Heathergate finally gets a mention by one of my favorite bloggers, Atrios. His blog is one of the most widely read left-leaning sites on the internet by far. Which means that as of today, there are now about 100,000 more people who only know one thing about WVU — that it manufactures fake degrees for the wealthy and well connected.
Thanks Mike.
Tags: Heather Bresch, Mike Garrison
May 9, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Oh, great! WVU has now been brought to the attention of what appears to be a gigantic herd of free-range idiots! Must be some votes for Manchin in there somewhere. (The blog entry itself was informed and reasonably accurate, but most of the comments are a few slices short of a loaf!).
May 9, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Yes Ralph, the blog entry that cut & pasted from the Washington Post is “informed and reasonably accurate.”
May 9, 2008 at 3:50 pm
still no action taken at Mylan……..
May 9, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Yeah, the comments at Atrios are definitely not that blog’s strong point.
May 9, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Goodwin is ceding the chair as of June 30th.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x996197231
http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=24717
May 9, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Sign the MIR petition for Garrison’s resignation here:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Tum7pZ9wLX0rXC7hmgBiAQ_3d_3d
May 9, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Goodwing stepping down as chairman. How quaint. It comes out at 4pm on a friday.
I’m not surprised.
May 9, 2008 at 6:29 pm
If it is power that Mike Garrison wants, then he has it. He has the power:
to restore WVU’s integrity in the hearts and minds of its faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and other supporters;
to salvage WVU’s reputation among an attentive, international audience of prospective faculty, staff, students, donors, and supporters;
to protect the investment and honor the trust of WV taxpayers whose hard-earned tax dollars and tuition payments go to support WVU;
to reclaim some of the depleted market value of the degrees of WVU’s current and future alumni;
to ease the tension, frustration, and anxiety on the WVU campus and throughout the state;
to respect the pride of WV citizens who love the university and regard it as a source of hope, inspiration, and opportunity, especially for poor, underserved, and first-generation college students;
to demonstrate that he can be a leader and, whatever the measure of his personal responsibility in this matter, place the best interests of the institution ahead of his own.
The true nature of power is not in its quantity, but in its usage. Mike Garrison has enormous power, if only he chooses to wield it by resigning.
May 9, 2008 at 6:41 pm
link to surveymonkey survey is not working
May 9, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Stepping down as chair does not mean he won’t still control the board – bet ya’ anything that the new chair is a buddy. There are likey a few on that board that control it, and they’ll just take turns in the leadership.
May 9, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I just went to the MIR petition link and it says “petition closed.” What is the deal with that? We need to have a petition with thousands of names on it to show them that we are serious about this and to show that we don’t condone this and aren’t going away. Only numbers will talk. And, if anyone has any national press contacts we need to get them to the faculty assembly next Wednesday. As far as anyone worrying about the bad publicity, well, guess what, the story is already out their big time. And, I think things are going to have to get worse if they are ever going to get better because Joe M, Garrison, and the entire Board are flipping the bird at all of us right now.
May 9, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I’m putting Micheal Garrison as a write-in-candidate for governor.
May 9, 2008 at 6:51 pm
The Faculty Assembly will go a long way to determining the final outcome of this. It would be difficult for Garrison to hang on, even with the Governors’s support after all the press that will come next week should they pass a no confidence resolution.
May 9, 2008 at 6:59 pm
just sent the webmaster a note about the survey. It might not be live yet; this is all coming together VERY quickly, and you have to consider that most of us are faculty with finals to grade as well.
I have very high hopes for the Faculty Assembly because I KNOW that the Senate vote last week truly does represent the views of the faculty.
May 9, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Goodwin stepped down as chair because he can’t get re-elected. And because he is ruining his family name.
May 9, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Best Atrios comment so far:
Mr. Garrison is a woman damn you.
Unrepentant Fenian | 05.09.08 – 2:52 pm | #
May 9, 2008 at 7:41 pm
The survey at the MIR site is back up and working. The webmaster fixed the problem. Sorry about the inconvenience. Please spread the word! It’s not just for faculty, also for alumni, staff, parents, taxpayers of WV, friends of WVU.
May 9, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Sounds to me like the Goodwin clan got a dose of common sense down at the local drug store. Garrison is a two bit piece of shit with no family legacy. Goodwin and others would be wise to distance themselves from this debacle instead of digging in because sooner or later Garrison will be gone and his political future is doomed in WV. Even if he waits it out over the summer the rage will build and come back with even more intensity in the fall. He is fucking burnt toast. The Goodwins are moving to preserve what’s left of their name and reputation for generations to come.
May 9, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Left Shadow: the so-called ‘family legacy’ is the entire root cause of the problem. Get rid of Garrison and all the President’s Men (which I support entirely), but the problem lives on and on and on and on… because everybody seems to be in bed with everybody else in this whole game… can’t help thinking about that really unflattering expression: it’s all relative in West Virginia….
May 9, 2008 at 9:36 pm
in_the_dark
There is nothing wrong with all these relationships. It’s the nature of business. And some politics are to be expected at flagship state universities. In fact if there is the right leadership this can actually be good for all (or most). It’s when bad (read stupid) people get appointed or elected and they aren’t working for the good of the instituion or constituents that things go South. What has happened at West Virginia University embodies the bad side of politics.
