Following a progression of controversy, UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Linda Bunnell announced Thursday she will step down by the end of May.
UW System spokesperson David Giroux could not give details concerning the cause of Bunnell's resignation. ""She has announced her resignation and [UW System] President Reilly has accepted it,"" he said.
However, Bunnell has been facing criticism since hitting a parked car and driving away to make it to Gov. Jim Doyle's budget address in February. The Associated Press discovered she had purchased three alcoholic drinks before the accident, but she later said she only drank one of the drinks and was not impaired.
Records showing Bunnell's use of university money for personal expenses have garnered additional criticism.
Reilly did not mention the accusations, but acknowledged her achievements as chancellor in a statement.
""We will work with faculty, staff, students, senior academic leaders and others there to sustain the university's solid academic reputation and its positive community impact,"" Reilly said.
State Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, former chair of the state Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, said in a statement that Bunnell's decision to resign is a positive move for UW-Stevens Point.
""This will allow both Chancellor Bunnell and UWSP to move forward in a positive manner,"" he said.
State Rep. Kim Hixon, D-Whitewater, who is the current chair of the committee, declined to comment.
UW-Stevens Point provost Mark Nook will serve as interim chancellor of the university starting June 1. According to Giroux, it has not yet been determined when the university will start a search for a permanent replacement.
