By Quintessa Williams
An alumni-led group consisting of community members, graduates, and current students have called for Oakwood University President, Dr. Leslie’s Pollard’s resignation.
In an open letter released on December 28th, Concerned Oakwoodites (CO), a multi-generation coalition, cited grievances with school finances, violations of policy, enrollment, faculty and staff retention, ethical practices, and board governance.
“Our call is the culmination of persistent and troubling patterns that affect the integrity and future well-being of our institution.” The committee said in the statement.
“We, the Executive Committee of the Concerned Oakwoodites Facebook group, come to you with heavy hearts and deep sense of responsibility. After thorough consideration and careful analysis, we are compelled to call for the immediate resignation or removal of Dr. Leslie Pollard from his role as President of Oakwood University.”
Dr. Leslie Pollard has served as Oakwood University’s President since 2011. His tenure is notable for launching Oakwood Online University, over $30 million of construction and renovation, and the creation of Oakwood Organic Farms, the largest urban farm in Northern Alabama. Dr. Pollard is also known for his strong social media presence and involvement in national politics.
In June 2022, the Oakwood University Board of Trustees voted to extend Pollard’s term to June 2026.
The Concerned Oakwoodites, who formed in September 2023, have expressed concerns for the university future’s amid current administration since this past October.
“I am a concerned Oakwoodite so there’s no way that I would not be here today to express the concerns…in love, but in firmness,” Oakwood University Alumnus Dr. Sibyl Beaulieu said to News 19. “We are highly committed to this, the stance we’re taking – we want to see action.”
Focusing on 2018 to 2022, the letter states that while net institutional income dropped 234 percent, the president and his wife, who until recently was also a university vice president and dean of the School of Graduate Studies for Oakwood, received a 25 percent wage increase. This occurred during a time when, according to the letter, the majority of campus wages remained static.
In addition, the Concerned Oakwoodites allege the university produced misleading information about its nursing program, indicating that the university’s NCLEX pass rate was 100 percent but failing to mention there were only two nursing students and that the program’s accreditation is conditional.
The open letter also discussed the urgent call to address enrollment decline, violation of students privacy, campus living conditions, and disproportionate compensation.
On January 4th, a statement released from Oakwood University to Spectrum reaffirmed board support for the president and placed its troubles within the larger challenging context faced by similar educational institutions.
Without denying the alumni group’s concerns, it mentioned that administrators and the board have been engaged in strategic planning and are “developing updated plans to further strengthen Oakwood University’s financial foundation in a way that aligns with and responds to current market realities.” It also pointed out a 2023 increase of $1.2 million in philanthropy over 2022 and recent institutional accreditation through 2032.
Emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability, Concerned Oakwoodites co-founder David Person said in an interview with Spectrum, “We’re going to continue doing what we started.” He added that they will continue to release information “addressing the objectives that we not only have as a group, but that we’ve been asking the Board of Trustees [for].”
Sheila McNeil, a member of the Concerned Oakwoodite leadership committee, discussed her concerns regarding the university’s lack of cooperation with the group. She said improvement will come if both sides “have a serious conversation about university leadership change.”
No word or official announcement from Oakwood University Office of Presidency as of yet.