…The fool, or the fool who follows him?

This is the fiftieth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB

As reported in today’s print edition of the Muleskinner, the student newspaper at the University of Central Missouri, on February 25th in open session the University’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the content of a letter to be sent to Benoit Wesly concerning their opinion of the on air radio comments by Greg Hassler:

February 24, 2010

Mr. Benoit Wesly

[….]

Dear Mr. Wesly:

The Board of Governors is responsible for the governance of the University of Central Missouri, and in that capacity has enacted rules, regulations, and policies that clearly specify that discrimination is forbidden at the University. The Board reviewed the matter of the statement attributed to the radio announcer and does not believe the content of the statement was discriminatory, nor was it intended to be discriminatory.  The [text obscured] has been advised that Mr. Hassler made a public statement thereafter, stating that he meant nothing discriminatory and apologized for any controversy caused by his comments….

….Mr. Hassler is not an employee of the University of Central Missouri and is not authorized to issue any statement on behalf of the University. It is indeed unfortunate that what was apparently an innocent comment has been blown out of proportion. The Board takes claims of discrimination very seriously, but it would appear that the remarks were not of any negative impact upon this university, and frankly drew no attention or comment whatsoever until following the orchestrated release of your first communication and subsequent communications about the statement.

The Board is regretful that you have chosen to to take the word of whoever is providing you information over the efforts of the Board and Board President to rationally review this situation. We thank you for your past contributions to the University. It is unfortunate that you have further chosen to withdraw future support of this institution and its students. You certainly have the right to your opinion to do so, and you have exercised that right because you disagree with the Board. This matter is deemed to be closed. We will find a way to keep the institution and its students from being disadvantaged.

Sincerely,

s/

Weldon Brady, Secretary

UCM Board of Governors

“…Mr. Hassler is not an employee of the University of Central Missouri and is not authorized to issue any statement on behalf of the University…”

Uh, his radio station (he’s a minority owner) has an exclusive ten year contract [pdf] with the University to broadcast its sporting events. And he’s certainly a ubiquitous presence in the University’s athletic program publicity.

“…has been advised that Mr. Hassler made a public statement thereafter, stating that he meant nothing discriminatory and apologized for any controversy caused by his comments…”

Here’s the on air “apology” from December 10, 2009:

…Greg Hassler: …But there’s another blogger out there that has taken some things that I have said, eh, out of context and has spun them around and at, attacked me on blogs, calling me a racist, a bigot, which I’m not. They’ve also called me anti-Semitic, which I’m not. I love all people of all religions, I do. I’m not anti-Semitic.

other voice: I would agree with that.

Greg Hassler: You know what I am?

other voice: What are you?

Greg Hassler: I’m a big Mules and Jennies basketball fan, [laughter] that’s what I am….

…Hassler told The Kansas City Star that his remark “was spun out of context” and he apologized on the air in December.

“I said that is not what I meant,” Hassler said. “I have nothing against anybody at all. I am not anti-Semitic.

“Did I actually say I was sorry? No, but I think that could be considered an apology. The whole thing is just silly…”

Ah, yes, a silly non-apology apology. That would work for a governing board, I’m sure.

“…The Board is regretful that you have chosen to to take the word of whoever is providing you information over the efforts of the Board and Board President to rationally review this situation…”

That’s a recurring theme. Not too concerned about the comment, but certainly are concerned about the exposure.

….You are several thousand miles away from Warrensburg while I am fifty miles away yet you have information I do not have….

….I remain curious in trying to understand how and why a person or persons would share this with you….

….you know, this Wesly guy who lives in Denmark, this, you know, he’s Dutch, lives in Denmark. How does he even hear about this from a little radio station in Warrensburg, Missouri….?

Which fool is leading?

Shining the light of day on anti-Semitism can get uncomfortable, especially when one is on the receiving end of the public scrutiny.

“…We will find a way to keep the institution and its students from being disadvantaged….”

The immediate resignation of the board members who approved such a disingenuous letter would be a good start in achieving that shared goal.

Apparently the Board’s opinion doesn’t hold complete sway in the community. There was a letter to the editor in yesterday’s Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:

….What is difficult to understand is why the board tolerated Hassler’s attacks. They certainly did not need Hassler to help them select a new president. So what, really, was Hassler’s role?

My personal perspective is that the board and Hassler have a hidden agenda. Some day that will all come out.

An agenda? Really?

And which fool is leading? Greg Hassler or the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors?

…Who’s the more foolish: The fool, or the fool who follows him?

Our previous coverage of the issue:

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your silence means consent (October 29, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: let’s not get cut out of the will, part 2 (October 30, 2009)

Old media irony impairment (October 30, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio, part 2 (October 31, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name (October 31, 2009)

Methinks that someone is paying attention! (November 2, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Bond, Stadium Bond (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name, part 2 (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I heard it on the radio, part 3 (November 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing succeeds like success (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your Friday news dump (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing exceeds like excess (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a grade for Accounting 101 (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law (November 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there’s gotta be a contract around here somewhere (November 9, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law, part 2 (November 10, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Garbo speaks! (November 12, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle (November 13, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”? Follow the money and it reveals the timeline (November 14, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the new president search consulting contract (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a march on a cold and rainy day (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: raise their voices (November 19, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: great moments in radio reporting (November 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Oh, my! (December 3, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: It’s simple, really… (December 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I do truly care about the success of our students (December 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: “…a wonderful relationship there we’re really proud of…” (December 7, 2009)

Oh brother, it’s time to convene another panel on blogger ethics… (December 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a lesson on how not to attempt damage control (January 26, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a lesson on how not to attempt damage control, part 2 (January 28, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: welcome to the party… (February 1, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: welcome to the party, four months late, part 2 (February 2, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: those people from Denmark, you know, the Dutch (February 3, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a conversation with the Muleskinner (February 6, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a simple question (February 8, 2010)

Find the Non-Employee Game! (February 8, 2010)(NYCMule)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a different choice of phrase would have made it all better (February 11, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: never mind the facts, here’s right wingnut talk radio (February 13, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: and we should give weight to your opinion… (February 18, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: fools for spin (February 20, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: fools rush in… (February 21, 2010)

…because you’ve always demonstrated an affinity for accuracy and facts, right?

