Pandemic Prompts Delay in UW Presidential Evaluation

The University of Wyoming’s Board of Trustees has delayed its comprehensive review of the performance of President Ed Seidel to next year as a result of highly unusual conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The president’s initial three-year contract, which began July 1, 2020, called for the comprehensive evaluation to take place near the end of 2021. The board voted Thursday (Nov. 18) to amend the contract to instead conduct the review in September 2022.

“The pandemic and related financial and other challenges created a situation in which it just wasn’t possible for the president to move forward with his agenda as he would have liked, and for the board to assess his work in a comprehensive manner,” board Chairman Jeff Marsh says. “This delay will give the board time to fulfill its contractual obligation and conduct a proper, thorough review with input from various stakeholders.”

The president’s amended contract calls for the board to receive input from UW faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders. A process to obtain such input is in development.