May 9, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Left Shadow: I accept and understand that this is the nature of the business. But because the business occurs on such a microscopic scale in WV is exacrtly what taints it. They have absolutely no expertise to perform their designated function. If the network is larger, e.g a larger population base, then chances are the individual who is tapped on the shoulder might actually have a clue as to what they have to do, and indeed might be actually qualified too (fancy that!)…
May 9, 2008 at 10:31 pm
MOUNTAIN HAS BEEN HIJACKED
Mountain Honorary is a little known WVU student organization whose primary responsibilities are to 1) pad the law school applications of its underclassman membership and 2) select the Mountaineer mascot each year. I’m an alum.
I just received what appears to be a hastily produced newsletter from the group. On page 3 is the tantalizing headline, “Garrison Update.”
The first six sentences are a copy-and-paste of accomplishments from Garrison’s website. The article concludes: “Mountain Honorary continues to support president Garrison in all his endeavors to make the Mountain State a better place.”
BTW: Among the associate members inducted this spring is one Julian Bailes.
“Pull for Mountain!”
May 9, 2008 at 11:41 pm
They’ve all forgotten that “it’s better to be right than summit.”
May 10, 2008 at 1:43 am
MESSAGE TO THE GOODWIN FAMILY: YOU’RE NEXT!
This bullshit has to stop. The Goodwins, ultimately, are behind all of this.
May 10, 2008 at 6:34 am
Look at the bright side, at least now investors can’t blame the shoddy education the COO got (didn’t) from WVU for this debacle…
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08131/880672-28.stm
From Mylan website:
Heather Bresch serves as Mylan’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), where she is responsible for the Company’s global commercial and technical operations, strategic planning, business development and international affairs. In addition to her role as COO, she oversees the integration of Mylan’s recent acquisition of Merck Generics.
May 10, 2008 at 7:42 am
You can add your two cents to this blog as well:
http://chronicle.com/news/article/4463/chairman-of-west-virginia-u-board-quits-post-but-will-not-leave-board?commented=1#c016599
May 10, 2008 at 8:03 am
How come MG’s blog is no longer posting comments? Couldn’t get any more jackasses to spin some positive comments. Ahhh, wouldn’t it be nice if he’s gone (sooner than later). Will be in Europe next week and watching this mess from there. To the wonderful people in that wonderful state …PLEASE VOTE RIGHT!
May 10, 2008 at 9:20 am
Hey Anonymous., all academic credentials of Heather Bresch have been removed from Mylan’s website and there has been no action taken with respect to the degree debacle. Could this not have far-reaching implications should another employee at Mylan make claims as to experience or education which may not be completely accurate?
May 10, 2008 at 9:30 am
poliscigeek, I was trying to refernce the earlier stetment from Mylan that the COO was doing a great job and was vital to the future of the company. Seems that the CEO and Board have lowered the exceptations (to levels that seem to be easily attainable – sorta) of future earnings. Yet, the reason cited for lowering expectations is the performance/integration of the Merck property, one which the COO is tasked with and which many stockholders protested the purchase of.
Seems that poor performance is not dependent on having an MBA….or is the MBA percieved to be necessary to fend off the carrion birds…
May 10, 2008 at 10:27 am
There are so many good people out there who could take Garrison’s place to get WVU through these difficult times. Am I dreaming to think that the Goodwin/Manchin cabal would consider installing someone that they don’t completely control? Like maybe asking Charles Vest (former President of MIT and WVU alum) to come out of retirement for a couple of years, just to stabilize things during a transition period and a true, competitive, nationwide search for a President? As for the HSC, why can’t they get someone like Thomas Spelsburg, WVU alum and former chief of the medical staff at Mayo Clinic, to do the same thing — stabilize the institution during a transition period? Are there enough people on the BOG who care about the state more than they care about their own careers and political connections to even consider such an option?
May 10, 2008 at 11:13 am
Ugh. Speaking of shaming West Virginia, be sure to check out “this post link” at Gawker. Fun. Seriously.
May 10, 2008 at 11:13 am
I know. Fuck you in advance for making fun of my coding. I’m looking at you, Jay.
May 10, 2008 at 11:35 am
Nasty stuff, Lawbot. I was going to log on and say, “I’m voting for Obama on Tuesday.” But I figured, what’s the point? I won’t be checking that blog out again.
May 10, 2008 at 11:46 am
Naw, Lawbot, Karma smacked me silly last night. But at least we tried.
May 10, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Karma smacked me as well, but it came in the form of out-of-town friends and an absurd number of Sierra Nevada wheats.
Gawker, though, really bothers me. I’m not one of those people who reflexively get all pissed off when people make fun of West Virginia because, well, I’ve done more than my fair share of it. What bothers me is how not funny most of the comments are. Like, yeah, ridicule all you want, but be funny for fuck’s sake.
May 10, 2008 at 12:35 pm
This one was pretty good, though:
May 10, 2008 at 12:54 pm
No, no it’s not. Without revealing too much, let’s just say that one of the insurance companies I work for insure a lot of municipalities and that Wayne might, maybe, possibly be among them.
Seriously, though. Anybody do the early voting in K County this week? My wife and I are totally on board for a reestablished monarchy. One guy in line was so dedicated to mouth breathing that he was drooling on himself.
You just know he can’t wait to vote for HIRAM! Lewis.
May 10, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Let’s focus people!
Is it possible that the new chairman of the BOG (appointed by Manchin) will just be a place holder and controlled by Steve Goodwin?
This happens……..
Just take a look at what is happening is Russia this week.