This is the forty-seventh post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB

Today Greg Hassler, part owner of KOKO radio and erstwhile tree decorating critic, opined on presidential searches at state universities:

…Greg Hassler: …Good morning Woody.

Marion Woods: How-dee.

Greg Hassler: You know, there’s two things.

Marion Woods: Uh, huh.

Greg Hassler: That I’ve always kind of hung my hat on. [crosstalk]

Marion Woods: What’s that? [crosstalk]

Greg Hassler: I’ve always had two theories in life that were always pretty good, Number one, you’re never gonna see a shut out in basketball. [laughter] And number two, if you apply for enough jobs eventually you’re gonna get one.

Marion Woods: Think so?

Greg Hassler: I’ve never seen a shut out in basketball, but Aaron’s rolling, pretty getting close. He’s getting close. Didn’t get the Youngstown State deal.

Marion Woods: Yeah.

Greg Hassler: Buffalo State’s still out there.

Marion Woods: Yup.

Greg Hassler: He applied for Florida Atlantic. Just got that information, uh, late last night.

Marion Woods: Oh, really?

Greg Hassler: With forty-one other people, so, I don’t know. Throwin’ those darts, eventually one sticks on the board.

Marion Woods: Yeah.

Greg Hassler: But then again, maybe not. I also like your story on, uh, the Board of Governors coming out saying that it’s not gonna be a, uh, public search. Smart.

Marion Woods: That’s a great idea.

Greg Hassler: Very smart. You don’t want to, you know, you want to bring a quality guy in. You actually need leadership at this University, it’s been a while. And, uh, you gotta bring a good guy in, a sitting president, not someone, you know, looking for their first gig. And you don’t want to jeopardize their job ’cause, uh, the guy’s gonna, or gal, whoever it is gonna be good. And whoever, wherever they leave is gonna really miss ’em. And you don’t want to get the, the cat out of the bag so to speak.

Marion Woods: Well, they jeopardize the current job.

Greg Hassler: That’s exactly right.

Marion Woods: Yeah.

Greg Hassler: And you don’t want to do that.

Marion Woods: No.

Greg Hassler: How about those games last night?…

Let’s see, expertise and accuracy in dendrochronology. Check.

…The Podolefskys say that after Hassler’s comments became a cause celebre, they checked and found that there had been a cedar tree in the front yard that was decorated with lights in years past at Christmas time, but that it was removed five years before they arrived…

[emphasis added]

Demonstrates superior grasp of the intricacies of international geography. Check.

…you know, this Wesly guy who lives in Denmark, this, you know, he’s Dutch, lives in Denmark….

Pays attention to detail and has a memory like a steel trap. Check.

…It, it was a great show…

(23:24) Darla Jaye: …the guy, the Dutch entrepreneur is, uh, from Holland. Holland is Dutch, sorry about that… (23:28)

With a record like that the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors is bound to offer the presidency to Greg Hassler.

…Greg Hassler: And you don’t want to do that.

Marion Woods: No….

Yeah, they’re right about one thing.

Our previous coverage of the issue:

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your silence means consent (October 29, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: let’s not get cut out of the will, part 2 (October 30, 2009)

Old media irony impairment (October 30, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio, part 2 (October 31, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name (October 31, 2009)

Methinks that someone is paying attention! (November 2, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Bond, Stadium Bond (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name, part 2 (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I heard it on the radio, part 3 (November 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing succeeds like success (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your Friday news dump (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing exceeds like excess (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a grade for Accounting 101 (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law (November 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there’s gotta be a contract around here somewhere (November 9, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law, part 2 (November 10, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Garbo speaks! (November 12, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle (November 13, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”? Follow the money and it reveals the timeline (November 14, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the new president search consulting contract (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a march on a cold and rainy day (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: raise their voices (November 19, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: great moments in radio reporting (November 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Oh, my! (December 3, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: It’s simple, really… (December 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I do truly care about the success of our students (December 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: “…a wonderful relationship there we’re really proud of…” (December 7, 2009)

Oh brother, it’s time to convene another panel on blogger ethics… (December 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a lesson on how not to attempt damage control (January 26, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a lesson on how not to attempt damage control, part 2 (January 28, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: welcome to the party… (February 1, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: welcome to the party, four months late, part 2 (February 2, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: those people from Denmark, you know, the Dutch (February 3, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a conversation with the Muleskinner (February 6, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a simple question (February 8, 2010)

Find the Non-Employee Game! (February 8, 2010)(NYCMule)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a different choice of phrase would have made it all better (February 11, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: never mind the facts, here’s right wingnut talk radio (February 13, 2010)

Stupidity may be inherited, but ignorance is a personal choice.

This is the forty-second post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB

Greg Hassler, the radio announcer and part owner of a radio station who has a thing about a tree, spoke at length on live radio yesterday about his new found larger market media notoriety:

….Greg Hassler: Hey, have you read the paper lately?

Marion Woods: You’re, you’re fired up. [laughter]

Greg Hassler: I, I guess. Have you read any of the papers lately?

Marion Woods: I did.

Greg Hassler: Did you read the Kansas City Star?

Marion Woods: I did. I did, I [inaudible] to see that, as a matter of fact.

Greg Hassler: Well, you know I.

Marion Woods: You were mentioned.

Greg Hassler: I’m kinda getting some [inaudible], I was up, my understanding is the Kansas City Star article that, uh, uh, talks about Wesly pulling a possible donation from the university is gonna be reprinted in the Daily Star Journal today. I haven’t seen.

Marion Woods: You heard that?

