Padberg: closing in on “junket” abuse?

[2-7-06] Years ago, the then-student trustee came to me with some concerns. He told me that, in his opinion, some board members were abusing the perks of their office, especially with regard to travel and reimbursed expenses. He didn’t seem to have much to offer in the way of concrete details—it was more a sense of what sort of thing generally went on.

The worst abuser, according to the student, was John Williams. “That guy is something else,” he said.

Since I had no way of verifying the kid’s sense of things, I didn’t pursue the matter.

s you know, Trustee Padberg has worked in recent years for trustee Williams at his Public Administrator job. A few months ago, however, there was much buzzage in the district regarding Padberg’s sudden firing. The story was that, in recent years or months, the Nance had failed sufficiently to support the Fuentes/Wagner/Williams right-wing agenda, which included support of Raghu Mathur. As you know, Padberg can no longer abide the fellow. So she had to be sacked.

Whether or not the story’s true, it is beyond doubt that, at the time of Padberg’s noisy termination from her county gig, board meetings started featuring some seriously nasty snipage. The snipage usually pitted Padberg against Williams, Wagner, Fuentes, or Mathur.

Well, at last Tuesday’s board meeting, the snipage intensified.

It started at the beginning of the open session, when Padberg requested a report on trustee travel expenses. And not only trustee expenses: the expenses of “top management,” too—i.e., Raghuian expenses.

One can only assume that she's looking there because she knows there's something there to find. Know what I mean?

We all looked at each other: “What’s that about?” Raghu’s lower lip undulated. His nose crinkled and snorted.

Naturally, no board member could afford to oppose Nancy’s bloodhoundery. Her request was approved unanimously.

But, man, there was definitely something in the air. It was a popcorn moment for the audience.

A few minutes later, phase 2 of Nancy’s Embarrassment Project was unveiled. She pulled item 27—trustee requests for specific travel expenses—from the consent calendar. That is, she asked that that item be discussed rather than summarily approved.

Again, a dark and fetid weirdness prevailed. The audience smiled. It was good.

When the board finally got to item 27, Padberg explained that she was particularly concerned about the intention of five district officials (three or four trustees plus possibly a chancellor or vice chancellor, I think) to attend a conference in Orlando, Florida. Said Nancy, our trustees and administrators apparently can’t be bothered to attend local conferences—she was embarrassed, she said, when she and only one other trustee attended a recent state conference. And yet, said Nancy, these five were planning to blow as much as $20,000 of taxpayer money on a trip way out to the goddam Sunshine State.

Predictably, Williams responded to Padberg’s worries by declaring his intention to attend that convention with bells on. This particular convention is stupendously valuable, he said. Heck, said he, Dr. Bill Weary would be there to lead a session. Imagine that!

Weary, it seems, was the consultant who helped the board arrive at its infamously unimpressive “Chancellor goals.” Remember those?

Padberg reminded Williams that the board was “very divided” concerning the worth of Dr. Weary’s assistance re goals. (I did not know that.) Plus, said Nancy, one Weary session in Orlando is not sufficient to justify flying across the country!

Mathur then piped up, seemingly on cue. He offered what logic teachers call a “circumstantial ad hominem.” That’s when you accuse your opponent of some kind of inconsistency—which, logically speaking, is irrelevant to the worth of your opponent’s position.

Basically, it’s sophistry.

In particular, Mathur seemed to say that, two years ago, he went to a convention, and you know what? Nancy urged him to go to the damned thing! He then adopted an air of victory.

I think the idea was that Padberg was revealed to be inconsistent or hypocritical, and so screw her. Not sure. At any rate, Padberg then declared that she did no such thing.

That’s when our Raghu went badly off the rails. He said, simply, “Yes, you did.” Then he went out of his way to repeat his assertion.

Now, if there’s one thing I’m sure about, it’s that, on the first day of Chancellor’s school, they teach you never to call a trustee a liar!

