Former Amarillo mayor Jerry Hodge is leading an effort to support ousting Texas Tech Regent Rick Francis from the school’s Board of Regents.
This week, a new campaign titled “Fire Francis” was launched to encourage opponents of Texas Tech Regent Rick Francis to write a letter seeking the Regent ousted from office. The letter form on the website encourages individuals to sign a note to “the Governor and Board of Regents.”
A press release from the website lists Hodge as the key leader behind the effort. The press release goes on to say the effort will be pushed by a 501(c)4 organization.
“Rick Francis needs to be fired,” Hodge said in a statement. “The committee feels strongly that the firing of Chancellor Robert Duncan, which was led by Chairman Francis, was done in poor taste, without cause, and has led to a mistrust of the Texas Tech University Board of Regents among our state’s leaders, Texas Tech supporters, and alumni. Francis’ actions have put the leadership of the entire board in question. The only way to correct this is with the removal of Francis and the appointment of a new chairperson. His removal will restore honor, integrity, and trust in the board of regents.”
The press release does not list other members of the “committee.”
Hodge is a former Amarillo mayor who recently made news when he was considered a key figure in bringing a minor league baseball organization to Amarillo.
Regents for Texas public university systems serve six years terms and are appointed by the Governor. Francis was first appointed to the Board of Regents in 2003. He was most recently reappointed to the board by Governor Rick Perry. His term will expire in 2019.
