Faculty Members Call for Barchi Resignation

A group of 13 Rutgers faculty members are petitioning for the resignation of university president Robert L. Barchi.

According to a report by the Associated Press, the teachers are calling for Barchi to resign over his handling of the firing of head basketball coach Mike Rice, who was terminated Wednesday following the release of a video showing abusive coaching techniques.

Barchi issued a public statement on Wednesday claiming that he did not see until Tuesday the video of Rice using gay slurs and abusive language and kicking and shoving players during practices.

The video was brought to the university's attention in the fall by a former employee.

Discussions about whether Athletics Director Tim Pernetti should be allowed to retain his job are also getting louder, but sources say he is not likely to be fired, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Barchi was appointed as the 20th president of Rutgers approximately one year ago. He is paid a base salary of $650,000.