Elnora Daniel to Step Down From Presidency of Chicago State University

Since assuming the presidency of Chicago State University nearly a decade ago, Elnora D. Daniel has accomplished a great deal. Academic offerings have been enhanced, new buildings have been constructed, and fundraising efforts have been revitalized. But her presidency has not been without controversy. State auditors have questioned university spending and contracting policies. Enrollments have declined and the university’s graduation rate remains among the lowest in the nation.

There are about 5,200 undergraduate students at Chicago State University, about 85 percent of whom are black.

Dr. Daniel had requested an extension of her contract, which expires at the end of this academic year, but it became apparent that none was forthcoming. In order to take advantage of a clause in her contract, Daniel notified the board that she would retire in June 2009 after taking a sabbatical beginning this coming June.

Daniel, who served as provost at Hampton University before coming to Chicago State, holds a master’s degree and an educational doctorate from Teachers College at Columbia University.

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