Date: December 9, 2006
Staff Councilors:
On Friday afternoon I had an opportunity to participate in a conference call initiated by Governor Vilsack. This was the two week "update" he promised us when he met with us on Monday, November 27. Sheldon Kurtz, Peter McElligott and I joined Interim President Gary Fethke in his conference room to take the call; others online included Regent Bob Downer and Gary Seamans, a UI Foundation Board member and former member of the search committee.
The governor began by thanking us for delaying our no-confidence votes in the Board of Regents leadership to give him time to assist the Regents in obtaining a UI president from the four finalists. He relayed his own conversation with the preferred candidate and said he had hoped this candidate would agree to be pursued. Governor Vilsack said that he believes Gary Fethke is doing a great job as interim president, but still he would like to see a permanent president of the UI in place as soon as possible. Regent Downer said he would make sure the Board members were aware of the Governor's wishes.
Many of you felt that this follow up was going to be another request for delays of no-confidence votes. I'm pleased to tell you that Governor Vilsack was intent on telling us that this was not at all the purpose of his call. He said he understood why the campus was going forward with these votes and that it was an appropriate way for our voice to be heard. He didn't say that he endorsed the votes or encouraged them. But it was clear from his comments that he would make no effort to discourage us from proceeding with the no-confidence votes. I found the entire conversation to be reflective of the Governor's wish to assist the Regents in pursing a permanent president as soon as possible and for campus leaders (Shelly, Pete and myself) to continue to pursue our no-confidence votes as we saw fit.
Interim President Fethke took an opportunity to make it clear that he opposes the no-confidence votes. Gary Seamans discussed ways in which a new search might overcome some of the obstacles that plagued our most recent presidential search committee. I reminded the people on the phone that the committee did not fail the search--the Board of Regents leadership did.
A few more of my thoughts:
Many of you have heard that the Board of Regents requested specific class and salary information from our distinguished faculty members Francois Abboud; Sheldon Kurtz; and Katherine Tachau. They made me aware of this as soon as they found out about it and I inquired in my department, Human Resources, and even in Hospital Administration if a similar request had been made regarding my employment record. I'm pleased to say it was not….but it is uncomfortable to think that the Board of Regents would stoop to that level of intimidation.
Finally, in considering our additional agenda item of a no-confidence vote in the leadership of the Board of Regents, I'm hoping Staff Councilors will be able to begin the meeting at 2 p.m. instead of 2:30. We have a fairly packed agenda from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and I wanted us to look at no-confidence right away and have enough time to deliberate on it.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Mary
Mary E. Greer
2006-07 President
The University of Iowa Staff Council
319.353.6055
mary-greer@uiowa.edu
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http://www.uiowa.edu/~staff
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