Eventually, John Williams bloviated anew, this time explaining to his colleagues that a trustee’s “code of ethics” requires that he attend conferences!

The poor fellow seemed to be saying that it would be unethical for trustees not to go to Florida! He also seemed to say that any trustee who is unwilling to junket to Florida is living "in a box."

As if that weren’t enough, Williams then tossed in his own little ad hominem, for he reminded his audience of the charge, recently leveled, that Nancy doesn’t prepare for board meetings!

Padberg smiled at that one. She waited for Williams to belch forth his whole hairball, whereupon she reminded everyone that she does not oppose trustees attending conferences. Nope. Rather, she opposes trustees attending distant and expensive conferences when cheap local ones are at hand.

That’s when Nancy's rhetoric took a sudden turn south. She next seemed to accuse unnamed trustees of using these trips to rack up “bonus miles” for personal and family use! All at once, there was a hideous silence and a sulphurous stink. Fuentes smiled. For him, such stinkoid situations are positively gemutlich.

It’s a “junket,” she said. It’s taxpayer “abuse,” she added.

Naturally, Padberg’s effort to block approval of the taxpayers funding Johnny's good time in Florida went down in flames. Only trustee Bill Jay voted with her.

I’ve prepared two AUDIO files from that night. They tell the story. I think you’ll enjoy them.

PART ONE

1. PADBERG REQUESTS REPORT
She wants to know who’s racking up expenses, and how much these expenses are.

2. DISCUSSION OF ITEM 27 (TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT)

Padberg questions the planned participation of five district officials in an AGB conference in Orlando, Florida. She’s embarrassed that district officials do not attend important state and local conferences for trustees. Why go to this one clear across the country?

Williams declares that he will attend. He notes that Dr. Bill Weary will be there.

PART TWO

3. MATHUR CONTRA PADBERG
Mathur defends district participation in the Orlando convention. He and Nancy disagree about whether she once urged him to go to a conference. Raghu seems to call her a liar.

4. WILLIAMS CONTRA PADABERG
Williams appeals to trustee ethics. Padberg highlights the potential $15,000-20,000 cost of the trip.

THE PEABODY ORLANDO

Oh yeah. You really should check out the Hotel that trustees will be staying at in Orlando. It’s called the Peabody Orlando, and its snazzy and ritzy and decadent. It's easy to picture John Boy there. Here are some pics. (Go to http://www.peabodyorlando.com/)

Painting a pig

Lasik Danbury


t's the same old Mr. Goo.

Yesterday, Academic Senators at IVC got their first look at a chart, depicting the Chancellor's proposed "District decision-making process." We gaped at it (click on image to make it larger):


Here's a close-up of those top three boxes:

And here are the bottom 8:


"Gee," said some. "This seems to be a portrait of micromanagement by the board and total control by the Chancellor."

"How come the faculty don't appear anywhere on this chart?" asked others.


Our representatives have already attempted to persuade the Chancellor that his model just won't do. The fellow indicated that he would make some changes to it.

One change, we were told, will be its name: the Chancellor indicated that it will now be called the "shared governance" decision-making process.

Quipped one senator, "that's like painting a pig."

UPDATE: Saddleback College and IVC Accreditation "action letters"

Yesterday, we reported that IVC was spanked anew by the Accrediting Agency: the college must submit a new report on Oct. 15. This will be followed by yet another site visit. D'oh!

In the case of IVC, the college's efforts to respond to the accrediting agency's 8 recommendations (January '05) were judged inadequate or unacceptable with regard to recommendations 6, 7, and 8 (i.e., board micromanagement, unclarity with regard to constituency groups' roles and responsibilities, and the "plague of despair").

That result pointed a finger of blame at the Board and the Chancellor.

At today's (IVC) Academic Senate meeting, we learned that Saddleback College, too, has heard from the accrediting agency (ACCJC/WASC). Evidently, in the case of Saddleback College, which initially received 6 recommendations, the college was judged to have offered an inadequate response to all six recommendations. D'OH!

