Everyone needs to read this blog post by West Virginia Public Radio reporter Emily Corio.
For those of you wondering what the WVU Board of Governors would be like under the leadership of Carolyn Long, the answer appears to be “more of the same.” As Corio points out, the BOG still refuses to reveal what was in the first so-called exit agreement for Mike Garrison that they approved last week — even though a document approved by a public body is supposed to be public information.
And that’s just part of it. From judging their continuing actions, it’s clear that the members of the BOG feel that they’re entitled to deliberate virtually everything in secrecy, then release half-truths to the press and the public. Corio:
How am I supposed to tell listeners what happened at this meeting if public officials use vague language, issue statements to some reporters and not others, and then refuse to give straight answers to reporters when asked? More importantly, how can you, a member of the public be informed and engaged if you do not have access to this information?
Corio doesn’t exactly come right out and say “This is fucking bullshit!,” but her sense of frustration is absolutely palpable. Which is good. Feel the burn, Emily.
I’m honestly not sure if the BOG doesn’t want to, or just doesn’t know how to conduct an actual open meeting. (The people in charge seem the most clueless of all.) But they damn well better learn. We are watching.
July 16, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I’d be more than happy to let Goodwin borrow my copy of Robert’s Rules of Order.
July 16, 2008 at 4:02 pm
More of the same is right! Where did they get this buffoon in charge of the BOG?
July 16, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Carolyn Long reminds me of a 1950s farm wife whose Toll House cookies always placed third at the county fair. And that’s only because she wore the best-looking apron to the judging.
Yes, Aunt Bea has replaced Briscoe Darling as chair of the University of Mayberry BOG.
July 16, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Strangely, I was unable to log in to leave a comment… Gonna have to ask Greg about that.
July 16, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I’ve actually seen this quite often - well-intentioned, stupid people being put in charge of important things. Soon we’ll be begging Goodwin to retake the throne.
July 16, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Don’t assume that any of these people are well intentioned.
July 16, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Hells bells! There are only 3 lawyers on the Board now- down from 6 previously. You are asking a great deal of unpaid deep thought here. If a couple more leave they might be able to get it right.
July 16, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I totally agree, HK. The conflict of interest that remains with the BOG is quite strong and disturbing. Appearances can be deceiving, especially among the ladies.
July 16, 2008 at 4:53 pm
oh puleez, especially among the ladies, what does that mean?
July 16, 2008 at 5:15 pm
What about the new BOG men? “Yes men” is the track record at this point. They are “moving on.” Their first vote was business as usual. Not good at all.
July 16, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Looselip -
I vote that you add the plural back into your name. I think you’ve been on sufficient probation.
Your former name holds clear wartime meaning. Your current name sounds like you just visited the dentist.
July 16, 2008 at 5:27 pm
:-)
July 16, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Who can challenge them on the open meetings? I understand that it can be done through a criminal or civil case. Who would have to bring criminal charges? Who has standing to bring a civil suit? Any lawyers out there got the answers?
July 16, 2008 at 5:46 pm
ok, just for you —since you get it.
July 16, 2008 at 5:56 pm
This is off-topic, but I wanted to further clear up the issue some time back regarding the Erin Keener Hit and Run. I did talk to the close relative. The crime will be solved. The vehicle that hit her was not found in Florida. It wasn’t a car that hit her, it was a truck. The driver was a 60-something man and it was an accident. He will be brought to justice. A Manchin relative was questioned, but was not involved.
Can’t believe everything you read in the papers or on the blogs.
July 16, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Give the newcommers a chance…maybe some stuff will haapen, but when they get up tp speed it won’t. there is no way of knowing what is going on in your first meeting in that position…I don’t care who you are. thank the WVNPR for putting th spotlight on things, but please be patient, sometimes you have to sit back and see what is going on internally. Everyone who follows this knows it has a bad stink. The new members won’t stand for again. Ms Long will have her hands full.
July 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm
imo…you already know about my typos
July 16, 2008 at 7:52 pm
If this has already been posted, please forgive the repeat - - photo and quotes from Long in her local Braxton County newspaper:
http://www.bcn-news.com/full-stories.html
July 16, 2008 at 7:55 pm
mteerfish:
We know the reps of our new BOG members. But how do you know they won’t be “yes men?” Seeing what is going on internally is the problem. Technically, internal decisions could have been discussed before the official resignations took place, and simply handed to the new guys fait accompli. We’ll have to just ride this out and wait for the next meeting.
I won’t barrage with emails, but if perception is reality, they didn’t look very involved.
July 16, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Steph: I agree with you about the appearances and first impressions are very important. I believe the newcomers are well intentioned and want to do the right thing. I think that Ms Long’s bs and the rest of these shennagians will give them the ammo they need to intercede in the furture. This was probaly so planned out that they were caught unawares. Each of them have probably bought into to some degree JM’s bs. That meeting will have disabuse them of that. I am just suggesting that sometimes it pays to put your toe in the water before you jump in. Don’t judge them by that.
Also I would suggest taking the high road…No glee at the pain of the defeated. Sorry if that sounds preachy, do not mean it that way.
