STrib: University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler toughing out tough times

[BleedGopher]

per the STrib:

Already, Eric Kaler admits, this was shaping up to be one of his toughest years ever as president of the University of Minnesota.

There were clashes with the state Legislature over rising tuition. Scathing reports and lingering questions about the U’s handling of a patient who killed himself more than a decade earlier. Students occupying his office to protest racial and ethnic discrimination.

Then this summer, a sex-harassment scandal erupted that forced Kaler to send his athletic director, Norwood Teague, packing and bring in teams of investigators. The fallout from the Teague case has dominated the headlines as Kaler begins his fifth year as president and students and staff prepare for opening day of classes Tuesday.

Some of the outrage has been aimed at Kaler himself, with critics questioning everything from his judgment to his choice of words.

To some extent, that simply comes with leading a university that spends $3.6 billion to educate more than 50,000 students each year, says Kaler, 58. “You can’t be a leader of an institution like this, a great academic institution, without having courage of your convictions,” he said. “Because you’re going to get second-guessed in this line of work.”

Kaler and his allies had hoped that the furor would have died down by now, a month after Teague resigned and apologized for his “offensive behavior” at the annual retreat for senior leaders in July. But a series of new revelations has only raised questions about how deep the problems in the Athletic Department may run.

http://www.startribune.com/u-president-toughing-out-some-tough-times/324792221/

Go Gophers!!

 

[short ornery norwegian]

I get the sense that the Strib has decided to keep hammering on the problems in the AD's office. I think they see that as "their" story. (still jealous that the PPress broke the academic fraud story?)

So, expect to see the Strib work hard to keep the story alive with new "revelations" about the AD's problems. (adult men like looking at dirty pictures - I'm shocked!)

 

[station19]

I get the sense that the Strib has decided to keep hammering on the problems in the AD's office. I think they see that as "their" story. (still jealous that the PPress broke the academic fraud story?)

So, expect to see the Strib work hard to keep the story alive with new "revelations" about the AD's problems. (adult men like looking at dirty pictures - I'm shocked!)

I think you are right.

 

[supadupafly]

I get the sense that the Strib has decided to keep hammering on the problems in the AD's office. I think they see that as "their" story. (still jealous that the PPress broke the academic fraud story?)

So, expect to see the Strib work hard to keep the story alive with new "revelations" about the AD's problems. (adult men like looking at dirty pictures - I'm shocked!)

The Tribune is just trying to keep attention away from their own sheer and utter hypocrisy when it comes to the Teague matter, which frankly I, and I think a majority of others, already consider old news and have moved on from. i.e. The whole Amelia Rayno complaint about Teauge and her Star Tribune managers knowing about her complaint and not doing anything about it all.

The Tribune trying to keep this story alive as somehow now being a "Kaler story" is just plain stupid and a classic example of the pot calling the kettle black. Said another way, STFU Star Tribune and eay sh!t you pathetic hypocrites.

 

[Iceland12]

per the STrib: http://www.startribune.com/u-president-toughing-out-some-tough-times/324792221/

Go Gophers!!

The story itself is pretty well balanced. Oh, for what it's worth 1500 ESPN was saying that all their sources are saying that unlike the Teague problems, they don't believe the new allegations. Again, for what that may be worth.

From Bleed's link:

As far as the regents were concerned, “we struck gold,” said Allen.

One of Kaler’s first big initiatives was to push for a tuition freeze. He managed to persuade the state Legislature to pay for it in 2013 and 2014 — the first two-year freeze since 1969 — reversing several years of budget cuts. He also impressed lawmakers with his candor when the Wall Street Journal came out with a story citing the U as the poster child for administrative bloat. Kaler insisted that the newspaper got it wrong, but promptly commissioned a study and reported the results, as promised, to the Legislature.

“He’s perceived as somebody who has earned a lot of respect,” said Sen. Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka, who heads the Senate Higher Education Committee. “How he handles problems … is impressive.”

Charlie Weaver, president of the Minnesota Business Partnership, agrees. He said he’s gotten to know Kaler working on community projects like Generation Next, which is trying to narrow the achievement gap in Minnesota schools.

“So many people in academics can come across as arrogant or self-important, but Kaler doesn’t suffer from that,” he said. “He’s not afraid, as he’s shown with the Teague situation, to acknowledge it when he makes a mistake. And when he does things right, he’s not the first guy out there taking credit.”

