University and nonprofit leaders who resigned over an old post
Two university deans and two nonprofit leaders. 4 published news cases, 2016 to 2021.
Scan yours first Every case links to its news source. Names left out on purpose.
- 4 of 4cases ended with the person losing the job, seat, admission or license.
In all 4 the person lost the role: 3 resigned, 1 was dismissed. The content most often concerned politics (4), race (1), violence (1).
By type: post or comment (4).
These counts come from cases collected here. They are not a survey and say nothing about how often this happens. Names are left out, and each case links to its source.
The 4 cases
Lost the role2021Nonprofit founder and board chair emeritus, Wilmington, NCFacebook post reading "Blow Up Republicans"
- What surfaced
- Facebook post reading "Blow Up Republicans"
- How old it was
- About 6 weeks
- How it came out
- Screenshots published by a campus outlet
- Outcome
- Resigned from the board
- What to look for in your own history
- Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: WECT
Lost the role2020University dean, Virginia Beach, VAPrivate Facebook post calling a candidate's supporters "ignorant, anti-American"
- What surfaced
- Private Facebook post calling a candidate's supporters "ignorant, anti-American"
- How old it was
- Days
- How it came out
- A screenshot circulated; the local paper reported it
- Outcome
- Resigned; he apologized
- What to look for in your own history
- Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: Virginia Dogwood
Lost the role2019University dean of students, Tuscaloosa, AL2017 tweets about the flag and racism, posted before his hire
- What surfaced
- 2017 tweets about the flag and racism, posted before his hire
- How old it was
- About 2 years
- How it came out
- A national website highlighted them
- Outcome
- Resigned the next day
- What to look for in your own history
- Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: AP via News Courier
Lost the role2016Nonprofit director, Clay County, WVPost calling the First Lady "a Ape in heels"; the mayor's approving reply also surfaced
- What surfaced
- Post calling the First Lady "a Ape in heels"; the mayor's approving reply also surfaced
- How old it was
- Days
- How it came out
- Local TV report
- Outcome
- Removed; the mayor resigned
- What to look for in your own history
- Posts or comments a stranger could read as demeaning a group, mocking a tragedy or wishing harm on someone.
Source: BuzzFeed News
More cases by group
- School boards and local office (15)
- Athletes (10)
- Teachers (9)
- Police (9)
- Media and entertainment (9)
- Candidates and appointees (8)
- Executives (8)
- Healthcare (7)
- Fire, EMS and military (7)
- Finance and banking (7)
- Students (6)
- Coaches (5)
- Law (5)
- Volunteers (4)
- Clergy and religious employers (4)
- Tech and corporate (4)
- Likes (11)
- Memes (23)
See all 127 cases and the key numbers
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