If you are a regular DtB reader, you have encountered angry and concerned reader comments about what's happened to business, to the MRC, etc. Much of this anger has been directed at the VPI and the President.
One aspect of the situation is a seeming lack of transparency: things keep happening without public discussion or explanation—even at the academic senate. I’m in the academic senate, but I have received no information that sheds light on these worrisome events. Prima facie, that's troubling.
WELL, it has come to my attention—through informal channels—that many of the actions that have caused concern are responses to serious problems that have recently come to light. Evidently, the State Chancellor’s Office felt it necessary to send down an “audit” team, and their inquiries have revealed some excesses and deficiencies, including troubling behavior on the part of some faculty.
Evidently, whole curricula must now be rewritten, a process that cannot occur overnight.
The audit, I’m told, is now completed, and it is only a matter of time before its contents will be revealed. Look for that.
Faced with a situation in which long-established highly problematic practices have come to light and a serious state response was afoot (I guess we haven't seen that yet), administration has had to proceed carefully, quietly, etc.--and also decisively. No doubt, it’s a delicate and difficult situation. I’m in no position to assess whether our administrators have proceeded responsibly and wisely, but I have no reason to suppose that they have not.
I'll see if I can get more information.