The U’s regents, meanwhile, have given Kaler glowing reviews from the start. “Exceptional” says his first performance review, in 2012, which raved about his success as a fundraiser, among other things. “Stellar” said his second. “Exceptional” read the third. His latest, in June, called him “outstanding.” For two years, Kaler refused a raise (his salary was $610,000), directing the extra funds to scholarships instead. Last year, the board extended his contract through 2020, this time with a raise.

“We’re a better university today than we’ve ever been,” said Dean Johnson, chair of the Board of Regents. By every measure, he said, Kaler has elevated the university: ACT scores of incoming freshmen: “Never been better.” Athletes’ grade-point averages: “Never been better.” Research dollars: “Never been higher.” And last year, the U foundation broke its record for donations, raising more than $350 million. “These are all … marks of great leadership,” Johnson said...

Critics fault leadership:..

“This is our university, and we have the right to expect the highest level of integrity in our governance, and frankly, it’s not present,” Carlson said. He argues that Kaler ignored warnings about the psychiatry department for years, and that the Teague case is another symptom of a failure of leadership. “Nobody’s accountable,” he said. “It’s always ‘blame it on somebody else.’ ”

Eva von Dassow, a longtime faculty leader and associate professor of Near Eastern history and languages, calls herself an admirer of Kaler’s. At the same time, she said, many colleagues believe he was too slow to respond to the warnings about the psychiatry department.

“He could be faulted for not listening to begin with,” von Dassow said of Kaler. “However, once he understood what the problems were, he was truly dismayed,” she said, “and truly committed to correcting those problems.”

Johnson, though, says it’s simply misguided to lay the blame on Kaler for either Teague’s behavior or the psychiatry department’s troubles, which predated his arrival.

“As captain of the ship, you only know what you’re told,” he said. “In both cases, Eric Kaler, with his hand on the Bible, could say, ‘I didn’t know.’ But as soon as he found out, he took decisive action. I give high marks to leaders who do that.”

Johnson, for one, has no worries about Kaler’s ability to ride out the storm. “It’s easy to beat up the U. It’s a big ship,” he said. “But it’s a great place. It does great things for our citizens. And Kaler’s leading the ship.”

 

[vagopher]

I think the Fourth Estate (the media) is critically important to any democracy, and needs to be free to criticize those who are in positions of authority. But too often journalists are motivated by personal rather than public interests. I've been a source for a number of news stories in my lifetime, and seldom has the story that I have been interviewed for when published squared with what I knew to be the truth. Sometimes, journalists are simply concerned with being seen as "balanced" and thus give undue credibility to inherently unreliable sources. But more egregious is when they try to create the illusion of a public scandal on the basis of innuendo, and questionable sources in order to promote readership and to advance their personal careers. I think there is an element of this in the Star Tribune's Kaler coverage. Unfortunately, I fear that this coverage has the potential to damage the University, not to mention Kaler, who I think overall has been a breath of fresh air.

 

[supadupafly]

I think the Fourth Estate (the media) is critically important to any democracy, and needs to be free to criticize those who are in positions of authority. But too often journalists are motivated by personal rather than public interests. I've been a source for a number of news stories in my lifetime, and seldom has the story that I have been interviewed for when published squared with what I knew to be the truth. Sometimes, journalists are simply concerned with being seen as "balanced" and thus give undue credibility to inherently unreliable sources. But more egregious is when they try to create the illusion of a public scandal on the basis of innuendo, and questionable sources in order to promote readership and to advance their personal careers. I think there is an element of this in the Star Tribune's Kaler coverage. Unfortunately, I fear that this coverage has the potential to damage the University, not to mention Kaler, who I think overall has been a breath of fresh air.

+1. Spot on. I don't trust the Mpls Tribune to cover many stories without bias or without attempting to put a particular slant on a story/topic. They are famous for allowing their personal viewpoints/opinions on issues to creep into what is supposed to be reporting.

 

[GoodasGold]

I get the sense that the Strib has decided to keep hammering on the problems in the AD's office. I think they see that as "their" story. (still jealous that the PPress broke the academic fraud story?)

So, expect to see the Strib work hard to keep the story alive with new "revelations" about the AD's problems. (adult men like looking at dirty pictures - I'm shocked!)

