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February 27, 2019 at 7:21pm Meanwhile, back at ASU... Karla Hardesty is still in charge of enrollment. Why? Why? Why?
February 27, 2019 at 7:13am As Roger pointed out, tenure at ASU doesn't mean much. After researching ten schools and national guidelines, ASU has the weakest protections for tenured faculty I could find. Our Faculty Handbook falls far short of the joint guidelines published by the AAC&U and the AAUP. Unlike those guidelines and most institutions, ASU's Faculty Handbook does not require that financial exigency be declared before administration can fire tenured faculty. At some schools and entire state educational systems, once financial exigency is declared, tenured faculty can be dismissed only if entire programs are scrapped. These policies are to prevent cherry-picking, where administrators can choose to fire professors they don't like. Similarly, most schools and the AAC&U / AAUP guidelines require some sort of "jury of your peers" when dismissal for cause is invoked. Not ASU. If the president decides there is cause (outlined in the Handbook), then the president can fire you. You may appeal, but the Board of Trustees selects three people to potentially handle the appeal. You would rule out one, the president would rule out one, and the remaining person handles the appeal. The "for cause" part protects us to some degree, but cause can be subjective. HLC even has criteria related to this issue: 2.C.4 The governing board delegates day-to-day management of the institution to the administration and expects the faculty to oversee academic matters. I brought this to the attention of Faculty Senate over two years ago. A committee was formed to investigate dismissal policies and make recommendations. We did that, making 18 recommendations about what a new policy should include. Senate asked for a draft policy. I did that. Senate voted to drop it. Two tenured faculty members were fired a year later. ASU has embraced the AAC&U VALUE rubrics, but not their guidelines to VALUE faculty. The horse may be out of the barn, but there are still a lot of us horses left inside. Perhaps seeing our peers fired could motivate Senate to re-visit the issue? Unless you think you are less worthy than faculty at CU, CSU, UNC, Western, Colorado Mesa, and Fort Lewis, I encourage every faculty member, regardless of status, to speak to their senator about this problem. We may never see our salaries reach 90% of CUPA, but let's move ASU into the modern age by bringing our protections up to parity with our peers and in-line with national guidelines. That's not a radical idea or an unreasonable goal. - Jeff Elison
February 26, 2019 at 1:20pm As a casual reader of these posts, I was shocked to see the way that Roger Eriksen was released from his ASU tenured 2017 contract and his above posting of 2/26. As chair of the Art Department I hired Roger in August of 2002 after a January faculty resignation that was delivered to me on a Friday of the same month. After the receipt, I sent the appropriate job vacancy announcement to the dean of the college on the following Monday. The search was difficult and long, and Roger thankfully accepted a position several days before the August start of Fall 2002 classes. He did an excellent job teaching, being a supportive colleague and was respected by the students in the classes that he was assigned to deliver. When staffing art faculty members, Graphic Design instructors are one of the most difficult to recruit and then agree upon a salary. They are often restricted in budgetary matters and can usually make more money in the private sector. As for ASU as a state supported regional rural institution, many issues come to bear. Faculty turnover has been a regular occurrence for many years, state fiscal support has ebbed and flowed and is impacted by a peculiar fiscal mandate of the state of Colorado. Declining enrollment is surely a problem, and if it reaches 1000 students or less, the institutional survival options are usually slim and grim. Of course, Adams is reflection of the community that it mirrors and serves as it should. As Roger moves on, the sting of this separation lessens; I have had appointments at Baylor University, Central Texas College-and even sometimes substitute teach in the local school system. I wish him the very best. - Todd Turek
February 22, 2019 at 5:00am Re: Feb 18 @ 5:20pm - The photo in the Valley Courier is a warning to all other institutions about who NOT to hire!
February 18, 2019 at 5:20pm Did anyone notice Karla Hardesty in the front middle in the Valley Courier article on Lovell losing interim off her title? Frankly, I might have given her bad directions so she didn’t make it for the photo. Seriously, this university cannot move on with her track record of failure in that position. It will be interesting to see if Lovell will make any changes now that interim is off her title.
February 15, 2019 at 5:06pm Correction to my earlier post: That was only for exam #1; I haven't analyzed other data. As someone else wrote, it shouldn't be a surprise to faculty. It's consistent with tons of studies on spaced-practice vs. massed-practice (cramming). I think the more important point is that we shouldn't make such a decision without putting learning first and basing the decision on data. There must be tons of data on campus like mine where the same prof teaches the same course MWF vs. T/Th. When I get around to it, I'll look at more of my data. - Jeff Elison
February 15, 2019 at 2:35pm It should come as no surprise to most faculty that students learn best from shorter, more frequent classes than from longer, less frequent classes. If ASU truly cares about improving academic performance, including retention and graduation rates, the idea of moving to a four day school week should be a non-starter.
February 15, 2019 at 7:01am I won't comment on athletics vs. learning as priorities, but the Paw Print has a good point: "In departments such as math and science that require practice and repetitions with the material in the classroom setting, as well as lots of material to cover, only meeting twice a week could potentially be tough." (What is the author implying about Mass Comm?) I teach Intro to Psych Statistics which is largely math, and psychology is a science, so the course is a pretty good exemplar. Over the last 9 years there has been a statistically significant difference between grades in MWF classes and TTh classes (N = 11 sections). This in spite of the fact that I use the same, or nearly identical tests and the TTh classes have 50% longer to take the test! Those results support the conjecture that students learn more when they meet 3 times a week, and they are counter evidence against the conjecture that traveling on Fridays decreases learning. The latter is probably a challenge that does affect some athletes; however, I've seen highly motivated athletes miss an entire week for nationals and come back, make up the work, and earn high grades. So, obviously we should switch to a MWF and T/Th/Saturday schedule ;-) Or athletes who aren't going to compete could stay home and attend class. - Jeff Elison
February 14, 2019 at 5:50pm So apparently departments within ASU are openly admitting that athletics are a higher priority than academics. The Paw Print recently published Four-Day Week Proposition Draws Mixed Opinions: "The Mass Communications Department is the first to adopt a shortened school week, with there being classes only Monday through Thursday and all three-credit periods are an hour and fifteen minutes. The proposition came from department head Aaron Abeyta, who pushed for the shortened school week because of the amount of student athletes at the university who travel for athletics on Fridays." Now imagine a world in which the NCAA and athletics directors push for only holding games on weekends and within close geographic proximity so student athletes wouldn't have to miss class to participate in sports? When the tail wags the dog long enough, it becomes difficult to identify which end is really in charge.
February 13, 2019 at 7:52am All over campus I see posters on doors, walls, etc. that “Hate Has No Home Here”, etc. and that’s great. We should expect no less. But to great lengths despotism is practiced, as is the sense of entitlement, classism, nepotism and if Richardson Hall gives themselves enough raises ASU will become a plutocracy. Ken, Bruce, Karla, Margaret, Wade, Lovell, Manzanares, etc. readily admit there needs to be changes to raise morale, productivity, enrollment but what they are doing is changing the things that actually work by changing how the people that actually work do things instead of changing how they do things. We’ve gotten to a point where Casual Fridays are the norm yet Facilities Services are expected to wear a collared shirt 5 days a week in the name of professionalism. Exactly how bad does RH think Facilities personnel look on a daily basis? Departments all over campus having to give account for every little detail yet nobody is calling for RH to give an account for how or why they continue to get raises while numbers are plummeting. Want to catalyze positive change on our way to being in the positive, RH? Work for your respective base pay like a lot of ASU does. Throughout the classrooms, offices, public areas of ASU, we are taught/reminded of those who championed positive change, equality, etc. and they should be remembered; their great accomplishments recounted. But here on campus there are people who still fight for those same causes within the ASU microcosm and they are labeled dissenters. If those great people of history we venerate, whose accomplishments and sacrifices we celebrate, worked at ASU, they would be at best silenced.
February 12, 2019 at 10:47pm @Feb 11 9:17pm - Marquez has an MA from Adams State in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He should have taken better notes on managing interpersonal relationships. Oh wait! How could I forget? He needed the letters, never planned on using the degree. Just like Mansheim trying to get his Masters through the History Department. Hardesty has an MA in Adult and Post Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming.
February 12, 2019 at 12:11pm Student enrollment and recruitment is not about what degree you have. It’s about skill set and business. The leaders of this department need to be innovative thinkers and the representatives need to be able to implement the leader's ideas. If there’s no plan, everyone is just collecting a check.
February 12, 2019 at 6:53am I have to believe Karla’s days are numbered. The question is, who would want that job?
February 11, 2019 at 9:17pm Karla needs an assistant to assist with... burgeoning enrollment? Someone to answer the silent phones while Karla is vacationing? How many different positions has Karla held at ASU over the last 5 years, and what did she do in each of those positions? What evidence does she have to demonstrate her effectiveness? How does the community tolerate the nepotism associated with Ken’s daughter being hired to be Karla’s assistant? This is a disgrace and the staff and faculty should be up in arms. Ken has a Masters degree? In what? Does anyone know what degrees Karla, Ken, and Ken's daughter has and how any of them are qualified to hold the positions they hold?
February 11, 2019 at 7:03pm So, when is Adams going to close? They bit the bullet and survived HLC, which could have closed them. Now, enrollment is falling which means someone has to come up with money to pay bills. I'm guessing their cash flow is a mess. Any projections?
February 10, 2019 at 9:27pm Re: February 10 @9:16 - Agreed! But somebody needs to inform Lovell of the history. Because she clearly isn’t getting it from her “E-Team”!
February 10, 2019 at 9:16pm I think it’s time to realize that the only people that can get ASU out of this whole are the people that who were pushed out.
February 10, 2019 at 3:08pm Ken's daughter? Of course. Nepotism breeds nepotism. Why did he ever get promoted to his current level or current salary?
February 9, 2019 at 8:17pm Can anyone locate the Valley Courier article where Karla states "someone needs to come up with an enrollment strategy?" I know I read that somewhere. It is hilarious because... hey, chica fresca... that would be YOU that should be doing that!
