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

A Message From University of Miami President Julio Frenk (May 25, 2021):

Dear Colleagues and University of Miami School of Law Community:
As the University of Miami approaches its centennial and we prepare to accelerate progress on our strategic priorities, I have asked Anthony E. Varona to step down as dean at the School of Law, effective July 1, 2021.

This is a crucial moment in Miami Law’s trajectory, and as President, I have determined that new leadership is vital for the benefit of the institution, our students, and our community. The historic events of the past 16 months have revealed both challenges and opportunities that highlight the need for a dean with the required vision and effectiveness of execution to bring the school to new levels of excellence. In particular, the current capital campaign—which will culminate in four short years—presents a rapidly narrowing window of opportunity to mobilize significant resources on behalf of Miami Law.

The University appreciates Dean Varona’s service during a time of unparalleled disruption in higher education. He will retain his role as the M. Minnette Massey Professor of Law and focus his full attention on teaching and growing his distinguished body of legal scholarship, particularly in the areas of media and sexuality law. At a time when social justice remains at the forefront of jurisprudence, we look forward to his continued impact on the school and its students as a tenured member of the faculty, who has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to Miami Law.

As an academic community, we must never lose sight of the fact that the essence of our mission is education, research, and scholarship. Some members of the academy are called to sacrifice part of that work for a finite period of time in an administrative role. After careful deliberation, I have concluded that Dean Varona can make a more meaningful and lasting contribution as a professor, than by continuing to carry the burden of his present administrative duties.

In the coming weeks, I look forward to consulting with the faculty and other key stakeholders on plans for a transition and the search for a new dean. Please join me in thanking Dean Varona for his collaboration as we prepare both the University of Miami and our School of Law for a successful second century.

The Miami Hurricane, Dean of UM Law School Fired; Tenured Faculty Protest Decision:

Hours after Frenk’s email, UM law’s tenured faculty adopted a resolution protesting Varona’s removal and demanding a meeting with Frenk, Provost Jeffrey Duerk and the board of trustees executive committee.

“We protest this decision and ask for reconsideration of it,” the resolution states. According to the resolution, Varona informed faculty that he was terminated as dean on May 25. “The haste and lack of consultation with which the President and Provost have made this decision raise profound and disturbing issues of governance. Both the decision and the manner in which it was made will harm the law school and the university as a whole.”

The resolution describes the law school as being on “sound financial footing.” “We admire his leadership and vision for the School of Law as a forward-looking institution rooted in excellence, integrity and community,” the resolution read.

Karen Sloan (Law.com), University of Miami Faces Backlash After Forcing Out Popular Law Dean:

Varona declined an interview request Wednesday but issued a statement saying that he has received an outpouring of support in the wake of his ouster as dean.

“I remain stunned by my baseless termination, disturbed by how I have been mistreated, and concerned by how all of this will affect our great law school and university,” Varona wrote. “I am hopeful that clarity and fairness will prevail as we move forward, and that the University’s decision will be rescinded.”

Varona’s attorney, Debra Katz, issued a statement Wednesday saying that he would contest the firing.

“This is not only an egregious violation of Tony Varona’s legal rights but also an assault on longstanding and important principles of faculty governance and administrative due process,” Katz said.

Ediberto Roman (Florida International), Absurdity at University of Miami Law:

I cannot put into words here how impressive Dean Varona is, and how committed he is to his law school, the university, and the South Florida community. He is from Miami, of Cuban descent, knows the community, and has worked tirelessly to promote it as well as his university and law school. While I have already heard ugly rumors concerning the basis for his removal being opposition to his leadership stance on civil rights issues of the day, I certainly hope UM is not that stupid—but it is Florida, after all????

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)