Texas A&M president resigns before regents meeting

[tammywammy]

Texas A&M president resigns before regents meeting

Elsa Murano, president of Texas A&M University, said Sunday that she was resigning – after just 17 months on the job, and one day before A&M System regents were expected to discuss her leadership of the College Station campus.

Murano's resignation comes days after public release of a very critical performance review. System Chancellor Mike McKinney gave her low marks in several areas, including decision making, integrity and being a team player.

Murano responded that she "completely and absolutely" disagreed with McKinney's assessment.

The release of the documents, in response to requests from several media organizations, revealed what appears to be an increasingly hostile relationship between Murano and McKinney.

In a statement announcing her resignation, Murano said she was doing "what is best for Texas A&M."

She added: "I sincerely hope and pray that we will intensify our efforts to protect and enhance Texas A&M's reputation. I trust that the important issues raised in recent weeks will be addressed in the Aggie way – with integrity, selfless service and indomitable spirit."

Murano said she plans to resign effective today, when the regents hold a special meeting, and return to teaching at A&M.

-snip-

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/061509dntexmurano.28b14bb.html

[sonias]

1. Some interesting information from Bruka's site

Burka Blog 6/15/09
Monday, June 15, 2009
"Most important crisis at A&M since Earl Rudder"

I received an e-mail from a friend at Texas A&M that consists of an op-ed piece written by Jon Hagler, whose service to A&M includes board chairman of the Texas A&M Foundation and co-chairman of Vision 2020, a long-term project to enhance Texas A&M’s national prominence. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1999. I do not know when or in what publication the piece will be published. However, I am authorized to publish it at this time.

* * * *

Today’s governance crisis at Texas A&M is extremely serious. It may be the most important crisis the university has faced since A&M President Earl Rudder’s challenge to the status quo fifty years ago.

Today’s crisis really isn’t about Dr. Elsa Murano, who has announced her intention to resign as President, or for that matter, Chancellor Mike McKinney. It is about whether an academic institution of almost 50,000 students and 250,000 former students – a member of the Association of American Universities – deserves the freedom to aspire to better things and to manage itself as an institution of higher education. We are presented with a stark alternative: an all powerful “system”, run by political appointees, without legislative oversight, who wish to unilaterally politicize and "corporatize" decision making structure and staffing to their own, and to their political friends, advantage.

More at link above.

Sonia

[tammywammy]

2. Great link Sonia.

Thanks!

[sonias]

3. Regents name interim leader at A&M

Lowdown on Higher Ed blog 6/15/09
Regents name interim leader at A&M

R. Bowen Loftin, who leads Texas A&M University’s Galveston campus, today was named interim president of the main campus, effective immediately.

Sonia

[alarimer]

4. The good old boys network strikes again!

The regents are ALL appointed by Perry and are ALL buddies/campaign donors of his. This smells.

[Aragorn]

5. right

The A&M way, like she said.

[kjackson227]

6. Great post... I had no idea that such shenanigans as this goes on...

at universities. What a shame.

[sonias]

7. Texas A&M regents accept Murano resignation

More information coming out....

AAS 6/16/09
Texas A&M regents accept Murano resignation

(snip)
Nowhere is Perry's stamp more apparent than at A&M, where he was a student yell leader. The governor named all nine members of the A&M System's Board of Regents, and he is also close to several top officials of the campus and the system, including Chancellor Mike McKinney, a former chief of staff for Perry.

(snip)
Ray Bowen, a former A&M president who is now a professor of mechanical engineering, said Perry and his regents have been more hands-on than Govs. George W. Bush and Ann Richards and their regents. Bowen's presidency overlapped the terms of all three governors.

"Bush told the regents, 'Don't try to run the university. Don't micromanage.' This governor is setting different expectations for regents," Bowen said. "That's his business. He's empowered to do those things. I just don't think it's appropriate."

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is expected to challenge Perry in the Republican gubernatorial primary, called the leadership situation at A&M "unacceptable" and said she hopes the Board of Regents "ends the politics involved now."

So A&M is going to be a campaign issue now.

:popcorn:

Sonia

[Melissa G]

8. A&M a campaign issue... ROFL already!

:rofl::popcorn:

[GOPisEvil]

9. Dr. Bowen is absolutely correct.

Sheesh, if you are MORE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED THAN GEORGE W. BUSH, that is saying something.

Incidentally, I'm a graduate of A&M and I am PISSED about how Perry and his cronies are running the school. Hell, I didn't mind Gates as President. I think he did a good job overall. Dr. Murano was a GREAT pick. Too bad she actually wanted to do her damn job and not be a toadie to the board of regents. Hell, why have a President at all if these jerks are going to run things anyway?

[sonias]

11. Perry is a priss - you know that

And A&M is his baby. I feel sorry for A&M having Perry micro-manage the university.

And Dr. Murano actually had a spine and refused to bend to the will of the regents and Perry. So hopefully she'll find a better job somewhere else. A&M's loss.

:hi: GOPisEvil!

Sonia

[WolverineDG]

10. What did she do? Walk on the grass?

I admit, I got a very bad taste in my mouth from A&M grads in law school who went out of their way to yell (yes YELL) at people who wouldn't do things the A&M "way," like :gasp: walk on the grass when that was the only way to get to the tent where a party was being held. :eyes:

dg

[sonias]

12. Perry's own words hint at control over A&M

Class Notes S.A. Express blog 6/16/09
Perry's own words hint at control over A&M

Since Texas A&M University president Elsa Murano's abrupt resignation this weekend, speculation has been running rampant that Gov. Rick Perry had considerable say in pushing her out, and likely in other big hiring decisions made at his alma mater.

(snip)

Back in August, Express-News sports reporter Brent Zwerneman overheard Perry say of A&M, "I control this place" in front of a pack of reporters gathered to interview football coach Mike Sherman. Zwerneman blogged about the exchange on Monday. Also on Monday, Perry told Express-News business reporter Jennifer Hiller that as governor, he is involved in "the inner workings of the university."

According to Zwerneman's blog, a reporter jokingly asked Sherman if he had voted for Perry, who had attended that day's practice and greeted Sherman at the end zone.

Perry turned to Sherman and said, "Of course you voted for me. Who do you think got you hired? I control this place."

Sonia

[efhmc]

13. I do not think I can rescind the scholarship made in my

husband's name at the arch constr. school but I am going to make a stink.

[efhmc]

14. Replying to my own comment to ask if anyone knows if I can

take away the scholarship in my husband's name after it has already been done (ten years now. I have to tell you he would be livid at the bush goings on there. He hated the older one and died before the really bad one got going.