A former trustee of Monroe Community College, Lori A. Van Dusen, describes a politically tainted Board of Trustees in her recent resignation letter. Ms. Van Dusen’s departure followed widespread anger over a failed presidential search at the college, in Rochester, N.Y., including complaints from elected officials and overwhelming votes of no confidence in the trustees taken by students and faculty members.

The presidential search ended in a deadlock last month. The board, whose 10 members belong to the Republican or Conservative Parties, unilaterally added two Republican candidates to the list of finalists vetted by two search committees. The board was then split on the two late additions.

Ms. Van Dusen questioned the integrity of a new search process and whether the next president would be protected from “political self-interests,” according to the resignation letter, which was obtained by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Five members of the board are appointed by the county legislature, four are selected by New York’s governor, and one is a student. The newspaper reported that trustees on Monday had hired Larry W. Tyree, a former community-college president, to lead the college until a full-time replacement is found. —Paul Fain