Harvard College Dean Evelynn M. Hammonds has decided to step down following months of investigation into a secret email scandal in which she was alleged to have improperly searched private accounts of work colleagues.
Ms. Hammonds said she is resigning, effective July 1, CNN reported.
In March, she came under fire for allegedly searching the email accounts of other deans in hopes of uncovering information about a cheating scandal that darkened the reputation of the college and involved more than 100 students.
Several had pushed for her resignation for weeks. The college’s daily newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, published in April an article titled “To Rebuild Trust, Hammonds Must Resign” and included this line: “With Hammond’s resignation, Harvard can begin to bridge the rift of trust between the administration and the community it serves,” CNN reported.
Ms. Hammonds, however, said her resignation has nothing to do with the email scandal.
In a statement reported by CNN, she said the email investigation “was not a motivating factor.”
“I was never asked to step down. I have been in discussions to return to academia and my research for some time,” she said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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