May 10, 2008 at 2:30 pm
the vice-chair of the BoG, Robert Wells, is a life-long friend of the President – they were in each others weddings. So, odds are this guy becomes Chair of the BoG and it’s Deja Vu all over again. Nothing substantive will change.
May 10, 2008 at 3:16 pm
“Russia”? Seriously? Look, I might be doing too much yard work while drinking one too many IPAs, but Russia?
I’m totally 999ing Red Dawn tonight.
May 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm
WOLVERINES!!!1!
I’m always amazed that the actor who played the Cuban general also played Super-Fly.
May 10, 2008 at 3:25 pm
That’s what ya call range, baby. Robert DeWho?
May 10, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Could one of you answer a few things for me?
Why hasnt the federal government come down on this? Like the Securities/Exchange(whatever name is) Commision since Mylan is a publicly traded company?
There was fraud commited…surely this goes into the realm of federal crimes.
Where is the Big East and/or whomever has authority over accreditation for the University? It seems like these folks would be interested in seeing WVU cleaned up.
I find myself checking this blog several times a day now just to see what has hit the fan next. Corruption can happen anywhere. When it does it needs to be dealt with…not swept under the rug.
Keep up the good fight HK :)
May 10, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Because Bresch gave herself plausible deniability with the conversation with Speaker. Nobody can prove she knew she hadn’t earned the degree.
May 10, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Plausible deniabilty?? C’mon! Sorry, but there is no way anyone with more than two neurons can actually consider her to have plausible deniability, much less the SEC. She never paid for the credits, she never got any deal in writing, she apparently never checked back with the school to get a completed transcript, never received a diploma, Speaker denies the deal, etc. Also the investigative panel was clear in saying that no reasonable person would have expected to be awarded a degree based on her claims.
May 10, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I know what you’re saying, upset, but I don’t think the SEC will get involved because of “The Meeting”.
May 10, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Jay,
I’m calling Mr. Pasley’s # right now. No messaging opportunities. Only the dead sound of a phone ringing into the void of No One Home. Possibly much like speaking to Mr. Pasley himself. Wouldn’t know, for sure. But on Monday morning, I will know.
Thanks,
WV Fats
May 10, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Unfortunately, <a href=”http://wvstate.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/thank-you-citizens-of-man/”the citizens of Man WV made us look like idiots on WV Public Radio a week or so ago. Forget Pasley, these were real people.
May 10, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Oh nice, that’s http://wvstate.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/thank-you-citizens-of-man/
Go ahead, laugh…
May 10, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I’m not sure I was advocating that sort of thing, more just saying that that was a decent comment. But, I suppose there’s nothing wrong with calling up an idiot and pointing that fact out to ‘em.
May 10, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Aged Wolverine – has the correct procedure – who will undertake? The law is the law, applicable to even presidents of universities. Also, check WV History – a blog was written few days ago with how this wrong can be righted – is there no one who will explore this and follow through?
May 10, 2008 at 9:31 pm
here it is…
Old gold mountaineer Says:
May 9, 2008 at 12:02 am
Our W. Va. Constitution provides, in part:
4-9. Impeachment of officials.
Any officer of the state may be impeached for maladministration, corruption, incompetency, gross immorality, neglect of duty, or any high crime or misdemeanor. The House of Delegates shall have the sole power of impeachment. The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members elected thereto. When sitting as a court of impeachment, the president of the supreme court of appeals, or, if from any cause it be improper for him to act, then any other judge of that court, to be designated by it, shall preside; and the senators shall be on oath or affirmation, to do justice according to law and evidence. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold any office of honor, trust or profit, under the state; but the party convicted shall be liable to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment according to law. The Senate may sit during the recess of the Legislature for the trial of impeachments.
May 10, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Jay,
All I’m sayin’ is, ain’t no one gonna get a free slide on jackin’ on ma boy Hussein…know what I’m sayin’?
BTW,
Wasn’t SoHo cool on weekends in the ’80s?
:)
Phats
May 10, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Does anyone know what the Bailes scandal was in Florida? Anyhing like this?
May 10, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Revolutionary:
Question: what’s the definition of “officials”?
Obviously elected officials, but can heads of state agencies, such as WVU, also be impeached and subject to conviction by the Senate?
May 10, 2008 at 10:06 pm
“Any officer of the state” is an interesting phrase because of its surface broadness, after all.
May 10, 2008 at 10:10 pm
“officer of the state” = elected official?
May 10, 2008 at 10:11 pm
another interesting phrase “…or misdemeanor.”
Which would seem to mean that a legislative investigation could attempt to establish evidence of such a crime, especially if the alleged crime involved a “high officer of the state” and “maladministration” and “incompetency,” among many other possible impeachment grounds.
May 11, 2008 at 2:48 am
You can make the argument that “official of the state” would include the WVU president.
But if I were a judge, I wouldn’t buy it.
If that were the case, anytime a state worker falsified a time sheet, or faked a signature on something like a reimbursement request, they’d have to go through the house of delegates to remove them.
May 11, 2008 at 7:23 am
From the “Gazette-Mail”: Clinton also will attend a rally Monday night in Fairmont sponsored by Gov. Joe Manchin.
Manchin spokeswoman Sara Payne Scarbro said that both Clinton and Obama were invited to the rally, but only Clinton had responded. She also repeated that Manchin, a superdelegate, has not endorsed either candidate in the primary race.
