[Vision2020] UI's Budget Management

[Copy Court]

Please post the following letter on Vision 2020.  Thanks

 

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June 16, 2005

 

UI's Budget Management

 

An interesting situation recently evolved at Auburn University (AU).  As
reported in Vera White's excellent columns in the April 8 and May 27 Daily
News, faculty at Auburn had been in limbo for weeks, asking department
leaders and officials about the whereabouts of Michael J Weiss, Dean of
Agriculture at Auburn University.

 

Weiss was named dean at Auburn July 16, 2004.  He had resigned from a
professorship at the University of Idaho in 2003 at an annual salary of
$110,001, citing "personal reasons" and "health concerns," as reported in
UI's November 12, 2003 news release.

 

On March 15, 2005 an Alabama community newspaper, the Opelika-Auburn News,
reported that Weiss was "under investigation" and had been put on
administrative leave, according to a statement issued by AU Interim
President Ed Richardson.

 

UI's cover story of "personal and health reasons" was less than completely
truthful.  I make the following allegation.  Weiss was under fire at UI for
the same kind of concerns now being investigated by AU.

 

Weiss, during his tenure as UI Dean, gave final approval to offer a "golden
parachute" to Shelly Thorpe, County Extension Educator, prior to her UI
resignation.  She received five months of administrative leave with pay.
Remember now that UI then was experiencing a major budget crisis.  The cover
story circulated within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was
that Ms. Thorpe needed five months to regain her health.

 

In a 2004 response to a public records request from Representative Tom
Trail, Danielle Hess, UI Senior Associate General Counsel, confirmed the
leave with pay status of Ms. Thorpe.  When terminating UI faculty and staff
it is illegal to give severance pay but it is legal to offer a "golden
parachute."  

 

Dr. Don Harter

1129 E 7th St

Moscow, ID  83843-3721

e-mail: dharter at moscow.com 

 

 

 

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