Ex-Georgia governor Sonny Perdue slated to be chancellor of University System
AAUP condemns ‘secret search’ for University Chancellor
February 17, 2022
The Georgia Board of Regents voted Sonny Perdue the sole finalist for the position of chancellor of the University System of Georgia Tuesday.
Perdue served as the governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 and, more recently, as the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump.
The possible appointment of Perdue coincides with the discussion of several bills in Georgia’s state legislature that deal directly with the limitation of how race and activism are taught in the classroom, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
President of the Georgia’s American Association of University Professors, Matthew Boedy tweeted:
I'm outraged at a closed-door process that has hidden political shenanigans. The regents are set to ignore a warning about political influence from USG accreditors to name a political kingmaker the chancellor and make the governor a benefactor. 4/x https://t.co/PaClj5SGnF
— Matthew Boedy (@MatthewBoedy) February 14, 2022
“I’m outraged at a closed-door process that has hidden political shenanigans. The regents are set to ignore a warning about political influence from USG accreditors to name a political kingmaker the chancellor and make the governor a benefactor.”
Later the AAUP tweeted:
After a secret search, the @BORUSG is now expected to name former GA governor & Trump cabinet member Sonny Perdue as the sole finalist for leader of the University system.
— American Association of University Professors (@AAUP) February 15, 2022
The AAUP condemns the lack of transparency & politicization of the process.🧵https://t.co/xQ8NzHmG1N
“After a secret search, the @BORUSG is now expected to name former GA governor & Trump cabinet member Sonny Perdue as the sole finalist for leader of the University system. The AAUP condemns the lack of transparency & politicization of the process.”
The Board of Regents made their own statement about their vote following the results.
“USG and its institutions have an international reputation of innovation, workforce preparation and student success and that attracted an outstanding group of candidates for the Board to explore,” said Board Chair Harold Reynolds, according to the USG. “Ultimately, Gov. Perdue stood out for his impressive experience and leadership in public service as well as a vast understanding not only of Georgia and its communities but of the issues facing the university system as we move forward.”
