The board refused to comment on Penley's departure, but board chairman Douglas Jones said he wasn't surprised by it.

Board members had learned that Penley had been a finalist for positions at other universities, The Denver Post reported.

Penley's resignation letter, reviewed by United Press International, said he wanted "to be free to pursue other leadership positions in higher education."

Officials said Penley would receive one year's salary of $389,000.

As recently as six months ago, Penley seemed well-liked by board members and entrenched on campus, the Post said.

But he developed vocal critics with his plans to expand the university's profile and mission.

He created a $12 million online "global campus," in which non-traditional students could work toward degrees.

"Should we be spending millions on a global campus or on good teaching?," student body President Taylor Smoot asked the Post.

Penley also pushed to promote the university as a "green" campus rather than investing in basic classroom tools like whiteboards that work, biomedical sciences Professor Charles Miller told the Post.