Posted on 05/08/2006 8:54:58 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
An institute of higher education should be a pillar in our community. A university should not be average, but it should shine bright. It should be looked upon with reverence, integrity and above all else, it should be held to a higher standard. I believe many of our colleges and universities not only meet these high standards, but exceed them.
Unfortunately, when one university or one school system, does something inappropriate, and then tries to cover it up, then all universities are impacted by the one who dropped below public expectations.
Of course, I am talking about the Office of the President for the University of California, and specifically UC President Robert C. Dynes. President Dynes fell asleep at the wheel and his actions are trickling down to the entire University of California system.
When Dynes accepted his position as President, he became the point person for UC. Once he began this position, it was not only his job to take on daily new tasks that came before him, but to learn about the processes and procedures that were set by his predecessors and determine if the system was working efficiently and effectively. Obviously, he did not do that or we would not be talking about undisclosed compensation for UC executives made in secret meetings.
President Dynes had sufficient opportunity to take responsibility for what occurred. When testifying at the Senate Education Committee, I specifically asked President Dynes if he, any of his support staff or UC executives had received a compensation increase during the time that UC rank-n-file employees experienced a salary freeze and student fees increased. Dynes said none of those three groups had received raises. So, following the meeting, I had my staff follow up on this statement formally with UC. According to the correspondence we received back, Dynes was "mistaken" on his statement. Actually, UC executives received a pay increase of 2.5% in October 2005 and other support staff was eligible for a 3.5% increase during that same time period. President Dynes may have overlooked the raises he and others received, but surely he would have remembered the large bonus he and his executives received during this time frame.
You would think that if your business or institution was being examined under a microscope, like the UC, President Dynes would have cleaned up his act. Yet, there are many instances of additional undisclosed compensation done in 2006 by either President Dynes himself or one of his key staff members. He either knew exactly what was happening or he looked the other way. Neither of these two reasonings are acceptable.
While at times, President Dynes has been a good cheerleader for the UC, he has been a horrible manager. He seems to think he is running Enron, but the UC is a public institution supported by tax dollars.
Dynes has had ample opportunity during his tenure to resolve these problems, but has not addressed them. It is clear that new leadership is needed within the UC President's Office, specifically someone with a fresh perspective and willingness to say "NO" to the UC executives and their never ending salary demands.
That is why I called UC Regents Chairman Gerald Parsky and asked the UC Regents to fire UC President Dynes. I believe he must be fired with cause and not given any lucrative salary bonuses. If for some reason the Regents determine to provide a severance package, then the compensation should be made public. The public deserves no less.
He serves as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Vice Chairman of the Government Organization committee. He also serves on the Banking, Finance and Insurance, Education and Veteran’s Affairs committees. Senator Denham was recognized as legislator of the year by the California State Sheriffs’ Association in 2004 and Outstanding Legislator in 2005, Legislator of the Year by the California Small Business Association in 2005, Most Progressive Law Enforcement Leader of the Year by A Woman’s Place of Merced in 2005 and received the California Teachers Association Gold Award in 2005.
Senator Denham is an agricultural businessman and Merced rancher who represents Merced, San Benito, Stanislaus, Madera, and Monterey counties.
'Scuse me. Thought this was another Kennedy thread.
Not even Ambien is a defense for the mess the UC system is in ethically.. ;-)
Ha! Good point!
While at times, President Dynes has been a good cheerleader for the UC, he has been a horrible manager.
The main goal of every university is DIVERSITY and he was probably doing a good job of that
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