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Fairmont State University president Mirta Martin announced earlier this month that she would not seek a contract renewal when her appointment ended. But last week Fairmont State’s Board of Governors decided to fire Martin, voting to end her contract early, effective in July.
That means, according to local news organization WVnews.com, Fairmont State is on the hook for 13 months of salary, a payout estimated at about $300,000. Though Martin’s contract was set to end in December, contract stipulations regarding termination added an additional six months” worth of salary to the payout. Though Martin will technically remain an employee of Fairmont State until July, she has been stripped of her presidential powers, and an acting president has already been appointed.
Board members said they were acting in the “best interest” of the university in removing Martin.
A staff representative and a student representative on Fairmont’s Board of Governors both voted against terminating Martin’s contract, and some students have circulated a petition calling for her reinstatement.