July 16, 2008 at 8:52 pm
fishferfun:See the Weekend To Do List posted July 11 at http://garrisonmustgo.com/ for links to the information about filing a complaint re open meetings. It would be great if someone who is an attorney would do so. There wouldn’t be the cost of hiring an attorney then.
July 16, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Is the Blanchette Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute freestanding or does it share staff with WVU? Is building ready to open? What exactly will it do for people in WV?
July 16, 2008 at 10:04 pm
A lapel pin with HK might be a little more subtle for those of us who are not t-shirt wearers?
July 16, 2008 at 10:09 pm
http://www.bcn-news.com/full-stories.html
That’s a man, baby!!!!!
July 16, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Yes, the lapel pin is a great idea.
Then we can debate over who wears it and who doesn’t, just like people do with Obama and McCain and the flag lapel pin.
Lapel pins are where it’s at, imo. The true measure of a man.
July 16, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Look for Manchin to make another run on the Pop tax after the election. He wants to divert the $15M Pop tax away from the HSC and have the HSC find the money within Ruby Hospital. The BOG will look the other way and Manchin is more than aware that despite his recent appointments to the BOG, he still controls the BOG and he still has the votes to get what he wants..
Meanwhile, this will set up quite a fight within the HSC and Ruby, and while the Hospital and the HSC are fighting over money, the Nursing school will be in serious trouble as $3M of this $15M is one-half of their $6M annual budget.
More trouble ahead, I’m afraid.
All of the troubles WVU has can all be traced back to Joe Manchin. This man has been an unmitigated disaster for higher Education in WV. So, Joe should enjoy being in politics while he can. He will win a 2nd term, but there is no way in Hell he will beat Shelly Moore Capito for Byrd’s Senate seat. So, Joe should start making those retirement plans. Meanwhile, many of us will be counting down the days until he leave office.
July 16, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Reality Check is correct in theory, however I am not sure about the numbers for Nursing. I recall hearing in on one of those town hall meeting that the pop tax funded over 100 positions and paid for all of the building related costs. I am not sure the hospital can shimply ship 15 mill over to the hsc and still meet their bond restrictions. The hospitals deep pockets may not be that deep and this stunt may cause health care at wvu to fall apart.
July 16, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Good luck as chairMAN of the BOG Ms. Long. When I saw your photo, I said to myself, “wow…she really is something.”
You never know, he/she may just be what we’ve been waiting for.
Speaking of that….how is Randall Reid Smith doing?
July 17, 2008 at 3:18 am
As for Long, I’m not above making fun of someone’s looks (especially if that someone is an “educator” whose operator wannabe son can’t spell “nesissary”) so here goes: if dowdiness has a Platonic form, that’s it, and that’s being polite about it.
It’s sobering to know exactly what someone’s going to look like even before you see a photo of her for the first time. It’s even more starkly sobering to a priori know that certain types will never exceed one’s lowest expectations of them and their abilities.
One look at Long and it’s all clear: the WV ruling class’s infantile idea of what the state’s flagship institution of higher learning should aspire to be: the world’s biggest high school.
Visionary, man. Visionary.
July 17, 2008 at 7:10 am
Knowing that many of us on this blog wouldn’t be photogenic, I’ll cut the new chair some slack on her photo. What is important is to keep an eye on her pre-existing connections and how they have an impact on her overseeing a very important task. Be sure to email BOG members at issues and their actions. Let the Governor know you are watching his “chosen few.”
July 17, 2008 at 7:31 am
Some additional information…
http://wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=25435
July 17, 2008 at 7:48 am
Just Wondering: After the rumors about one reason Prescott was bounced was an insistence on quality in hiring, I wonder what a google search will turn up about the four incoming surgeons? Perhaps there were people other than the consultants, Butcher, Bailes, and the Bricks on this search committee or with good information who could reassure us skeptics? Please!
July 17, 2008 at 7:53 am
Oh, having worked there for many years, I can only assume they are part prop; I just thought it was interesting that they were doing something. I do know that at least one is a “Bailes’ Boy”.
July 17, 2008 at 7:59 am
There needs to be intense scrutiny of any and every move at HSC. Anyone whose name was on the cover of the R and V report or who signed Bailes’ letter supporting Garrison is suspect. That means the triple Bs.
July 17, 2008 at 8:02 am
Double T, I agree.
July 17, 2008 at 8:07 am
Double T, now why didn’t I think of that? I sure hope Dr. Magrath is looking at HSC with a magnifying glass.
July 17, 2008 at 8:16 am
and I hope he will not be lead off task by all the smoke (from the many fires he must put out) and mirrors we are so fond of using…
July 17, 2008 at 8:18 am
The reports from the deans of his meeting very early on in his interim presidency are very positive, so he may have defused some of the fires in other areas. Any of us with contacts to him directly should be using them to point to HSC.
July 17, 2008 at 8:24 am
Trillium T - I agree with your comment at 7:10. It is actions, past and present, not fashion or beauty, that we should use to judge all members of the BOG.
