This is worse than you describe and had to be a living hell for Guskiewicz. He also left 1 million$ in future benefits on the table. The retired president contract provides a faculty position which by academic standards is a plus for students and for the prestige of the U. To have sat in the room with John Hannah was more than a learning experience. The real problem originates with the sycophants and idealogues who inhabit the political parties. Today Michigan looks really bad and as a friend who lives in S Carolina said to me: "Thanks for sending is a super star of college presidents". The Governos still has the power to remove the offenders on the BOT. She needs to do so yesterday. Perhaps she will live up to the marketing campaign of Spartans Will...I used to think so.
I'm left wondering WHAT exactly those rogue trustees did to make Mr Guskiewicz's tenure a living hell in addition to voting against his initiatives -- and wouldn't the majority of five other trustees overrule their votes? What did they do? SWAT his home? Write rude things about him on public restroom stall walls? Give him a hot foot? Leave stinky cheese in his locker? Also, I did not know about Gov Whitmer being so lax in handling this. Takes my initially high approval of her down yet another notch. I'm reading she has waffled on her intention not to run for the Democratic ticket in 2028: I hope she does not.
Bridge Magazine (bridgemi.com) has covered this pretty well. As for Whitmer not running -- In Solidarity and mutual sacrifice I have decided not to make myself available for the NBA draft
There are 15 public universities in MIchigan, only three (UofM, MSU and Wayne St) have constitutionally mandated state-wide elections for their trustees. I'm pretty sure that the state-wide general public knows little to nothing about these candidates. Having been a university administrator at WMU for 40 years before retiring 15 years ago, I have seen and worked with many trustees along the way. Ours were all appointed by the Governor. And sure, we would have a board of varying political philosophies depending on who appointed them. At least with the appointment process came a vetting process that helped assure they would be good stewards. Predictably, we had a few "wild cards" over the years, but never had the kind of mess that MSU is currently dealing with. I truly believe that MSU will have a great deal of difficulty attracting a quality candidate to their presidency. The system needs to change...all trustees should be appointed....but it's a tall task considering it will require a change to Michigan's constitution.
The behavior of the Board, or at least two of its members, makes no sense to me. Sure, no leader is perfect, and everyone has their flaws. But what do those two troublemakers want? What's the goal in creating havoc? Have they made clear their beefs? Thanks Jack for this piece; when I read the news earlier, I was mystified. Still am, but glad to know that there's some effort to change how board members are elected. Also, your comments about Whitmer give me pause about her policies. Looks to me like she should have moved on this matter and removed those board members. Honest, thoughtful, criticism is one thing, but these two members apparently just want to smash everything. Looks to me like MSU has lost a fine president.
This is worse than you describe and had to be a living hell for Guskiewicz. He also left 1 million$ in future benefits on the table. The retired president contract provides a faculty position which by academic standards is a plus for students and for the prestige of the U. To have sat in the room with John Hannah was more than a learning experience. The real problem originates with the sycophants and idealogues who inhabit the political parties. Today Michigan looks really bad and as a friend who lives in S Carolina said to me: "Thanks for sending is a super star of college presidents". The Governos still has the power to remove the offenders on the BOT. She needs to do so yesterday. Perhaps she will live up to the marketing campaign of Spartans Will...I used to think so.
Exactly. But if you put your faith in her, you are bound to be disappointed. Not yesterday; in 2024.
I'm left wondering WHAT exactly those rogue trustees did to make Mr Guskiewicz's tenure a living hell in addition to voting against his initiatives -- and wouldn't the majority of five other trustees overrule their votes? What did they do? SWAT his home? Write rude things about him on public restroom stall walls? Give him a hot foot? Leave stinky cheese in his locker? Also, I did not know about Gov Whitmer being so lax in handling this. Takes my initially high approval of her down yet another notch. I'm reading she has waffled on her intention not to run for the Democratic ticket in 2028: I hope she does not.
Bridge Magazine (bridgemi.com) has covered this pretty well. As for Whitmer not running -- In Solidarity and mutual sacrifice I have decided not to make myself available for the NBA draft
There are 15 public universities in MIchigan, only three (UofM, MSU and Wayne St) have constitutionally mandated state-wide elections for their trustees. I'm pretty sure that the state-wide general public knows little to nothing about these candidates. Having been a university administrator at WMU for 40 years before retiring 15 years ago, I have seen and worked with many trustees along the way. Ours were all appointed by the Governor. And sure, we would have a board of varying political philosophies depending on who appointed them. At least with the appointment process came a vetting process that helped assure they would be good stewards. Predictably, we had a few "wild cards" over the years, but never had the kind of mess that MSU is currently dealing with. I truly believe that MSU will have a great deal of difficulty attracting a quality candidate to their presidency. The system needs to change...all trustees should be appointed....but it's a tall task considering it will require a change to Michigan's constitution.
Actually it WOULDN'T be that hard, as I was surprised to find out. Lowell, read my Tuesday column .
Thanks Jack....I was totally unaware of that remedy. Hopefully both chambers do what's right for all concerned.
The behavior of the Board, or at least two of its members, makes no sense to me. Sure, no leader is perfect, and everyone has their flaws. But what do those two troublemakers want? What's the goal in creating havoc? Have they made clear their beefs? Thanks Jack for this piece; when I read the news earlier, I was mystified. Still am, but glad to know that there's some effort to change how board members are elected. Also, your comments about Whitmer give me pause about her policies. Looks to me like she should have moved on this matter and removed those board members. Honest, thoughtful, criticism is one thing, but these two members apparently just want to smash everything. Looks to me like MSU has lost a fine president.
I never understood that portion of the ballot so I usually left it blank.
as do millions of people.