Gov. Deval L. Patrick of Massachusetts has mustered enough support on the University of Massachusetts’ governing board to oust its chairman, Stephen P. Tocco, The Boston Globe reports.
Mr. Patrick, a Democrat who was elected last year, reportedly wants to have an ally as chairman when the board undertakes several high-profile decisions, including the hiring of a chancellor on the flagship Amherst campus. Mr. Tocco, a former state official, was appointed to the board by the governor’s predecessor, Mitt Romney, now a Republican presidential candidate.
Citing anonymous university officials, the Globe reports that Mr. Patrick is confident that a slim majority of the board’s 19 voting members will agree to oust Mr. Tocco at their meeting, on December 14, about six months before his term expires. —Paul Fain