Greg Hassler: I heard that maybe today or, or tomorrow it’s, remains to be seen, but, uh.  I, you know, I don’t know, it’s a, uh, it’s unfortunate I think. I mean I, I mean if that’s actually the case that he is pulling that because of, of me that’s, uh, I don’t, you know, I feel bad. [crosstalk]

Marion Woods: [inaudible][crosstalk] responsibility.

Greg Hassler: Uh, yeah, I. You know, my comments that I’ve made I’ve said many times I’m not, I was not anti-Semitic, I’m not anti-Semitic, I mean, um. It’s unfortunate. [crosstalk]

Marion Woods: I can vouch for that. [crosstalk]

Greg Hassler: It’s unfortunate that it, that it’s come to this. It, it’s interesting how, how much media play this has gotten on the Kansas City Star web site. The story was the biggest story of the day. They had over one hundred responses on the web site.

Marion Woods: To that story.

Greg Hassler: [inaudible] They did. And most of them are, are very positive, a lot of them have different. And these are people on, from the outside looking in that also believe that it’s not anti-Semitic, I mean, what’s going on down there? And one guy says I’m not gonna give my money to the university anymore I’m gonna give it to KOKO radio. [laughter] I mean there’s left wing crazies, I mean, there’s all kinds of people out [crosstalk] there, different types of things.

Marion Woods: Oh, yeah.

Greg Hassler: And then last night’s, at eight o’clock, nine-eighty KMBZ news talk out of Kansas City donated a full hour, the Darla Jaye show, a full hour to, uh, to their article.

Marion Woods: Really.

Greg Hassler: And they had, they had callers calling in from around. It, it was a great show, uh, we are going to replay that show here on fourteen-fifty KOKO, it’s from an outsider, a third party that knows nothing about the University of Central Missouri, knows nothing about how Aaron Podolefsky did not get his contract renewed by the Board of Governors. Doesn’t know anything about me, doesn’t know anything about Wesly, and her thoughts and her comments on what she read in the newspaper and callers in the Kansas City area. It’s probably gonna be tomorrow once we get that whole show put together. Her producer has e-mailed it, uh, to us. She made a lot of great points and the very first point that she made, she goes, you know, this Wesly guy who lives in Denmark, this, you know, he’s Dutch, lives in Denmark. How does he even hear about this from a little radio station in Warrensburg, Missouri? First, her first point was there’s no way that’s an anti-Semitic comment. It’s just not.

Marion Woods: Yeah.

Greg Hassler: And then, their second point is, how does he hear about that? And she goes I can only assume that, uh, the president, Aaron Podolefsky told him, either played him a recording or told him about it. And, uh, probably not sure if that should even have been done. But, anyway, it’s [crosstalk]…

Marion Woods: That’s only an assumption on her part. [crosstalk]

Greg Hassler: That’s only an assumption on her part, I mean you got, kinda draw the lines [crosstalk]…

Marion Woods: Yeah.

Greg Hassler: …but, you know, two and two together. Uh, but it’s a great show and we, uh, hope to have it on tomorrow, it’ll probably be about forty-five minutes of great radio listening. It involves our area, it involves the university, it involves me, it involves, uh, a lot of, lot of people. [inaudible] And there’s also, there’s a facebook page already started in support called Hassler’s posse, I think that’s what it’s called. [laughter] I just got that this morning. Uh, people understand what’s going on around here.

Marion Woods: Yeah.

Greg Hassler: It’s not me being anti-Semitic.

Marion Woods: Yeah.

Greg Hassler: I’m not the problem. No question about that. The problem’s gonna leave in June. That’s the problem. And it’ll be gone soon, we just have to wait. Okay.

Marion Woods: Sports is next.

Greg Hassler: Mules and Jennies [laughter] basketball tomorrow night….

We’ve got to start somewhere.

1. Dutch people are from The Netherlands. The city of Maastricht (you know, the tower thingy on campus, next to the football stadium) is in the Netherlands. Benoit Wesly is from the Netherlands. Benoit Wesly is Dutch.

2. Denmark is a different country than The Netherlands. They don’t even share a border. People who didn’t sleep through all of their classes tend to know that.

3. KMBZ talk radio probably does not have as wide a listener demographic as some would think. Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck?

4. “…It, it was a great show, uh, we are going to replay that show here on fourteen-fifty KOKO, it’s from an outsider, a third party that knows nothing about the University of Central Missouri, knows nothing about how Aaron Podolefsky did not get his contract renewed by the Board of Governors. Doesn’t know anything about me, doesn’t know anything about Wesly, and her thoughts and her comments on what she read in the newspaper and callers in the Kansas City area….”

Because people who don’t know anything or any of the facts always have the best insights on the issues of the day. The republic is further gone than we all thought. We should have seen it coming.

5. “…there’s a facebook page already started in support called Hassler’s posse…”

Someone thought it was a good idea to ask people to join a public group that thinks this is all okay?:

Greg Hassler: …The University of Central Missouri. End of an era.

Marion Woods: Uh, huh.

Greg Hassler: Aaron Podolefsky. Out. We’ve talked about it for a long time….

….The, the thing that really upset me, that kind of got [garbled] going originally was, for years there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park. Remember that?

Marion Woods: Yep.

Greg Hassler: Drive by. He stopped that. I mean I think every religion should be able to celebrate, uh, in their own way, but, I mean we do live in Warrensburg, Missouri. This is America. You know. Let’s bring that back. How ’bout that?

Marion Woods: Wasn’t that the Christmas tree at the quadrangle?

Greg Hassler: No, there was also one at Selmo Park.

Marion Woods: Oh, okay.

Gregg Hassler: In the, in the yard, area there, so. I mean, I don’t know, it’s jus… It, it was a bad fit from the get go. It’s, it’s over…

That’ll tell us something if it gets a million followers.

6. So, the President of the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors, Richard Phillips, “thought we had the whole thing turned around”. Given the content of this latest radio broadcast, it’d be safe to say that isn’t the case.

7. “…How does he even hear about this from a little radio station in Warrensburg, Missouri?…”

“…And, uh, probably not sure if that should even have been done….”

