"Although we have met the challenges and are up to the task of meeting more, I increasingly believe that the university and its board of trustees should not be subjected to further assault. I hope that the step I take today will be helpful in our effort to provide a measure of protection for the University," Bulger said in a statement made after university trustees accepted his resignation.
In March, Romney proposed a massive reorganization of the state university system that would have eliminated the university's central office and Bulger's job, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. In his statement, Bulger called Romney's actions part of a "calculated political assault."
"This assault has been mounted from a particular quarter and manifests itself in many ways: in a proposal that would have dismantled the five-campus UMass system; in a subsequent proposal that would have eliminated the Office of the President; in character attacks on distinguished members of the Board of Trustees and by the creation of a stated 'litmus test' stipulating that future members of the UMass Board must be willing to sign away their independent judgment before taking their seats," Bulger said in his statement, referring to Romney's promise to appoint trustees who would seek Bulger's removal from office.
The Democrat controlled state legislature defeated Romney's proposal, but shortly thereafter Bulger came under fire from Massachusett's Democratic Attorney General Thomas Reilly, The Chronicle reported. Reilly called for Bulger's resignation because of Bulger's refusal to cooperate with the federal authorities who were trying to track down his brother, James "Whitey" Bulger, one of the FBI's 10 most-wanted fugitives and a mobster charged with 21 murders.
In December, Bulger refused to testify before a Congressional panel investigating his brother, although in June he agreed to testify after receiving immunity.
In addition to his acrimonious relationship with Romney, Bulger faced a 26 percent decrease in state funding for the university. The $80 million loss was part of statewide budget cuts.
According to John Hoey, director of communications for the president's office, Bulger maintained an impressive record as president in spite of all the many difficulties he faced. "President Bulger's record speaks for itself," Hoey said. "His record would indicate that he's had a tremendous impact on the university. President Bulger has increased the stature ... and the reputation of the university."
According to Hoey, finding a permanent successor to Bulger could take as long as a year, but there will be an interim president in place by Sept. 1.
The search committee that will look for Bulger's as president includes UMass Amherst alumni John Welch Jr., the former chairman and CEO of General Electric Co. and John Smith Jr., the former chairman and CEO of General Motors Corp. Richard Freeland, who held several administrative positions at UMass and is currently the president of Northeastern University, will also serve on the committee. "That's great news that we have a search committee of such impressive credentials," Hoey said.