Demanding the Immediate Resignation of the Entire Board of Future Generations University
Demanding the Immediate Resignation of the Entire Board of Future Generations University
The Issue
There is a Leadership Crisis at Future Generations University. Founder Daniel Taylor's Unethical Actions are Threatening the Institution’s Survival.
We, the undersigned members of the Future Generations University community — including alumni, students, donors, staff, supporters, and volunteers — sign on to this petition in response to grave and ongoing concerns regarding mismanagement, ethical lapses, and governance failures by the University’s current leadership.
These concerns are supported by verified facts and documents, some of which are cited or linked below.
The Board of Trustees, led by founder and Chair Daniel Taylor, has repeatedly acted contrary to foundational principles of transparency, accountability, and fiduciary duty. These principles form the very foundation of what is taught and professed at Future Generations University.
Without decisive change, the University’s future — including the credibility of its degrees and its accreditation — is at significant risk.
We demand the immediate resignation of the entire Board of Trustees and the President based on the following documented issues:
1. Unauthorized Use of Endowment Funds
Between August 2020 and December 2023, Chair Daniel Taylor unilaterally decided to invest, and lost, large amounts of University funds causing the endowment to be underwater by over $5.2M. Most of these failed investments were speculative Covid-19 “cure” ventures. These losses occurred during a period when financial markets were generating strong returns. These decisions were made without required approval from the Investment Committee or full Board, violating basic fiduciary responsibilities. Most of the Board resigned after learning of Taylor’s actions. Taylor has not taken accountability for his actions and has resisted putting safeguards in place to prevent this from happening in the future.
Evidence: Internal Board correspondence when Taylor was questioned by Board
Evidence: One of many statements revealing an investment of $2.9M in a covid-19 cure
Evidence: Endowment history showing endowment $5.2M underwater
2. Governance Failures and Retaliatory Firing of Whistleblower
The Board has long been warned about its weak governance structure and persistent conflicts of interest. Most recently, a legal review by the University’s own legal counsel was requested by the former president, Dr. Jayne Engle, resulting in a 6-page memorandum outlining these concerns. Rather than act on the advice, the Board retaliated by firing Dr. Engle on June 28, 2025, the same day the memo was received by the Board. The Board immediately appointed Board member, Francis Day, to be president. Day had previously been president but lacks a PhD, lives out-of-state (as education and residency were required in the job description), and failed to raise sustaining funds during her prior presidency, according to budget documents. In effect, Taylor remains in full control.
Evidence: Governance memo from the University’s legal counsel
3. Serious Concerns Regarding Recent Board Nomination and Appointments
On June 26th, the Board of Trustees nominated an individual for the university’s Board despite known allegations of sexual harassment during his time at other institutions and Future Generations University. He had previously worked at FGU as a contractor, and after his departure, then-Interim President Fran Day assured staff he would not return. Day recently resigned under pressure following the nomination. Daniel Taylor, who was also aware of the allegations, remains in his position and refuses to resign.
Evidence suggests a Board vote on this nomination took place, but the Board will not confirm whether the individual was officially appointed. This raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the university’s commitment to a safe environment.
Evidence: Letter from Chair Daniel Taylor of June 26th listing board nominees
4. Staff Resignations and Faculty's Request for Board to Resign
As a result of broken governance and the Board's recent firing of the former president, two full-time staff members have resigned, and in a letter dated July 7, 2025, the majority of the faculty called on the entire Board to resign.
Evidence: Copy of the faculty's letter of July 7th calling on the entire Board to resign
5. Threats to Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the accrediting body for the University, has documented governance concerns at Future Generations University for over a decade. Its most recent review noted progress under the prior president, Dr. Engle — now terminated — and mandated continued monitoring. Leadership instability directly threatens the University’s accreditation status.
Evidence: Pages from the HLC report
6. Disregard for Board Term Limits
The bylaws state: “No trustee shall serve more than three consecutive terms.” Taylor has served continuously since the founding of the institution in 2003. Meanwhile, trustee resignations are frequent — eight in the last two years alone — often prompted by witnessing mismanagement firsthand.
7. Chronic Leadership Instability
Under Taylor’s control, the University has had four presidents in four years, hampering long-term planning and eroding institutional stability.
8. Rejection by the Association of Governing Boards (AGB)
The AGB — a national authority on higher education governance — has declined to work with the University, citing Taylor’s refusal to follow basic governance and the bylaws.
9. Questionable Financial Operations and Audit Practices
Financial reports routinely conflate operations of Future Generations University and Future Generations Inc., obscuring endowment ownership, creating conflicts of interest, and violating multiple sections of the Internal Revenue Code, such as organizational entanglement. Additionally, the same local auditor has served for over 22 years, defying best practices that call for regular rotation. The American Institute of CPAs recommends switching lead auditors every 5 years.
Therefore, we demand the following actions be taken immediately:
- The resignation of the full Board of Trustees.
- Appointment of an independent, interim governance oversight expert to manage leadership transition and ensure compliance with best practices.
Conclusion:
We no longer have confidence in the current leadership. For the University to survive — let alone thrive — it must uphold the values it teaches: transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
The system is fully broken and cannot be rebuilt by those who are closest to it. We call on the current Board and President to step aside for the good of the institution, its students, and its global mission.