Hope Boy Toy Mikey attends, too, and awards her and Senator Obama “honorary” degrees–in advanced demagoguery to her (for conducting the Best Right Wing Smear Campaign Ever by a Democrat against a fellow Democrat) and an eMBA to Barack since, you know, he ain’t gonna be there…
May 11, 2008 at 7:50 am
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08132/880637-35.stm
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The WVU president has my vote of confidence
As a 30-year donor and supporter of countless West Virginia University scholarships and programs, I believe it is my responsibility to express my thoughts and opinion as an individual who has a deep interest and personal commitment to the university.
As the CEO of 84 Lumber, I, as well as other employers in this country, depend on universities such as West Virginia University to provide an educated, well-rounded work force.
When Mike Garrison took the WVU reins in 2007, I believed then, as I do today, that WVU will continue to prosper and thrive under the leadership and direction of a man with a profound vision and high expectations for the university. His credentials and qualifications are impeccable. He has demonstrated a deep professional and personal commitment to the university in all that he has been able to accomplish in a short period.
I have visited the WVU campus on many occasions and have spent time with Mike Garrison. I have participated in and enjoyed all that the university has to offer.
I would like to repeat, and I am extremely confident and would assure anyone who asks, that Mike Garrison was the right man for the job in 2007, is the right man for the job in 2008 and, without a doubt, is the right man to move West Virginia University forward in the future.
JOE HARDY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
84 Lumber Co.
Eighty Four
___________________
If this repulses you as much as me then;
#1 do not visit stores or buy products from 84 Lumber (think Home Depot, Lowes, or other) and,
#2 write to 84 Lumber’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, Jeff Nobers, at email at nobersj@84lumber.com, or by phone at 800.664.1984 ext. 1585.
May 11, 2008 at 8:25 am
I’ve always hated 84 Lumber. Their pressure treated lumber is the lowest grade lumber you can get and half of it looks like a twisted banana after six months. And If you need 6 of something, they have 5 of ‘em.
May 11, 2008 at 8:34 am
College Confidential message board also has a small thread that reported this story to a nationwide/international audience with thousands of readers.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/499320-wvu-revokes-degree-after-scathing-report-m-b-awarded-governor-s-daughter.html
May 11, 2008 at 8:39 am
Aha! You’re on the correct road, Mac – and Bing, this would apply to higher elected officials, such as the president of the university. This is the avenue to pursue.
May 11, 2008 at 9:04 am
If the legislature is the avenue for the impeachment of Garrison, don’t bother – it’ll never happen.
May 11, 2008 at 9:17 am
Excerpts from Butterball’s interview with Gazette Editors & Staff:
http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/Op-EdCommentaries/200805100296
What the F is Butterball saying?? Translation, please . . . is he really a University President?!
“No, and it wasn’t even they telling me. It wasn’t they called me in with all the decision makers and said here’s what we’ve determined.”
” I am regretful that a lot of the very good work we’ve done – and I’ve worked very hard and had a team that’s worked very hard since coming in the door.”
May 11, 2008 at 10:19 am
I don’t know if anyone has thought of this but you can express your rage directly with Mike Garrison at his email address which is:
mike.garrison@mail.wvu.edu
He likely is not reading these on his own but they do become public record and anybody that files a FOIA rquest will get a list of all emails sent to his WVU address.
May 11, 2008 at 10:46 am
If the 84 Lumber guy is so proud of Garrison, maybe he should nail pro-Garrison signs to trees in highway right of ways throughout the region.
May 11, 2008 at 10:58 am
“Countless” scholarships? Really? I’d hate to see 84 Lumber’s books if counting to 50 gives him so much trouble.
May 11, 2008 at 11:25 am
As a long-time faculty member at WVU, I believe that President Garrison must resign regardless of what he knew about the Bresch case or when he knew it.
Unlike those of you outside the institution who appear to take university presidents seriously, I have only very limited expectations for any university president: First, that their actions generally reflect positively on the institution, and that nothing they do seriously damages the reputation of the institution in the state and in the national and international higher education community in which we exist.
Secondly, I ask – indeed demand – a fundamental quid pro quo from all of the institutions I have been a part of: In return for my strong, unreserved, commitment to teaching, research and public service to the state, I expect that the president will do nothing to inappropriately undermine my commitment, undermine my enthusiasm or contributions, weaken or even nullify my efforts or undercut my reputation with my peers nationally and internationally.
In my opinion, President Garrison must resign, quite simply because his presidency fails on all of these tests, and there is no prospect that this will change as long as he remains in office. He has failed me, and he has failed my colleagues, and I expect that since the votes of our elected representatives in the Faculty Senate mean so little, we will all begin to vote in large numbers – with our feet.
For some this will mean refusing to go above and beyond the basic requirements in conducting basic administrative processes. Witness the fact that no interim provost or dean of B&E has been appointed in the past two weeks – who will go to work for someone who has apparently already acted twice on his expressed leadership philosophy that his deputies are expendable to protect him? For others it will mean retirement at a critical time when shortages of faulty are looming. For still others it will mean moving to more suitable positions outside the state; and for many of the faculty candidates we have been trying to attract and recruit it will mean turning down offers here.
For some of you commenting on this blog this is clearly a great game; a way to express quite legitimate rage at what is clearly a pathetic political system. Please understand, however, that for many faculty, the continuing Garrison presidency is a fundamental breech of the central social contract in their professional lives.
Most of us will be just fine personally, but for too many faculty, it will not be at WVU. (That isn’t a threat; its a prediction.)
May 11, 2008 at 11:28 am
From Garrison’s interview:
HAUGHT: Are all tenured professors over $100,000 now?
