AUGUSTA — The incoming president of a public university in Maine has voluntarily withdrawn from his position amid complaints from faculty members about his hiring.
Michael Laliberte was set to start as president of University of Maine at Augusta on Aug. 1. He was the subject of no confidence votes during his time as president of State University of New York at Delhi, the Bangor Daily News reported after he was hired.
Three UMaine System schools, including Augusta, have since cast their own votes of no confidence in the leadership of system chancellor Dannel Malloy.
The UMaine System said in a Sunday statement that Malloy and the search commitee chair have accepted Laliberte's withdrawal. Laliberte will still be paid more than $200,000 for the first year of the post, the Daily News reported.
Malloy said in a statement there will be a new national search for a president at University of Maine at Augusta.
Malloy is the former governor of Connecticut. His contract expires June 30 and system trustees met Monday to consider his future.