The Rev. Daphne L. Burt, chaplain at the University of Richmond, has handed in her resignation, effective Dec. 31. The resignation was announced Monday in a letter to faculty from outgoing university president William Cooper.

Burt, who came to the school in July 2004, sparked outrage last month when she fired the head of the university’s Bonner Scholars program, Grace Holcomb. Students in the program and others in Burt’s office have been strongly critical of the firing.

They’ve also been critical of Burt’s management style. Students say Burt used intimidation tactics to create an environment of hostility and mistrust within the chaplaincy office.

Brian Eckert, a university spokesman, confirmed Burt’s resignation and provided a copy of Cooper’s announcement, but deferred requests for comment on the resignation to Burt. She was unavailable for comment at press time.

Cooper’s announcement made no mention of Burt’s plans after leaving UR, and Eckert said it was unclear where Burt would go.

According to Cooper’s announcement, Associate Chaplain Kate O’Dwyer Randall will serve as acting chaplain until a permanent appointment is made. S