GARRISON: I don’t know. I can’t answer that. I would assume that the average may be at a hundred – but I don’t know. I don’t want to answer it without knowing the facts. I do not know the facts on that when you talk about all the tenured professors.
TWO THINGS HERE ARE PROBLEMATIC: 1) HE HAS NO CLUE ABOUT FACULTY SALARIES 2) HE THINKS TENURED FACULTY MAKE 100K+. Recently tenured faculty in my department are at 55,000!!
May 11, 2008 at 11:38 am
I guess we now know where all those Developers (who serve on the BoG and HEPC) will be buying their lumber from (84 lumber!) when this administration sells the WVU farm for more of those attractive Condo’s that litter, i mean, decorate the hillside.
May 11, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Interesting interview clips. It’s hard to believe that a university president doesn’t understand tenure or know how much his professors make. That seems like crucial information. And it’s online.
May 11, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Thanks, No. 249. He can be Prez, sure, but of nobody.
Doesn’t know the faculty salaries? $100K? Not even Full profs in many departments.
What is taking so long to get him to go? Every day costs us millions of dollars in reputation, years of effort with journal publications. Yesterday was too late.
#249 for Interim President, if you are still around.
Turn off the lights and close the door if you’re the last one out.
May 11, 2008 at 12:52 pm
“and Bing, this would apply to higher elected officials, such as the president of the university. This is the avenue to pursue.”
“Higher elected officials?” 1. That’s not what the statute says. It says “any officer of the state.” And 2, Garrison isn’t “elected.”
Trust me, I want thie piece of shit gone. But “impeachment” isn’t a viable option.
May 11, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Normally, a “no confidence” vote is enough to get rid of someone.
But this son of a bitch has had TWO, and still won’t go.
Only in West Virginia.
May 11, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Don’t be discouraged. Garrison will resign. Just keep the pressure on. Pursue the legal route
May 11, 2008 at 1:21 pm
how about we get rid of Bailes and donate his salary to ECAS so they can higher about 20 tenured professors ?
May 11, 2008 at 1:24 pm
AnonPhD#473 says: …Every day costs us millions of dollars in reputation, years of effort with journal publications. Yesterday was too late…
For those who think that #473 is exaggerating, a small story: For the past two years, I have been working with colleagues to create a small new international research society in my field. Nothing big or dramatic; probably around 100 people or less. In large part, because the original idea was mine and because of my position with my colleagues, it was to be headquartered at WVU. Members would come from (among other places) North Carolina, Rutgers, Harvard, the London School of Economics, Berkeley, U. of Georgia, Texas, Berkeley and numerous other peer institutions. (Yes, these are – or have been – our peers.
This effort would have eventually produced a foundation grant (<$100,000 for maybe 5 years) and at least one B.A. level position as staff and perhaps a full clerical position as well. On the whole, pretty routine and unremarkable overall.
When the current president was appointed, several of my colleagues began expressing vague discontents: nothing serious, just the usual snide remarks about shoes and hollers and couldn’t we find someone qualified for the job. As the Bresch incident has evolved and continued, the spoken question has been what can we do to support you and the faculty colleagues, and the unspoken question has been: Do we want this organization to be associated with WVU?
It appears now that the organization will most likely be headquartered at an Ivy League school (their second choice!). I will still be a respected member, and one more WV college graduate will have to go out of state to get a job.
It is apparently clear to my colleagues that West Virginia isn’t open for our kind of business.
This is just one small story; nothing titanic or earth-shaking. There are many specific stories like this unfolding right now and I would encourage #473 and others who have similar true stories that now is the time to speak up. Clearly, the president, the board of trustees and the governor think we are just blowing smoke on this matter.
May 11, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Oops! There is obviously only one Berkeley! Sorry about that.
May 11, 2008 at 1:39 pm
It is very significant that Goodwin announced that he will step down as chair of the BOG in July. The pressure is getting closer to Garrison. Garrison has been silent since the middle of the week. The resignation will come soon.
May 11, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I am working with 7 colleagues from around the nation on a project that has been intellectually rewarding to me. Our recent conversations have been more about this Bresch affair instead of about our interesting work. Because I am from WVU, where the academic integrity scandal remains unresolved with the Board’s horrific choice to retain a tainted president, I find that I am shamed, embarrassed and defensive with my research peers. Unfortunately for me, I am associated with my institution’s academic shame. Another peer tells me that it is all the rage to talk about our terrible problem at their academic institution.
The Board has no idea of how devastating this is to a community of scholars.
May 11, 2008 at 1:44 pm
He’s stepping down July 1 because that’s when the fiscal year begins. That’s the way the terms run.
May 11, 2008 at 1:54 pm
but he didn’t have to. The law was changed so he could remain chair. And he is removing himself because of the Bresch scandal. He admits that.
May 11, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Well yeah :-)
May 11, 2008 at 2:24 pm
HK, how about a poll? I vote that Garrison doesn’t go. Although, for sure, he would get picked up for another good job. No stigma for him. He isn’t a professor. Lobbyists don’t have a problem with Bresch-like decisions.
May 11, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Look, I have inside information. Why do you think I am Deepthroat? He will resign.
May 11, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Well Deep Throat, by tomorrow? We are all worn out by this crap. Tomorrow? Pretty, pretty please so we can go back to work. This has been a horrible big fat waste of my time and of that of my colleagues. We have real work to do and shouldn’t also have to do the inept Board’s job for them. Tomorrow, okay, Deep Throat.