February 9, 2019 at 6:11pm The thing is, if Karla and Kendra and everyone else in Enrollment Management, Admissions, etc. were bringing in more students, some of these raises and the nepotism might be justifiable (or at least tolerable). But how many years of failure are permitted at ASU for someone in administration to continue being paid for sub-par performance? These falling enrollment numbers hurt everyone and there seems to be no accountability for poor performance.
February 9, 2019 at 5:25pm Do you all know that Karla's Assistant (Kendra) is Ken's daughter? wow
February 9, 2019 at 6:10am Seriously have never seen a person keep their job when clear evidence exists of their failure! Karla Hardesty needs to go!
February 7, 2019 at 7:37pm Is anyone really surprised by the enrollment numbers? Karla will never be successful. She will follow in the footsteps of Ken and continue to blame everyone around her because they lack personal accountability. There has only been 1 (FAILED) search for Director of Admissions since the resignation of Mr. Carpio (Ken and Karla needed raises). Karla's brilliant plan? Let's put a 23 year old kid, fresh off of her 1st year in a real job, in charge. Fantastic. Look out, Admissions! Karla and Ken need raises and the budget needs to be cut. #karlaforpresident
February 6, 2019 at 3:57am Is it just me or is the Financial Action Plan committee lacking transparency? When will we know who is going to be eliminated from the Hunger Games next?
February 3, 2019 at 9:15pm Not that I want to talk about old business, but looking at McClure's evaluations by BoT, I wonder who wrote: "No one cares about ASU more than Dr. McClure"? Perhaps the board with people like this individual is where it all starts...
February 1, 2019 at 2:12pm Surprise, surprise. It looks like ASU was implicated in this latest academic fraud scandal. From this Inside Higher Ed article: "She also helped athletes fulfill some of their university math requirements through online courses offered by other colleges, which the NCAA asserts that "a significant portion of the [Missouri] student population" does because "Missouri's math courses are historically difficult." (A university spokesman did not respond to requests for information about how commonly that actually happens.) The tutor completed course work for four athletes enrolled in an algebra class at a "local non-NCAA institution" that the report does not identify. Two other athletes took an online algebra course offered by Adams State University, in Colorado. The NCAA concluded that the tutor had also helped two athletes score high enough on Missouri's (unproctored) math placement exam to place out of remedial math. They ended up playing for Missouri before ultimately being found guilty of cheating under the university's honor code."
February 1, 2019 at 8:58am "Oh dear, not again..." - David Mazel NCAA Punishes Missouri in Blatant Academic Fraud Case
January 17, 2019 at 4:12pm I hope we will be told which option was chosen out of the several bond restructuring options explained to us in December. Based on the substantial short-term savings, it sounds like the scoop and toss method.
January 14, 2019 at 3:26pm Re January 14 @ 7:36 - Jody Mortensen does not work 30 hours per week. She works maybe 15. Her office hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm. The position which I think you referenced is budget director. I believe that is filled by Jenny Yund. Jody’s title is controller of sponsored program which is not listed on the salary sheets.
January 14, 2019 at 7:57am @January 9, 2019 at 5:11pm: Please tell us more. 17 out of the 18 ASU nursing students who took the NCLEX (94.44%) passed. How many students started the nursing program in the 2017-2018 school year? How many were kicked out "2 days before they graduate"? What reason were they given? Did they fail to pass some internal exams?
January 14, 2019 at 7:36am Why is Jody Mortenson, who only works 30 hours a week, earning $80,000 a year, plus benefits? Half of her work was taken away when ASU forced Community Partnerships to close its doors. Adams is really hurting for money so this especially needs to be looked into.
January 9, 2019 at 5:11pm Congrats to the Nursing Department!? You gotta be kidding! What they did to achieve these results was the most disgusting thing I have ever witnessed in all my years in education. Stay tuned for yet another story going public demonstrating that, yet again, Adams is being run as a private business that benefits the E-team and a few other members of connected valley families at the expense of the some of the poorest students in the state (all while they brag about serving them). You wanna make your Department look good? Just borrow nursing's playbook and kick about 50% of the students out of your program 2 days before they graduate just because you wanna be sure to pad your pass rate on a standardized test. Sure hope our new President has enjoyed her honeymoon period because all the lies she's chosen to believe from the ASU cabal are about to fly in her face.
January 9, 2019 at 1:10pm Now here's a story that bears striking similarity to ASU: Chicago State to pay $650K to end lawsuit over faculty blog criticizing school leaders "A bitter lawsuit between Chicago State University and two professors who published a blog rebuking school leadership is coming to an end after more than four years. Chicago State has agreed to pay $650,000 in damages and attorneys fees to professors Robert Bionaz and Phillip Beverly, concluding yet another costly litigation involving the Far South Side institution in recent years. The professors alleged that the university violated their free speech rights in repeatedly attempting to shut down their blog, CSU Faculty Voice, which they billed as “the faculty’s uncensored voice.” Launched in 2009, the blog has criticized university administrators, particularly former President Wayne Watson. Faculty members who contributed posts lambasted a culture of cronyism and questioned ballooning administrative salaries and perks even as enrollment and graduation rates plummeted. Professors also criticized the university’s revolving door of leadership in the past three years: Four people have served as president or interim president since Watson retired in 2015. ... The university also agreed to revamp school policies governing cyberbullying and computer usage, the latter of which banned “any communication which tends to embarrass or humiliate,” according to a news release from the Philadelphia foundation. Chicago State must implement the new policies within 60 days and provide training to employees enforcing the policies within three months, according to the settlement agreement."
January 5, 2019 at 8:41pm Life’s short. You need to get a life. Have a little fun and be thankful. - Todd
December 26, 2018 at 10:29am Congratulations to the 2018 nursing graduates on their 94% NCLEX pass rate. And thanks to the Nursing Department faculty and staff for making successful changes.
December 23, 2018 at 8:59am Is it safe to spend my money on the online programs? Do I have a good chance of graduating from one of them? I'd already been through a lot of courses, and left, only to realize that financially I could not afford another school. I doubt Manzanares is going to give me back all the tuition I paid, which by the way, is kind of hefty. And I had a good GPA. Is there anyone who is willing to post on this board about the inner workings of the Counselor Ed dept? Whose coming, who's going, and what their take is on their popularity? I think in some ways it must have all gone to their heads. Of course, I wonder, given that some were just blasted unkind to me, if my FERPA rights were violated by sharing my information, my story, anywhere outside of the Counselor Ed or graduate programs dept. There are two people there I simply don't trust, and that's typically a good indicator, I've found, that something is going on. This time, I'm not taking it lying down!
December 11, 2018 at 11:38pm How does this keep happening every year when Counselor Education has 600-700 students? Maybe this year's deficit will require the institution to dig into the coffers of Counselor Education again? Didn’t they miraculously pull out few hundred thousand dollars to save the University last year? Has anyone submitted a public records request to see the financials for Counselor Education-Online and then compare that with the rest of the institution?
December 11, 2018 at 1:02pm Could someone shed light on what happened at the campus meeting yesterday? There was talk about restructuring to meet the $2.1 million deficit. Does this mean layoffs? I honestly can't see Adams making up this money without doing some serious cuts. But has that ever been mentioned? Am I missing something?
December 9, 2018 at 10:57am What do you mean “banned on Google?”
December 8, 2018 at 1:18pm For those of you who are banned on Google: Campus Safety & Emergency Management The link on this page includes the report: 2018 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report While there might be problems at Adams State, it does not help anyone if you invent new ones based on your inability to find a document on a website or fake news - "I've been informed that he refused to put the latest ASU CLERY report on the ASU web site."
December 7, 2018 at 6:54pm So: Adams was at one time utterly out of compliance with Clery (until 2014 or so?), and was again recently - in spirit if not legally. So what has changed? Is the HLC and probation just old news now? What lessons have we learned? Can we talk real about the future? What’s the big idea in play that’s going to change our trajectory, a trajectory that’s not terribly difficult to extrapolate? I personally vote for merging with another CO school, as soon as possible, and without much particularity as to the partner. Pretty much anyone will do at this point.
December 4, 2018 at 2:36pm Not wanting to inform students of potential dangers on campus is a terrible disregard for their safety. It could also cost ASU a lot of money. They are federally required to post this data. Fees for not doing so are like $50,000 per infraction. I don't think ASU has that money to spare!
December 3, 2018 at 4:36pm @Nov 26 10:18am - I'm certain there is very important web content that is no longer considered necessary by Mike Henderson, who created this new site. I've been informed that he refused to put the latest ASU CLERY report on the ASU web site. This is outrageous. The CLERY report exists to inform students about the crimes committed on their college campuses. It was named after Jean Clery who was raped and murdered on her campus and was never made aware that there had been 38 violent crimes committed on her campus in the 3 years prior to this. CLERY is essential information for our students, and it took the VP of Student Affairs and the Office of Equal Opportunity to force Henderson to upload it.
November 26, 2018 at 12:05pm @November 26 6:36am - I see the comparison between Gilmer and McClure as a cautionary tale for the rest of us in higher education and America at large. Sure, it's easy to be a bully and use fear and intimidation to shore up power for yourself in the short run, but it rarely works for long. Conversely, an ethical and caring person will eventually rise due to their own good work. That lesson still applies to everyone at Adams State. Either learn from ASU's history or we'll be doomed to repeat it with more terrible hires and chasing off great people.
November 26, 2018 at 10:18am @Nov 23 7:52am: the sites search tool wasn't good, either. Yeah, old stuff was first on the list and I think that there's info from the old site that is just gone on this new one.
