University Of Miami Not Content Until EVERYONE At The Law School Hates Them

What in the world is going on in Miami?

The University of Miami abruptly fired Dean Anthony Varona of the law school a couple weeks ago and left utter chaos in its wake. In the immediate aftermath of the unanticipated firing — Varona had three years left on his deal — students, alumni, and faculty spoke out against the decision. The Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) and the Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Minority Groups issued statements condemning the firing. Varona hired Debra Katz to represent his legal interests going forward.

So everything’s going great down there, folks!

The official line from the university is that the school needed a dean “with the required vision and effectiveness of execution to bring the school to new levels of excellence,” whatever that means. Katz has demanded the school retract that statement as defamatory. The university publicly declaring to the job market that a law school dean lacks the “vision and effectiveness” to be a dean? Sounds awfully close to telling the world he’s bad at his profession based on some inside information you have as his former employer. This is why sports franchise owners use phrases like “different direction” even when coaches are fired for finishing last. There were also some vague allegations that Varona failed to meet fundraising expectations. Faculty noted that the school is on fine financial footing.

Not smoothing anything over with that pitch. Could it get any worse for the university? Glad you asked!

The AALS section letter went further:

The need for independent and credible investigation is urgent and vital,
particularly given the patently pretextual reason proffered by President Frenk; the current political climate of Florida; and Dean Varona’s identity at the intersection of constitutionally- and statutorily protected groups, including inter alia his homosexuality and Hispanic (Cuban American) ethnicity.

Credible concern that it’s a political if not outright discriminatory firing? The university needs to offer some forthright answers quick.

Sponsored

Friends, the university will not be offering any forthright answers.

TaxProf Blog has an update from a new Miami Herald article detailing a meeting between university president Julio Frenk and law school faculty. Frenk refused to provide an explanation for the firing, saying that he “didn’t find that appropriate.” On the contrary, the faculty thought it was extremely appropriate, indeed required:

Frenk, who was named UM president in 2015, didn’t apologize for not consulting faculty regarding Varona’s termination, a procedure stipulated in the university’s faculty manual. He did say, however, he would stay in touch with the professors as he makes future decisions.

Oh, those rules? We’ll do our best to follow those next time.

And now the university is going to try to hire a new dean from a pool of candidates who have exactly zilch reason to trust the school, to play catch-up on fundraising from an alumni base that’s lodged a protest, with a faculty in revolt, and an angry student body. This should go swimmingly!

Sponsored

As the Herald article says:

Moving forward, some faculty members told the Herald they fear the law school’s negative press could affect the school’s ranking and accreditation.

U.S. News & World Report, which ranks law schools across the country, issues surveys to the legal community, including faculty, judges and lawyers, as part of its rankings. Any negative comments could factor in future rankings.

Perhaps naming the school after a devastating natural disaster hit it on the nose.

Dean of UM law school fired; tenured faculty protest decision [Miami Herald]
Ousted Miami Law Dean Claims University President Defamed Him [Daily Business Review]
Was This Law Dean Fired Because He’s Gay? His Supporters Want Answers [Daily Business Review]
University Of Miami President Doubles Down On Decision To Fire Tony Varona After Less Than Two Years As Dean [TaxProf Blog]