This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

There's an old saw about academic politics being the most vicious because they matter the least.

Or not.

Acclaimed researcher fired from top post at Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute — Alex Stuckey and Benjamin Wood | The Salt Lake Tribune

" ... The move has drawn public protest and criticism from top Huntsman Cancer Institute faculty members as well as senior members of the Huntsman family, whose philanthropic largess helped found the institute.

"Family patriarch Jon Huntsman Sr. called it a 'power grab' by Lee. He said Tuesday he would not accept the change, adding that he'll make sure Beckerle is back in charge 'one way or another.'

" 'Whatever we have to do, we'll get it done,' Huntsman said. 'I don't have any question about that.'

"His wife, Karen Huntsman, called the move 'a hostile takeover. ... This is just the beginning — the war.'..."

"Linda A. Livingstone, the current dean at the George Washington School of Business, was formally named Baylor University's 15th president on Tuesday.

"Livingstone is the first female president in Baylor's 172-year history and replaces interim President David Garland, who has served since June as the university tries to move beyond a sexual assault scandal that has spanned over a year and a half. ...

" ... Livingstone takes over a university facing six Title IX lawsuits, a federal Title IX investigation, an NCAA investigation, an accreditation agency warning and an upcoming Big 12 Conference review.

"Ken Starr was fired as president in May after Philadelphia law firm Pepper Hamilton — hired by the university to investigate the school's response to sexual assault allegations — found "fundamental failure" in Baylor's Title IX implementation and a football program operating "above the rules," regents reported in a 13-page document.

"Art Briles was also fired as head football coach and Athletics Director Ian McCaw was sanctioned and placed on probation before resigning days later. ..."

Hmmm. A new female president at a university troubled by an excess of male privilege.

Your move, Brigham Young University.