A series of email communications between University of Arkansas System President Donald R. Bobbitt and University of Arkansas Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis, Jr. in early March show that the two were actively working to secure a mutually agreeable plan for Davis to step down at that time.
Released by the U of A System, the emails reveal that Davis sought to depart from the post that he has held for more than 20 years within days of the Feb. 27 release of an audit by the U of A System Internal Audit Department that investigated allegations of fraud and abuse of funds related to the UAPB Harrold Dorm Complex and Living Learning Center between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2011.
“Attached to this email are two documents based upon our conversation Monday,” reads an email from Bobbitt to Davis dated March 8.
The two documents are drafts of a letter of resignation from Davis to Bobbitt and of a letter of acceptance of the resignation from Bobbitt to Davis.
“Please modify my simple draft of your letter as you deem appropriate,” Bobbitt wrote to Davis in the March 8 email.
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The draft letter of resignation included a provision for Davis to remain as an employee of UAPB in the capacity of a tenured faculty member.
In the draft acceptance letter Bobbitt writes that Davis would be assigned to a one-year off campus duty assignment beginning May 28, and upon his return would assume faculty duties in the UAPB Department of Mathematics.
Bobbitt envisioned Davis working on retention strategies that could be implemented at UAPB to help retention and graduation rates.
“I expect that this assignment will require you to travel and visit several institutions with successful programs we might want to emulate,” Bobbitt wrote in the draft letter. “I would like to receive updates regarding your findings with respect to successful retention initiatives. At the conclusion of this assignment, I request that you prepare a report detailing your findings and recommendations.”
In an email dated March 9 Davis asks Bobbitt for early retirement instead.
“President you have been especially considerate regarding my impending retirement as chancellor of UAPB,” Davis wrote. “I will make the announcement prior to the next University of Arkansas Board of Trustees meeting. However, considering the exclusions; the assignments; my current passage in life dictate I consider an alternate agreement.”
“Consequently, I will request early retirement under conditions which will save UAPB as much as a million dollars over the next years,” Davis wrote.
In a March 13 email Davis attached a copy of his proposed retirement agreement with the U of A System.
“President, I am submitting the enclosure for your consideration,” Davis wrote in the email.
“After careful consideration of my future and that of my family, it would not be prudent for me to continue working during this passage of my life,” Davis wrote in the proposed retirement agreement.
The proposed retirement agreement from Davis outlines the announcement of his resignation prior to the March 30 U of A System Board of Trustees meeting; his relinquishment of tenure rights at UAPB; the payment of a full year’s salary of $190,000; medical coverage for Davis and his wife until June 30, 2018 with Davis responsible for medical costs over $20,000; dental coverage for Davis and his wife until 2018 with Davis responsible for any amount over $2,500; and continued occupancy of the Chancellor’s Residence for Davis and his family until Dec. 31.
In a March 14 email from Bobbitt to Davis, the U of A System president agreed to move forward on the retirement agreement.
“Thank you for your letter,” Bobbitt wrote. “I very much appreciate your consideration and believe we can move this forward.”
Davis on March 22 formally announced his resignation as chancellor effective May 25.
All the provisions contained within the proposed retirement agreement from Davis were included in the retirement agreement that was finalized March 27 between Davis and the U of A System.