State leaders stand by Vailas amid calls to resign

After reports of discrimination against Middle Eastern students and declining enrollment at Idaho State University, some community members and students are calling for ISU President Arthur Vailas to resign, the Idaho State Journal reports. But at the state level, Vailas is still strongly backed by Gov. Butch Otter and the State Board of Education.

According to State Board member Richard Westerberg, Vailas was evaluated in May 2015 and was given a three-year contract, writes ISJ reporter Cydney McFarland. Westerberg said there is no support on the state level for Vailas to step down.

Vailas has received heavy criticism for how the university handled reports of discrimination and harassment toward Middle Eastern students. At a Saturday unity rally on campus, a student hung a large banner calling on  Vailas to resign; Pocatello police officers removed the banner. The Journal’s full story is online here .