Meyer, objected to her style, and questioned some of her administrative decisions, spending habits, and fundraising ability, according to published reports. By mid-week, Boston's mayor and others weighed in to support Ms. McKenna.

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