88
The Issue
There is a Leadership Crisis at Future Generations University. Founder Daniel Taylor's Unethical Actions are Threatening the Institution’s Survival.
We, the undersigned members of the Future Generations University community — including alumni, students, donors, staff, supporters, and volunteers — sign on to this petition in response to grave and ongoing concerns regarding mismanagement, ethical lapses, and governance failures by the University’s current leadership.
These concerns are supported by verified facts and documents, some of which are cited or linked below.
The Board of Trustees, led by founder and Chair Daniel Taylor, has repeatedly acted contrary to foundational principles of transparency, accountability, and fiduciary duty. These principles form the very foundation of what is taught and professed at Future Generations University.
Without decisive change, the University’s future — including the credibility of its degrees and its accreditation — is at significant risk.
We demand the immediate resignation of the entire Board of Trustees and the President based on the following documented issues:
1. Unauthorized Use of Endowment Funds
Between August 2020 and December 2023, Chair Daniel Taylor unilaterally decided to invest, and lost, large amounts of University funds causing the endowment to be underwater by over $5.2M. Most of these failed investments were speculative Covid-19 “cure” ventures. These losses occurred during a period when financial markets were generating strong returns. These decisions were made without required approval from the Investment Committee or full Board, violating basic fiduciary responsibilities. Most of the Board resigned after learning of Taylor’s actions. Taylor has not taken accountability for his actions and has resisted putting safeguards in place to prevent this from happening in the future.
Evidence: Internal Board correspondence when Taylor was questioned by Board
Evidence: One of many statements revealing an investment of $2.9M in a covid-19 cure
Evidence: Endowment history showing endowment $5.2M underwater
2. Governance Failures and Retaliatory Firing of Whistleblower
The Board has long been warned about its weak governance structure and persistent conflicts of interest. Most recently, a legal review by the University’s own legal counsel was requested by the former president, Dr. Jayne Engle, resulting in a 6-page memorandum outlining these concerns. Rather than act on the advice, the Board retaliated by firing Dr. Engle on June 28, 2025, the same day the memo was received by the Board. The Board immediately appointed Board member, Francis Day, to be president. Day had previously been president but lacks a PhD, lives out-of-state (as education and residency were required in the job description), and failed to raise sustaining funds during her prior presidency, according to budget documents. In effect, Taylor remains in full control.
Evidence: Governance memo from the University’s legal counsel
3. Serious Concerns Regarding Recent Board Nomination and Appointments
On June 26th, the Board of Trustees nominated an individual for the university’s Board despite known allegations of sexual harassment during his time at other institutions and Future Generations University. He had previously worked at FGU as a contractor, and after his departure, then-Interim President Fran Day assured staff he would not return. Day recently resigned under pressure following the nomination. Daniel Taylor, who was also aware of the allegations, remains in his position and refuses to resign.
Evidence suggests a Board vote on this nomination took place, but the Board will not confirm whether the individual was officially appointed. This raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the university’s commitment to a safe environment.
Evidence: Letter from Chair Daniel Taylor of June 26th listing board nominees
4. Staff Resignations and Faculty's Request for Board to Resign
As a result of broken governance and the Board's recent firing of the former president, two full-time staff members have resigned, and in a letter dated July 7, 2025, the majority of the faculty called on the entire Board to resign.
Evidence: Copy of the faculty's letter of July 7th calling on the entire Board to resign
5. Threats to Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the accrediting body for the University, has documented governance concerns at Future Generations University for over a decade. Its most recent review noted progress under the prior president, Dr. Engle — now terminated — and mandated continued monitoring. Leadership instability directly threatens the University’s accreditation status.
Evidence: Pages from the HLC report
6. Disregard for Board Term Limits
The bylaws state: “No trustee shall serve more than three consecutive terms.” Taylor has served continuously since the founding of the institution in 2003. Meanwhile, trustee resignations are frequent — eight in the last two years alone — often prompted by witnessing mismanagement firsthand.
7. Chronic Leadership Instability
Under Taylor’s control, the University has had four presidents in four years, hampering long-term planning and eroding institutional stability.
8. Rejection by the Association of Governing Boards (AGB)
The AGB — a national authority on higher education governance — has declined to work with the University, citing Taylor’s refusal to follow basic governance and the bylaws.
9. Questionable Financial Operations and Audit Practices
Financial reports routinely conflate operations of Future Generations University and Future Generations Inc., obscuring endowment ownership, creating conflicts of interest, and violating multiple sections of the Internal Revenue Code, such as organizational entanglement. Additionally, the same local auditor has served for over 22 years, defying best practices that call for regular rotation. The American Institute of CPAs recommends switching lead auditors every 5 years.
Therefore, we demand the following actions be taken immediately:
- The resignation of the full Board of Trustees.
- Appointment of an independent, interim governance oversight expert to manage leadership transition and ensure compliance with best practices.
Conclusion:
We no longer have confidence in the current leadership. For the University to survive — let alone thrive — it must uphold the values it teaches: transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
The system is fully broken and cannot be rebuilt by those who are closest to it. We call on the current Board and President to step aside for the good of the institution, its students, and its global mission.
88
Petition created on July 7, 2025