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Is 65 too old to stay at the helm of a major research center?
[...] Bréchot, who previously led INSERM, the French biomedical research agency, aspires to a second term, but he will turn 65 in July 2017. Under the governing statutes of the foundation that runs the Paris center, that disqualifies him for the renewal, Pasteur's 21-strong board of directors has concluded. Angered by the board's refusal to change the rules, Pasteur's General Meeting, a parliament-style governing body, dissolved the board in June. Now, Bréchot's future is in limbo.
[...] The board, which includes six Pasteur scientists, would not budge. Changing Article 12 would be a lengthy affair that requires government involvement and could lead to a complete review of the foundation's statutes to align them with those of other French foundations, says board chair Rose-Marie Van Lerberghe. That could damage Pasteur, she adds: For example, Bréchot earns a sizable salary but typical foundation statutes require an unpaid president, which would make it difficult to recruit a top candidate.
How old is too old for this job and others?
Would making the position unpaid like other foundation actually make it "difficult to recruit a top candidate"?
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/08/dispute-over-presidents-age-tears-pasteur-institute-apart
(Score: 2) by jelizondo on Friday August 05 2016, @01:09AM
The age factor might be the visible point of contention, however clearly there is a power struggle going on inside.
However, changing the articles of incorporation is not easy, particularly if it requires a regulatory body approval.
Think of it this way: in many places zoning laws govern what might be built in them, however existing structures are "grandfathered" in, meaning, they don't have to comply with the new regulations as long as they are not changed. Try to remodel the old farmhouse and boom! you have to comply with the new regulations, which might too expensive to even try.
So, if changing a single little article would invite the regulatory body to review and bring into compliance the full set, you might not want to do it, even if the old geezer is Pasteur himself.
And yes, I'm a lawyer.