[Vision2020] Daily News OUR VIEW: UI's disdain for citizens who fund it is appalling

[Saundra Lund]

Many thanks to the friend who sent this to me!

 

I think this editorial hits the nail squarely on the head:  Mues is not only
utterly unqualified for his position at the UI, he is also fundamentally
unsuited to work for a public institution where public accountability &
transparency are crucial.  This is just the most recent in a string of
sneaky decisions that track back to him where those outside of the
administration are kept in the dark before -- after decisions -- are made.
I can just see Mues sitting behind his desk at the UI rubbing his hands
together in glee at the coup of keeping the whole AlliedBarton issue secret
until it was too late for anyone to have any effective input.

 

I agree with the editorial that while this kind of crapola is suitable at a
private college, it is wholly inappropriate at a public institution where
even UI's top administrators are accountable to those who pay their
salaries, and that would be we-the-taxpayers.

 

Further, there's something grossly obscene about the UI's decision to pay a
private security contractor nearly $400K during these tough financial times
where student fees were just jacked up 9.5%, programs have been cut into the
bone, severe understaffing of all but the top level of administration is
rampant, and all faculty & staff but those making less than a living wage in
Idaho - a paltry $22,360 - were forced to take a very real pay cut in the
form of mandatory furloughs.

 

 

Saundra Lund

Moscow, ID

 

The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak out for
themselves.

~ Jane Goodall

 

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OUR VIEW: UI's disdain for citizens who fund it is appalling

Posted on: Monday, August 16, 2010

We apparently are too stupid to consider properly how the University of
Idaho plans to spend our money. 

The university is trying to upgrade its security services, and it turns out
that is going to cost a lot more money, some $300,000 more, than it took
last year when it was all handled by the Moscow Police Department. 

What is the necessity for that upgrade? What dire risks are facing our local
institution of higher learning to require this substantial increase in
spending of public tax dollars. It must be pretty important, considering the
budget-cutting going on throughout government, including our colleges and
universities.

When Daily News reporter Holly Bowen asked that question Tuesday, before the
increase had been approved, she was told the UI was "not making anyone
available." There would be no comment on this big increase in state spending
until after Thursday's meeting of the Idaho State Board of Education where
the proposal was to be considered, approved and funded. 

After that meeting - where the proposal was indeed approved - Lloyd Mues, UI
vice president for finance and administration, explained pompously and
vacuously, "The absolute best thing we can do in a process like this, as
with any of them, is all of that negotiation and all of that communication
is pretty private." 

Gee, Mr. Mues, we thought the UI was pretty public, actually. There are many
pretty private colleges around here, but not the UI.

But what about those serious security threats we have to pay $300,000 a year
to stop? 

Mues again: "Every now and then, someone will decide they want to drive
across the Administration Building lawn in a four-wheel drive." He
apparently was perfectly serious.

So, will a heavily armed vehicular deterrence team be roaming campus?

No, it turns out this expenditure will pay for one to three unarmed security
guards to roam campus on foot around the clock. 

It's no wonder the university didn't want the press or taxpayers asking
serious questions about this proposal before it was approved. 

- Lee Rozen, for the editorial board

 

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