We'll provide details as we get them.

Below is the letter received yesterday by IVC's Glenn "Milquetoast" Roquemore (click on the image to make it larger):

The accreditation "Action Letter" has arrived!

just heard the news: the accrediting agency's "action letter" re Irvine Valley College arrived today. I suspect that Saddleback College's letter arrived today too, and that its content will be similar to what I describe here.

Essentially, the letter requires a progress report, due on October 15, followed by a site visit in about a year.

You'll recall that, a year ago, the ACCJC gave both colleges the lowest passing grade. Accordingly, we were compelled to respond to various recommendations. (Normally, a college at most is expected to turn in a three year report.)

In IVC's case, there were eight recommendations, and, arguably, the most serious of these were 6, 7, and 8. #6 concerned board micromanagement, #7 concerned unclarity concerning the "roles and responsibilities" of the various governance groups, and #8 concerned the "plague of despair" that afflicts the colleges.

This latest round of Accred spankage concern those three recommendations, which means that the ACCJC was less than impressed with our efforts to respond to the problems perceived in these three areas.

This result is a vindication of faculty (and other governance groups) and a rebuke of specifically the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Mathur.

But now things are getting serious. If Mathur and the Board don't shape up fast, we could end up with serious accreditation trouble. Keep in mind that Compton College had its accreditation pulled, not because of the faculty or classified, but because of its trustees and top administrators. If those people screw up, then everybody, including students, pays the price.

"Liberal Busybodies": Wagner takes aim at the American Library Association

elow are two short audio files (click on the icon) of last night's board meeting. They concern item 5: membership in organizations (i.e., memberships of the two colleges in professional organizations)

Part 1: Trustee Wagner makes his motion (about 4 minutes)

Part II:
1. Trustee Milchiker can't support the motion (Marcia forgot to turn her mike on.)
2. Trustee Lang joins Milchiker ("my wife's a member")
3. Trustee Wagner responds
4. Trustee Fuentes makes a point of clarification
5. The vote is taken
(about 3 minutes)

I should mention that, immediately after Wagner made his motion, Chancellor Mathur noted that, in our district, librarians are indeed considered faculty (I edited that out). Wagner said he understood Mathur's point.

Mathur did not oppose Trustee Wagner's motion. Before the vote, it seemed clear that Wagner's motion would pass, as it did. Mathur did nothing to stop that.

Wagner vs. Hanoi Jane and the AAUW:

Wagner has a history of attempting to end our colleges' associations with "liberal" or "leftist" professional organizations. Six years ago, as a trustee, he took aim at the American Association of University Women. I looked in old issues of our newsletter (Dissent), and I found the following transcripts. Note: at the time, Dorothy Fortune was president of the board.

Transcripts, July 26, 1999 Board Meeting

FORTUNE: Trustee Wagner?

WAGNER: A couple of comments. I noticed here that both of our colleges are paying fees for the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. I'm curious why there is some overlap there-not that I have anything against the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, of course. But it seems there's some overlap…

The one item that gave me the most trouble is the numerous payouts to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which recently gave an award to Jane Fonda. Now, our chancellor served in Viet Nam-I don't know if he was there the same time Miss Fonda was in North Viet Nam, but I have a very serious problem with that organization and with us spending the tax money of residents of South Orange County to support such an organization. So I would like to make a motion…since apparently there is no time pressure here…that all payments to that organization be stricken from this agenda item and brought back to us with a report on why we belong, what benefit we feel we're getting out of that organization, and [we] can address it in particular. It may very well make some sense ultimately to pay these fees, but, uh, I would like to so amend item 20. [Someone seconds the motion. Perhaps Williams.]

FORTUNE: Would you repeat your motion?

WAGNER: The motion is to amend item 20 to strike any payments to the AAUW and to bring that item back at a later date with a report as to that organization, the benefits that we believe we're getting from continued membership in that organization, and any other information regarding that organization that administration believe is appropriate for us to know.

