Central Florida President Quits, 7 Months Into Job

Dale Whittaker announced Tuesday that he is resigning as president of the University of Central Florida, after only seven months on the job. For much of his tenure, state officials have been criticizing the institution over its illegal use (before Whittaker arrived) of state funds for costs associated with a building that those state funds were not supposed to finance. In January the university announced that it was firing four administrators and changing procedures in light of the misuse of funds.

In his statement Tuesday, Whittaker noted those changes, but also the reality of continued distrust of Central Florida by lawmakers. "Despite my work to find and solve these problems, it has been made clear to me that for UCF to succeed with our state leaders in the future, new leadership is required," he said. "Therefore, I have offered my resignation as president to the UCF Board of Trustees. I do so with the conviction that I have always acted with integrity and honesty. My reason for doing this is so the relationship between UCF and the Legislature can be renewed."