November 26, 2018 at 6:36am @November 25, 2018 at 8:08am - So glad to see everything is right at ASU and you still have time to talk about ex-employees. I am not sure why we are talking about people who have moved on to other places rather than what needs to be fixed still at ASU. Oh wait, it is easier to dwell in the past. That way you don’t have to take any responsibility for what you are not doing in the present. Yes Dr. Gilmer is doing well and that is great for him but it no longer has any impact at ASU. Yes, I think it was a mistake that ASU let the bully push him out but that is now water under the bridge. He isn’t coming back. The Bev is gone, and for a while, she was the issue. Not any more. How about we work on fixing ASU rather than living in the past?
November 25, 2018 at 8:08am The Karma Mechanic has once again been busy making things right in the universe. Guess who is a university president and who isn't.
November 23, 2018 at 1:16pm ASU was doing really well back in 1957! But the past 5 years running? Not so much.
November 23, 2018 at 7:52am And how did that search feature work out for you? ASU's website has always been one of the least searchable I've ever seen. Search for almost any phrase and you get links from 1957, rather than the most recent / most relevant links.
November 21, 2018 at 4:14pm Thanks for posting the October 19th article about the failed new ASU website. I tried to give it a chance but after a month of trying to use it, I have to agree with the article - it's a cluster. My parents wanted to see it and I was showing it to them and couldn't find what they wanted to see. Everything is buried under so many clicks that I just gave up and just used the search feature to try and find info. Thanks for this blog for calling it out!
November 15, 2018 at 10:57am From the Concerned Parent, To all that have responded to my previous post, I say thank you. I see there seems to be a civil war at Adams State which is sad and critical. The deep disappointment and resentment about the degradation of this once proud school is fierce. With each post I admit that my heart wants my kid to be a part of the student body that resurrects Adams, but my head says the sacrifice is too great. I hope these tough issues get sorted out very soon. It appears we may be headed to my kids second southern Colorado school: Fort Lewis... It appears they have some problems, as well. I will still check this site for your sage and import advice. Thanks Again
November 14, 2018 at 9:54pm To the parent November 9, 2018 at 12:30pm - If you want to accept the risks associated with the factual information available regarding Adams State, then that is your choice. Decisions are made with incomplete information. In the case of Adams State, there is plenty of factual information available outside this website to make an informed decision. Just remember - your child would be assuming the risk. My nieces, nephews and future grandchildren will not be attending Adams State. We have many family members that attended Adams State College. The risk is far too great. The tradition of attendance has been broken.
November 14, 2018 at 11:58am @November 14, 2018 at 9:57am - And what makes your anonymous comment, which provides no counter-factual evidence, a "reliable source?" In addition to the poor ratings by College Factual, most people know by now that Adams State has also been named as: - ranked down at #96-#127 in the sub-category Regional Universities West by U.S. News & World Report - admitting 99% of all applications with an "easy" academic difficulty by University Magazine - named as one of the Top Ten Worst Dropout Factories (6th worst in the USA - 21.7% four year completion rate) by Third Way - a 25.7% lower graduation rate than CO state average; the lowest of the Top 10 Affordable CO Schoolsaccording to NCES - also named one of the Eleven Biggest Wastes of Money (8th worst in the USA - -$43,600 20 year return on degree) by PayScale - cited and sanctioned by its accreditor for serious and systemic academic fraud as widely reported during over two years of reporting - plagued by ongoing serious financial constraints with a negative outlook on credit according to Moody's Investor Service - cited for multiple compliance violations and an $84,351 fine from the Department of Education All the reliable indicators over many years have suggested ASU is in serious trouble. Attending ASU now is a considerable financial and career risk for students and employees alike.
November 14, 2018 at 9:57am Just FYI -- College Factual is not a reliable source.
November 12, 2018 at 5:31pm College Factual has all those wonderful things to say for prospective students. ASU is overpriced, yet faculty are paid very poorly, the worst in the state. They are overworked with a high teaching load, advising, and reductions in faculty. As a bonus, their kids pay full tuition, being the only school in CO that doesn't offer any sort of break. Is it any wonder faculty turnover is so rapid?
November 12, 2018 at 12:50pm According to College Factual, a national ranking database that compares a school's cost with the value of its education: "Compare the Adams State University Value of an Education - Within Colorado, Adams State University is Considered a Lower Quality College at an Average Price. Adams State University's overall average net price combined with a lower quality education, results in an average value for the money when compared to other colleges and universities in Colorado. This lands Adams State University in the #9 slot on our ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in Colorado." ... "Nationally, Buyer Beware: Bad Quality Score at a Bad Price - Adams State University's educational quality places it among the worst-ranked colleges and universities on our Overall Best Colleges list. However, when compared to these other schools that deliver the same caliber of education, the net price to attend Adams State is much, much higher than it should be. This has earned it a very poor #1,255 ranking on the Best Colleges for the Money list, and makes it an overpriced option. Students should carefully consider what their financial obligations will be should they wish to attend this school, and look closely at other educational options that offer similar benefits at a much better price."
November 12, 2018 at 11:15am Or send your kids to another university... It's not going to get any better anytime soon.
November 11, 2018 at 8:50pm As usual, the truth is in between the extreme positions presented here. Prominent members of past administrations were cruel, stupid, and corrupt. Most of them are gone with a few rotten apples remaining. As a result of past administrations, current students, staff, and faculty are paying, literally and figuratively. For example, ASU has low tuition but high fees to pay off all that construction approved by stupid and corrupt administrators in the past. Check the numbers. Cuts have been made to staffing, so faculty are stressed and overworked. Nevertheless, faculty are typical of faculty at many institutions in that they are here to teach because that's what they love. So students can expect a good education and possibly more individualized attention than they would get at many other schools. They can also expect very busy faculty, relatively high turnover of faculty, fewer course options, and more of there classes will be taught by adjuncts and visiting professors. If you want a quality education for your kids, then vote for politicians who and taxes that will fund higher education.
November 11, 2018 at 1:30pm @November 9, 2018 at 12:30pm - You should also consider talking to the former students, staff and faculty who left in disgust or were driven out by a corrupt, often cruel administration. Their stories matter, as well. And they aren't on the ASU payroll or with a degree pending so they will likely give you their full honesty.
November 10, 2018 at 10:02pm @November 9 12:30 pm - I've worked at Adams State for over 10 years so I've seen the good days and the tough days. I can honestly say I would not hesitate sending my student to Adams State, in fact I did and they got a great education. They have gone on and are very successful in their chosen career. If you have questions, please talk to students or staff and not base your decision on the things you read on this site.
November 10, 2018 at 12:01pm @November 9th 12:30 p.m. - ASU is a joke. I would get your child out as soon as you can and send her to any other University in Colorado... NOT ASU. I would not want a transcript from ASU. Once you are at ASU as a student or faculty and don't move on, you become stuck, never having the chance to move forward. Take her out as soon as you can.
November 9, 2018 at 12:30pm Hello all readers, I appreciate the reality check. I find myself to be a very concerned parent now that I have started reading these posts. I am a parent of a out of state student who is academically outstanding, motivated, and is very interested in ASU as well as playing a intercollegiate sport. We have visited campus finding all the people we ran into (not just introduced to) very complimentary of the school, the faculty, and the area. Am I guiding my kid into a train wreck or is this really the typical administration nightmare that can be managed? Please send me your thoughts. - Respectfully
November 6, 2018 at 7:04pm The honeymoon is over. Morale jumped with the start of the new semester. Now it is plummeting.
November 4, 2018 at 6:25pm I heard the same thing from my son. His high school friends aren't considering Adams because of our reputation. So sad what an inept, corrupt administration has done to a good school and the work of dedicated faculty. Of course, some of our faculty or former faculty are to blame, as well.
November 4, 2018 at 3:50pm November 3rd - I was subbing at the high school last week and was talking to a student about an advanced degree. I asked her is she was planning on going to Adams State and she said the same thing: Adams State is a joke.
November 4, 2018 at 3:38pm I'm not even sure who 7:55am thinks is the "problem employee" in question. Grohowski the former police chief? Ledonne the former faculty member? It doesn't seem to matter much at this point. The issues at hand are far more pressing and people seem to have drawn whatever conclusion they will about previous ASU employees.
November 4, 2018 at 5:12am Re: November 3 @ 7:55am - That is exactly the point of this website. It’s not that ASU had a problem employee. It’s that ASU has major, structural problems stemming from an incompetent and corrupt administration — many of whom are still there. And that so-called problem employee wasn’t afraid to speak out. I pray for Dr. Lovell to get it sooner rather than later. Area HS students should be coming to ASU, not laughing at it.
November 3, 2018 at 7:55am Yesterday I talked to an Alamosa high school Sophomore and asked him what his plans were after school and if ASU was part of them. He laughed, and said “Adams State is a joke” and now I see a bigger part of the issue. You have people out there that would rather talk about a problem employee that left the university years ago and now has no impact on ASU, rather than deal with the issues that still affect ASU. I am guessing that they are probably one of the problems that still exist trying to deflect. Mean girls? Is that you?
November 2, 2018 at 2:12pm Looks like Paul Grohowski, everyone's favorite campus police chief, has screwed up yet again and landed himself desk duty after 5 months on the job: Sarasota schools head of security leaving, police chief reassigned Sarasota Schools name new police chief; reassign current chief to new role
October 29, 2018 at 2:51pm This op-ed in yesterday's Pueblo Chieftain seems relevant for Adams State: Coloradans need cheaper, more accessible higher education, not tax cuts for millionaires
October 23, 2018 at 11:26am ----Editor's Note: We received the following message today which may be of interest to readers: "I have been reaching out to the Perkins loans officer at ASU since June 2018 to work on a payment arrangement I had set up. I have yet to actually to speak with her. Every time I call she’s on vacation or out of the office, so I spoke with her supervisor Greg and he couldn’t do anything for me either and stated he’s not sure why she hasn’t returned any of my calls. Considering he’s her boss, that should not have been the answer and he should’ve worked harder to assist with my request. Since she hasn’t gotten back to me, I may not be able to start my new school in January as planned. It is very inconvenient, inappropriate and just plain rude! Please feel free to use my story to blast them for the unprofessional university they are!"
