Students flocked to the nearest computers on campus to confirm the abrupt news of North Carolina A&T University Chancellor Stanley F. Battle’s resignation.

Citing “personal and family reasons” for his resignation, Battle will remain in his position until June 30.

Kenneth Hawkins/The Register

Chancellor Stanley Battle

UNC President Irskine Bowles released a statement Tuesday afternoon regarding the matter. Bowles says that he respects Battle’s decision to “do what he feels is best for him and his family,” and says he looks forward to working with him throughout the remainder of his tenure as chancellor.

SGA President Marcus Bass, who sits on the Board of Trustees, was also surprised. Bass described the situation as difficult and acknowledged the work that Battle has done.

“Dr. Battle was a very student-centered chancellor,” Bass said. “I’ve known him to be a person that spoke his mind, that was very passionate and caring about what the students needed at A&T. This definitely comes as a slight shock and a surprise to see the chancellor resign.”

Former SGA President Arnita Floyd-Moody was also on campus on Tuesday for the unforeseen news. Moody was on the Board of Trustees when Battle was selected and says that she is saddened by the news. Moody stated this incident would not affect the pride of the students of the university.

“Change is a good thing,” Moody said. “I have confidence in the Board of Trustees and I am sure that this is a decision that will help propel the university further into glory.

“The SGA president of Coppin (State University) always spoke highly of Dr. Battle. I’m sure that the board looked at various different factors.”

Students across campus reflected on the news, and many were disappointed to see Battle go. Sophomore Class President Wayne Kimball Jr. says he doesn’t think the university gave Battle enough time. Kimball was one of about six students that the chancellor sent to Ghana last summer on a community service project involving books for school children.

“I will definitely miss him,” Kimball said. “He was definitely an individual who I think was here for the well being of the student body and the university as a whole.”

Kimball could not pinpoint a particular reason that could have led to his resignation, but did say that there was talk of pressure from the National Alumni Association and on campus staff for Battle to step down. A representative from the Alumni Association could not be reached.

Freshman Christina Hinton was a presidential intern for UNC General Administration. 

“I think it is always hard when a university has to switch chancellors, especially when we are in the middle of things here at A&T,” Hinton said. “I can’t say either way that this resignation is the right decision, but I trust the leadership of the university.”

All may not have been well with the Chancellor

While students have mixed feelings about the resignation, there may have been other reasons behind the sudden decision. Copies of e-mail correspondence between Battle and Bowles show that Battle missed several meetings with the UNC system president and other chancellors, some for family reasons, and others for events that were taking place here at A&T. Overall, Battle missed a total of six meetings from May to December of 2008.

“Sometimes when you don’t fit, you just don’t fit,” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Sullivan Welborne said in the fourth floor lobby of Dowdy on Tuesday morning. “Dr. Battle did a lot in a short amount of time, but I think for him this was just the best thing to do.”

Another potential sign of issues could have been seen in a letter that Battle sent to Bowles on April 9. The letter talked about the results of the review of the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center, describing how great things had turned out for the University. But in the last paragraph of the letter said, “I just want to warn you that with change some people complain, but we are moving at laser speed. I do not have time to wait, we are moving forward,” Battle said before closing the letter.

Despite repeated attempts, phone calls to the Battle’s office were not returned on Tuesday.

The University looks at the road ahead

As A&T looks to it’s future, it is uncertain what will take place next. A search committee will have to be assembled to find another chancellor, and an interim chancellor will step in after June 30 until someone is found.

SGA president Bass commended Battle for all of the work that he did while he was here, and says that the task of being the chancellor of A&T is unique.

“A lot of schools go through changes, just not at the same time,” Bass said. “Students can help by just going to class and continuing to do well, studying for mid terms and being safe.”

UNC Association of Student Governments President T. Greg Doucette has high hopes for A&T. He says that he doesn’t see this change impacting the university’s reputation. Doucette is the highest-ranking student official in the state, and sits on the Board of Governors.

“I would hope this is not going to impact the reputation of the university, because A&T is still the premier land-grant engineering based institution in the southeast,” Doucette said.

“My main concern is that A&T will have three chancellors in three years. I would hope that the university would bring somebody in of the highest caliber possible, but also someone that can stick around for a while. I don’t want the lack of continuity to affect the student body.”

Dexter Mullins writes for The Register, the North Carolina A&T Univrsity student newspaper, which originally published this article.