SALT Calls For Review Of Dismissal Of University Of Miami Law Dean Tony Varona, 'UM’s First Latinx And Openly Gay Dean'

Following up on my previous posts (links below):  Society of American Law Teachers, SALT Calls for Review of Dismissal of University of Miami Law Dean Anthony Varona (May 28, 2021):

SALT expresses grave concerns over the abrupt decision by University of Miami president Julio Frenck to terminate Anthony Varona as Dean, effective July 1, 2021, less than two years into his five-year contract and a mere two weeks after a positive annual review accompanied by a merit raise.

Dean Varona has been a leader among legal educators for many years. Prior to serving as the University of Miami Law School’s dean, Dean Varona served for 14 years as Vice-Dean and Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs at American University’s Washington College of Law. He is a well-regarded legal scholar and teacher, and has played a critical role in the organization of the periodic National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conferences. As UM’s Dean, Dean Varona has been widely praised for his leadership and stewardship of the UM Law School in the midst of a pandemic. His leadership among the Florida law school deans contributed immensely to ensuring that Florida bar-takers were provided fair and equitable testing conditions during the pandemic.

When a dean has engaged in malfeasance, a university may have to act unilaterally and without notice. That is not, however, the case here. There have been no allegations of malfeasance by Dean Varona. President Frenck’s public statement set forth a concern about whether Dean Varona had the “required vision and effectiveness of execution” needed for successful completion of UM’s capital campaign. Dean Varona’s success in fundraising during his first two years as UM’s Dean belies that explanation.

The lack of consultation in this process violated well-established best practices for facilitating productive collaboration and mutual respect. Transparency and open communication are essential components of productive collaboration. Productive collaboration is facilitated when all segments of the law school community—including administration, faculty, staff, and students—are consulted. Good governance creates better outcomes and fosters a culture in which all stakeholders feel ownership and visibility in the institution.

An overwhelming majority of the tenured faculty at UM Law School adopted a resolution raising concern about the decision, expressing confidence in Anthony Varona’s work as dean, and seeking dialog. They note, “He has led us through a pandemic with our community intact, kept us on sound financial footing, and been responsive to rankings and bar pass challenges.” SALT calls on the UM President, Provost, and Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees to meet with the faculty in the spirit of open communication and collaboration.

Dean Varona was UM’s first Latinx and openly gay dean. The appearance of an arbitrary dismissal raises particular concerns that the dismissal may have been motivated by bias. In this situation, it becomes important to clarify the motivation for his dismissal. To that end, SALT urges a review of the decision.

This decision would only be justified in an instance of serious malfeasance, which has not been alleged here. UM’s leadership should recall the decision and begin anew. While this incident has harmed UM’s reputation, there is still time to repair this damage. SALT urges UM’s leadership to act now.

The Miami Hurricane, Faculty Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution Calling For Reinstatement of Law School Dean:

[O]n May 27 and May 28, both the Society of American Law Teachers and the Association of American Law [Schools] released statements protesting Varona’s termination. ...

On May 28 the Society of American Law Teachers also released a statement calling for a review of the firing.

“SALT expresses grave concerns over the abrupt decision by University of Miami president Julio Frenk to terminate Anthony Varona as Dean,” the letter opens. “Dean Varona was UM’s first Latinx and openly gay dean. The appearance of an arbitrary dismissal raises particular concerns that the dismissal may have been motivated by bias. In this situation, it becomes important to clarify the motivation for his dismissal. To that end, SALT urges a review of the decision.”

TaxProf Blog coverage:

• University Of Miami President Fires Tony Varona After Less Than Two Years As Dean; Tenured Faculty Protests Decision; Varona's Lawyer Says He Will Contest The Firing (May 26, 2021)
• Outrage Grows Over Firing Of Tony Verona After Less Than Two Years As Miami Dean. Did Minor Declines In U.S. News Ranking And Bar Passage Rate Play A Role? (May 27, 2021)
• More Fallout Over Miami Dean's Firing: Faculty Senate Unanimously Urges Reinstatement; Vice-Dean Resigns; University Agrees To Meet With Faculty; Dean Claims President Defamed Him (May 28, 2021)
• Miami Law Alumni Slam Firing Of Dean; AALS Section Demands Investigation To Determine Whether Tony Varona Was Targeted Due To His Gay And Hispanic Status (May 29, 2021)
• University Of Miami Faculty Senate Unanimously Condemns Firing Of Dean Tony Varona And Urges His Reinstatement (May 30, 2021)
• SALT Calls For Review Of Dismissal Of University Of Miami Law Dean Tony Varona, 'UM’s First Latinx And Openly Gay Dean' (May 31, 2021)
• Was This Law Dean Fired Because He's Gay? His Supporters Want Answers (June 2, 2021)
• University Of Miami President Doubles Down On Decision To Fire Tony Varona After Less Than Two Years As Dean (June 5, 2021)
• Miami Searches For Interim Dean After Controversial Firing Of Tony Varona, Who Sought To Reduce Overhead Tax Law School Pays To University (June 14, 2021)
• Tony Varona Takes The High Road In His Farewell Message After Being Fired Less Than 2 Years Into His Deanship (June 30, 2021)
• University Of Miami Appoints Acting Law School Dean; Faculty Demands Investigation Into Firing Of Tony Varona (July 1, 2021)
• Sixteen Miami Faculty Demand Answers To Questions Surrounding Firing Of Dean Tony Varona (July 6, 2021)
• Miami Law Community Seeks Answers On Firing Of Tony Varona As Acting Dean Takes Over (July 11, 2021)