So, there’s even more information we can learn from the Teresa Sullivan situation. (There was a four part series on management lessons we can draw upon from the UVA/Sullivan fiasco that started on 16 July.) It seems that the Virginia governor has learned something, too. That it’s high time that the Board of Visitors for UVA- as well as the other state universities (George Mason, Virginia Polytech, James Madison, and William & Mary), plus a slew of state colleges- to be populated with educators!
Now, don’t get too excited. Governor McDonnell managed to appoint plenty of political donors (and Republican Party officials.). (There were 87 positions to be filled this year, of which 27 were re-appointees chosen by the previous [Democratic] governor. ) Whether you like her or not, Carly Fiorina (of HP fame, among other positions) is now serving on the James Madison University board. Jennifer Hunter, Senior Vice President of Altria (the politically correct name for Philip Morris, a big Virginia tobacco company) serves on Virginia Tech’s board. Keith Fimian (who recently lost his bid for Congress), Dave Rexrode, and Frank Atkinson are all bigwigs in the Virginia Republican Party. Teresa Carlson of Amazon (which is expanding its Virginia presence) and Dennis Treacy of Smithfield Foods (Smithfield, Virginia) were also chosen. The corporate executives, at least, have significant operational experience, which would be useful on these boards. After all, the role of the Board of Visitors (besides hiring and firing the presidents of the higher educational institutions) includes setting tuition, managing finances, and tenure issues. Each board member can serve up to two terms, each of four years duration.
But, instead of only stacking the boards with political donors, Governor McDonnell is at least doing the right thing- even if only in a small way. (I should state right now that I am NOT a fan of Governor McDonnell.) In the past month, McDonnell has chosen other university officials, librarians, and faculty to help oversee the Commonwealth’s various educational institutions.
For example, at UVA, the appointments includes Dr. Edward Miller (former CEO of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine) and Dr. Linwood Rose (former President of James Madison University). Plus, given the current situation at UVA, McDonnell appointed two advisors to the Board- Leonard Sandridge (former CFO and COO for UVA) and William Goodwin, Jr. (previously on the UVA Board, and Trustee for Virginia Tech’s School of Engineering, as well as a Virginia Tech and UVA grad), to help provide guidance to the UVA Board of Visitors.
(Oh, and the alumni have provided UVA with its best ever June for fundraising. After Teresa Sullivan was reinstated. Twice as high as the previous year- even in these recessionary times. )
One can only hope that this trend to appoint highly qualified, knowledgeable individuals to higher education boards continues- and expands.
Colleges and universities are not really about educating students. They are really about making themselves money and creating more jobs to make more people money. As the ex-wife of a professor who was also chairman for many years, I saw the truth as education was repeated sacrificed for monetary reasons. The governor knows this and so places people with experience making money both in and out of education on the board of visitors and that includes those you lauded, Roy.
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Actually, Ann, I still think MOST universities and colleges are about education. Yes, they are selling a product- education- and some are selling research, as well. But, the vast majority of the institutions are geared to these two activities. They do want more funding- research, investments, donations- to afford them the ability to have the best and the brightest they can afford (or hope to afford).
But, as we have seen at Penn State, for example, that quest can sometimes lead them astray from the primary objectives. It’s one of the reasons why I have tremendous misgivings with the athletic programs at many schools. I believe these programs are “for profit”, often at the expense of their student athletes, often to render the pockets of the various coaches and managers just a little too fat and their egos over-inflated. One can only hope this part of the trend becomes attenuated- rapidly and completely.
Roy
I agree for what you said in here, and I’m thinking even they make money, but they are really helpful because some people that finish their class for a long time they got for what they need in their life..
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Absolutely correct, Fatima…
Thanks for letting me know your thoughts.
Roy
Thanks a lot for your reply too sir, I appreciate it…
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