William Baughn was called from retirement, after 20 years as Dean of the College of Business, to assume the presidency while a search was made for a replacement for Arnold Weber. Aware that his tenure was temporary, Baughn mistakenly anticipated a relatively quiet term of office.

Instead, he was faced with major problems at the Colorado General Assembly. The Joint Budget Committee threatened to cut and control the funds allotted to the university. Baughn defended the university’s policies on admission standards, funding and the governance of higher education.

He worked 16 hours a day successfully defending the university. The Legislature eventually voted to reorganize the governance of higher education in the state, in effect removing much of the politics from budget appropriations.