Uh, if there’s no problem with the content of your October on air statement than you shouldn’t have a problem with people hearing or reading about what you said.

A cautionary tale – you can really develop those essential critical thinking skills if you don’t sleep through your entire school career.

Our previous coverage of the issue:

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your silence means consent (October 29, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: let’s not get cut out of the will, part 2 (October 30, 2009)

Old media irony impairment (October 30, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio, part 2 (October 31, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name (October 31, 2009)

Methinks that someone is paying attention! (November 2, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Bond, Stadium Bond (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name, part 2 (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I heard it on the radio, part 3 (November 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing succeeds like success (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your Friday news dump (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing exceeds like excess (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a grade for Accounting 101 (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law (November 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there’s gotta be a contract around here somewhere (November 9, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law, part 2 (November 10, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Garbo speaks! (November 12, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle (November 13, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”? Follow the money and it reveals the timeline (November 14, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the new president search consulting contract (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a march on a cold and rainy day (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: raise their voices (November 19, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: great moments in radio reporting (November 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Oh, my! (December 3, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: It’s simple, really… (December 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I do truly care about the success of our students (December 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: “…a wonderful relationship there we’re really proud of…” (December 7, 2009)

Oh brother, it’s time to convene another panel on blogger ethics… (December 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a lesson on how not to attempt damage control (January 26, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a lesson on how not to attempt damage control, part 2 (January 28, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: welcome to the party… (February 1, 2010)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: welcome to the party, four months late, part 2 (February 2, 2010)

This is the thirty-eighth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB

And you all thought we had forgotten about the tale of Aaron Podolefsky, the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors, and the radio station part-owner who talks about trees. We haven’t. We were waiting for more information.

When this story broke Blue Girl wrote:

…I contacted Mr. Hassler at the station this morning and asked him if the transcript I cite above was accurate, and he confirmed that it was, but dismissed the comments as made “just in passing…”

The transcript of the original radio broadcast:

Greg Hassler: …The University of Central Missouri. End of an era.

Marion Woods: Uh, huh.

Greg Hassler: Aaron Podolefsky. Out. We’ve talked about it for a long time….

….The, the thing that really upset me, that kind of got [garbled] going originally was, for years there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park. Remember that?

Marion Woods: Yep.

Greg Hassler: Drive by. He stopped that. I mean I think every religion should be able to celebrate, uh, in their own way, but, I mean we do live in Warrensburg, Missouri. This is America. You know. Let’s bring that back. How ’bout that?

Marion Woods: Wasn’t that the Christmas tree at the quadrangle?

Greg Hassler: No, there was also one at Selmo Park.

Marion Woods: Oh, okay.

Gregg Hassler: In the, in the yard, area there, so. I mean, I don’t know, it’s jus… It, it was a bad fit from the get go. It’s, it’s over…

Several sources provided us with information and written communications of which took place in December. One sent us a recording of a portion of a radio broadcast which supposedly took place on December 10, 2009. We have not yet been able to confirm that this broadcast took place on that date. That date is very interesting.

…Greg Hassler: …But there’s another blogger out there that has taken some things that I have said, eh, out of context and has spun them around and at, attacked me on blogs, calling me a racist, a bigot, which I’m not. They’ve also called me anti-Semitic, which I’m not. I love all people of all religions, I do. I’m not anti-Semitic.

other voice: I would agree with that.

Greg Hassler: You know what I am?

other voice: What are you?

Greg Hassler: I’m a big Mules and Jennies basketball fan, [laughter] that’s what I am….

“…The, the thing that really upset me, that kind of got [garbled] going originally was, for years there was a Christmas tree lit at Selmo Park. Remember that?…”

Yes, please do tell us about the context without spinning it.

The content in the audio [transcript], supposedly from December 10, 2009, is almost a verbatim quote of an e-mail sent by Greg Hassler in response to a reporter from the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, described in an article published on November 13, 2009:

….Hassler returned The Chronicle’s request for comment via e-mail, saying:

“First of all let me say that I am not anti-Semitic, I love all people of all religions. I have never stated anything about anyone’s religion on or off the air. People have taken a comment out of context and have spun it for their purpose….”

Another source sent us copies of two written communications, the first written by University of Central Missouri Board of Governors President Richard Phillips on December 13, 2009:

December 13, 2009

Mr. Benoit Wesley

[….]

Dear Mr. Wesley:

I spent several days in Warrensburg last week continuing to visit with University and community individuals in an effort to resolve the issue we have discussed.  On Thursday morning, December 10, the radio personality made a public statement that should resolve this matter.  Another Board member has visited with Mr. Elliott and provided him with an update of activities on our campus. I know the two of you are to meet later this week and perhaps will have a chance to visit on this matter. I personally visited with each Board member and discussed this with them and we trust this issue is behind us and we can move forward.

I do hope all is well with you and I again want to state how much our University appreciates the partnership with you and your family.  As I have stated before you are a trusted and honored friend of our University.  On your next visit to our campus I would appreciate the opportunity to visit with you.

Respectfully

Richard Phillips

[….]

[emphasis added]

On December 23, 2009 Benoit Wesly replied:

[….]

Mr. Richard Phillips

President of the University of Central

Missouri Board of Governors

[….]

Maastricht, December 23, 2009

[….]

Dear Mr. Philips,

I confirm receipt of your letter by e-mail dated December 13. I met with Dr. Ed Elliott. Some time ago a radioman, financially supported by the university and tremendously influenced by the Athletic Director, made an anti-Semitic public statement trying to hurt Mr. and Mrs. Podolefsky in specific and all the Jews in the world in general. I did check with professionals whether the statement about the Christmas tree indeed was anti-Semitic statement. I did receive written confirmations, that there is no doubt that the statement is anti-Semitic and of a very bad nature.

I did ask the board in writing to investigate the matter and to take corrective steps, if necessary. You did not.

I did ask you to bring the matter as fast as possible in the open session of your board meeting. You did not.

You should have taken the ‘highway’ from the beginning. You did not.

