Executive Vice President for University Advancement Lawrence Davenport’s resignation in early April and the severance package he received from the university has caused quite a stir within the student body.

Many local newspapers like the Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post have picked up on this story, also questioning FAU President Brogan’s decision.

The Post’s Deputy Editorial Page Editor Jac Wilder VerSteeg compared Brogan to World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, who “got his girlfriend…a job promotion that increased her salary to $193,590 from $132,600” in an April 19 column titled “FAU goes big-league=in payoffs.”

Howard Goodman, a Sun-Sentinel columnist, coined the situation the “Davenport Debacle,” writing, “This made FAU look completely dumb.” When asked why the resignation of Davenport had “generated considerable commentary,” as Brogan’s university wide e-mail regarding Davenport’s resignation stated, Brogan responds, “Anytime you look at [$577,950] it gets people’s attention.”

And apparently, he’s right. His actions have led SG leaders, like Representative and Budget Committee Chair Andrew Dunkiel, to say in the April 12 House of Representative meeting, “President Brogan, I want you to resign.”

Dunkiel said Brogan is “fiscally irresponsible” by giving Davenport a contract with two years severance ‘plus benefits.'”

According to Brogan’s e-mail, “The university will use only concession funds derived from beverage and vending sales to pay the severance.” He says these funds are set aside specifically “for a variety of discretionary expenditures that cannot be paid for with state appropriations.”

But according to the Sun-Sentinel’s Scott Travis in his article “FAU foundation lists successes,” the state auditor general’s office claims to be reviewing the transaction to see if the public’s money is being used properly.

“See that bottle of whatever you’re drinking?” Dunkiel asked during the meeting. “That money is going toward that guy’s [Davenport’s] pocket, thanks to President Brogan.”

In reference to whether Davenport was fired or resigned Dunkiel said, “President Brogan is like John Kerry. He’s flip-flopping on the issue.”

Dunkiel said, “I would like to see Brogan get fired, and give him a severance package; I don’t care.”

In response to Dunkiel, Brogan says, “He’s entitled to his opinion, but I’d ask anyone in that position to take a breath and think about the last four years, and to think about their positions.”

According to the e-mail, Davenport’s resignation coincides with the foundation formulating a “new capital campaign,” which equates simply to stepped-up fundraising activity.

Also, the foundation board is electing new leadership, and Brogan feels it’s “only fair to those who were considering accepting leadership roles to know in advance that they would be working with a new vice P=resident.”

However, Dunkiel also questions the timing of Davenport’s departure.

Dunkiel says, “Many {students] were out for holidays,” the week of Davenport’s last day.

“I’ve been here for four years, and I can’t tell you how many thousands of decisions I have made, and I haven’t heard a lot of complaints,” Brogan responded.

Brogan says people should consider his accomplishments before deciding if the issue at hand is worth his being so harshly criticized.

“Everyone wants to go right for the jugular,” Brogan says. “In a world that becomes more uncivil everyday, maybe we should think about [someone’s] track record before calling for their head.”

Brogan says his door is always open, and his e-mail is always on. “My phone rings constantly,” he says.

However, he hopes “people in the position treat them more fairly than they’re treating me, but such is the art of politics.”

And while the settlement package for Davenport led to calls for punishment for Brogan from SG, it has also sparked student protests.

“They are not only public funds, but we are entitled to that money,” Josef Palermo, a senior pre-law student, said during open forum in the April 19 House of Representatives meeting.

“They’re literally taking the money out of our pockets,” he said.

Palermo was one of the organizers of the vending machine protest on April 17 that marched on the president’s office from the Breezeway.

“I think others are very focused on their concerns. They deserve the best explanation that I can provide,” Brogan said when asked about the protest.

“What surprised me about the protesters is I know most them [the leaders] fairly well,” Brogan explained. “They know how much I love the university. I’m not just the president, I’m an alum,” he said.

Brogan says he would never intentionally put the university in a bad position. “Why would I enter into a settlement agreement with legal protection in it and the disparagement language unless there was a necessity to do so?” Brogan asks.

“What’s the benefit to me? There is none.” Brogan says.

“I am taking the brunt of the scrutiny, [but] I’m the Chief Executive Officer,” Brogan says. “That’s why I get paid the money to do my job, to make these decisions and live with the results.”