Judith Woodsworth returns to Concordia

Judith Woodsworth is returning to the halls of Concordia as a teacher.

The Montreal Gazette is reporting the return of the former Concordia president who is currently teaching French translation classes.

Woodsworth stepped down as president in December 2010 after a storm of controversy that caused instability within the university, taking with her a hefty severance package of over $700 000.

Yet her quiet return is in stark contrast to the fanfare surrounding her infamous departure.

The reappearance of Woodsworth received no publicity, with a communications official for Concordia downplaying the situation, maintaining there was no need for an announcement because “she’s just a faculty member.”

Woodsworth’s return to academia hasn’t been met with much opposition, yet it has taken some by surprise.

President of the Concordia University Support Staff Union Danièle Berthiaume was surprised Woodsworth would come back to the university, noting that “nothing was clarified” surrounding her mysterious exit, and that “now it seems she was given tenure along with the position of president.”

Concordia Student Union President Lex Gill separated Woodsworth’s former position as president from her current role as a professor calling it “two very different things.”

Shortly after her departure, the university appointed Dr. Frederick Lowy as the interim president.

With two presidents leaving in the middle of their terms and Concordia’s Board of Directors coming under fire, internal and external studies are currently being conducted into the university’s governance.