October 22, 2018 at 6:32pm I am one among the many departed faculty of recent years. Am curious to know what steps the board is now taking to address faculty retention. Are they just looking at salary competitiveness, or are they also considering the deeper and far more problematic issues of morale, trust, valuation, nepotism, cronyism, shared governance, basic human decency, transparency, and fairness. Answer that and you’ll have your answer as to whether they are serious or not.
October 22, 2018 at 10:30am Re: October 19, 2018 at 7:21am - I had the same conversation with a student SEVEN years ago. There's been no change. How is the Board addressing the issue? Not being snarky - legitimately wondering your opinion.
October 19, 2018 at 7:21am The cost of turnover: I had a new advisee say she requested me because her last two advisors disappeared so quickly. So, I'm her third advisor as she goes into her fourth year. ASU has put faculty retention on the back burner for too long. It's nice to see the Board finally addressing the issue. Let's hope they take it seriously.
October 15, 2018 at 5:08pm I hope Dr. Lovell, new administrators, and new faculty get a chance to hear Dr. Waddell's podcast so they can learn more about the history of problems at ASU from an unvarnished perspective in the trenches of higher ed. One of the pervasive problems with ASU's institutional culture is that new leaders are quickly absorbed into the same corruption and either 1) become complicit (McClure) or 2) chased out (Gilmer) upon realizing what's going on.
October 14, 2018 at 8:15am Uhhh, in response to October 9 at 2:58 posting: the Art Dept full time graphic designer faculty position was eliminated in the 2018 purge. Go figure.
October 12, 2018 at 12:35pm Re: The recent Courier article "Adams State University trustees may resume a presidential search in the future, but they are not in a hurry." HOW TYPICAL for the Trustees to remain complacent and want to maintain the "status quo." An interim is interim for a reason - - although that reason has never been made clear. Typically when an organization hires anyone interim, the intentions are made clear from the beginning, either by the organization or the candidate. Interims are hired for a few reasons: to make overarching changes with no intention of applying for permanence or to maintain status quo until a search is conducted with the candidate having some intention of applying for permanence. Interim positions are also typically filled quickly due to time constraints. The candidates originally interviewed were for a temp position. Why not strive for more? Strive for better? Put the work in and conduct a national search that yields the best possible candidate. I'm not saying that an interim cannot become permanent once the realization of a perfect fit for both professional and institution has been found. But that's not the case. The bar has been set so low by the previous president, Lovell merely has to "meet with faculty weekly," "walk around campus," and have a pulse to be considered a permanent fit. Maintaining "status quo" is not what is best for ASU. Where is the innovation? Where are the changes in order to prevent another massive exodus of staff and students? Where is the accountability to prevent E-Team from giving themselves undue/undeserved raises? *crickets*
October 10, 2018 at 2:18pm RE: October 9, 2018 at 2:58pm - I agree. The new "improved" website is less easily navigated than the previous website it replaced. For a simple example, try finding the class schedule. Importantly, it is shameful that a wholesale culling of the archives of prior articles - a loss of historical institutional record.
October 9, 2018 at 2:58pm I'm not sure whose brilliant idea the new ASU website design belongs to. I do know that the end result is a very dumbed-down interface with all the images from most previous pages now gone (like that Standing Strong article or any older ASU news article). The new Adams State site looks like it was designed by a first year graphic design student as a final project made the night before it was due and after a weekend of partying. In other words: the perfect representation of what's wrong with ASU!
October 9, 2018 at 1:33am I am surprised about Benson's comments on morale and "residual scarring." Who was standing with a sign "Standing strong for President McClure"? There is still an article about it - Standing Strong for Adams State - pictures are gone, unfortunately. This is a faculty trustee that faculty should not trust. Many of Adams State's problems are not caused by external factors, like McClure or HLC. They are caused by internal factors. Benson is one of them. Just retire, Rob.
October 7, 2018 at 4:50pm
I'm amused by this quote in the recent Courier article:
"Faculty Trustee Dr. Robert Benson said morale among faculty had jumped significantly for the most part after the selection of a new president. “That was huge,” he said. He added that faculty are cautiously optimistic “because we have a little bit of residual scarring from a couple of rough years.”
It's always charming to hear from the people who were in denial of, and often outright supporting, a vindictive administration while it was happening... and who now have the comfort of passively criticizing it from their cushy view in the rear view mirror. When they look back, do they see all the people they threw under the bus in the process? Who inflicted those "residual scars," Rob?
September 25, 2018 at 11:22pm It's impressive to see the new and updated adams.edu website. I wonder if that just means they are trying to bury any reminders of the train-wreck of the past decade.
September 25, 2018 at 5:24pm According to the Faculty Senate agenda for today's meeting, administrative salary adjustments will be among the discussion items, and addressed by Dr. Nehring. Will the results of this discussion be shared with the rest of the campus community?
September 21, 2018 at 3:44pm The Courier op-ed by Michael Marchildon is correct. I've been saying for many years that ASU's landscaping is woefully out of step with the dry, high desert conditions of the San Luis Valley. Attempting to maintain these water-guzzling grass lawns is just another example of a campus that has failed to understand how to allocate resources in effective, responsible ways. And thus ASU is a burden on its own community's limited water resources as a result! What message does this send to students?
September 17, 2018 at 3:50pm September 16, 2018 at 8:16am - I've also been wondering if/when the administration would ever deign to provide any explanation or justification of their outrageous salary increases. No surprise that they have elected to regard them as justified (at least in their minds) - and that no one in the greater campus community is due any explanation. "Shut up and get back to work" seems to be the implicit message.
September 16, 2018 at 8:16am Nothing but silence from the administrators who gave themselves raises. They reassure us they are committed to us, but their actions show commitment to themselves. Fine leadership, inspirational.
September 15, 2018 at 4:46pm Maybe he is teaching the plethora of remedial classes taught in math at Adams which are not college level? Those are high school level and high school teachers don’t need a masters. I am guessing that the admissions standards are continuing to drop in order to pump up the numbers.
September 13, 2018 at 9:58pm "No contest" means you're conceding the charge without admitting guilt and without presenting a defense. But unlike a plea of guilty or innocent, a defendant must get a court's consent to plead no contest, which comes with certain legal consequences. HE DOESN'T HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE! HLC, where are you? Qualified people have been fired!
September 13, 2018 at 1:55pm @10:15am - The bomb prank was "blown out of proportion." That's a good one! There's nobody who can teach math at ASU except for a guy who "pranked" the same campus with an explosive device? Really?
September 13, 2018 at 1:42pm The editor and publisher of the Valley Courier needs a basic lesson in journalism - including reporting and headline composition. The headline "Adams State shares enrollment trends" isn't newsworthy because these trends aren't secretive, so sharing them isn't a headline. The headline should include what those trends actually are - which in this case means enrollment dropping by 1%. The existing headline tells us nothing about what enrollment trends actually are... which I suspect is precisely the point.
September 13, 2018 at 11:11am I just noticed that the arresting officer in the explosive case is the same officer listed as a defendant in a lawsuit against Monte Vista. MVPD, RG County settle with Delgado family
September 13, 2018 at 10:15am I think the Kenny Bussen thing might be being blown out of proportion. I wasn't able to find much additional reporting on the incident, but what I did find indicated that this "bomb" was probably akin to the baking soda and vinegar variety or maybe dry ice. Stupid and irresponsible to be sure, but let's not act like he was strapping C4 to the stadium. Plea entered in ASU explosive device case
September 12, 2018 at 2:28pm @1:45pm - Woah, that's surreal. So in 2013, Kenan Bussen planted a bomb on the ASU campus, was charged with three felonies, and in 2018 is hired to teach Math there? Yet ex-President McClure claimed Danny Ledonne was engaging in "terrorism" without any charges, the school paid a settlement, and he no longer teaches there? Got it. What is wrong with this place? What parent would send there child to a college that hires teachers charged with felony explosive possession on their own campus? Is bomb manufacturing now part of the math curriculum at Adams State?
September 12, 2018 at 1:45pm This fine young man now has a job teaching as an Adjunct Instructor Mathematics at Adams State: Adams State Police arrest suspect, safely detonate explosive MA in progress?
September 11, 2018 at 12:02pm Enrollment figures look like they have been managed once again to lower numbers. Nice work Team Adams! We all enjoy the data mining for ANYTHING that looks good for the Adams State spin cycle. We are also awaiting the spin cycle for how hard and tough the athletic teams have been performing thus far. Besides Cross Country, all other teams look either horrible or below average, which is the standard set by the AD. Looking ahead we should see a rise in enrollment due to Adams States 100% acceptance rate. Morale should be high due to all the nice pay raises for the administration. Professors can hopefully find a way to milk those ATM $$$ via online anything to keep those $140-$180k per year salaries intact or we may lose them to the professional marketplace. Enrollment is down. With Karla Hardesty at the helm and after a nice pay raise, she should be excited for another great year in managing the downfall in enrollment.
September 7, 2018 at 10:15pm ----Editor's Note: We thought readers might be interested in this video recently completed for Colorado AAUP: The Dirty Little Secrets of the Colorado Community College System Part I: Why Impoverished Educators = Impoverished Education
September 2, 2018 at 9:22pm After review of the salaries for the Administrative Assistants... what a huge disparity in salaries! Position C00130 AAII $45,072 (how’s this admin paid so high - what a huge pay difference!). C00124 AAII $34,500! C00181 AAIII $50,760 : AAIII C00536 $37,536 : C00124 AAIII $34,500 WTH! Classified employee council should get on this! Or HR, Tracy Rogers!
August 27, 2018 at 2:59pm 8-27 @12:45, Do you really expect Ana to do the right thing? Has that been the experience in the past?
August 27, 2018 at 12:45pm The post on ASU Instagram shows how behind ASU is. Wonder if they are going to post a picture of all ethnicities in the team? Ana, where are you...
