Guest Commentary: WVU and Garrison May 8, 2008
This emailer didn’t wish his name to be used, but I know them well and thought it was such a well-written email that it deserved guest commentary status.
Ok, before reading it, my only comment is this. While I know they don’t want to do it, I believe that Garrison’s staff could do much to relieve the pressure valve that is squeezing Garrison right now. If the leaders who attended the now infamous October 15th meeting where the bogus Bresch degree was ‘awarded’ would simply resign, the rest of the state might allow Garrison off the hook.
Either way, even if they felt they were ‘right’, their resignations may signal a turnaround in Garrison’s near daily beatings on the subject.
And, my only other point is this.
While Garrison says this had no affect on WVU, how about this? At a press conference that was to honor the best scholars in our state, barely a word was spoken about them in the press and instead the session turned into a Manchin and Garrison defense of their actions. This isn’t affecting WVU?
Of course, Joe has taken it squarely on the chin and his approval ratings are dropping nearly as fast as Bush’s. Get this, Manchin’s approval among, ahem… DEMOCRATS has dropped a whopping 28% in just 18 months from a high of 81% now to 53%. Wow. And, I can’t believe the Bresch scandal and his ‘handling’ of it has to play a part in it.
OK, finally the guest commentary which I loved…
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Garrison and his audacity
The audacity of Mike Garrison to state that the Heather Bresch scandal has not harmed WVU and/or its reputation is absolutely beyond ludicrous.
Hey Mike, let me give you a hint as to how others interpret damage…
First, most people who would get a 77 to 19 (4 to 1 against you, 80% against you…you get the picture) vote of, “no confidence” would take that as a clue that your reputation and your credibility are damaged.
Your argument that these folks were upset with you already because of your appointment is absolutely the most fallacious as the actions that have occurred under your watch have only cemented why all of those faculty members were upset with your appointment in the first place - because they felt like you lacked the qualifications and attributes necessary for being the President of a major college or university.
The actions of you and your staff have caused the faculty to have to explain themselves and the university’s integrity to their colleagues around the globe and have subjected the institution that they work for to be harangued in the media. As the President of WVU your credibility with the faculty is obviously kaput, conversely, the school’s reputation and credibility are damaged.
Second, when major donors are threatening to revoke pledges and/or not give, that is another clear sign that your school’s reputation and image has been soiled. Colleges need endowments to survive and grow and, if only one benefactor retracts, that is still damage…
Third, when your school and this scandal are in the local and national media every day – MSNBC and the Associated Press today, 05/07/2008, as an example, Mike – your image has been hurt. They may not have covered that in law school, but trust me – your image has been hurt.
Fourth, when the morning talk show comedians are cracking on you Mike, that is another good, although not scientific, sign you and the school you work for are in trouble.
Fifth, when you are asked at every press conference or photo op about the issue – this is another good indicator that you and your school may be in trouble. Further, if you have to call a special press conference just to address the matter I think it would be reasonable to say that you are trying to do, “damage control” – hey Mike, note the term, “damage”.
Sixth, when you statements start sounding “Clintonesque” – my own new word – like, “I didn’t speak with the Governor about this…”, sorta like, “I didn’t have sexual relations with that woman.” – you’re in trouble dude…The folks listening wonder if you are trying to convince us or convince yourself.
Seventh, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has drawn blood and will follow-up on this story, trust me Mike, they aren’t going to let it go. If they uncover more untruths and/or any hint of a cover-up, guess what? – more damage to WVU and potentially a political scandal for your buddy, Joe Manchin…in an election year. Didn’t the last Democratic Governor fall from grace due to a personal matter – an affair?
The world of academia is based primarily on the transfer of knowledge and students demonstrating that they have competency in their chosen field of study - not on football bowl games and/or athletic prowess like may believe. First and foremeost WVU is a place of learning, research, and scholarship. This scandal has tarnished the reputation of the, “State’s flagship university…”. Anyone who doesn’t see that or is brazen enough to openly refute it in public has no business at the helm.
Stated simply, Mike Garrison needs to resign. If he truly accepts responsibility then he should do the right thing and resign. Only a thorough expungement of all of the key players involved in this academic impropriety will begin to restore the academic ethics and integrity to
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4 Responses to “Guest Commentary: WVU and Garrison”
The disingenuousness of Pres Garrison is appalling and boundless. In yesterday’s DP he is quoted as saying about attending graduation, “Graduation i s not about me, I certainly don’t intend to be a distraction, but I intend to be there to support the students and the faculty who have been so supportive of the students and helped them get there.” To say this after firing Dean John Prescott of the SOM, less than a month before graduation is appalling. This is the med school class that Prescott had begun his tenure with, and they had close and emotional ties to each other. So much for supporting the people who helped get the students there.
Watch the whole “search” for Dean and VP of HSC. It’ll smell bad, too, especially if cronies Brick and Bailes are named.
To make this short and perfecly clear,this is typical corrupt West Va.”good ole boy” politics.
Gov. Manchin finger prints and style is all over this WVU / Bresch scandal…..
If this scandal is poo pooed by Manchin and the status quo politicans. I predict that Manchin will have more troubles down the line !!!!!!!!!!
If anyone thinks this Bresch scandal isn’t hurting WVU and our State, you need to think again. Anyone who had anything to do with Bresch obtaining her “fake” degree should be fired immediately. If good old boy Manchin put pressure on his buddies to issue this degree…well, he needs to go too. Let’s put the unknown in office as our next Governor…don’t think things could be much worse!
As an academic at the “other” research university a bit to the south of Morgantown, I’m not surprised at Garrison’s reaction or that of the WVU Board of Trustees. Both treat this scandal as if it were a PR problem that can be successfully “managed” by just waiting it out. It’s as if the lazy days of summer will take care of it all. Moreover, by signing the basketball coach to an 11-year deal and by promising to go to Charleston to ask for a raise for the faculty, Garrison discloses what he thinks of the alumni, the students, and the faculty: they all can be “bought off,” either with a popular coach or a little money. More direct, and more troubling, even, is the view of the Chairman of the WVU Board of Governors: he just doesn’t answer to the Alumni or the faculty. (Who does he answer to? Manchin?)
At bottom, we have a university president and a WVU Board of Governors who are completely out of touch with the academic world and the every day world of most West Virginians: both value integrity and honor. Garrison and his Board value
only their ability to manipulate appearances. But they may not be able to pull this one off. For the sake of WV and WVU, let’s hope they are unsuccessful. This is one case where the Marshall faculty are rooting like hell for the Mountaineer faculty: Go WVU!
Ed Taft