Lest our readers think we only acknowledge differences of opinion between our John A BOT and, well, everyone else involved with the college, let’s take a moment to feel sorry for every single person who attends or works at SIU.
Today the DE website has published the apparently-leaked results of the search for a new prez. The secretive search process and lack of opportunity for participation ruffled many feathers. Searches for less-exalted positions offer open session where constituents can listen to and ask questions of candidates. This time around, no names were even released. That just already smells bad.
Where is the DE getting such inside information? Who is mostly likely to be unsupportive of this guy? Why is he willing to leave his current position after only 7 months? Why did Murry State get rid of him? Why was this session held when two key board members were not present?
This is all just to point out that it isn’t just JAL. Other boards appear to have ethical “issues” too. Not much comfort, maybe. SIU students, grads, and employees, we know how it feels to have friends and colleauges throughout the state call and say “what’s going on down there?!” Enrollments not going to go up as long as the perception of SIU as a divided, chaotic, political mess just keeps getting reinforced.
Lets assume the choice is Dunn. Part of the reason he was not welcome to stay at Murray was his eyes being larger than his brain. He was in three or four searches and never got the ring. The board got tired of reading about his attempts to leave Murray. They helped him. Then Youngstown saves him, and in seven months, he apparently is actively trying to come to SIU. How long will he be happy here? Not the way to start a very important job. SIU is in decline and needs leadership to help salvage the home campus. One obvious connection with the JALC board----politics seem to be much more important than substance. Its not what you know---its who you know.
ReplyDeleteThe whole world is like that- not what you know but who you know- the entire economical situation is based on that and $$$$$. No one going to be able to change that
ReplyDeleteIt is the 4th Tuesday of the month and time for a JALC BOT meeting at 7pm. The last meetings minutes are still not posted on the website so it is difficult to follow the boards actions with the public relations dept. not keeping up with the website.
ReplyDeleteThis meeting the athletic committee has discussed with other board members their ideas on the KILQUIST rule -3 scholarships per team to local in district students AND TITLE IX with the comparison of softball vs baseball. Wonder if this will be discussed openly or behind closed doors in executive session prior to any ruling on these recommendations.
Rumor has it that the board will NOT go along with the 3 scholarship mandatory "sentence". Hope that is true! Haven't heard much on the gathering of information on Title IX appropriations in the budget but it should be simple to figure out $$ wise. Softball annually has around 15 players and baseball has around 22 or 23 players due to the pitching required in both sports. I really feel that Mr. Halstead has appropriated the proper amount of funds to both sports and should meet the Title IX expectations. Time will tell only if the newspaper reports the facts because we know the website will NOT be updated very quickly
Worth a read:
ReplyDeletehttp://dailyegyptian.com/confidential-search-causes-concerns/