UB President Simpson retiring
There's about to be a big change in leadership at the University at Buffalo. Our Ryan Burgess tells us which school official is retiring and how that decision could impact the UB 2020 plan.
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
AMHERST, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo president John Simpson announced he plans to retire from the University, effective January 15.
"This decision has by no means been an easy one," said Simpson.
Simpson is retiring as the University's 14th president. While he expressed a desire to move back to the west coast with his family, he did acknowledged there were other factors in his decision.
"I would be disingenuous if I didn't also note that this difficult decision has been made somewhat easier by Albany's failure to give UB the policy tools and stable support needed to achieve this university's great potential," said Simpson.
A parting shot at the state legislature for failing to pass a budget that guaranteed UB 2020's development, despite assurances from some in the western New York delegation. Simpson refused to take questions from the media, but didn't hesitate to place the blame for UB 2020's threatened development on legislators.
"UB's promise and it's potential to transform this community has been threatened severely by repeated budget cuts and the failure to implement the policy changes that allow us to function truly as a university," said Simpson.
In a statement, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer said, "I can only imagine that if UB's 2020 plan had passed the State Legislature, John would have been more than willing to forgo his retirement."
As for Simpson's replacement, UB's senior vice president will serve as interim president after January 15. A global search for a permanent successor begins immediately.
"While I know John was disappointed in the progress of UB 2020, he certainly has ensured that this will be the most important goal of our next president," said UB council chairman Jeremy Jacobs.
In a statement, Erie County executive Collins called Simpson's retirement, "another casualty of failed leadership in our state's capital."