You should have openly and publicly declared, that the statement of the radioman is not to be tolerated by the university. You did not.

You should have taken public corrective steps against the radioman and against the Athletic Sports Director in order to protect the university. You did not.

You should have taken the principles and values of the constitution of the USA for granted. You did not.

You should publicly have presented your apologies for the very slow and negative approach to solve these problems to your students, faculty members and Mr. and Mrs. Podolefsky. You did not.

By writing you several times, by talking to you over the phone, I indicated how bad the statement of the radioman really was. You had the chance to clear the sky immediately. You did not.

Years ago I donated a Bell Tower. Central wanted to name the tower after my family. I did not and it became the Maastricht Friendship Tower. I am still very proud of that. It became a landmark. The Bell Tower carries a text from the Old Testament to educate students:

‘Who is wise? He who learns from every person”

You may visit that tower once and you may learn as well.

In my capacity as being a proud Jew and being the leader of the Jewish community in my region; being chairman of the Maror Foundation established by our government to rebuilt Jewish life in The Netherlands and being the first honorable consul to the State of Israel ever appointed in The Netherlands, I want to face myself every morning in the mirror. One day you may do the same.

Best regards,

s/

Benoit Wesly

CC:

Members of the Board of Governors of the University of Central Missouri

Mr. Aaron Podolefsky, President of the University of Central Missouri

Dr. Ed Elliott

Mrs. Kathy Callahan, Ph.D., College of Applied Sciences and Technology Fashion and Apparal Merchandising University of Central Missouri

Dr. Joan Mansfield, Interim Dean of the Harmon College of Business Administration of the University of Central Missouri

Mrs. Penny Kugler, Director Center for Business Internships Harmon College of Business Administration of the University of central Missouri

Enclosure: E-mail Mr. Richard Philips December 16, 2009

[emphasis in original]

It’s not going to go away on its own. One of the first lessons of crisis management and damage control is don’t let the issue fester unaddressed for any length of time.

“…You did not…”

Our previous coverage of the issue:

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your silence means consent (October 29, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: let’s not get cut out of the will, part 2 (October 30, 2009)

Old media irony impairment (October 30, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio, part 2 (October 31, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name (October 31, 2009)

Methinks that someone is paying attention! (November 2, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Bond, Stadium Bond (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name, part 2 (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I heard it on the radio, part 3 (November 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing succeeds like success (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your Friday news dump (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing exceeds like excess (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a grade for Accounting 101 (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law (November 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there’s gotta be a contract around here somewhere (November 9, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law, part 2 (November 10, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Garbo speaks! (November 12, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle (November 13, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”? Follow the money and it reveals the timeline (November 14, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the new president search consulting contract (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a march on a cold and rainy day (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: raise their voices (November 19, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: great moments in radio reporting (November 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Oh, my! (December 3, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: It’s simple, really… (December 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I do truly care about the success of our students (December 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: “…a wonderful relationship there we’re really proud of…” (December 7, 2009)

Oh brother, it’s time to convene another panel on blogger ethics… (December 8, 2009)

This is the thirty-seventh post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB

Univerity of Central Missouri Associate Athletic Director Shawn Jones speaking at the 2009 NCAA National Convention – describing the University’s relationship with KOKO radio (D&H Media):  

The transcript:

….I am the, the play by play announcer for my institution. And that is my background, uh, before getting into athletics and eventually into athletics administration. But I still, uh, am the voice of my school. So, when I arrived and I looked at our broadcasting situation our, our institution was actually paying, uh, to have the, the football and men’s basketball games on the radio. We were paying a local station and then we had the chance to go out and sell some advertising and try to recoup the costs.

Well, certainly that was a win situation for that local, uh, radio station, but it really wasn’t for us. We were losing money, still getting good coverage. Well then a new station came into the market. And we had that wonderful thing called competition. So, I said, let’s flip this.  Now, what are you gonna pay us to carry our games, because both of them wanted to carry the games. What are you gonna pay us?

So, so, we developed a situation where now where we’re at, at this point, we receive a rights fee every year. An up front amount of money, uh, that we know we’re gonna get. Then, my self, my staff and the sales staff of the radio station, we sell the advertising together. And we split the advertising where the station gets seventy-five percent, we get twenty-five percent. If I sell to somebody on their list they get the money, the, the person who’s the sales person, so they don’t lose any commissions.

The, the point being is, is we have a situation where we are true partners. We work together, but, but the onus is on them to go out and make the money. Uh, as an institution what I want to do is just get our events on there. But they’re so happy to, to be making the money and to be the home of Central Missouri Athletics and, and we’re so happy to have this great partner. And so it works very well.

And now we have football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, some softball games on the air. They let us use their Internet site to carry some, some softball, some volleyball. We have coach’s shows. We have a weekly coach’s show. Uh, they give us advertising now. I mean they literally give it to us, uh, and a chance to promote our upcoming events because we’re truly partners.

Uh, we don’t treat them like, uh, just a member of the media. Um, you know, and, and we share all revenues, we, we trade spreadsheets often. So, it’s a very nice situation.

And, and when you make somebody a partner it’s important when we have that, uh, that gear day that you guys all know and the coaches get their gear in. I make sure that the sports director at the, at the local station, he’s got his new shirt and his new warm ups. And, and if we have a team that is fortunate enough to advance and, and maybe participate in an elite eight or, or win a regional and, and we’re buying rings for the team, you know, I, I go to my, my boss, the athletic director, and say, can, can we get a ring for the sports director, he travels, we’ve got this partnership? And, and those are the kind of things we do. So, we’ve really created a, a wonderful relationship there we’re really proud of….

The May 2005 contract between the University of Central Missouri and D&H Media (KOKO radio).

“…So, so, we developed a situation where now where we’re at, at this point, we receive a rights fee every year. An up front amount of money, uh, that we know we’re gonna get…”

Except, we can’t quite figure out when anyone made those quarterly payments. Maybe they can’t, either.

