We, the proud students, alumni, and fans of the University of Hartford, are writing to express our utmost disappointment in President Woodward’s actions and statements regarding the University of Hartford, its students, and its athletic department. We strongly urge the Board of Regents to remove President Woodward immediately in order to restore the reputation that President Woodward has tarnished. 

The University of Hartford stands behind a mission “dedicated to learning, personal growth, knowledge creation and the betterment of society.” The University of Hartford’s unwavering values of integrity, curiosity, creativity, excellence, responsibility, and accomplishment are all embodied through the school’s NCAA Division I athletic teams. President Woodward’s words and actions demonstrate a woeful departure from that mission and the values we Hawks hold so dear.

The president has the responsibility to lead and mentor all of the university’s students to cultivate, cherish, and embody these values. Not only has President Woodward conclusively demonstrated his inability to act and speak in accordance with the university’s mission and values, but he has also failed to represent the university professionally. President Woodward has degraded the university through his lack of transparency, his disrespectful and inaccurate public statements, and his exposed private attempts to demand a less senior faculty member to make statements to facilitate the president’s personal ultimatum of demoting the athletics department. Further, President Woodward admitted to deliberately and intentionally manipulating “numbers” such that the demotion proposal should appear more appealing. 

For the foregoing reasons, we the undersigned, ask the Board of Regents to remove President Woodward promptly. Such a move would not only reinstate the notoriety and honor of the university, but also provide the student body with courageous leadership to follow.

Sincerely together, 

Students, Alumni, and fans of the University of Hartford.