August 25, 2018 at 9:53pm Where the heck is the Board of Trustees regarding these raises? How could they let this happen? Have they learned nothing from McClure's reign of terror? Or are they clueless about what actually goes on at ASU?
August 20, 2018 at 9:00pm Agreed! Raises have to be explained ESPECIALLY given all the job losses. Also, aren't raises supposed to be given based on performance evaluations? How are those going for everyone? Just going through the motions?
August 20, 2018 at 4:02pm I agree, 7:18am. Does Dr. Lovell read Watching Adams? She should know what people here are concerned about. And that's (another) long list of 2017-2018 departed employees! Did Dr. Matt Ikle in Computer Science also leave?
August 20, 2018 at 10:21am A counselor at Alamosa High has bumper stickers in her office for CSU, UCCS, Fort Lewis, and one other Colorado school, but none for ASU. She doesn't have one. Do we provide AHS with recruitment materials?
August 20, 2018 at 7:18am I really appreciate how Dr. Lovell addressed morale so directly during the all-campus meeting. I like the idea of everyone letting go of the past. And then I read and hear people's responses to the large salary increases for a select few. Concern is justified. The same administrators who dug the hole in which we reside rewarded themselves. How do you expect people to let go of the past when the past keeps repeating itself? Seriously, if administrators can't step up and explain these raises clearly and publicly, they have little chance of changing morale for the positive. A response here or an all-campus email is necessary.
August 19, 2018 at 10:03am Hey Matt Nehring - no comment at all in defense of the outrageous salary increases for administration? Really? Is the campus community not entitled to any explanation at all?
August 18, 2018 at 7:48pm At this point, throw the whole executive team away. If not, they will try to get rid of Dr. Lovell.
August 17, 2018 at 6:27pm The new director of Facilities Services had already told grounds crew they can’t take break in the shop or use the restroom there and that they must “stop in their tracks” and take breaks there. They can’t use a microwave or stop at First Stop to buy anything. They have to “plan accordingly” the night before or after the shift. Is that even legal to do?
August 17, 2018 at 5:50pm I appreciate Dr. Lovell’s “let it go” position. But she is smoking crack if she thinks anyone is going to “trust” that executive team. They are the heart of our problems. Seriously, trust Tracy Rogers? She is the most vindictive snake around.
August 16, 2018 at 3:45pm Any of ya'll get over a $10,000 raise this year? Because if your first name is Margaret, Heather, Kevin, or Ken, you just might have. But don't look at that salary data... and get back to work!
August 16, 2018 at 1:18pm Re: August 15, 2018 at 11:38pm - I'm sure I am not the only one who would be appreciative of Dr. Nehring offering some explanation of this outrageous disparity in compensation.
August 15, 2018 at 11:38pm Interesting commentary about raises at the top and firings down below. Looking at the comparison data provided in the table suggests the administration was derelict in duty. What in the hell was Matt Nehring thinking? He FIRED people! He FORCED people to take pay cuts (or else). All this as he was giving raises to the same old corrupt individuals. Does Dr. Lovell understand this? The attorney general? Have we learned NOTHING from our HLC probation? I seriously don’t know if I’m more pissed, sad or worried! WTF!
August 14, 2018 at 10:08pm CFO and CIO are completely overpaid. What a waste of institutional money!
August 14, 2018 at 7:41pm Whatever happened to the salary review committee from a couple of years back? Shouldn’t they reconstitute? Shouldn’t the Faculty Senate ask some hard (and obvious) questions? Is this something the attorney general could be asked to look at? Never mind. It’s Adams. Same old.
August 14, 2018 at 6:35pm Executive Director of Enrollment Management $81k! Salaries go up while enrollment goes down. Fantastic business plan. It's awfully quiet over in Admissions. Oh wait, they are very busy with Pokemon Go and Netflix. I wonder how inflated the 1st time freshman numbers will be for fall 2018? Whats the real acceptance rate? How many students with an index of less than 70 were admitted to help pay these salaries? Slogan: "Lifetime debt begins here." It's okay Karla, everyone knows its not your fault. Let's Make Adams Great Again! #KarlaforPresident
August 14, 2018 at 7:30am @10:06 - CIO got over 15k raise since last report. Good to know some people were not affected by the budget cuts.
August 13, 2018 at 10:06pm I thought 2% increase applies to everyone. Why some people got higher increase?
August 13, 2018 at 3:40pm Budget Director's salary? 0.75 FTE?? What the hell?
August 13, 2018 at 11:38am Dear Editor, It would be helpful if we could see a spreadsheet with salaries across the years in one file—for comparison purposes. I think people would be shocked to see some of the raises that administrators in RH received this year. For example: Heather Heersink’s $16,000 increase. THIS with people being fired and forced to take pay cuts. Heather’s increase was paid for by Sally Kelly. Thanks, Sally! How many others can we find? Matt Nehring was a worthless, spineless joke.
August 11, 2018 at 3:24pm To the editor: A sincere thank you for keeping this site abreast of current events and obtaining and making available all pertinent institutional data - that is, incidentally, public information (regardless of whether ASU administration likes it or not.) ----Editor's Reply: You're welcome!
August 10, 2018 at 5:15pm ----Editor's Note: ASU 2018-2019 salary data is now online here.
August 7, 2018 at 9:14am Wondering if 2018-19 salary data has been made available... ----Editor's Reply: We expect to publish these salary sheets within the next week.
July 23, 2018 at 6:07am Filling a facility position or a locomotive? Decisions, decisions.
July 19, 2018 at 10:47pm I'm so glad ASU purchased a train and spent $ painting it. This will be a great distraction to make up for the lack of plans unveiled on how students will be recruited.
July 17, 2018 at 6:42pm "Giving students a great education at a great price" should be our motto. Building dreams of debt, not. If we want to give everyone a chance, give them one term to prove they want an education.
July 17, 2018 at 5:46am So back to other news... any strategies to actually recruit students? Anyone with a plan?
July 16, 2018 at 2:34pm What an insufferably dim statement, 7:23am. Do you think that the Internet only works on a per-country basis or that articles posted from one country cannot be viewed and considered everywhere? Do you also believe that only the Valley Courier is a reliable news source about Alamosa because the Denver Post and Pueblo Chieftain are published north of here? It's not “gossip” to publish admission standards comparing various schools. Much like that Atlantic article “These U.S. Colleges and Majors Are the Biggest Waste of Money,” an article like University Magazine's “College with the Highest Acceptance Rate” is not a flattering place for ASU to be prominently mentioned. But maybe it's all “fake news,” right? After all, Canada is now a national security threat according to Donald Trump.🙄
July 16, 2018 at 7:23am July 5, 5:22 pm - Excuse me, what does CANADA have to do with it, and why should a US school be gossiped about in a UK magazine?
July 9, 2018 at 1:25pm The following message was sent to the ASU campus: From: Office of the President Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2018 at 12:10 PM Subject: HLC News We received this notification Monday and wanted to share it immediately with you. “The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has removed the sanction of Probation for Adams State University. HLC took this action based on the institution’s ability to demonstrate it is now in compliance with all of HLC's Criteria for Accreditation.” This is wonderful news and a cause for celebration. What a great way to begin the week. Addressing and resolving the concerns of the Higher Learning Commission has been a campus-wide effort led by the Vice President of Academic Affairs Office and Assistant VP Margaret Doell. Others who put in extraordinary work to resolve the HLC concerns include: Dr. Matt Nehring and Ken Marquez as Criterion 1 co-chairs; Karla Hardesty as Criterion 2 and Federal Compliance chair; Leslie Alvarez, Criterion 3 co-chair; Beez Schell and Tony Weathers, Criterion 4 co-chairs; Kevin Daniel and Heather Heersink, Criterion 5 co-chairs; Traci Bishop, our amazing assurance system coordinator; Victor Soe and Sarah Rhett for digging up evidence on short notice; Erin Frew, our external reviewer and consultant; and David Moon, external reviewer. In its decision, HLC noted the University’s efforts to “adopt several new policies, including a policy on overload, that limit the number of credit hours and the number of students one faculty member can teach.” The HLC also noted how Adams State has “reorganized so that the appropriate academic departments and the Vice President of Academic Affairs provide oversight for the Extended Study courses.” Adams State is now on the Standard Pathway with its next comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation in 2021-22. The institution is required to submit an Interim Report no later than June 30, 2020, in addition to the standard annual reports required. Please do share this news with your own networks and help us spread the word. The fall semester is around the corner and we have so much to look forward to. Let us collectively move onward and upward with Adams State. And we will plan a celebration. Stay tuned. Dr. Cheryl Lovell, President
July 7, 2018 at 5:56pm On the upside, it is satisfying to see Chris Gilmer being welcomed as university president at West Virginia University and that Beverlee McClure is no longer president at Adams State. Notice how there are no more McClure cheerleaders on this website or on campus? Dr. Lovell should note who those remaining Mean Girls (and a few guys) are and be very skeptical of their "support" for her...
July 7, 2018 at 5:44pm It should be embarrassing but not surprising that, although for decades Adams State has proudly touted its “moderately selective admission standards”, University Magazine has ranked Adams #1 (!) for laxest admission standards and rated it “easy” for academic difficulty. Over the past 25 years general education requirements have been reduced time and again, as well as reducing the total credit hours required for a bachelor’s degree. Concurrently, in order to boost enrollment the “moderately selective admission standards” were progressively abridged - which, in turn, required the development of a robust developmental (née “remedial”) program for woefully underprepared students. This shortsighted strategy sacrificed institutional integrity and inevitably resulted in unsustainable reductions in persistence and 4, 5, and 6-year graduation rates. As data regarding the standards actually in practice at Adams State are readily accessible to prospective students, their parents, and prospective faculty, the effects can only be continued decreases in enrollment, increasing difficulty in attracting qualified faculty and, ultimately, a self-reinforcing downward spiral. Therefore, to prevent the institution failing altogether, at this most critical juncture the campus community at large must rise up and demand that the new administration, lest they be removed and replaced, resist the inbred administrative traditions that have eroded institutional standing and insist that respectable, objective standards be reestablished. Alternatively, perhaps Father Guido Sarducci’s suggested model for higher education might be appropriate for Adams State going forward.