May 11, 2008 at 2:42 pm
That works for me. I figured you worked for Nixon.
May 11, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I can’t tell you what day. I am revealing this information so that faculty who are resigning or thinking of resigning do not do so… wait it out, but keep up the pressure
May 11, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Oh forget that, DT. ‘Bye, ‘bye. Housing prices will drop in Morgantown, that is good news for somebody.
May 11, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I hope you’re right, deepthroat. Anon PhDs, I agree, this has been a waste of time, in terms of doing research on this and not getting work done. Also, not being a WV native, and being here only since the 1990s I only found on Burning Couch that Manchin is related to the former state treasurer A. James Manchin. (E.g., Shelly Moore Capito, daughter of Arch Moore). Where does Joe Manchin’s money come from? (I voted for him in 2004 — had no idea about the family background then.)
First thing my brother — who teaches at a flagship in another state — said to me was how embarrassing this situation is for WVU. He teaches at a flagship u in another state. I can only agree and hope this problem is fixed, or we’ll vote with our feet when the opportunity present itself.
May 11, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I really hope Deepthroat is right…for those who are getting tired of the controversy and the waiting game, take a deep breath, its has only been a week since the no-confidence vote (well, the second one that is). If you are a faculty member, go to the assembly on Wed & vote! It’s a secret ballot. Also, we still don’t know what the students have in store for graduation either. Faculty who are staying are digging in their heels and fighting the good fight with the MIR group. Who knows, maybe after the dust settles we can be known as the place where the little people rose up & overthrew the evil empire!
May 11, 2008 at 3:32 pm
DeepThroat: ” I am revealing this information so that faculty who are resigning or thinking of resigning do not do so.”
TOO LATE. People are leaving, left and right, and I don’t think they will hold their breath (except for the stench) until Garrison does the right thing. He missed that boat in October, compounded it in Dec-Jan when the news came out and has been just plain stupid this Spring after the report. Most faculty members could read the PPG stories and compare it to WVU releases and know which was BS. The WVU stories NEVER made sense to anyone with the least bit of experience.
May 11, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Two interesting letters about Mylan in today’s DP (can’t send a link):
1) One reader praises Mike Puskar and his contributions to Morgantown — and I would agree that Mylan has been a generous corporate citizen — e.g. MP Health Right which provides free medical care for the uninsured;
2) Anther letter: while Bresch earns $2 million as a COO, ” . . . others in her company take pay cuts to keep the company afloat and keep their jobs. . . . There are many folks that believe Bresch should step up to the plate and accept responsibility by resigning her position as well. According to a friend of mine employed by Mylan, one doesn’t dare express this opinion at Mylan without the possibility of severe ramifications.”
May 11, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Yes, also in the DP today was a letter to the editor from bailes, brick, and the other HSC garrison groupies. Here is the link, hopefully it works.
http://olive.dominionpost.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=RFBvc3QvMjAwOC8wNS8xMSNBcjAzMDAy&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
May 11, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Thanks, Student. That was depressing to read. :)
May 11, 2008 at 3:52 pm
“WVU Faculty”– you have the right idea. The little people have only begun to fight. These things take time. Garrison is a desperate man in spite of his posturing. He is damaged beyond repair and he is coming to realize that. He will resign, but keep fighting.
Why aren’t there more votes on the MIR site for him to resign? Get out there and fight.
May 11, 2008 at 3:56 pm
The Bailes letter in the Post is an old letter, another sign of the Garrison train desperation that they feel the need to post it again.
May 11, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Out-of-state students paying the higher tuition rates have a tremendous financial impact on WVU. If (or when) they shun WVU in large numbers, their absence will determine WVU’s future for the next 10 years.
In-state students probably won’t desert WVU. But their lower tuition rates won’t support the system either.
Garrison and Goodwin may very well have destroyed WVU as a university. But even if both resign, they are merely individual tumors of a horrific metastasized cancer known as WV politics.
May 11, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I imagine that if DT’s right, Garrison’s resignation won’t come until a good job is secured for him elsewhere. News of such negotiations will have to start leaking soon if it’s happening.
May 11, 2008 at 5:24 pm
That letter is pathetic and for those that did not see this on the HSC blog – when you analyze the letter signed by 23 people that Bailes purports represent the attitude of all of the HSC employees:
8 are employees of the neurosurgery department
1 is the brother of the interim dean of the medical school
2 excluding Bailes are top moneymakers on the 990 tax report
2 are recent hire PhDs that could easily fear for their jobs
2 (sorry I had to include wife of fraudulent MD here) were nailed for fraud –
3 from the department of cardiology (things are looking good for a new center now – good job guys!!)
That takes 18 off the list of 23 that ‘represent HSC employees’
I’m guessing the remaining 5 have some vested interest in Garrison staying that has not been revealed yet, are political wanna-bes, or are clueless and just said “sure Julian I’ll sign.
BTW – http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/esearch.php
type in “West Virginia University Medical Corporation” and go to page 9 to see the five highest paid employees (2005-06). 3 of the other names on the “highest paid” report are Bailes buddies. Ronald W.-Hargraves is the surgeon that Bailes got to work in Wheeling as an extension of his money losing department (FYI neurosurgery departments are supposed to be money makers , but then again most don’t have surgeons making 1.5 million a year). Convenient that the Wheeling hospital where Hargraves operates from is that of the consulting firm now at HSC that is so good that it doesn’t need to go thru any normal bidding process to work for WVU.
