Oxford’s Top Fund Raiser May Have Been Ousted in Controversy

Rumors are flying that Jon Dellandrea, Oxford University’s top fund raiser, has been dismissed from his post at the British university after complaints about him from an American donor, the Telegraph reports.

The donor, Michael Moritz, a California venture capitalist and Oxford alumnus who heads the university’s North American fund-raising campaign, gave $48.8-million to Christ Church College last month.

The British newspaper reported that people close to the situation say Mr. Moritz is reluctant to work with Mr. Dellandrea. They also say that Mr. Moritz called Mr. Dellandrea “obtuse” and “uncooperative” in a recent telephone conversation between the two men.

After he announced his donation, Mr. Moritz said he would make the gift only if the university promised to put the money into a special asset-management fund.

“I made it clear to Christ Church that despite all its best efforts, noble intentions, and hard work, its money needed to be managed in a much-improved fashion,” said Mr. Moritz last month.

Asked about the rumors that Mr. Dellandrea had been fired, an Oxford spokesman said: “It’s the first I’ve heard of it. He is still in post but is on holiday at the moment.”