July 6, 2018 at 9:14pm @12:32pm - Ditto for fall enrollment. Probation or no probation, everything hinges on students. Will there be any?
July 6, 2018 at 12:32pm So what is the outcome of HLC and the probation? I thought it was going to end the last week of June, this year, not next. The comments have been inexplicably silent on the biggest issue facing Adams State!
July 5, 2018 at 5:22pm So University Magazine in Canada has just ranked Adams State as the #1 highest acceptance rate, with 99% of students accepted and an academic difficulty ranking of “easy.”What does that say about the value of a degree from ASU?
June 30, 2018 at 12:25pm The word is getting out about ASU‘s bad cop, Paul Grohowski: Sarasota schools’ new police chief has blips on past employment screen
June 30, 2018 at 9:58am The purpose of the Clery Act as first legislated was to enable consumers to have some measure of risk of violent crime at colleges they may be attending by forcing campuses to report those risks in spite of the temptation to hide criminal activity for fear of losing potential students. Like our current wildfire, no federal legislation is ever satisfied and continous to grow and spread. Clery has been amended, "clarified" (in the way bureaucrats make things clearer), and piggy-backed until the regulatory burden threatens to overwhelm its purpose. Fire reporting, specific discipline procedures, added offenses, and new Violence Against Women regulations grew the law. Ok, civics lesson over. As campus police chief for 7 years, it fell to ASUPD to be the fingers at the keyboard to sumbit the report. It is critical to understand that meeting Clery requirements is the responsibility of multiple entities. Disciplinary reports and procedures, policy, drug and sexual violence education, etc etc come from housing, counseling, student affairs, area off-campus law enforcement, athletics and others. (And, of course, there were paid consultants brought in to give the latest best practices). Gathering accurate data depends on cooperation of the data holders. Reporting requirements are complex. One of my key veteran officers took the responsibility for gathering and entering the data, in addition to doing our internal information management, CBI and FBI crime reports. This required digesting and coding every officer's reports according to the inconsistent definitions and reporting requrements of each requesting entity. It was time consuming and complicated and it always pained me to have a fully trained officer in our chronically understaffed department chained to a desk fulfilling bureacratic requirements. I shifted the responsibilites for Clery data entry (not Clery compliance since that is a campus wide responsibility) to our very able administrative assistant as an added duty. When she returned from training she reported that she was a minority in that her Clery duties were part-time compared to the multi-staffed compliance teams of other colleges of similar size. She was eventually allowed to give full time attention to that task(not during my tenure) Finally, it should be noted that the Clery issues cited in the report that were controllable by ASUPD and subsequently another office were transcription errors easily correctable and swifly satisfied. The bulk of the DOE investigation and concern was in financial aid, not the Clery issue. Also, for the record, 2013 had many new regulatory additions to the law. 2013 stats get reported and published in 2014. One may recall that there was (ahem) a leadership change in the PD in the summer (pre-report deadline) of that year. Bottom line is that ASU can be proud of the competence, training, and hard work your Clery compliance folk have done. - Joel Shults
June 30, 2018 at 6:32am June 29, 2018. 10:18 p.m. - Mean Girls has spread further than that. A set of discussion board posts in Counselor Ed had me feeling retailated against. I disagreed with a point and politely explained my position. Then, I got a midterm grade warning 3 count em, THREE weeks into the semester of C. Even I'd lost some points early in every semester, no one had ever done that, give me a warning so inexplicably early. The adjuncts behavior was something I considered unprofessional. I had oroblems with the whole Dept after that debacle and handed in my notice as a grad student. For you see, I agree with what JLC says about the online programs, the students get very little interaction with the proofs. When you reach out, you get maybe one email back. I guess they don't make enough to bother, and they use their own grad PhD candidates to adjunct. So this means the adjunct is likely in a practice, being a wife and mother, and in grad school, with an added classload on top of that! But as an online grad student who pays 1300 per course, that's NOT my problem! Somehow, all that became a dissatisfied. The fact actual discussion was squelched was just proof positive that Adams is a good place to stay away from.
June 29, 2018 at 10:18pm A point of clarity: The term “Mean Girls” at ASU isn't some random insult that's applicable to anyone on campus. It refers to a specific group of women, led and cultivated by Beverlee McClure as her inner circle, who made a routine practice of bullying and retaliating against anyone who questioned, criticized, challenged or contradicted the ASU administration circa 2015-2018. They have been mentioned here by name and observed in their completely unprofessional behavior and actions. ASU "mean girls” is an accurate and widely-held perception that describes this group, not for the purposes of “bullying” but to characterize a tribal, vindictive workplace culture used to maintain power and punish dissent.
June 29, 2018 at 8:25pm June 29, 2018 at 5:20pm - Yes, it was my understanding as well that at that point it was not the same individual collecting Clery information. June 29, 2019 at 11:44am - That’s the problem, “you’re guessing”, and not correctly. I’m not sure what you mean with your “bad girls club” comment, nor do I know anything about you to be making assumptions about you, but I can tell you yesterday was the first time I’ve gotten on this ridiculous site in months; thank you for reminding me why. THOSE are the types of comments I am referring to when I say they are unnecessary and show that you know nothing of the person you’re responding to. June 29, 2019 at 7:42am - I appreciate your intelligent response, and it is exactly the type of comment I am happy to read on this site. No accusations, no “guessing”, just discussing what you know to be correct. That, I 100% am happy to see and l, believe it or not, completely agree with. I believe that we both want to see accountability & improvement, and no, I don’t expect nothing but positivity to change things, nor do I believe that ignoring things is the answer. And I think there are absolutely people on this site who respond in a productive manner, refer to facts, and what they know to be true. I just also see that those posts are becoming fewer and far between. It is the juvenile, accusatory “bad girls”-type comments I don’t appreciate and don’t believe are productive or helpful at all. I am more than open to discussion about issues, and it’s likely I agree with you on a lot of ASU’s issues. I just believe it’s possible to do so without all the name calling and bullying taking place on this site. I believe it’s possible to speak about the issues at hand and still treat others like human beings, especially when I am not personally involved or sure of all the facts at hand.
June 29, 2018 at 5:20pm June 29 @11:44am - Again, you obviously don’t have an understanding of how Clery was/wasn’t handled. Prior to this year. No. The person handling Clery compliance now was not handling it in 2013. No one really was, which is why there is now an employee dedicated to that. The fact that you’re responding at 11:44am tells me that you, more than likely, are sitting at your desk, not doing your job and are part of the “I want to bitch and moan about everyone else, though I do nothing” club. The same ones who never respond to a student’s voicemail, or email, or you transfer them all over campus to avoid having to actually do something and earn your pay. I too hope that Dr. Lovell sees through the bullshit to get rid of the lazy, incompetent people collecting paychecks, while the rest of us have to pick up your slack.
June 29, 2018 at 12:19pm As she did her own homework on Adams State, she offered, “I am equally pleased to see your athletic programs are so strong. As a student-athlete myself, I appreciate these experiences and want to be part of a campus community that also values student engagement and athletic competition at both intramural and intercollegiate levels.” - Interim ASU President Dr. Lovell ASU Football - losing program Men’s BB - average at best Women’s BB - losing program Volleyball - always average Softball - below average Wrestling - losing program Swimming - losing program Women’s Soccer - losing program Lacrosse teams - losing programs Cross Country - win titles Track and Field - strong teams but not as much of late it appears So where is the “strength” of the athletic programs? There is strength in only one program. Any other AD would be gone with this record. ASU seems content to support losing programs in athletics. Here’s to hoping that Dr. Lovell sees the opportunities in changing leadership in athletics and ridding ASU of coaches that do not produce.
June 29, 2018 at 11:44am @June 29, 2018 at 2:23am: - it seems that you might be the one without knowledge of the situation. Was it not the same individual doing the Clery reporting in 2013 that is doing it now, just under a different title? I am guessing you are a member of the so called “bad girls club” circling the wagons here. I just hope Dr Lovell sees through the BS and gets rid of the rest of the people that have screwed up the institution. There are a ton of good people at asu. Too bad there are so many bad ones in the administration.
June 29, 2018 at 7:42am "It almost seems as though many of this site's commenters would like to see ASU fail." Incorrect. We want to see ASU leadership held ACCOUNTABLE for the mistakes and even crimes they have committed. Instead, those responsible continue to retire, be promoted, be paid off. This statement is not "smack-talking" or an unfounded conclusion. It is FACT. And it lies at the heart of what this site is trying to accomplish. Staying positive isn't a cure all for ASU's shortcomings - it just leads to ignoring the deep seated issues that still remain at ASU.
June 29, 2018 at 2:23am Taking into consideration that all Clery-related findings had to do with statistical discrepancies from the 2013 calendar year, and that these violations were satisfactorily addressed, and the findings subsequently closed with no attached fines, as well as the fact that the “assistant director of Title IX/Clery compliance coordinator” position was filled at the end of 2015, it would seem that the author of the June 27, 2018 at 7:41am comment has little knowledge of what those issues entailed, nor what the findings from the 2013 calendar year have to do with the job that person has been doing since 2015. Furthermore, it would seem that they fail to notice that the DOE found no Clery violations after the year 2013. The fact that almost all of the findings, including all Clery and DFSCA-related violations, were dismissed or closed without fines assessed is actually incredibly good news for the University, and shows that, although ASU is not currently at it's finest, there are still a lot of people who work extremely hard every day, and care very much for this institution. The people on this site want to see change and positivity happen for ASU, yet all I see here are people's constant negative comments and assumptions. Just a few lines down: "Lovell is going to come in thinking she can push the sports and earn money for the school.", and further down, somebody else making an incorrect assumption regarding the decision the board would make. "...we will, in fact, have the local candidate, Salazar." Why is this necessary? A discussion? Absolutely. Talking about ASU's very real and important problems, and working toward positive changes/solutions for a better institution? VERY necessary. But the bullying, assumptions and negative comments about positions and people who, a lot of times, the comment-writer knows nothing about? It's absolutely unnecessary and makes no positive impact on ASU or its community whatsoever. It almost seems as though many of this site's commenters would like to see ASU fail. All this jumping to conclusions is ridiculous and has gotten so old. The sad thing is, a lot of people coming to our little valley, and ASU, are seeing things like this site, and the petty complaining and "smack-talking" and instead of being able to form their own opinions of ASU and its employees, come here with a negative impression of ASU and its community. And honestly, I am just embarrassed and saddened to read so many grown adults' constant complaining and accusations. Many times, the authors of these comments look no better than the people they are so eager to put down. I am in total agreement that ASU is in need of some very real change, and has been for quite a while. But if everybody on this site wants a better ASU, how can so many not see what a detriment all this negativity is to ASU and its chances of improvement and growth? None of this helps ASU.
