William Peace University in Raleigh, N.C. is offering buyouts to many of its tenured professors, the News & Observer reported.

Fifteen faculty members received buyout offers of $30,000 each if they leave by June 30 and sign an agreement giving up tenure status, according to a copy of the offer obtained by The News & Observer.

The payments were extended to professors from a variety of academic apartments at the university, including anthropology, biology, communications, English, math, philosophy, political science and psychology.

The buyout offer is also contingent on faculty members agreeing not to criticize the university. The agreement suggests what faculty members should say if or when they are asked why they left the university's employment.

"I've opted to resign as part of a Voluntary Separation Program offered by the University. I wish the best for the William Peace University community," it recommends.

The buyouts come two months after the school received a letter from a majority of its full-time faculty criticizing the leadership of Debra Townsley, the university president.

In a signed eight-page letter, faculty members questioned Townsley's financial decisions and cuts. They also expressed concerns about faculty turnover, worsening graduation rates, unsecured student records, and university buildings with inadequate heat.

According to the News & Observer, the faculty described a deteriorating academic environment under her leadership, including a decline in full-time faculty as enrollment had grown rapidly.

Two years ago, Townsley led a process to make the one-time women's college coeducational, and many critics say that the improvements she promised would follow haven't materialized.

Anita levy, associate secretary of academic freedom, tenure and governance for the American Association of University Professors, told the News & Observer that she didn't know what to make of the buyout offers targeted at tenured faculty.

"It sounds like it's not coming out of financial issues but rather they're looking to quiet opposition," Levy said. "It's a move against faculty and faculty governance. ... That would be highly suspect."

Townsley declined to comment.