FORTUNE: I would like to comment on your motion. I'm a lapsed member of the AAUW, and, while you might not like their poster girl of the year, they have a wonderful magazine, they have wonderful activities, they're represented on all university campuses.

They're annual fee seems to be $100. On the other hand, the Orange County Forum is here for $1,000, which--I don't know about that one. I understand your concern, but at the same time I think we need to have a little bit of openness. We don't have to agree with everything that an organization does….

[Trustee Milchiker moved to table the entire item. It was tabled.]….

Raghu Successorizes

y recent blog inspired various interesting comments by readers about the meaning of Raghu’s notorious "inspirational" posters. I (somewhat sloppily) compared the posters’ messages to Hallmark sentiments and New Age drivel, but some of you saw darkness and menace where I saw tautology, cliché, schmaltz, and mindless cheerleading.

It all got me to thinking: where did these posters actually come from?

I Googled the quotation that’s on the “leadership” poster: “In the end, leaders are much like eagles...They don't flock, you find them one at a time.” That brought me to various business and motivational speaker sites.

Eventually, I found my way to a site called Successories, and I hit pay dirt. It appears that all of the posters in A100’s small conference room are available from Successories (the url is WeMotivate.com).


What is Successories? Well, Successories sells “motivational posters and gifts” to executives. Their “goal is simple…to help you [the business executive] reach yours.” No, not that. Your goals.

According to the site,

Motivational posters and motivational accessories are great gifts for employee motivation…These motivational posters and gifts have the ability to uplift and motivate anybody who reads them…It is a proven fact that you can improve work performance as well as create a truly positive workplace attitude with motivating images and inspirational quotes. (My emphasis)

Successories sells all sorts of stuff—posters, banners, coffee mugs, pens, plaques—but, in the end, the company relies on the power of the allegedly inspirational quotations that are plastered on all their crap.

Successories claims that “anybody” would be uplifted by their quotations. That’s not quite true. No educated person, for instance, would be uplifted by them, for no educated person would fail to see them as clichés or worse. That's the great thing about education. You learn stuff.

Judge for yourself. Here are just a few of Successories’ “inspirational” quotations. I’ve put them in seven convenient categories:

The GOOFY:

• "Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible." (Yeah? What about those who "write the illiterate"?)
• "What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us." (What lies within you guys, evidently, are clichés and goofyisms.)
• "Look deep within, for stars lie hidden in your soul." (Why would stars hide there? And why not a tuna?)

The EXAGGERATED or FALSE:

• "A positive attitude is a powerful force... it can't be stopped." (OK, picture some fool smilin’ into a hurricane.)
• "Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens.” (Yeah, that heart attack didn’t mean a damn thing.)
• "Be unafraid to fail and you will undoubtedly succeed." (Undoubtedly? You ever see American Idol?)
• "A shared purpose combined with a positive mental attitude constitutes an unstoppable force." (—Except when that force meets a still greater force. Don’t be an idiot.)
• “Climb any mountain and believe without a doubt that you will succeed.” (Yeah, at the foot of the mountain, Simon Cowell tells you you stink. That’s when noble certainty starts to carry you to magnificent heights.)
• “Never doubt that blending your talents with those of others can change the world." (Only a weasel would say something like that.)
• "Wisdom is knowing what path to take next…Integrity is taking it." (So when I turn onto Sand Canyon on my way home, I’m revealing integrity? Don’t think so.)
• "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars." (Stars again. I don’t know about you, but I’ve shot for the moon and hit bupkes plenty of times.)

The METAPHYSICAL/INANE:

• “Every change happens for a reason.” (Yeah, and for every one of us there’s a Perfect Someone—now just go out and find her, you silly man!)