June 28, 2018 at 2:29pm Looking over the timeline of events in the Department of Education review, it seems reasonably clear by now that Beverlee McClure wasn't let go because of a Halloween costume or some vague “incongruity” of priorities with the Board of Trustees. It now appears that she failed to properly manage a number of mandatory reporting duties and did not fully apprise the Board during the DOE investigation... Because when you're a narcissist, you cannot admit fault and instead blame everyone else. Or just pretend nothing is wrong. McClure did both repeatedly. And now we can add another $84,000 to the cost of getting rid of her. In other news, it looks like the Board was wise enough to hire a competent, qualified replacement. I hope Dr. Lovell gets the job done and finishes cleaning house! We know who the bottom-feeders are; they've been named here often.
June 28, 2018 at 12:18pm Re: June 28 @ 9:01 - My thoughts exactly! She’s far more qualified than Dave Svaldi ever was!
June 28, 2018 at 9:01am Re: June 27 @ 9:45pm - How about we give Dr. Lovell, the best qualified candidate, a chance before leaping to negative conclusions?
June 27, 2018 at 9:45pm I can see it now, Lovell is going to come in thinking she can push the sports and earn money for the school. Never realizing this is one of the things people are so angry about. Oh well.
June 27, 2018 at 7:41am Considering there is a title listed on the salary data spreadsheet of “assistant director of Title IX/Clery compliance coordinator” and there were so many issues discovered in Clery Compliance, considering the failures pointed out by the DOE, seems like that person is not doing their job. Was that a position that was eliminated in the budget? It did not appear that way based on the “eliminated positions.”
June 26, 2018 at 5:54pm For once the BoT did the right thing and selected the most qualified candidate rather than continuing the longstanding tradition of capitulating to inbred local politics. A ray of hope - and a bullet dodged.
June 26, 2018 at 4:16pm Thank you sweet baby Jesus! And welcome Cheryl Lovell! I finally have some hope!
June 26, 2018 at 2:20pm Looks like ASU screwed up big time on this one: U.S. DOE review results in $84,000 liability to Adams State "A U.S. Department of Education program review of Adams State University's Title IV funding over a 10-year period has resulted in Adams State having to return $84,351 in federal student aid... Adams State was found to be in non-compliance on two findings related to the Clery Act and Drug-Free Schools Act: An incomplete annual security report in 2013, and failure to develop and implement a comprehensive drug and alcohol abuse prevention program."
June 25, 2018 at 8:32am I’m concerned that the lack of an announcement just one week prior (as of this writing) to the first week in July indicates we will, in fact, have the local candidate, Salazar. I've also heard from a very reliable source (one who used to work with him) that Vilá is a horrendous choice. May the gods have mercy on our little (and shrinking) college. smh
June 23, 2018 at 11:01am Regarding the Mumper quote in the Courier, I believe it was illustrating why it is important to offer folks like Vila and Dupler tenure. In other words, offering tenure is necessary to get some people to take a new job and give up tenure at another school. The article would have been clearer if it had said "his former job as VP..."
June 22, 2018 at 11:40pm @June 22 7:11pm - "Karla Hardesty" and "responsible" don't belong in the same sentence, just ask her. The enrollment problems at Adams are Mumper & Carpio's fault. To answer your question, Mumper has nothing to do with enrollment. #KARLAFORPRESIDENT
June 22, 2018 at 7:11pm Can someone explain this quote from the Valley Courier? Is Dr. Mumper still in this position at Adams? I’m confused, I wasn’t aware there was someone other than Karla Hardesty responsible for enrollment? “Michael Mumper, senior vice president of enrollment management and program development for the university, said that he wouldn't have accepted his job at ASU if he wasn't tenured and the offer of immediate tenure is important to attract a high quality candidate.”
June 19, 2018 at 4:08pm I have mixed feelings about Grohowski. I don't know if he's is a "bad cop" he seemed like a good soldier who does what he's told. Sure, he could stand to be more aware and discerning when given marching orders that are unethical. I'm just saying I haven't seen any examples of him abusing his power, but I don't think he knows he has any. Can someone explain why his current employment is being brought up here, since he is no longer affiliated with ASU in any capacity? You know what? I change my mind. Grohowski did corroborate McClure's absurd accusations against Danny. That seems like a pretty clear unethical action he took of his own accord.
June 19, 2018 at 11:20am It looks like for ASU's former bad cop Paul Grohowski, his past is starting to catch up with him... Sarasota schools police chief has complicated past
June 18, 2018 at 2:40pm @1:46pm - That statement is more than "entirely irrelevant to institutional consideration" - it's a disqualifying remark because it demonstrates that Salazar's application is made in bad faith or at least for ulterior motives. ASU's administration is not a six-figure paid finishing school for politically-connected locals to transition into retirement from the comforts of their high-dollar resort ranch just across the river.
June 18, 2018 at 1:46pm Re: @10:29am During her open forum presentation on the Adams State campus (as reported on June 15 in the Valley Courier) Ms. Salazar admitted that: “A reason she has applied for the position is because when Hickenlooper's term is up she will no longer be employed. Salazar said she isn't ready to retire and wishes to return to the Valley.” This admission is of a purely personal issue that, in an unbiased process, should be entirely irrelevant to institutional consideration of any candidate.
June 18, 2018 at 11:26am Dr. Cheryl D. Lovell clearly has the most, and most relevant, higher education administrative experience of the four finalists. With Adams State in crisis in a number of contexts, relevant experience must be the primary criterion by which an appointment decision is made.
June 18, 2018 at 10:29am Although it seems likely that Marguerite Salazar’s appointment as Interim President is a fait accompli, it appeared necessary to emphasize to the Search Committee obvious concerns, shared by many having long association with Adams State, that should disqualify her from consideration Despite considerable experience in a diverse array of organizations, Ms. Salazar has no relevant experience in higher education administration - experience that is absolutely essential at such a critical juncture for ASU. Adams State has a long-standing tradition of administration dominated and misdirected by the whims of inbred small town politics, nepotism and cronyism that has imposed myopic provincial administrative constraints and resulted in the devastating long term consequences currently afflicting the institution. It light of the current crises facing ASU it is utterly nonsensical to continue this tradition, which Ms. Salazar’s appointment would epitomize, and expect a different result.
June 17, 2018 at 5:57pm 3:10pm - Yes, great question. Another question that others have posed and I’m interested in: Why is Adams seeking an interim vs. a permanent president?
June 17, 2018 at 3:10pm Thank you, editor, for ending this Hillary/Beverlee nonsense. It’s time to have a dialogue about important issues — such as the candidate interviews. What were everyone’s impressions?
June 17, 2018 at 2:11pm Hillary, an interesting comparison Hillary: Female. Beverlee: Female. Hillary: Democrat. Beverlee: Democrat. Hillary: Touted previous experience in positions of importance. Beverlee: Touted previous experience in positions of importance. Hillary: No notable accomplishments prior. Beverlee: No notable accomplishments prior. Hillary: Litany of failures – Benghazi, email scandal, failed foreign policy, presidential campaign, etc. Beverlee: Litany of failures – Persona non grata, inflamed accreditation issues, declining enrollment, etc. Hillary: Conspired against popular male (Bernie Sanders) to keep her power and position. Beverlee: Conspired against popular male (Chris Gilmer) to keep her power and position. Hillary: Exposed. Beverlee: Exposed. Hillary: Rejected by a majority of states as unfit to lead. Beverlee: Rejected by a majority of Trustees as unfit to lead. Hillary: Never accepted responsibility for failures. Beverlee: Never accepted responsibility for failures. Conclusion: Hooker boots vs. spinster shoes are about the only difference! ----Editor's Response: This comment was posted by the same Boise, ID IP address (commonly understood to be Michael Tomlin) which brought up Hillary to begin with (June 16, 2018 at 7:52am) and is now attempting to "astro-turf" a conversation with himself. This topic is now closed and this IP address (as well as the VPN used to redirect similar comments so as to appear to be from India) is being given a final spam violation warning.
June 17, 2018 at 10:32am June 14 1:39 p.m - Creating retribution seems to be an ongoing theme at Adams, whether it's getting rid of a bad president, in-fighting among staff or disagreements on what multiculturalism really means on curriculum for Counseling and how that plays out. Bad cop was a tool for the President, it's rumored, and lack of fair play... all in a school that's already struggling and will keep the numbers going down. I lost $40K as a student in this place. Run as fast as you can, somewhere else!
June 16, 2018 at 10:12am Yes, Mike Tomlin. We all know you believe that.
June 16, 2018 at 7:52am Almost as bad as Hillary winning.
June 15, 2018 at 9:53pm Re: June 15 @ 8:08pm - And thank god none of those fools were appointed. It would have been ALMOST as disastrous as having Mike Tomlin hired as president when he applied during the last search.
