The University of Louisville community is waiting, Matt Bevin. You need to act … and act soon.
Time for the current Governor of Kentucky to end the stalemate that has been become the UofL Board of Trustees (BOT). Time to undo another mess created by your predecessor Steve Beshear.
Time to shake up the status quo, separate the well-intended from the ill-intended, time to replace suspected vengeful trustees with individuals who are unquestionably committed to the University’s success.
The most recent drama occurring Thursday when three members of the Finance Committee blocked a vote on the University budget. The increase is consistent with the 5% tuition increases at all state universities. If these concerns had been legitimate, they wouldn’t be bringing them up at the last minute.
Time for you to go ahead and appoint new minority members to the board to bring the BOT in compliance, hopefully replacing the last three individuals appointed by Beshear — Larry Benz (current chairman), Paul Diaz and Larry Hayes — as part of the former Governor’s effort to weaken the arrangement between the University and the UofL Foundation.
And while you’re at it, you may want to invite at least three other members — Craig Greenberg, Steve Campbell and Emily Bingham — to pursue other interests as well. Their only interest at present appears to be dumping the most successful administrator in the University’s history.
What Beshear’s most recent appointments also seem to have in common is relationships with former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson and a shared desire to micromanage the future of the University. They’re aided by bootlicking scribes at the Courier-Journal and WDRB who apparently only see one side of any issue. Research? History? Objectivity? What’s that?
Jim Ramsey’s No. 1 priority is UofL’s well-being, making phenomenal improvements in academics, physical facilities, athletics and endowment since he became President in 2001. If at times he seems to shortcut the bureaucracy, it is because he is results-oriented, highly effective in making positive things happen.
The in-fighting on the Board of Trustees is not good for the University, potentially impacting every student, employee and faculty member, as well as the entire community. The future of the University hangs in the balance, affecting every department and aspect of the institution. And the negative impact extends far beyond Louisville Metro’s borders.
Decisive action is needed, Matt Bevin. The sooner the better.
I am not sure that Larry Benz is a problem, nor Paul Diaz, though Paul has not been in place very long and has already agreed to step aside for the minority appointment. But clearly there are others who have an agenda, unknown to most, who are consistently throwing roadblocks rather than offering solutions. We don’t need rubber stamp approvals by the Board, but reasoned debate, and not just obstructionism.
I agree Stephen. Thanks for the constructive comment.
Amen, Charlie and Zagnut! Let’s hope the Gov gets his choices going in the right direction, rather than these self-appointed, self-interested leftover appointees.
This garbage has gone on long enough, time to end it, get rid of the sandbaggers on the board. It’s so damned obvious what they’re up to, wanting their own little puppets running the university. Throw them out. Please Governor Bevin.