Jeff Cohen '64, the former director of athletics for 18 years, said he was fired abruptly in January 2004 without any clear reason. At the time of his firing, Cohen told the Justice he had resigned, but would not say why.

But in a phone interview Sunday, Cohen said he's still not sure why the administration fired him so suddenly.

"I never really had a straight answer as to why I was fired," he said this week. "I thought it was pretty abrupt."

Cohen's disclosure comes in the wake of two employees filing age-discrimination grievances against Brandeis, and their supporters criticize the University for harsh treatment of its staff.

Cohen said the University is moving in a different direction, judging by its recent firings and hirings, but he would not elaborate on what that new direction is.

Sullivan, Hauptman and their supporters said the firings are indicative of a trend toward what they called a "corporatization of the University," referring to an increased focus on money and callous staff management.