Bill Funk, the consultant hired to head the search for Florida State University's next president, has resigned, according to FSU spokespeople.
Ed Burr, chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, released this statement Monday afternoon:
"The withdrawal of R. William Funk & Associates from the presidential search process is disappointing. However, Mr. Funk felt he could no longer make the kind of contribution to the search that the university deserves. The Presidential Search Advisory Committee will consider this development at its next meeting. We remain committed to conducting a thorough, open and transparent search of the highest quality and integrity for the next president of Florida State University."
Last week, the FSU Faculty Senate entered a vote of no confidence in Funk. The vote followed controversy over the search committee's decision to interview only state Sen. John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine), despite Thrasher's not having formally applied at the time. The committee has since postponed Thrasher's interview, originally scheduled for this week, as it considers applications from state Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (D-Tallahassee), Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Ricky Polston and others.
The committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday.
Funk's resignation was first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat.
