Or thereabouts. Either he writes quickly or he had this prepared before the faculty vote.
Since my appointment as President of WVU, I have worked with hundreds of students, faculty members, and staff who have stepped forward to address the challenges and opportunities which face us as a University. We have accomplished great things together - and we will continue to do so - by focusing on the future of the University.
The essence of all the motions presented in the Senate today contains a clear message: we at WVU must work to create an environment that assures everyone that this will never happen again.
I have also heard from scores of students, from faculty across the university, from staff, from alumni, and from people across this state. Many have voiced their concerns. Others urged me not to allow a climate of anger and confusion to distract us from our mission. Many have urged me to press forward for the good of the university.
But on one thing we are united: We all love this University. We must continue the great work we do for our students and for our state.
The faculty are the heart of the University. I've said many times before, my faculty mentors are among the people who had great influence on my life. I will continue to work closely with faculty members, particularly those who have already demonstrated a commitment and willingness to work with others across campuses, across disciplines, and across differences of opinion, on each of the challenges that face us.
Our love for this University binds us together in our work.
Our hardest work is ahead.
The Board of Governors has asked me to implement the changes recommended by the committee, and to continue the momentum we have developed on the campuswide and statewide priorities for the past year. It is the work I have been asked to do. It is the work I love to do. It is the work I intend to do.
And pardon me, but "confusion" my ass. The only confusion seems to have been among the administration on which made up story they were going to select to justify their favor.
Posted by binky at May 5, 2008 07:34 PM | TrackBack | Posted to The Academy | West VirginiaThat is a nice statement, intereste to see what the reaction out of the BOG and Gov's office will be.
Posted by: jpoff at May 5, 2008 07:59 PM | PERMALINKAs Gov. Manchin's response so far seems to be "how dare that newspaper not owned by one of my friends ask questions" and Steve Goodwin's basically said "screw the faculty" I think their responses are likely to be, essentially, "who the hell cares what the faculty says".
Posted by: Armand at May 5, 2008 08:10 PM | PERMALINKShameless. They are just shameless.
And lest anyone not understand the snarky translation, the "fuck you" is an interpretation of the intent of the statement, not a direct quote.
Posted by: binky at May 5, 2008 08:52 PM | PERMALINKHoppy says "Faculty Senate Throws Down":
Posted by: binky at May 5, 2008 09:20 PM | PERMALINKCollege professors are serious people.
Sure, the private sector sometimes sees college professors as easy targets of ridicule or even contempt - the eggheads in the ivory towers.
But as I sat in the special WVU Faculty Senate meeting Monday afternoon I was reminded that it's best not to mess with what college professors value most-academic integrity.
...
Goodwin, with that factual, but nonetheless arrogant comment, placed the couch in the middle of University Avenue. The only thing left to do was to light a match, which Goodwin did when he added derisively, "If they (the faculty) don't like that, the only way to change that is to change the law."
The smoldering remains of the couch were present at Monday's Faculty Senate meeting as angry professors started expanding their aim beyond Garrison and toward Goodwin and the Board of Governors which oversees WVU.
...
There is the feel of a showdown.
These are, after all, extremely smart people to whom academic reputation is vital. They take it seriously when they believe their academic reputation has been clumsily trampled on.
I really hope the University will toss him out, or WVU will never have the reputation it once had. It will be hard to recover from the damage that's already been done.
"Goodwin, with that factual, but nonetheless arrogant comment, placed the couch in the middle of University Avenue. The only thing left to do was to light a match, which Goodwin did when he added derisively, "If they (the faculty) don't like that, the only way to change that is to change the law."
Best. Analogy. EVER!!!!
I'm going to be interested to see if some students disrupt graduation exercises over Garrison. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that happen.
Posted by: Armand at May 6, 2008 09:09 AM | PERMALINKGraduation exercises are not the only things coming up.
Posted by: binky at May 6, 2008 09:42 AM | PERMALINKGreeeat...I can just hear the value of my two degrees from WVU hitting the floor...ka-boom...
Posted by: Chiquitita at May 7, 2008 12:27 PM | PERMALINK