Emery and Frick are 2 of the signers of the Bailes letter supporting Garrison. What are the chances that 3 of the top 5 money getters at HSC signed a letter in support of Garrison, stating that they represent all of ‘HSC empoyees’. and that a 4rth lottery winner is hired by Bailes and works in the new consulting firm’s Hospital in Wheeling?
May 11, 2008 at 5:26 pm
observer at 3:34 pm:
Employees of Mylan are welcome to use HK’s Fifth Column blog to express themselves (and dish dirt) on what’s going on inside the Company. Suggest they use their home computer and of course an anonymous tag to offer us a view of what the morale is like working for a liar that can’t be trusted. We have had everthying but an insiders perspective on what’s going on inside Mylan.
In the same way I have been critical of the WVU Student Body for not taking more ownership of this situation from the outset, I am amazed that there hasn’t been an uprising at Mylan. The corporate culture must be extremely autocratic with princess despot Bresch in the COO seat.
May 11, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Isn’t Marsha Ashdown, prosecuting attorney of Monongalia County, investigating this fiasco?
May 11, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Devil Anse Says:
May 11, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Isn’t Marsha Ashdown, prosecuting attorney of Monongalia County, investigating this fiasco?
Last public word on this that I know of is that, on April 25, Chas Gazette published a blistering editorial citing the specific law that was broken here (falsifying records of a state agency) and called for legal authorities to investigate.
PPG followed up, calling Ashedown and asking if she would comply with the Gazette’s request. She said she was monitoring the situation but could not comment for ethical reasons on her office’s interest or disinterest in this as an active case.
PPG then mentioned she was married to a WVU law professor.
If there’s been any additional public comment from her or her office, I’m not aware of it.
May 11, 2008 at 6:31 pm
purplesage is right on track. West Virginia has some wonderful people like Dr. Vest and Dr. Spelsburg. If the faculty, alums, students, donors speak up and are not only negative, but have positive suggestions, it might be possible to have change we want.
May 11, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Re state law being broken, as suggested by the Gazette: 1) are WVU administrators public officials? 2) are student records public records? I’d answer “no” to both. Neither professors nor administrators are elected, nor hired by an elected official, even though their salaries come from the taxpayers, and may be augmented by donors. University employees (at least at the faculty level) are not prohibited from donating to candidates for office, like public officials (such as prosecuting attorneys) are. The privacy of student records is protected by federal law (FERPA), so I’m not sure they can be considered public records.
May 11, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I agree with Left Shadow, it would be helpful and interesting to hear from Mylan employees. Insider info is always welcome.
May 11, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Ashdown can’t, and won’t touch this. Not after the l school woke up and found 8M in its stocking not too long ago.
May 11, 2008 at 8:29 pm
About the law being broken:
Any time you lie in an official capacity, chances are you broke the law.
Just don’t ask me which one(s).
May 11, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Action people, action. I sent the MIR petition to 75 people….keep that thing moving around.
Tuesday, vote for ANYONE besides Manchin. He’ll win, but we need to give him a good scare. Also, call his campaign headquarters in Charleston and say simply, “Just calling to let you know that I’m not voting for Joe today because Mike Garrison is still President at WVU”.
Numbers are Toll-free: 1-888-JOE-2008
Phone: (304) 925-3760
Also, continue to email your support to all the WVU prof’s. We want a LANDSLIDE on Wednesday.
May 11, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Both of my daughters graduated from WVU, one with an MBA.
Now, I find that they are giving them away. I WANT MY MONEY
BACK!
It may be a good time for a class action lawsuit?
May 11, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Regarding the petition – people no doubt are worried to put their names out there for fear of retaliation…..remember our history….there truly is strength in numbers. Never fear to stand for what’s right….afterall, by not signing, you’re supporting the wrong that’s been committed.
May 12, 2008 at 12:44 am
I have an idea for the Interim President of the University when Garrison resigns or is fired this week. H. Marshall Jarrett was the most qualified applicant for the Dean of the Law School. He wasn’t chosen because he was a person who could not have been controlled by either the governor or the U president. Garrison was terrified of Jarrett. As a high ranking official in the U.S. Dept. of Justice, heading the Public Integrity Section, Jarrett, with his impeccable international reputation for justice and fairness, would be the perfect person to restore creditability to WVU. Further, he would have the skills and experience to get to the bottom of the various other emerging scandals at WVU and correct them before the second wave of negative publicity appears.
May 12, 2008 at 12:46 am
Did anyone else see this? What’s HIS connection?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The WVU president has my vote of confidence
As a 30-year donor and supporter of countless West Virginia University scholarships and programs, I believe it is my responsibility to express my thoughts and opinion as an individual who has a deep interest and personal commitment to the university.
As the CEO of 84 Lumber, I, as well as other employers in this country, depend on universities such as West Virginia University to provide an educated, well-rounded work force.
When Mike Garrison took the WVU reins in 2007, I believed then, as I do today, that WVU will continue to prosper and thrive under the leadership and direction of a man with a profound vision and high expectations for the university. His credentials and qualifications are impeccable. He has demonstrated a deep professional and personal commitment to the university in all that he has been able to accomplish in a short period.
I have visited the WVU campus on many occasions and have spent time with Mike Garrison. I have participated in and enjoyed all that the university has to offer.
