Shakeup in Louisville

have we got any members in that area who might shed some light on this mass-firing?

University of Louisville President James Ramsey stepping down; Matt Bevin announces board reorganization

 

From the University President...

June 17, 2016
Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends of the University of Louisville,


After conversations with Governor Bevin, I reaffirm that:

The University of Louisville is absolutely critical to the health and economic and social wellbeing of our community and state;
For Kentucky to grow and prosper as a state, it is important for Louisville to be successful as a community; for Louisville to prosper it needs a great research university; and
The members of a restructured Board of Trustees compliant with state law should have the opportunity for a “fresh start.”
Upon a legal restructure of the Board of Trustees at the University of Louisville, I will immediately offer, to the newly appointed board, my resignation/retirement as President of the University of Louisville.

I am grateful for Governor Bevin’s support and commitment to addressing difficult issues that are crucial to moving Kentucky forward.

Sincerely,

President James Ramsey

Statement to the campus community 6-17-2016

 

It seems to be the culmination of a long "series of unfortunate events" as Lemony Snickets might call it. One article below called it "a number of scandals and controversies." Indeed. Not sure what number exactly - I lost count.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/01/05/should-president-be-held-responsible-scandals-university-louisville

Elsewhere, the situation was deemed a "cluster of controversies." Certainly has all the earmarks of a cluster- ...um, something-or-other. :sad:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/06/20/university-louisville-housecleaning-raises-questions

As stated in the articles, the University will still face investigations etc., despite any purges, resignations or whatever.

J.

 

"Cleanups in aisles 1 through 86..." :sad:

J.

 

One of the scandals was the departing President's salary - over $1 million a year. Peanuts! The basketball coach earns five times that! And his contract has been extended in a 10-year deal!

Details here: Louisville extends Rick Pitino's contract through 2025-26

All this, despite the previously cited prostitution scandal involving the men's basketball team. $5 million a year. Now, how many professors' yearly salaries would that pay? 50? :sad:

This is the saddest commentary I've read on the world of higher ed. In the wise words of songwriter John D. Loudermilk:

"Bring dynamite and a crane -
Blow it up and start over again" (Tobacco Road )

Be sure to send everyone home first...

J.

 

Questions arise as to whether the Governor overstepped his powers. Not everyone is happy.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2016/06/21/u-of-l-faculty-letter-to-trustees-asks-them-to.html

 

so after all that, now they're in trouble with SACS

University of Louisville facing accreditation issues | Lexington Herald-Leader

 

the drama continues

http://www.state-journal.com/2016/09/14/gov-matt-bevin-asks-judge-to-exclude-testimony-in-university-of-louisville-case/

http://www.state-journal.com/2016/09/15/uofl-board-of-trustees-lawsuit-reaches-final-leg-in-franklin-circuit/

cn|2 Pure Politics  - UofL lawsuit nearing ruling after accreditation expert testifies on possible impact of board revamp

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2016/09/15/bevin-u-of-ls-accreditation-is-not-the-issue.html

 

a spin-off story

After Ruling Against Bevin Cuts, Court Orders $18 Million Released To Higher Education

 

Regional Accreditor - "You've been a bad boy."
Louisville - "...but, but, but..."
Regional Accreditor - "It's probation for you!"

University of Louisville placed on probation with accrediting ag - WDRB 41 Louisville News

 

Louisville also provides coveted supervisory training for law enforcement in a CEU based program (mostly for sergeants and lieutenants). It is extremely popular and is used by multiple southern agencies in the United States:

https://louisville.edu/spi/courses/codc

 

Not really. U of L is not losing its accreditation and this does not affect the financial aid eligibility of its students. Probation means that the accrediting agency has found the institution to be non-compliant with one or more accreditation standards and it must course correct in order to become compliant. If it does not, then SACSCOC can take more drastic measures. U of L will fix this issue, so it won't happen.

 

You know much more about this than I do but right now the problem is not with the school per se, the problem is with the Governor and its not clear that he really gives a dam about "the rules."

"SACS has previously said there may be problems with Bevin's removal of trustees without due process, with Bevin's influence over the board and with the governor's "apparent involvement" in negotiating Ramsey's departure without the board's input."

 

There is a certain faction that wants to put this all on Governor Matt Bevin's head (including the Attorney General, who is the son of Bevin's predecessor). The truth is that the problems predate Bevin. His actions certainly sent a red flag regarding the "undue outside/political influence" standard, but, truth be told, the previous board suffered from plenty of undue outside political influence and the way the board was constituted was noncompliant with state law. I have a lot of friends and colleagues at U of L and hold the institution in high regard, however, with or without Matt Bevin, things were going to hit the fan.

 

update

Bevin: University of Louisville accreditation risk is a 'canard' - WDRB 41 Louisville News

 

This story has continued to develop but I've missed a few chapters. Here's something new

https://www.courthousenews.com/kentucky-attorney-general-accuses-governor-power-grab/

 

one thing leads to another - - - a story that just won't go away

http://www.wdrb.com/story/39563294/judge-university-of-louisville-can-proceed-with-fraud-lawsuit-against-james-ramsey

 

Hoo boy. That's a whole lot of messed up. I wonder if there's a correlation between big time sports and admin shenanigans in NCAA DivI schools.

My sister was a standout volleyball player for the Louisville Cardinals (2002-2006). Cardinals volleyball team was a powerhouse back then; perennial Conference champion that reached I believe #7 national ranking, with three players getting All American nod (my sister was one). I think the whole budget for that team was about 10% of what they paid Rick Pitino. To be fair, Pitino was a big, big deal in college basketball. I heard that name from my father (a ball coach at my university) in the early eighties; I believe he had a book either by or about Rick Pitino - in Russian translation! - back then already.

 

I don't think you'd have to dig very deep to discover that the answer is yes. As for Pitino, despite his successes as a college coach, he's had his own share of scandals.