Perry Not Headed to Aggie Oval Office: A&M Chancellor

Resignation of president sparks rumors about Gov. Perry's future

The Chancellor of Texas A&M sent an open letter to Aggie supporters Monday saying Gov. Rick Perry did not have a hand in the abrupt resignation of former A&M president Elsa Murano.

There have been whispers since Murano's resignation that Perry might be next in line to become president at Texas A&M if he does not win the race for governor in 2010.

In the letter Chancellor Mark McKinney wrote:

"Now some are laying claim to a gubernatorial conspiracy. To be clear, Gov. Rick Perry is a devoted Aggie and my friend. But any idea that he is involved in the day-to-day operations of Texas A&M is flat wrong. In the 25 years that I have known Rick Perry, he has never once mentioned even a thought about being president or chancellor of A&M.  He likes serving as governor of Texas, and he fully intends to be elected for another term. Neither Gov. Perry nor I have a desire to run Texas A&M University. I do have a desire and a commitment to provide the kind of oversight a chancellor and a university system are supposed to offer as envisioned by the legislature."

The head of the Texas A&M University System told faculty members Monday that former president Elsa Murano did not live up to hopes and expectations.

McKinney said the more the university drags out past disagreements, the more likely the perception that Texas A&M in is turmoil will continue.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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