The New Jersey City University Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of President Dr. Sue Henderson, effective as of July 1st, Board Chair Joseph Scott announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Today, during our regularly scheduled Board of Trustees, I received and accepted, with mixed emotions, the resignation of Sue Henderson as President of New Jersey City University, effective July 1,” Scott wrote in an email blast last night.
“We are incredibly grateful for the vision, commitment, and leadership that Dr. Henderson has displayed during her 10-year run as the 12th president — and first female to hold this office — in this institution’s more than 90-year history. We are indebted to her unwavering determination to advance the mission of the University.”
Scott also credited Henderson for establishing the school of business, implementing a $400 million University Place (West Campus) project, the opening of the Fort Monmouth campus, and stable, affordable tuition throughout her tenure.
Back in September, the university senate passed a vote of “no confidence,” by a tally of 30-23, in Henderson, citing mounting financial debt and an opaque process related to the school’s real estate endeavors.
However, the board of trustees came to Henderson’s defense at the time and opted to take no further action.
During the university senate’s May meeting, where the aforementioned resolution was pulled, it was said that NJCU had gone into roughly $156 million in debt during Henderson’s tenure, which began in August 2012.
The West Campus Redevelopment Plan, which received two, 30-year tax abatements from the City of Jersey City back in July 2016, was also a point of contention since the $1,800 a month price tag is not affordable for students and therefore hurting university revenues.
In September 2019, Henderson announced that A. Harry Moore – a special needs school operated by NJCU and the Jersey City Board of Education – would close in 2020, though quickly walked back that decision after fierce public backlash.
A former school principal is also suing both entities, alleging he was fired after pushing for the proper COVID-19 protocols.
Henderson also spearheaded the $10 million fundraising effort for the Caroline and Frank Guarini, Sr. Performing Arts Center in the summer of 2020, which started after Frank Guarini, a former congressman, donated $10 million.
NJCU Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kroll has accepted the role of acting president and has asked not to be considered for the role permanently, according to Scott.
“I am grateful that Jason will be taking the lead in the work to be done at NJCU. His experience and documented successes at NJCU are clear evidence that NJCU will continue to move forward and come out stronger in service to our students and our community,” Henderson said of Kroll in 2017.
