Trustee William T. Hogan III’s statement, chastising Margaret McKenna for failing to be on track to raise $3 million after only seven months as Suffolk University president, demonstrates the board’s apparent ignorance of its governing responsibilities (“Suffolk trustees criticize president,’’ Metro, Jan. 31).

Fund-raising at any nonprofit is the joint responsibility of the president and the board, with trustees providing the leadership and setting an example through their own giving. No competent board expects a new president’s first year to generate significant gifts, especially without their support.

Chairman Andrew Meyer, defending the Suffolk trustees’ action against McKenna, said, “We are not potted plants.’’ If that is true, they should not expect the university’s president to be its sole rainmaker.

David Wilber

Chatham