OU's associate vice president for university community has resigned to pursue "other career opportunities" three weeks after OU President James Gallogly began his tenure.
Jabar Shumate, who was known for his close relationship with former OU President David Boren, has resigned from his position, Acting Vice President for Public Affairs Erin Yarbough confirmed to The Daily via email July 24.
Shumate came to his position with the creation of the office of university community as a result of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon scandal of 2015 in which OU fraternity members were seen on camera making racist remarks. The university's reaction to the SAE scandal is something Boren pointed to as a crowning achievement of his presidency.
Yarbough said Shumate was thanked for his service and that a national search will get underway for his replacement after the appointment of an interim replacement.
The resignation comes three weeks after Gallogly, who has expressed displeasure with the state of OU's executive staff, reassigned Shumate's position as one that reports to the provost instead of the president.
Shumate attended OU, where he served as student body president. He would go on to on to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature as both a state representative and state senator as a Democrat between 2004 and 2015.
The office of university community, of which Shumate has been the only head of during its short existence, was often seen as lacking direction. Many questioned the effectiveness of its goals.
It is unclear what qualifications Gallogly will seek in the national search for Shumate's replacement or what the timetable will be for that search.