“…Uh, we don’t treat them like, uh, just a member of the media. Um, you know, and, and we share all revenues, we, we trade spreadsheets often. So, it’s a very nice situation…”

Spreadsheets? There are spreadsheets?

…But they’re so happy to, to be making the money and to be the home of Central Missouri Athletics and, and we’re so happy to have this great partner. And so it works very well…

That’s interesting. A member of the Board of Governors wrote:

…Furthermore, had I been in a situation where others were engaged in this behavior, I would not have tolerated it. The comments by the radio personality were inappropriate, and I voiced my disapproval upon learning about the incident. However, this man has no connection to the board and his comments should have no reflection on the members of the Board of Governors…

Maybe the board feels that way because none of them actually signed the ten year contract with the radio station.

Interesting. There’s a ten year radio contract (a strong association with the university), the Associate Athletic Director describes a close relationship and a situation where the radio station sports director may get a ring (another strong association with the University), but when that individual makes a comment on the radio that connection to the institution disappears? How quaint.

Maybe they should ask for their warm ups back.

Our previous coverage of the issue:

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (Octobe
r 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your silence means consent (October 29, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: let’s not get cut out of the will, part 2 (October 30, 2009)

Old media irony impairment (October 30, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio, part 2 (October 31, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name (October 31, 2009)

Methinks that someone is paying attention! (November 2, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Bond, Stadium Bond (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name, part 2 (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I heard it on the radio, part 3 (November 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing succeeds like success (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your Friday news dump (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing exceeds like excess (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a grade for Accounting 101 (November 7, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law (November 8, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there’s gotta be a contract around here somewhere (November 9, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: there ought to be a law, part 2 (November 10, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Garbo speaks! (November 12, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle (November 13, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”? Follow the money and it reveals the timeline (November 14, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: the new president search consulting contract (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: a march on a cold and rainy day (November 18, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: raise their voices (November 19, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: great moments in radio reporting (November 21, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Oh, my! (December 3, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: It’s simple, really… (December 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I do truly care about the success of our students (December 6, 2009)

This is the twenty-third post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB

Uh, that grade would be “epic fail.”

We have made a total of three Missouri Sunshine Law requests to try and ascertain the dates of required payments made as outlined in the contract (pdf) between D&H Media (KOKO Radio) and the University of Central Missouri. Well, we think it’s the university.

The parties to the contract. Just who is “the Central Missouri State University Sports Network”?

As far as we can tell, we haven’t received the information on the actual dates of all of those payments yet.

Paragraphs 12 and 13 of the contract between D&H Media and “the Central Missouri State University Sports Network”.

Paragraph 12 of the contract requires D&H Media to pay $15,000 divided equally among four quarterly payments for a “broadcast right fee”. Okay, so what actual entity gets those payments? Because the [last] annual (2008) NCAA “report on the revenues, expenses and capital expenditures of the institution’s athletics department” doesn’t report any such revenues:

….10. Broadcast, Television, Radio, and Internet Rights. [$] 0

Include institutional revenue received directly for radio and television broadcasts, Internet and e-commerce rights received through institution-negotiated contracts….

[emphasis added]

Okay, so what did we get with out third request?

[….]

date: Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 3:46 PM

subject: Re: Request for information – RSMo 610

[….]

Pursuant to your request of October 30, 2009, wherein you ask for copies of all documents, including but not limited to – copies of all checks, documents showing all individual payment amounts, and documents showing the date received for all  individual payments in reference to the 2005 contract to broadcast intercollegiate athletic events between  D&H Media and the University and to the document provided to you by the University on October 23, 2009 in response to your October 19, 2009 request titled “KOKO Revenues”, in the category of “Compensation Remitted to UCM”, [and] in the subcategory titled, “UCM Advertising Sales Collections” for the amount of:

1.  $29,000 as  indicated for 2009

2.  $29,380 as indicated for 2008

3.  $27,100 as indicated for 2007

4.  $24,300 as indicated for 2006

5.  $23,100 as indicated for 2005

our search resulted in the documents contained in the attached .pdf file.

Sincerely,

[….]

[emphasis in orginal]

Somebody corrected our grammar with the [and]. That was very thoughtful.

So, we got a number of documents (pdf), but we can’t figure out when payments were made. We guess they can’t either. That’s the “epic fail” part. Note: the first page of this document is one we received after our second request.

A question: If you don’t differentiate between the general fund accounts and ancillary accounts from the university which commission ads and then you mix those in the calculation of the distribution of the gross ad receipts, isn’t that an accounting nightmare? Just asking.

This is good accounting practice? We seriously need a forensic auditor.

Like we said, “epic fail”.

So much for transparency.

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your silence means consent (October 29, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: let’s not get cut out of the will, part 2 (October 30, 2009)

Old media irony impairment (October 30, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio, part 2 (October 31, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name (October 31, 2009)

Methinks that someone is paying attention! (November 2, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Bond, Stadium Bond (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name, part 2 (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: I heard it on the radio, part 3 (November 5, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing succeeds like success (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agre
ement”?: your Friday news dump (November 6, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: nothing exceeds like excess (November 7, 2009)

This is the nineteenth post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG and MB

We heard complaints from individuals on campus that the local radio station was not accurate in representing the results of a campus survey and was using those misrepresentations to bludgeon University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky on the air.

We were given a copy of a letter (and an attached analysis) sent in February to the University’s Board of Governors by the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. We understand the board replied with a terse response only indicating that they received the materials submitted by the commission.

The letter:

20th February, 2009

Dear UCM Board of Governors.

The President’s Commission on the Status of Women is in the process of communicating its analysis and recommendations for the UCM Campus Climate Study. The PCSW is deeply concerned about the actions of a local Warrensburg radio station (KOKO) during the analysis and recommendation phase of the study. The station inaccurately reported results of the study and pre-empted a clearly defined, thoughtful process. An analysis of the remarks was conducted by one of our committee members and is attached for reference.

