Some Concordia University students are upset the school hasn't come clean about the departure of its president.

Judith Woodsworth, seen at right in 2009 with then Quebec justice minister Kathleen Weil, was appointed to Concordia's top job in 2008 and was to have served until 2013. (Concordia University)

The Montreal university says Judith Woodsworth resigned halfway into her five-year term, but multiple sources have confirmed to CBC News that she was fired. Adding fuel to the furor is the revelation that she will receive a $700,000 severance package, the equivalent of two years' salary.

"I think everything should be clear, at least for the students, for all the faculties," said Mohammed Reza Habibi, a Concordia business student.

He said he read the university's only official statement on the matter, issued Wednesday, which says Woodsworth left for unspecified "personal reasons."

"I read the e-mail, but it wasn't clear. It just said that the president resigned without any reason. That's strange."

Other students on campus said it was disturbing the university hasn't been transparent.

Concordia officials rejected interview requests Thursday, saying the school had already made its comments. The campus was shut down for the Christmas holiday on Friday.

Joel Suss, a councillor with the Concordia Student Union, said students will try to get answers in the new year.

"Our first meeting is the second week of January, so I'm sure it's going to be discussed. And we will try to figure out a way to find out," he said. "It's concerning that there's not really a real explanation."

Suss said he hopes Woodsworth's departure doesn't damage the university's reputation.

Concordia's previous president, Claude Lajeunesse, cut his time short as well, leaving midway into a five-year mandate "by mutual agreement," the university said at the time.