Southern University at New Orleans’ chancellor resigns

21st March 2016   ·   0 Comments

By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer

On March 15, Dr. Victor Ukpolo announced his resignation as the chancellor of Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO), effective June 30.

“I came to America from Nigeria 44 years ago as a young man with $200 in my pocket and worked my way up from a dishwasher to become the head of a university. Now it is time for me to start my gradual transition back to Nigeria,” Dr. Ukpolo said in a press release. “My parents, particularly my mother, had not supported my idea to come to America because they feared losing me, but I assured them that I would be back in five years…Now, 44 years later, I am finally able to keep that promise.”

Dr. Ukpolo’s tenure began on January 6, 2006. He spearheaded the campus’ rebuilding efforts from damages caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. His tenure also saw the construction of SUNO’s first-ever housing complex, an information technology center, a new College of Business and Public Administration Building, and a small business incubator. Four new buildings are scheduled to be constructed: the Education Building; the Natural Sciences Building; the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Building; and the Millie M. Charles School of Social Work (ground was broken on the last building in November).

“I believe we’ve laid out the groundwork (for an exciting future),” Dr. Ukpolo said. “In a few years, the new buildings will be complete and this institution will be the envy of other schools.”

Aside from the daunting task of rebuilding post-Katrina, Dr. Ukpolo’s tenure had other challenges and difficulties. He twice survived a vote of no confidence from SUNO’s faculty senate (in 2010 and 2012). One of his most vocal critics was former SUNO Chancellor Dr. Joseph Bouie, Jr., now a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Calls to Dr. Bouie were not returned by press time.

Dr. Ukpolo was sharply criticized for SUNO’s slow post-Katrina recovery after the devastating 2005 storm flooded 80 percent of the city. But those who defended him pointed out that the state of Louisiana’s reluctance to turn over tens of millions in recovery funds earmarked for SUNO had more to do with partisan politics and efforts to close the historically Black institution than it had to do with Ukpolo’s leadership abilities.

Nola.com reported last week that in February the Dr. Ukpolo’s performance as SUNO’s chancellor came up at the Southern University System’s Board of Supervisors meeting at SU-Shreveport. During that meeting, the board said that “an executive session may be required.”

After receiving a “vote of no confidence” by SUNO’s faculty senate in 2012, Ukpolo received support to remain in his post as chancellor from then Southern University System President Dr. Ronald Mason, who wrote in a letter that “My observation is that Dr. Ukpolo is an excellent chancellor and SUNO benefits from his presence.”

Since penning that letter, Dr. Mason, himself, received a “vote of no confidence” from the Southern University-Baton Rouge Faculty Senate and ultimately stepped down to fill a teaching position in the Southern University Law Center. Last year, Mason, a New Orleans native, accepted the position of chancellor at the University of the District of Columbia.

SUNO Alumni Association President Bessie Vaughn spoke highly of Dr. Ukpolo’s tenure. She said he was always respectful and willing to listen to any concerns the alumni association had.

“I am very saddened (by Dr. Ukpolo’s resignation),” said Vaughn. “I believe the man has done an excellent job bringing back SUNO.”

Dr. Ukpolo is pleased with his accomplishments during his tenure, but looks forward to a brief teaching stint before returning to his native Nigeria.

“I never thought honestly that I would make 10 years because of the turnover of the chancellorship here,” Dr. Ukpolo said. “Ten years was always a goal.”

New Orleans will always be close to Dr. Ukpolo’s heart. When he returns to Nigeria, he plans to encourage scholars there to visit and work in the Crescent City.

“Once I get to Nigeria, I will be one of the greatest cultural ambassadors for New Orleans,” Dr. Ukpolo said. “I love this city. This city has been good to me and my family and I will be forever grateful to it.”

This article originally published in the March 21, 2016 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.