FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Craig Blair
Monday, April 28, 2008 304-671-9363
Blair urges WVU faculty, grads to call
for Garrison’s resignation, full probe
MARTINSBURG — Delegate Craig Blair today called on West Virginia University graduates and faculty to demand the resignation of WVU President Mike Garrison, as well as a full investigation into the events surrounding the improper awarding of an eMBA degree to the daughter of Gov. Joe Manchin.
“The report from the independent panel did a good job of finding the internal factors at WVU that led to this decision,” said Blair. “But what we also need is an investigation into the external pressures from outside the campus that may have played a major role in this scandal.”
Blair said that whether or not Garrison directly ordered the degree to be awarded is not the point.
“As president of WVU, Mike Garrison has a responsibility to uphold the integrity of our state’s biggest institution of higher learning,” said Blair. “What is clear is that when he learned this degree was being awarded, he either failed to ask the proper questions, or he simply condoned the decision because he wanted the issue to go away. Either way, he is ultimately responsible for this travesty, no matter how many people under him resign.”
Blair said every West Virginian has a personal stake in the integrity and future of WVU, but donors, faculty and graduates must especially make their voices heard, and demand accountability from the top.
“Once President Garrision steps aside, we can begin to heal as a state,” said Blair. “But the questions won’t end there, and we cannot be satisfied until every last suspicion is laid to rest.”
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oh wow. a conservative with a transparent agenda that he executes through a series of ad hominem attacks! reminiscent of monica-gate.
ReplyDeletei agree that there are many parties at fault but i honestly don't think Garrison is one of them. if anything, the BoG is to blame for appointing him. however, this isn't really the topic of discussion for people who stick to "party lines." don't get me wrong, i think machin is a crook too, just for different reasons, namely kowtowing to corporate interest.
but, it would be interesting for a republican to look into why only a week after this scandal broke loose bill clinton, only announced one day in advance, came to speak at the university. i'm not even politically right and i could see this as being an example of machin, a hillary supporter, calling in a favor to take away some of the attention from the scandal. what do you guys think?
The leadership model for crisis management is Harry Truman's "the buck stops here" not Pontius Pilate's "I wash my hands of this." If Garrison loves the university, he must know that he is its main problem. The right thing for him to do is resign and keep his distance from the university. The timing of the Clinton speech has more to do with the upcoming primary than the scandal.
ReplyDeleteI supported Garrison on this blog and said he ought to be given an honest chance. It is now time for him to do the honorable thing and step down.
Craig Blair is an independent minded legislator, not a guy that sticks to an ideological line because he is expected to. A lot of people that love this university are deeply saddened and angered by this scandal.
"If Garrison loves the university, he must know that he is its main problem. The right thing for him to do is resign and keep his distance from the university."
ReplyDeleteif you'll recall April 11, 2007, the faculty senate held an emergency meeting to express no confidence in garrison's appointment (over 2 more qualified candidates) by the BoG. and what happened? nothing! garrison was appointed anyway.
the university's "main problem" is the process. garrison being unqualified is evident, but has little to do with the bresch scandal. the meeting to discuss her being award undeserved credit was between provost jerry lang and dean sears. both of these men predate the garrison appointment by decades!
give garrison the boot, but only because he never deserved that office to begin with. his involvement with the scandal is fuzzy at best. sure, the claim could be made that he should have appointed a better chief of staff (walker) but by that same reason goodwin and the whole lot at the BoG should be fired to not appointing a better president.
the hierarchy of this university isn't as linear and autocratic as it's been made out to be. the BoG have done nothing but distance themselves from their poster boy in an effort to cut their losses. if anything, we should demand their collective position/power.
The WVU mess comes with its own context, that of decades of corruption in this state. Those who have grown up here know it and see it for what it is. Those who have not lived here so long may only see the surface. I suggest you read Don't Buy Another Vote, I Won't Pay For a Landslide. This was written by a liberal member of Governor Caperton's administration, but it is a bipartisan attack on corruption in the state. After you read it, you will better understand what we have seen and unfortunately tolerated over the years.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds right up my alley. I'll definitely check that out. I've lived in WV my whole life, but considering I'm just barely old enough to remember Caperton I think this would be a good read.
ReplyDeleteIt's entirely unlikely that he would resign, but would you not also call for the job of Goodwin? I think the reckless nature of the board and it's refusal to even consider the faculty's position is a much larger problem than any given scandal.