Changes

L. Frederick "Rick" Francis, chairman of the Texas Tech regents, said that Duncan's departure is a result of disagreement among the regents over university finances:

L. Frederick "Rick" Francis, chairman of the Texas Tech regents, said that Duncan's departure is a result of disagreement among the regents over university finances:

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After three years of double-digit increases in the system administrative budget, beginning with the 2017/2018 budget cycle, the regents pushed back on the proposed increase in the system budget. Many, if not most members of the board, feel the system administrative budget is a tax on the component universities and is ultimately reflected in the rising cost of student tuition. The chancellor was asked to cut the system budget and to begin to find ways to limit the size and scope of services …<br>

After three years of double-digit increases in the system administrative budget, beginning with the 2017/2018 budget cycle, the regents pushed back on the proposed increase in the system budget. Many, if not most members of the board, feel the system administrative budget is a tax on the component universities and is ultimately reflected in the rising cost of student tuition. The chancellor was asked to cut the system budget and to begin to find ways to limit the size and scope of services ...<br>

During the 2018/2019 budget presentation, the chancellor initially proposed a 15 percent increase, which would have represented a 48 percent increase during his first five years. For context, during the previous chancellor’s first five years, the budget increased 7 percent. This highlighted a fundamental disagreement between the chancellor and the regents regarding the size, scope of services, and budget of the system sdministration. Regents voted to keep the existing budget with no increase from the previous year, to the objection of the chancellor.<br>

During the 2018/2019 budget presentation, the chancellor initially proposed a 15 percent increase, which would have represented a 48 percent increase during his first five years. For context, during the previous chancellor’s first five years, the budget increased 7 percent. This highlighted a fundamental disagreement between the chancellor and the regents regarding the size, scope of services, and budget of the system sdministration. Regents voted to keep the existing budget with no increase from the previous year, to the objection of the chancellor.<br>

The result was a decision supported by the majority of the board to not renew the chancellor’s contract and instead set a course for new leadership at the end of the chancellor’s term. Coming to this conclusion was not easy for anyone involved, but there was a decision made by Chancellor Duncan that now would be the best time to retire, and for the system to move in a new direction.<ref>

The result was a decision supported by the majority of the board to not renew the chancellor’s contract and instead set a course for new leadership at the end of the chancellor’s term. Coming to this conclusion was not easy for anyone involved, but there was a decision made by Chancellor Duncan that now would be the best time to retire, and for the system to move in a new direction.<ref>

{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/opinion/20180820/francis-differences-between-regents-chancellor-can-be-distilled-into-primary-contention|title=Differences between regents, chancellor can be distilled into a primary contention|author=Rick Francis|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref>

{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/opinion/20180820/francis-differences-between-regents-chancellor-can-be-distilled-into-primary-contention|title=Differences between regents, chancellor can be distilled into a primary contention|author=Rick Francis|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref></blockquote>

Meanwhile state Repesentative Sarah Davis, a Moderate Republican from the Houston area, said there is insufficient information for her House General Investigating & Ethics Committee to conduct a probe into why Duncan resigned as chancellor. Davis said that she will continue to monitor developments in the matter and welcomes any additional information. State Representative [[Four Price]] of Amarillo, who backs Duncan' proposed veterinary school in his city, said that he would support an investigation into Duncan's retirement if any misconduct surfaces: "It may be a little premature to speculate this afternoon, or to say a full-blown committee investigation is warranted. I think we still don’t know."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180817/ethics-chair-says-current-facts-dont-warrant-investigation|title=Ethics chair says current facts don't warrant an investigation|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 17, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref>

Meanwhile state Repesentative Sarah Davis, a Moderate Republican from the Houston area, said there is insufficient information for her House General Investigating & Ethics Committee to conduct a probe into why Duncan resigned as chancellor. Davis said that she will continue to monitor developments in the matter and welcomes any additional information. State Representative [[Four Price]] of Amarillo, who backs Duncan' proposed veterinary school in his city, said that he would support an investigation into Duncan's retirement if any misconduct surfaces: "It may be a little premature to speculate this afternoon, or to say a full-blown committee investigation is warranted. I think we still don’t know."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/20180817/ethics-chair-says-current-facts-dont-warrant-investigation|title=Ethics chair says current facts don't warrant an investigation|publisher=''The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=August 17, 2018|author=Matt Dotray|accessdate=August 18, 2018}}</ref>