In our opinion, these actions and inaccurate statements were detrimental to our process and the university. We fully support free speech and the exchange of ideas and understand the right of the media to report on the activities of a state-supported university. At the same time, we expect the media to report accurately and act ethically. To this point, the members of the commission understand that KOKO radio is involved in an ongoing business relationship with UCM. The PCSW would like to request a formal response from the board as to why this business relationship is allowed to continue, in light of the public comments made by this station.

We look forward to continuing our efforts to make UCM a better place to work, live and study and appreciate your support.

[….]

It appears that another group of individuals on campus holds a dim view of self-labeled “fair and balanced” media.

The analysis by a member of the commission submitted with the letter to the Board of Governors:

I was concerned about the summary of the climate study that was characterized as “exposing deficiencies in UCM Leadership” by the local radio station.  In fact, since it was a campus climate study, there were few actual questions about leadership.  In addition, there were no questions across both faculty and staff surveys about “senior leadership.”  Rather, there were questions about managers and university leadership in a survey about campus climate overall.  There is not a sense of overall “poor leadership.”

The UCM organizational climate study did not list a top three areas for improvement.  The consultants listed general conclusions/recommendations in no particular order.  In addition, there were actually three surveys:  one was administered to students, another to staff members, and a third to faculty.  While there was some overlap in the three, the questions varied, and the results were not the same across all three surveys.

Some recommendations listed regarding the student surveys (644 responses) were:  reducing racial and sexual discrimination (14% of the female students have experienced sexual discrimination, 27% of non-white students have experienced racial discrimination), improving relations between students and campus/Warrensburg police (55% feel campus police treat them fairly, 43% feel that Warrensburg police treat them fairly), improving connections with academic advisors (58% feel their academic advisors care about them as a person), and improving mechanisms students have for voicing concerns (although 59% agree students have mechanisms to voice their issues).  In addition, 83% were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with UCM. 83% feel that UCM staff treat them with respect, 85% are satisfied with the education they are receiving, 81% feel valued by their professors.  89% are comfortable interacting with people from different racial backgrounds and 68% socialize with those from different racial backgrounds, and 82% feel safe on campus.

Some recommendations listed regarding the staff surveys (573 responses) were:  improve perception of university administration and its role (66% either very satisfied or satisfied with the job department managers were doing, 47% either very satisfied or satisfied with the job mid-level managers were doing, and  32% either very satisfied or satisfied with the job senior managers were doing) communication between university and staff (39% said they were satisfied with communications at UCM, 31% feel they have adequate methods to voice their issues to the university), clear objectives for recognition and advancement (18% agree university promotions and reclassifications are fair and equitable), and competitive pay (only 24% satisfied).  It should be made clear that staff members were not asked about the university leadership per se.  They were asked about their opinions of “department managers, mid-level managers, and senior management.”  In conversations with some staff members, they took those questions to pertain more to HR (human resources) than to the academic leadership of the university.  In addition, these questions about managers were in the context of a survey about campus climate, particularly in relation to discrimination towards minorities, so it is quite possible that respondents were responding in regards to managers and this particular issue, not overall.  Overall satisfaction is 74%.  In general, staff members were satisfied with their work relationships:  89% agree staff treat faculty with respect, 85% agree staff treat students with respect, 76% felt valued by their colleagues.  They thought of themselves as supportive of minorities, 85% would report an act of discrimination if witnessed, 80% are comfortable interacting with GBLT minorities, 95% are comfortable interacting with racial/ethnic minorities, and 90% feel the university is a safe place to work.  However, concern was expressed about discrimination on campus, particularly gender discrimination (21% had experienced) and job position discrimination (34%).

Some recommendations listed regarding the faculty (319 responses) were: improving communication (48% very satisfied or satisfied, 69% neutral overall), that the university needs to do a better job of managing perceptions/leadership (67% agree or strongly agree that they are satisfied with leadership at the department level, 13% neither agree nor disagree; 57% agree or strongly agree that they are satisfied by the job done by college leadership, 24% neutral; 29% strongly agree or agree that they are satisfied with university leadership, 29% neither agree nor disagree).  However, “leadership” is likely defined differently by different faculty.  Some could also only be thinking of leadership and discrimination issues given the context of the survey.  They could also be thinking of leadership historically and concerns about leadership not staying long.  There are no questions which relate solely to the President of the university and university leadership is comprised of more than just the president.   On the whole, faculty were happy with their work relationships (74.7 very satisfied or satisfied with work relationships; 71% proud to work at UCM, 20% neutral; 71.1% overall are satisfied with their work life at UCM, 16.4% neutral.)  42% of women reported experiencing gender discrimination, 40% of female faculty surveyed reported racial/ethnic di
scrimination, and 20% of male faculty reported racial discrimination.

There is little to support the claim that staff and faculty “feared” to answer the survey honestly.  Of the staff surveyed, 68.4% were completely honest in completing the questionnaire, 29% reported that they were honest in completing the survey “mostly, I have some concerns about confidentiality, and 2.3% reported “not completely, I have concerns about confidentiality.” Of the faculty surveyed, 72.9% were completely honest in completing the questionnaire, 24.1% reported that they were honest in completing the survey “mostly, I have some concerns about confidentiality, and 1.7% reported “not completely, I have concerns about confidentiality.”  There could be concern about naming co-workers in their comments, concerns about online surveys in general, concerns that the results could be used inappropriately by others– we simply do not know.  Having concerns and fearing are hardly the same.

On the whole, the university can improve on many issues, but it would be erroneous to assert from this data that there is a widespread concern about poor leadership on campus.  We can be proud of the overall satisfaction of our students and use these results to move forward to make the campus climate even better.

The commission stated: “…We fully support free speech and the exchange of ideas and understand the right of the media to report on the activities of a state-supported university…” We resemble that remark.

Well, the board was silent then, and it’s publicly silent now.

