Months after coming under fire for comments made about women and sexual assault, Lincoln University president Robert Jennings has resigned.
The Associated Press reports the university’s board of trustees accepted Jennings’ resignation Monday morning. The move comes after Jennings apologized for his comments earlier this month. In September, Jennings voiced his views at an all-women’s convocation regarding how false rape allegations can ruin a young man’s life.
Soon after portions of the remarks were posted online, Jennings received criticism from some parents who felt the comments blamed women for sexual assault.
During his September address, Jennings also advised female students about how men can deceive and exploit women, and how women have to protect themselves.
“Men treat you, treat women, the way women allow us to treat them. … We will use you up if you allow us to use you up,” he told them.
Then, he continued, those men will “marry the girl with the long dress on.”
Jennings at first defended his remarks, but days later apologized for his choice of words, saying, “I certainly did not intend to hurt or offend anyone.”
His nearly three-year tenure had become increasingly rocky. Both faculty and alumni gave him votes of no confidence. Faculty members have expressed concern about dropping enrollment, lagging fund-raising, and high turnover in administrative posts.
In addition to Jennings’ resignation, the AP noted the university named general counsel Valerie Harrison as acting president.
Jennings’ exit from Lincoln University was announced by board chair Kimberly Lloyd via a letter posted to the school’s website, which also touched on Harrison and the future of the historically black university.
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