What's so dirty about them?

 

[IronRanger91]

I've met Kaler. He is a nice enough individual and no doubt incredibly intelligent. However, there are some major areas of concern. Our University is one of the world's largest and most well known. Yet, the Board of Regents (which should be all elected so that they can be held accountable rather than the good old boys and girls club they are now. They represent nothing but money and prestige) chose to go with a provost who had never run a campus more less one the size of the U of M. I find it hard to believe that there were not campus leaders from other schools that would not have been fine choices. If they were going to go the route they did, they could not find a provost, vice-chancellor or vice-president from a more reputable school than SUNY-Stony Brook? Also, people need to be concerned about his "hands off" attitude with hires. This is obvious with Teague and Ellis. People can blame the search firm all they want. The fact is the buck needs to stop with Kaler and the search committee. Really? These people did not research on their own? Also, I know of a campus head in the system who was hired despite the fact that he had been given a vote of no confidence from his faculty and got out ahead of the lynch mob at his previous school. I found this out within ten minutes online. When I asked a search committee member about this, I was told me it was the U's job to do the background check. BS! Also, Kaler was the ultimate hiring authority here as well! With out a doubt, the most grievous situation is the Markingson case. A man died! While Kaler was not directly involved, he stone walled the auditor. There are way too many red flags here. The legislature continues to defund the system. IMO, it has a great deal to do with these situations as well as the administrative glut in the system. I like Kaler's stance with athletics support. However, and I'll probably get hammered for this, he has major credibility issues right now regardless of how much his wife defends him in the article. He needs to be gone.

 

[supadupafly]

I've met Kaler. He is a nice enough individual and no doubt incredibly intelligent. However, there are some major areas of concern. Our University is one of the world's largest and most well known. Yet, the Board of Regents (which should be all elected so that they can be held accountable rather than the good old boys and girls club they are now. They represent nothing but money and prestige) chose to go with a provost who had never run a campus more less one the size of the U of M. I find it hard to believe that there were not campus leaders from other schools that would not have been fine choices. If they were going to go the route they did, they could not find a provost, vice-chancellor or vice-president from a more reputable school than SUNY-Stony Brook? Also, people need to be concerned about his "hands off" attitude with hires. This is obvious with Teague and Ellis. People can blame the search firm all they want. The fact is the buck needs to stop with Kaler and the search committee. Really? These people did not research on their own? Also, I know of a campus head in the system who was hired despite the fact that he had been given a vote of no confidence from his faculty and got out ahead of the lynch mob at his previous school. I found this out within ten minutes online. When I asked a search committee member about this, I was told me it was the U's job to do the background check. BS! Also, Kaler was the ultimate hiring authority here as well! With out a doubt, the most grievous situation is the Markingson case. A man died! While Kaler was not directly involved, he stone walled the auditor. There are way too many red flags here. The legislature continues to defund the system. IMO, it has a great deal to do with these situations as well as the administrative glut in the system. I like Kaler's stance with athletics support. However, and I'll probably get hammered for this, he has major credibility issues right now regardless of how much his wife defends him in the article. He needs to be gone.

Personal agendas much?! Sheesh.

 

[IronRanger91]

Why. Because I speak my mind? I would be curious about what the people on this board would say if Kaler weren't such a huge backer of Kill. Every week it's something different coming out. Just because I have an opinion doesn't make it a personal agenda. I've been on this board for nine years. One thing that I've found out is God forbid you go against the grain. You'll get name called and/or destroyed.


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[supadupafly]

Why. Because I speak my mind? I would be curious about what the people on this board would say if Kaler weren't such a huge backer of Kill. Every week it's something different coming out. Just because I have an opinion doesn't make it a personal agenda. I've been on this board for nine years. One thing that I've found out is God forbid you go against the grain. You'll get name called and/or destroyed.


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Who called you a name or destroyed you? Grow a thicker skin man. P.S. A grand total of 82 posts in 9 years and looks like the vast majority of them are all concerning the Teague matter and/or any thread involving Kaler in the title. So yes, I would go ahead and say again.........personal agenda?? Me thinks so.......

 

[IronRanger91]

Well. I guess I have more of a life than to post on every topic more less research someone else's posts.


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[Killjoy]

Well. I guess I have more of a life than to post on every topic more less research someone else's posts.