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: your silence means consent (October 29, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: let’s not get cut out of the will, part 2 (October 30, 2009)

Old media irony impairment (October 30, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: I heard it on the radio, part 2 (October 31, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name (October 31, 2009)

Methinks that someone is paying attention! (November 2, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: Bond, Stadium Bond (November 4, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement”?: where everybody knows your name, part 2 (November 4, 2009)

This is the eleventh post in an ongoing series as we file Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610) requests and investigate the non-renewal of the contract of University of Central Missouri President Aaron Podolefsky. Links to previous coverage are below the fold. BG

A gift from Benoit Wesly and his family from Maastricht, The Netherlands, the 80-foot-tall Maastricht Friendship Tower [on the campus of the University of Central Missouri] has been a campus landmark since 1998. It was erected as a symbol of international understanding. Inscribed on each side of the tower is a quote from the Jewish Mishnah, “Who is wise? He who learns from every man,” in English, Hebrew, Dutch, and Maastricht Dutch.

Given the recent rhetoric on the local radio station we were curious about the continuing silence from the University. We filled a Missouri Sunshine Law request on Sunday, effective Monday morning:

…date: Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 10:40 AM

Subject:Request for information under RSMo 610

Under RSMo 610 I am requesting the following information:

1. Any communications or documents sent to the President of the Board of Governors, the members of the Board of Governors, or the President of the University concerning statements made on the radio by Greg Hassler.

2. Any communications or documents in reply to those communications or documents (cited above) by the President of the Board of Governors, the members of the Board of Governors, or the President of the University.

Thank you…

We received the following reply today:

date: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 3:52 PM

Subject: Re: Request for information under RSMo 610

….Pursuant to your request of October 25, 2009, requesting “1) Any communications or documents sent to the President of the Board of Governors, the members of the Board of Governors, or the President of the University concerning statements made on the radio by Greg Hassler; and 2) Any communications or documents in reply to those communications or documents (cited above) by the President of the Board of Governors, the members of the Board of Governors, or the President of the University,” I am attaching communications and documents that we have identified thus far.  We are continuing to search our records; if additional communications or documents are identified concerning statements made on the radio by Greg Hassler, they will be sent to you in a supplemental e-mail…

We were thinking we would receive copies of communications we’d heard about on the Campus Climate Survey from the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

We didn’t. We sure did get something else, though.

We got a copy of a letter sent by Benoit Wesly to the President of the Board of Governors:

…Maastricht, October 22, 2009

…Dear Mr. President,

I take this opportunity to address you from Maastricht, The Netherlands, with the following.

By mail I received several times the text of a radio interview between Mr. Greg Hassler and Mrs. Marion Woods. I read the text carefully and I came to my personal conclusion, that this text has a anti-Semitic undertone. Secondly I received also by e-mail a protest sign on the door of a faculty office at the University of Central Missouri, showing a star of David with the word ‘Jude’, symbolizing the holocaust. This protest came from a Jewish faculty member.

I did understand that the radio station has an intensive business relation with the University of Central Missouri, an institution which had and still has my full support. It was a complete shock and still is, that a radio station makes such a horrible statement. I also found out, that the Christmas tree already disappeared during the time Mr. and Mrs. Patton did stay at Selmo Park.

I have the following questions:

Did you or the President of the university started an investigation to clarify the intentions of Mr. Greg Hassler and did you suspend the relationship with this radio station during the investigation. In case the answer is yes, when do you expect the outcome of this investigation and if no, why you have not started this investigation.

The fine reputation of your university is badly damaged by this radio interview. I am awaiting a positive answer, so I do not need to reconsider my relationship which was established 25 years ago with the University of Central Missouri.

Many thanks for your attention in this matter.

Best regards,

s/

Benoit Wesly

We also received a copy of the communication sent in response to Mr. Wesly by the President of the Board of Governors:

October 23, 2009

Mr. Benoit Wesly…

Dear Mr. Wesly:

Thank you for you letter of October 22, 2009 addressing issues at the University of Central Missouri.  You are a trusted and honored friend of the University and I appreciate your interest.

You are several thousand miles away from Warrensburg while I am fifty miles away yet you have information I do not have.  I do not have the text of the radio interview you speak of nor do I have official information on a protest sign.  The administration of our University has not shared that information with me or any other Board Member that I am aware of.  After receiving your message on October 22, I contacted our security staff to see if a complaint had been filed on any activity symbolizing the holocaust.  Nothing has been filed.

I have visited with our General Council on contract issues with the local radio station as this person brought to my attention requests for information on the contract between the University and the radio station.  Again, the University administration has not sent or communicated to the Board any information on this matter.

I am sharing a copy of a note I sent to our Board regarding a conversation I had with a media person in the Kansas City area last week that is self explanatory.  Make no mistake about it, our Board will not nor will our University tolerate any discriminatory act against any group.

I remain curious in trying to understand how and why a person or persons would share this with you when our Board has received nothing from our administration on this matter and why your communication copied the Governor of the State of Missouri when nothing has been sent to our Board.

We have a Board meeting next week on October 29 and I will bring this matter to the attention of our Board and will get back to you on any action taken.  Please be assured our University will not tolerate discriminatory acts against any group and I will personally look into this matter.

Thanks again for your interest in our University and for taking the time to share you’re thoughts with me.

Respectfully

Richard Phillips…

cc: Dr. Aaron Podolefsky, President

UCM Board of Governors

Governor State of Missouri, the Honorable Jay Nixon

Monica Huffman

Henry Setser

I attended the Board of Governors meeting. I recorded the Board of Governors meeting. I was there nearly an hour before it started. There was no discussion of the “matter,” the subject was not broached, let alone any action taken. I work for an attorney, so I utilized the resource and asked the obvious question: Is the matter of Hassler’s comments something that they could discuss in closed session? I got a one word response: “No.” Such discussion or action would not fall under the exclusionary provisions of the Missouri
Sunshine Law.

The public silence is deafening.

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)



“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: They’re not playing hardball, they’re playing cat and mouse  (October 23, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a cola and some scoreboards (October 24, 2009)

“A Gentleman’s Agreement?”: a few more pieces of the puzzle? (October 28, 2009)

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.