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<DIV><FONT size=2>The <EM>Daily News</EM> gives us another edgy, well written,
timely editorial.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Now if they had only done their homework/investigation on
yesterday's piece on WSU, who now really wins the local smoke and mirrors
contest, their conclusion and tone would have been very, very
different.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Rozen has added some much needed guts and reporting
supervision vigor to the <EM>DN</EM>. I hope he will be allowed to
continue.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The editorial below raises the question about who is really
running the UI. If Nellis doesn't make some very obvious, much needed
personnel changes/deletions soon, he will have lost his chance of becoming a
memorable president and will be awarded the Tim White Trophy for
Mediocrity.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow,
ID 83843</FONT>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A href="mailto:waf@moscow.com"><FONT
size=2>waf@moscow.com</FONT></A><BR><FONT size=2>208
882-7975<BR></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><H2OUR ui="" the="" at="" hole="" deeper="" a="" digging=""
view:=""><FONT size=3>
<H1>OUR VIEW: Digging a deeper hole at the UI</H1></FONT>
<P>Lee Rozen<BR>August 19, 2010</P>
<P>This past week the University of Idaho administration stonewalled reporters
wanting to know more about an expensive contract for additional security there.
</P>
<P>Now, they are implying that even their president gets easily confused.</P>
<P>We can sort of understand their disrespect for the press. We get that from
people a lot. </P>
<P>But we find it more difficult to understand their disrespect for their boss.
</P>
<P>This week, in a getting-to-know-you session at the Daily News, President
Duane Nellis, who has been at the UI for about a year, sat down with the paper's
new managing editor, who has been here about six weeks, and its Idaho education
reporter. </P>
<P>It was a wide-ranging and friendly discussion. President Nellis spoke
knowledgeably and with depth of detail on program after program and on the many
initiatives he has under way to improve the university.</P>
<P>Then, toward the end, in answer to a question, he noted that the contractor
who had caused the pipe break in the J.A. Albertson Building in June had
insurance that would pay to clean up the damage, that work was proceeding apace
and that classes would be held there when school opened. </P>
<P>That was a little bit of news.</P>
<P>But by the next day, Tania Thompson, the UI spokeswoman who accompanied
Nellis and took notes on everything that was said in this "get-acquainted
meeting," was walking the statement back into the murk.</P>
<P>"I don't know if it's possible that maybe the restoration work that's moving
so quickly and so collaboratively led him to an incorrect assumption," she told
reporter Holly Bowen. </P>
<P>So, she seems to be saying, the president didn't really know what he was
talking about. </P>
<P>We find that hard to believe. We find his handlers' paranoia about anyone
outside their circle getting information on questions of concern in the
community baffling. </P>
<P>The free flow of data, the give and take of discussion, are cherished
principles in the academic world. The university's administration apparently
doesn't consider itself part of that world even in spirit, let alone in
practice.</P>
<P>Until it does, this newspaper will continue to point out the absurdity.</P>
<P>- <STRONG>Lee Rozen</STRONG>, for the editorial
board</P></H2OUR></FONT></DIV>
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