• Originally published November 17, 2009 at 2:11 p.m., updated November 17, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.

MONTEVALLO, Ala. (AP) — University of Montevallo President Philip Williams has agreed to step down next year after mediation over friction between him and trustees, officials of the state-run college said Tuesday.

Williams has been on sabbatical since September and will resume his duties as president on Jan. 4. But a round of mediation resulted in him agreeing to step down as president effective July 31, the school said in a statement.

University spokeswoman Cynthia Shackelford referred questions about any financial agreement between the school and Williams to the vice president for business affairs, DeAnna Smith, who did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

Trustees hope to have a new president in place by Aug. 1.

Williams, who has been president for three years, and the board were at odds partly over whether he was making policy decisions without board approval. Some members questioned his lack of opposition to plans by another school to offer night classes near Montevallo.

In the statement, Williams said "the best interest of the university would be served by a fresh start."

"I believe the University would greatly benefit from the leadership of another president," he said.

Students organized a candlelight vigil in support of Williams earlier this year and showed up with teachers at a meeting in support of him, but another administrator took over as acting president after he went on sabbatical.

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