EMU faculty asks governor to step in

[Ruby Romaine]

The Eastern Michigan University faculty union has sent a letter to Gov. Jennifer Granholm asking her to void President Samuel Kirkpatrick's $514,000 agreement to resign and instead fire him for just cause.

The letter, sent by EMU's chapter of the American Association of University Professors, also asks Granholm to replace Board of Regents Chairman Philip Incarnati and Paul Schollaert, provost and vice president of academic affairs.
(snip)

All eight EMU regents were appointed by former Republican Gov. John Engler: Incarnati, Joseph Antonini, Jan Brandon, Steven Gordon, Rosalind Griffin, Michael Morris, Sharon Rothwell and Karen Valvo. Only Antonini, Brandon and Rothwell returned calls or could be reached Wednesday, and none would comment on the faculty union's or Jamnick's statements.

http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1090507279290000.xml

[stavka]

1. Awesome news!

This was such an abuse, somebody needs to pay a price, and certainly nobody deserves to draw $500K more on the state tit while they work elsewhere. This was not a question of academic policy or direction, this was an abuse, and EMU being a public institution that depends on public funds far more than UofM or Michigan State it is even more heinous.

Great way for EMU to show values to the people of Ypsilanti! <irony>

[Danger Duck]

2. I think this is a witch hunt

They shouldn't fire the President, he's not personally responsible for the project going over budget. And more importantly, the University needs an impressive house like that. It's key for getting donors, and hosting events. Eastern is not the most aesthetically pleasing institution, and ultimately, the house will be a benefit. I think the fact that the A2 news splashed it all over the front page, and made it look like a scandal is the only reason this is happening. Don't think that just because the president is getting ousted, the next one won't live in that house.