I would like to repeat, and I am extremely confident and would assure anyone who asks, that Mike Garrison was the right man for the job in 2007, is the right man for the job in 2008 and, without a doubt, is the right man to move West Virginia University forward in the future.
JOE HARDY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
84 Lumber Co.
Eighty Four
——————————————————————————–
May 12, 2008 at 6:06 am
WVU Employee –
Ah, let’s see, Joe Hardy fits the uber rich, lecherous, shithead category under friends of WVU.
I’ll bet Ray Lane (former Oracle) or John Chambers (current Cisco) (knowing all the facts) would denounce Garrison and demand for his resignation. Bresch wouldn’t survice a New York second in their organizations. Anyone who brings controversy to the brand is summarily dismissed. At Mylan you get promoted.
May 12, 2008 at 6:08 am
I have the hots for Ruth Ann any way….
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08133/881084-152.stm
May 12, 2008 at 7:05 am
Didn’t 84 Lumber just have to sell 30 stores? Joe Hardy has done some good things as a Fayette County Commissioner, but he is probably tied to Centra Bank which is now operating there, I think. He can tutor the best in arrogance, cigar smoking, and philandering in his old age.
May 12, 2008 at 7:09 am
Nemacolin , owned by Hardy, is the social retreat of choice in Morgantown.
May 12, 2008 at 8:01 am
I have always believed that the Faculty Senate and Faculty at WVU have had a HUGE role in this episode. They have stepped up to the plate at crucial times and said “NO”.
IF/WHEN Garrison goes–and after Lang, Sears, and Goodwin–I believe that WVU’s reputation will recover rapidly. Across the country people will see that, although the institution was dragged into corruption, the faculty AND importantly, the people of WV, rose up and demanded a halt to the situation.
However, if the people of this state want this sort of garbage to stop, it will take a complete restructuring of the political system which has been in place almost unchecked for 70 years. Just re-arranging the cards in the same deck will not cut it.
I have said numerous times to numerous people that the WVU situation is a microcosm of the way things have been done throughtout state government. W/ this case, however, it is easy to understand and people “get it”.
If we want real change we will have to make real changes at the ballot box. From what I’ve seen in recent years–you won’t.
May 12, 2008 at 8:04 am
I spent the weekend at a state sponsored event which has taken place for 47 years and attracts people from ca. 14 states in addition to WV. I was amazed to hear the number of people who are state employees and often WVU grads who are really fed up. I had not expected to hear such candid opionions from these folks who have jobs through many administrations. Manchin is NOT liked, they are disgusted w/ Garrison and want him gone and they are thrilled that Lang’s feet are sticking out from under the house.
May 12, 2008 at 8:49 am
The wicked witch isn’t dead yet – not unless the Faculty Assembly asks for an investigation of whether his tenure should be revoked.
May 12, 2008 at 11:07 am
Marshall Jarrett would have been a great law school dean, but as No Longer Clueless notes, he was not controllable. After the law school refused to go along with coronation of Garrison, he of course was sensitive to the need to keep them in line. I think they came out against his candidacy, and at the time, I heard it had to do with his behavior as a student there — that’s just rumor, though.
Personally, I think that the best candidate for Garrison’s replacement would be Charles Vest, who I think is currently on the board of the WVU Foundation, a WVU alum who was formerly President of MIT. Can you imagine anyone better to restore WVU’s academic reputation? I’m not sure there would be any reward in it for him, other than the satisfaction of rescuing his “homeland.”
May 12, 2008 at 11:27 am
to former faculty – and bailes’ salary – he keeps it all – taxes and such are paid separately – how’s that for cream of the crop! And…he’s not the only one – get going on righting these wrongs.
May 12, 2008 at 11:55 am
Nathan Hale–are you saying that someone (e.g., the Med Corp/UHA) pays Baile’s taxes, separately than what is listed for his “income”? I’ve never heard of anything like that–
May 12, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Yes, that’s exactly what I’ve said.
May 12, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Well, that’s just irritating! Especially when the rest of us work for pittance and no one helps us with our taxes!
May 12, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Nathan Hale – That sounds pretty far fetched. What proof do you have of this?
Im not saying you are wrong, but claims like that need to be backed up with facts.
May 12, 2008 at 4:09 pm
is this the HSC blog?…..or are they all intertwined?……….sort of like the politics of the state ….one big happy dysfunctional family……
May 12, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Left Shadow and Observer – I have heard the same thing about opinions expressed inside Mylan. Rule to live by: speak, hear, see nothing.
May 12, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Is there any one in this area that doesn’t realize Joe Hardy is a total nutjob (pun intended).
May 12, 2008 at 9:44 pm
to garrison must go – it’s in the books my dear man, in their set of books – the doctor’s plan at the hsc – you know, the books no one can seem to touch.
May 12, 2008 at 9:46 pm
and forgive me, but are you that naiive to believe this kind of thing wouldn’t go on….you are kidding, right?
May 12, 2008 at 9:47 pm
why are some names coded blue and others coded black? have you noticed?
May 12, 2008 at 9:50 pm
What is the doctors plan for hsc or himself?
May 12, 2008 at 10:11 pm
the medical corp….don’t believe I made myself too clear earlier
May 13, 2008 at 2:00 am
Great op ed in the Gazette today from a former WVU student body president who supported Garrison initially, but not calls for his resignation. Pretty powerful….
http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/Op-EdCommentaries/200805120585
May 13, 2008 at 4:06 am
I agree, that is a must read. It tells of the real on-going damaging effect of Garrison’s refusal to resign.