In the meantime, Leo A. Corbie, who has heldthe job of acting president for the past yearsince his predecessor stepped down for personalreasons, will remain in office. CUNY had hoped toreplace Corbie as of September 1, enabling him toreturn to his duties as vice chancellor forstudent affairs and special programs.
"The search for a president for Medgar EversCollege is continuing," said Rita Rodin, CUNYdirector of public information.
Observers have differing opinions as to whetherCounter's actions will have an impact on thestruggling school. Many have seen Medgar Evers asthe subject of embarassing situations before andbrush aside the latest misunderstanding. But someare stung by the nature of Counter's rejection andsay it only further stains the school's alreadytarnished reputation.
"The school's been criticized unjustly beforeand we've survived," Nwasike said. Counter'scomments and his decline of the offer will not beremembered long, he said.
Counter's statement "serves public notice, ineffect, that the school has major problems,"Merkowitz said.
One administrator said that while she thinksCounter's statement will have no long-term effect,it still impacts the school.
"We feel particularly badly for the faculty andthe students of Medgar Evers," said CarolynnReid-Wallace, vice chancellor of academic affairs.But she added that "no one is indispensable" andthat the school will get along just fine withoutCounter.
"There is still some concern about the way inwhich all of this took place. This is not going tostop the college from going forward in its searchfor strong leadership," Reid-Wallace said.
Despite all the commotion, one observer said hethought good could still come out of Counter'sstatement.
"If people respond by saying the school reallyneeds our support at this time, the end result canbe positive. It sounds like what Dr. Counter'spoint is that the school does need more support,"said William B.P. Thompson, acting president ofRoxbury Community College. "Regardless of thecircumstances around this particular searcheffort, people can still see this as anopportunity to provide support and help for thecollege."