Long puts me in mind of some of the teachers I had in W. Va. schools, and while they were not often long on fashion or looks, they were long on character and backbone. I don’t know whether that will be true for her. However, since she is in the position, it is her actions as chair that we should evaluate, and not her fashion choices or whether she would win a beauty contest.
July 17, 2008 at 8:39 am
I don’t know how many of you are also checking http://garrisonmustgo.com so I wanted to let you know that 70’s grad made some really informative posts last night under Wednesday’s To Do List about Korn/Ferry as search consultants. Those of you concerned about the HSC search as well as the presidential search may want to read what he/she posted.
July 17, 2008 at 8:50 am
Lou, that is quite alarming news about Korn/Ferry especially the guy who does appear to be full of himself and in the past, supportive of Garrison as President. It is good for you to point this reference out. I saw it last night and it was a surprise to me, since I had always respected Korn/Ferry.
July 17, 2008 at 9:29 am
The School of Nursing gets less than $250,000 from the pop tax, so realitycheck, you should really check your figures! The pop tax is very important to the HSC, but so are the facts!
July 17, 2008 at 12:10 pm
60’s - you’re wrong. This figure was discussed at the last HSC council of chairs meeting.
July 17, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Well, assuming you can find an attorney who is willing to work for free. Also, that attorney needs a client. (But I do think someone should seriously consider filing a complaint if the BOG continues to violate the open meetings law. Maybe WVPR should think about it. Also, it’s a misdemeanor if they violate it “willfully and knowingly.”)
July 17, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Some attorneys, like Patrick McGinley, who was quoted in the article, could be the client and legal representative. It could also be pro bono work for someone. Hope springs eternal.
July 17, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Any lawyer should know better than this. Seriously, passing a motion that has no text? It sounds like a law school punchline!
Establishing a couple procedural verdicts against the BOG would be a valuable step if anyone were trying to build a case for damages against the BOG. They have no liability as long as they are acting “in good faith”…
I’m past being disgusted with the BOG; they only do what’s in their nature. (I’d give the new members a little time to acclimate before summarily including them in that verdict.) However the press just letting it slide? Where are the pitchforks?
July 17, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Forgive me if someone has reported this (long day, haven’t read everything above and under other topics today) but a group of faculty were told Wed that the merging of POC, HSC, and WVUH was underway, and that consultants were being hired to make the plan happen. Plans are also underway to go ahead with the HS VP search, as it will take a year and no one wants to wait another year (after a Pres search) to begin. An email was sent today saying that more meetings were being held at HSC to discuss the future of HSC and that Brick would be inviting others to join in that–and to email or write to let him know if pepople who rec’d the email (I think it may have been HSC-wide) wanted to be part of a small group discussion…
And speaking of how things are at HSC–I would say everyone is lying low. I have heard through a roundabout way that B and B are approving the purchase of anything and everything without worrying about a budget.
July 17, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Brick has the budget on his desk and until he sends it through we are not receiving our new contracts or bonuses. Don’t know what is holding it up.
The new anesthesia chair, Fox will not sign his contract until he knows that the residency is accredited (they have been on probation). So they are throwing more money at him if he signs earlier.
July 17, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I think this is a good time for organization of underpaid physicians to approach B and B and threaten to leave.
July 17, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I just wanted to comment on the Carolyn Long issue. I have witnessed her display amazing backbone and chutzpah - even to JM himself. Give her a chance. I think you will find her better than you might think.
July 17, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Interested,
I spoke to a life-long friend who works in K-12 leadership circles in WV, and who is honest and savvy. My friend had never heard a bad thing about Long.
Whether or not her background is deemed ideal to lead a higher ed BOG, she could emerge as the principled person who insists on transparency and doing the right thing.
If she were to act as a true citizen-leader in a way that opens this search up to find the best person to lead WVU at this moment in time, someone embraced by the university community, that would be a huge achievement.
I know such people are few and far between, and we all have a right to be jaded about this. Still, let’s hope she amazes everyone, and give her the chance.
July 17, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Let us not forget these HSC names that appeared on the cover of the R and V report. They helped…
Fred Butcher, PhD; Jim Brick, MD; Julian Bailes, MD; John Collins, MD;
Sandy Emery, MD; Uma Sundarum, MD; Magesh Sundarum, MD; Scott Remick, MD; Lakshmikumar Pillai; MD James Stevenson, MD; and
Bob Beto, MD
July 18, 2008 at 5:25 am
thanks for the HSC update………..good luck with the search process!……having been on many UPPER level searches there,the fix is ALWAYS in,unless you get some of those really honest faculty (and you have many hidden in your midst) to raise their hands and question the process…….take a year?..tha will give Butcher more than ample time to position himself for his own motives………..maybe he’ll take the Cancer Center again,he’ll at least get a yearly vacation at the Greenbrier
July 18, 2008 at 7:34 am
Hopefully, Long will do a great job - I think at one time the BOG worked well - I’m just hoping it doesn’t get worse.
July 18, 2008 at 9:12 am
Lilaclady: Not much history to the BoG as it exists today. Maybe the first two years it worked well, but then Goodwin got appointed. Need I say more.