The TAUTOLOGICAL/TRIVIAL:

• "We cannot change yesterday.” (Really? I did not know that!)
• "Teamwork means that we share a common ideal and embrace a common goal.” "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision.” (You readin’ from a dictionary?)
• "Many things are difficult before they are easy.” (Duh.)
• "Pioneers blaze their paths where highways never run." (Show me just one case of trail blazin’ on a highway, dictionary breath.)

The TOTAL BULLSHIT:

• “You can make the difference." (I like your sweater and pom-poms. Now shut up.)
• “A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst...a spark that creates extraordinary results.” (You are an obvious asshole.)
• “…once you've flown past the summit of your fears, nothing will seem impossible.” (You write for TV?)
• “People don't care how much we know until they know how much we care." (Pu-lease.)

The SELF-CONTRADICTORY:

• “What you say and do defines who you are, and who you are...you are forever." (If I can define myself, I can change myself; but if I can change myself, then clearly “I” am not who I am forever, fool.)


The SOCIAL DARWINIAN/PSYCHOPATHIC:

• "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed…every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle...when the sun comes up, you'd better be running." (Don’t know about you, but I’m more creeped out than motivated by this slop.)
• “There is a second place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers.” (Knute, you’re a psychopath. No wonder America loves you.)

What kind of guy would look through this catalog of kitsch and claptrap and say, “Wow, this is great! We’ve got to get some for our walls!”?

A highly paid “educator,” that’s who!

--One more thing. I’m told that Raghu paid $1,200 to Successorize the conference room. But I checked, and the whole bunch of ‘em shouldn’t have cost more than about $750.

Maybe he took some home for his bathrooms—you know, to inspire the kids. --CW

The wisdom of Raghu (Hallmark sagacity)

ll this talk about stolen art has reminded us here at Dissent of the importance of art at a college. Paintings, sculptures, and whatnot inspire students--and faculty--to seize the day, and the weekend too. Like in that stupid Robin Williams movie.

We've also been reminded of the time, back in 1999, when Raghu, then President of IVC, spent $1,200 on a set of nicely framed inspirational posters. They're really quite something.

Today, I walked over to the small conference room in A100 and photographed the posters. It was lovely seeing them again. I so love the sentiments they express.

This one's called "ATTITUDE":


According to the poster, "The currents that determine our dreams and shape our lives, flow from the attitudes we nurture every day."

OK, so the water is like the current (that determines our dreams), and the rocks are like the--um, they're like our attitudes. But the currents (the water) flow from our attitudes. So our attitudes are not just the rocks, but they're somewhere out of the picture where all this water is comin' from, right? See, when things are profound, you can't make sense of 'em nohow.

The next one is called "EXCELLENCE":


Underneath the bird, it says: "Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible."

My sister does all this stuff, which is why she's always broke and she's always gotta borrow money from me. So, now that I think of it, that is kinda excellent in a way. Sure, I get it.

The next one concerns the "ESSENCE OF LEADERSHIP." We see that same bird again:


Says the poster, "A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles...They don't flock, you find them one at a time."

Yeah, Raghu is kind of like an eagle I guess. There's only one of him, too.

This one concerns "CHANGE." It's got no bird:


We're told that "If you're not riding the wave of change.... you'll find yourself beneath it."

In other words, go with the flow, and, that way, you can help drown the fools who insist on swimmin' against it. Gotta be tough.

I noticed some posters behind a door of the small conference room. Inexplicably, someone chose not to display them.

This one concerns "RATTITUDE":


This next one is kinda odd, I guess:


But for the life of me I can't understand why they haven't displayed this one:


Some of these posters--the ones they display, anyway--remind me of Tony Orlando's unforgettable remark on the occasion of Bob Hope's seventy-fifth birthday. Said Tony,

"If you could put all the laughs that Bob Hope has gotten, one after another, they would stretch all the way to the universe and fill up the black hole in space."

I'm sorry, but that line always brings tears to my eyes. --CW

P.S.: Don't forget about Feb. 13!!!