Embattled University of Illinois President B. Joseph White will step down at the end of the year.
In a letter to the board today, White said he will resign effective Dec. 31. He plans to remain involved with the university through fund-raising and teaching, according to Chicago Breaking News.
White submitted his letter of resignation to recently nominated Board of Trustees Chair Christopher G. Kennedy, who accepted it for consideration by the full board.
White, 62, has served as president of the university since January 2005. Gov. Quinn will name an interim president after White's resignation.
Last week students and faculty members at U. of I. asked White and Chancellor Richard Herman to resign.
The request comes after a months-long scandal over clout-influenced admissions at the school, in which well-connected students to bypass the university's admissions system.
The Illinois Senate passed a resolution last week asking for an "orderly transition to new leadership," adding that changing policies without changing the university's leadership wouldn't have the desired effect of true reform.