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Maybe if you did you wouldn't be so rusty.

In all seriousness people from the range tend to march to their own drum. I used to go to the range once a quarter and I always found their politics to be quite different and interesting. I have to admit that your moniker brought back the memories of the "range vs. the cities" culture I would sometime encounter there. I certainly don't know if and how that culture impacted your comments here, nor is it really important, but your moniker sure had me recalling my experiences from a long time ago.

 

[IronRanger91]

Killjoy - fair enough. I'm very proud of my background! Best wishes and Go Gophers!


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[Killjoy]

Killjoy - fair enough. I'm very proud of my background! Best wishes and Go Gophers!


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Thanks for the response and comment. I do appreciate both your background and culture. I have to admit though that when I first started to visit the range I was pretty ignorant about the people, the area, and its history. I came to realize it has a rich and deep history. The Twin Cities and its lack of understanding, ignorance, and respect has certainly lead to frustration and mistrust from the range. But I digress, this is a football blog and we need to get back to it. Go Gophers!

 

[IronRanger91]

Let's get Colorado State this Saturday!


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[Miss Trixie]

I get the sense that the Strib has decided to keep hammering on the problems in the AD's office. I think they see that as "their" story. (still jealous that the PPress broke the academic fraud story?)

So, expect to see the Strib work hard to keep the story alive with new "revelations" about the AD's problems. (adult men like looking at dirty pictures - I'm shocked!)

I'll concede that chronologically 'adult' men like to look at 'dirty' pictures. And the ones who are perpetually stuck in adolescence like to share them with their like-minded little buddies. But real adults know when it is inappropriate behavior, like for example when at a work-related function (which the bowl game was), especially when others have complained that it is inappropriate. And real adults don't resort to sabotaging a co-worker's employment after that co-worker has reported your boorish behavior.

Real men, the ones I know and love, have no need to blatantly disrespect and objectify women in this manner. Maybe it's because they actually enjoy the company of women, know how to relate to women on an adult level, and are capable of mutually respectful relationships with women. I suspect it requires a level of self-confidence that some people never acquire, hence the need for false machismo. For some guys maybe it's deep seated feelings of insecurity, or maybe some guys are just pigs.

The Star Tribune was right to report this story.

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[Maximus]

Could be worse.....Iowa hired an AD with no experience as a college administrator:

Now, Mason is out: Eight days after the Yes Men’s visit, the Iowa Board of Regents unanimously voted former IBM and Boston Market executive Bruce Harreld as UI’s next president, despite Harreld having no university administrative background. He did work as an adjunct senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, but that’s the extent of his college workplace experience.

On the résumé Harreld submitted to the regents, he listed his current job as the managing principal for the Colorado-based Executing Strategy, LLC. This company “confidentially (advises) several public, private and military organizations on leadership, organic growth and strategic renewal.” However, that business doesn’t exist. The Colorado secretary of state has no record of a company of that name.

On Sept. 1, during a public forum that was part of Harreld’s on-campus interview and visit, I asked Harreld to explain this discrepancy. He replied that Executing Strategy was a company name he previously used and that he accidentally listed it in his current work history.

“Shame on me,” Harreld said. “I too quickly pulled it from out of my head and put it on the résumé. There is no Colorado corporation. I live in Colorado. That’s my post office box.”

Harreld’s public forum did not go well, to put it mildly. His rambling 35-minute presentation contained little more than vague generalizations and repeated catchphrases such as taking UI from “great to greater.” At times he rolled his eyes and looked exasperated while facing questions from students, staff, and faculty. When a UI staff member asked him what initiatives he might have planned to improve workplace morale, he replied, “I don’t know that I have any. Now what? Staff? I dunno. … What more would you like me to say?” Harreld then ended this exchange with an abrupt, “No, I’m done. OK? If you don’t mind.”

When he was challenged by a UI alum on a fact that he got wrong about the university, he admitted that he got the incorrect information from Wikipedia—hardly the professional research you’d expect from a potential university president. And when asked about former UI president Mason’s six-point plan to curb sexual violence on campus, he replied, “I read the six-point plan. I can’t remember all six points. Shame on me. I have a two-letter plan. N-O.”

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2015/09/university_of_iowa_names_new_president_no_experience_no_ideas_flubbed_his.html