Flash: Fr. Jenkins announces he will transfer Laetare Medal

This has all the signs of a knee-jerk half-baked response to Glendon's morning bombshell:

Statement by Father John Jenkins on the Laetare Medal

The following statement from Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, is in response to the decision by Mary Ann Glendon to decline acceptance of the University’s Laetare Medal:

“We are, of course, disappointed that Professor Glendon has made this decision. It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible.” (University of Notre Dame Office of News & Information)

... and that's it.

He only registers "disappointment", not even attempting to answer her arguments.

In a scramble, they have no fall-back award recipient because they were presuming she would accept. Instead, they are left pulling out the Rolodex.

"Nothing to see here. Moving on."