The stakes are just as high. Our adventure in trying to get answers continues.

Our previous coverage:

Three steps behind, and to the right (January 25, 2008)

Three steps behind, and to the right, part 2 – a microcosm of our universe (September 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”? (October 15, 2009) (transcript of a portion of the live radio broadcast)

It wasn’t just about a tree (October 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio (October 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: let’s not get cut out of the will (October 22, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: $87.75 will get you one sheet of paper (October 23, 2009)

This afternoon we received a response to one of our Missouri Sunshine Law requests concerning any authorization by the Board of Governors for signing the contract to broadcast University of Central Missouri athletic events.

[…]Sent: Fri, October 23, 2009 1:40:35 PM

Subject: Re: Request for information under RSMo610

[…]In response to your request of October 21, 2009, no written authorization was required.

[…]

>>> […] 10/21/2009 2:51 PM >>>

Please provide the following under RSMo 610:

Authorization from the board of governors for the Athletic Director to sign a multi-year contract with KOKO.

If so, did the authorization exist at the time the contract was made, or was it authorized after-the-fact?

[….]

[emphasis added]

We didn’t ask if authorization was required, we asked if there was any authorization.

That’s very interesting, considering the first response:

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio (October 21, 2009)

We’ve made Sunshine Law requests asking who authorized the athletic director to sign the muti-year contract.

Sent: Fri, October 16, 2009 4:12:14 PM

Subject: Information Request

This is a request under RSMo 610 for any record of an authorization by the previous President of the University delegating authority to sign a multi-year contract to the Director of the Athletic Department.

Thank You…

The University’s response:

Sent: Tue, October 20, 2009 11:00:40 AM

Subject: Re: Information Request

…In response to your request of October 16, 2009, our files do not reveal any written authorization by the former university president.

Sincerely…

And we asked another question:

date        Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 1:46 PM

subject Re: Information Request

How about the Board of Governors? Did they authorize a multi-year contract with the radio station?

Thank you for your assistance in filling this request under RSM0 610.

Thank You…

We know that the previous president did not authorize it – now we are waiting for our request on whether the BoG authorized the contract. What we know for certain is that, per University bylaws, the Athletic Director does not have the authority to make such a contract without someone higher up the food chain authorizing him to do so. We will ask what the policy was in 2005, but currently, only the Board of Governors can authorize a multi-year contract.

[emphasis added]

So, why the different responses? If authorization wasn’t required, why did they respond to the first request with “…In response to your request of October 16, 2009, our files do not reveal any written authorization by the former university president…”

We’ll be asking again.

From the contract:

Paragraph 6:

CMSU shall assume the responsibility for all costs associated with the broadcast of all athletic contests called for in this agreement…

Paragraph 7:

CMSU shall be responsible for the cost of all lodging and meals for all personnel making up its broadcast team for its broadcasts. CMSU shall permit said broadcast team to travel with the University party and shall make lodging and meal arrangements for the broadcast team…

Gee, you think that all adds up to $100,000 over ten years?

Consider the operative board policy [pdf] from 2001 when the contract was signed in 2005:

Bids and Contracts Approval Policy 4.1.010

Approved by the Board of Governors on April 18, 2001

I. Purpose

Central Missouri State University follows a competitive bid process to ensure impartiality in awarding contracts and to ensure the best possible use of University funds.

II. Policy

The Board of Governors of Central Missouri State University:

A. Authorizes the University President or designated officials to sign off on routine items bid under $50,000.

B. Requires University officials to report items bid between $50,000 and $100,000.

C. Must approve items bid over $100,000.

Uh, that ten year contract was worth over $100,000.

We’ll keep asking.