June 15, 2018 at 8:08pm To the comment about JFK and the appointment of the VP. Yes, that is what the Constitution calls for. The BOT could have appointed a VP - Doell, Marquez, Cary, but they probably respected the input of this group that no one likes those people. So they went outside. It makes sense. We cannot simultaneously trash our admin and then expect the Board to appoint one.
June 15, 2018 at 11:24am At this critical juncture for ASU, it is essential that ALL employees respond to the survey as requested by Dr. Nehring and, in addition to listing candidate preference in rank order, provide detailed feedback with any concerns regarding any candidate(s). Analogous to citizens' responsibility to VOTE - ONLY by providing our feedback can we insure that the Search Committee has information crucial to making their best recommendation, and hopefully forwarding concerns, to the Board of Trustees.
June 15, 2018 at 11:20am June 13th @2:04pm has a good point. If ASU is trying to recover from a public image problem and assure accreditors and students that the school is stable and recovering, why advertise and hire for an "interim president" instead of simply a "president?" Beverlee McClure was hired as president but given a 1 year contract (which Arnold Salazar and the Board foolishly renewed for three years). By tagging this high-profile presidential search as an "interim" position, it just furthers the perception that ASU is under managerial distress and without a solid direction. Even when JFK was assassinated, the USA didn't have an "interim president" in LBJ. So why does ASU perpetuate the signs of its own distress and state of disorder?
June 14, 2018 at 1:39pm After screwing around in California for a year, it looks like ASU's bad cop is back on the beat in Florida. How many more campuses will welcome the incompetence of Paul Grohowski? City of North Port, Sarasota County School District name new police chiefs
June 13, 2018 at 2:04pm If you're electing another Interim President, doesn't that say you've lost confidence in the permanence of ASU? As a student I believed I would have to beg to have credentials accepted from a school that is teetering on the brink of disaster. - Alison
June 12, 2018 at 6:54am @4:49pm - One way to stop online bullying is to take seriously a reading recommendation from a trade publication made in good faith... rather than trolling the Internet like a child with flippant remarks that are flatly unserious in nature. Bye for now!
June 11, 2018 at 4:49pm @3:58pm - Stop online bullying. Calling someone a moron is so demeaning. Your assignment is to read up on how to erase the problem of online bullying. I enjoyed the banter but now I'm done with you. Bye-bye.
June 11, 2018 at 3:58pm @3:32pm - Welcome to adulthood - where not everything is done for a grade or on a deadline, reading is a voluntary way to improve one’s intellect and become a more informed citizen in a democratic society, and the reward is not coming across as an uninformed moron on the Internet. Give it a try for 30 days free of charge.
June 11, 2018 at 3:32pm @2:36pm - I will try to start my homework on the assigned reading. However, I would like the due date and the means for reporting back to you. Would a one page, single spaced, 12 pt fontsize, APA style meet your requirements? Oh, and may I have a scoring rubric?
June 11, 2018 at 2:36pm @8:47am - You seem to have a “sit down and shut up” attitude, like top-down governance is somehow going to be an effective model for leadership at a public university. Well, here’s a good article for you: Shared Governance Works in Executive Hiring, If We Let It “In the context of executive search, communication — and in particular the open sharing of opinions and ideas — is absolutely critical. When search-committee members trust one another, listen to alternate views, and use their input productively, better hiring decisions are made. More important, the outcome of such a search has credibility and support. Even in these challenging times — perhaps especially now — our institutions are best served when all key parties work hard to enfranchise one another in governance. Ray Kroc, who built McDonald’s into one of the world’s most recognizable brands, famously opined that "None of us is as good as all of us." Even notwithstanding the self-confidence of trustees, faculty members, students, administrators, alumni, and all the other sectors that have a stake in our colleges and universities, that statement proves itself true in every search that we do.”
June 11, 2018 at 9:22am Empty accusations of sexism at ASU - the real legacy of Beverlee McClure. So let me get this straight: out of 77 “highly qualified” applicants for interim president, the very best one just happens to be the wife of the previous chairman of the Board of Trustees... who oversaw the bottoming-out of the institution? Call the math department - what are the odds on that?
June 11, 2018 at 8:47am Why are you all running your mouths and attempting to "one up" each other by inserting intellectual jargon and flamboyant opinion, when you don't have a flippin' say in this decision. It is what it is. And it will be what it's going to be. Focus on your work. You are just an employee at ASU; not a diplomat.
June 10, 2018 at 4:29pm @3:54pm precisely, I was just going to post the same thing! Apparently, no discussion in higher ed would be complete without accusations of racism, sexism, or other jousting lances of identity politics. And if one criticizes a female leader or candidate, it clearly must be sexism!That is quite McClure of 1:57pm. Or... just maybe... the last thing ASU needs is more of the usual brands of cronyism and nepotism, backdoor deals and local dynasties that infest small town politics and infect the best practices of higher education. Just maybe.
June 10, 2018 at 3:54pm Re: June 10 @ 6:29am - It is all too convenient to resort to allegations of racism and/or sexism in addressing objections expressed regarding Marguerite Salazar’s near certain appointment as Interim President. In fact, no objections expressed regarding Ms. Salazar have been either racist or sexist. Rather, they are based on concerns about continuing the long-standing traditions of nepotism, cronyism and small town politics that have adversely influenced Adams State administration and resulted in the institution’s current difficulties.
June 10, 2018 at 1:57pm June 10, 2018 at 10:12am - My only fear is that you still inhabit the halls of ASU. Your arrogance is gross. My point was that the 2 white candidates are not more qualified than Mrs.Salazar based on just these bios... also that she is not responsible for whatever her husbandhas done or said. Furthermore, a person working in academia for a shot at this position his whole life is not a qualifer above Marguerite. Clearly I must be an idiot to disagree with you. That is quite McClure of you to treat others that way.Now, enough of you... My thoughts are that there is some inherent underlying racism and sexism to some of these posts. Give people a chance. Even Armando.
June 10, 2018 at 10:12am
Dear June 10 @ 9:30,
My apologies if you felt I was being nasty or vile. That certainly was not my intention. My response was to correct your erroneous statement that the external candidates weren’t qualified because they had no experience as a president of an institution or running large organizations. I think the public deserves truthful facts, not someone’s uninformed opinion.
My hope is that everyone will attend the forums and make intelligent, informed decisions. Not decisions based on erroneous heresay from this or any other website or individual. Thus, my contribution.
Unfortunately, your statement that you are “wating [sic] to do the opposite of whatever you [I’m] advocating for” speaks more to your vile nastiness. Would you seriously jeaopardize the institution like that? Just pick a person because it’s opposite of what a stranger wants? Further, you don’t know what I’m advocating for other than the best candidate. In fact, I’ve indicated I will listen to all of them equally and make a decision then.
Again, don’t make assumptions. Do some research. Try reading.
Now I’m done with you and this conversation. You clearly don’t have the capacity to have an intellectual, civil conversation. And I don’t get into pissing matches with your type of ilk.
Have a great day!😊
June 10, 2018 at 9:30am @June 10, 2018 at 8:00am - I stand corrected. Dr. Lovell was a president of a small for-profit osteopathic medical school. So if that qualifies her, go for it. Your tone is nasty and vile. I find myself wating to do the opposite of whatever you’re advocating for. Are you here to persuade or bully others in to believing as you do? You have stated some things as fact that I happen to know are not true. Just because you state them in another form does not make them true or intelligent.
June 10, 2018 at 8:00am Re: June 10 @ 6:29am - Actually if you READ the candidate bios available on the ASU website, you can see: 1. Dr. Lovell WAS a university president. Further if you Google her, you will READ that she was an extremely successful president—awarded the highest title possible—president emerita once she retired. 2. Mr. Bailey-Fournier has worked in the highest levels of leadership, other than president, in higher education—not insurance or healthcare administration. He has been preparing for a university presidency his entire career. 3. Yes, Mrs. Salazar is an extremely talented woman, with vast experience in a public bureaucracy AND as a political appointee. Although being a political appointee doesn’t mean you are qualified. Betsy DeVos is a great example of that! Mrs. Salazar’s only experience in higher education (according to you - I don’t see it on the ASU website) is that of member of CSU’s board of governors. While this political appointment is impressive from a “who you’re connected to point of view”, it hardly qualifies her to run a an institution of higher education. Seriously, would you want Erica Romero appointed as superintendent of Alamosa Schools or Arnold Salazar or Tim Walters appointed president of Adams State? No, it’s not the stone ages and Mrs. Salazar is not her husband’s property... Not sure why that statement is relevant. I think what many are concerned about regarding that is the continued nepotism and incestuousness of ASU’s hiring practices. But I have judged her against the other candidates based on their bios and other info I found by Googling each of them. So, yes the two not from the Valley bubble to the top. Mrs. Salazar is a strong third. Although I’d now like to see the resumes of the other 73. 4. I agree with you about Mr. Valdez. Yes, I will attend the forums and “listen to the woman”. In fact, I will listen to ALL of the candidates, giving each the benefit of the doubt. The written bios and resumes are but one part of the process. Beverlee also looked good on paper. But the board, including Arnold, didn’t actually vet her. They didn’t listen to her lack of substance. If they had, perhaps we wouldn’t be in quite the mess we are. My question to you: will you LISTEN to ALL of the candidates with an open mind and a willingness to change your mind? Will you also give Mr. Valdez the benefit of the doubt? And, no. I don’t ever make any statements or decisions off of the cuff. Just as you made assumptions about Dr. Lovell and Mr. Bailey-Fournier, you have made assumptions about me. Don’t do that. Do some research instead. You will not only be better informed, you won’t make inaccurate or unintelligent remarks.
June 10, 2018 at 6:29am A few thoughts regarding the recent thread. You have it wrong that Arnold was a big Beverlee supporter. Have you ever been on a board? Decisions are made by the group that you must support as 1 unit. Secondly, who is this person who can off the cuff say that the 2 candidates NOT from the Valley are the only qualified? It doesn’t seem like either of the two who that person thinks is qualified have actually run a University or organization. They have had high level positions, but that’s it. It really is taking a chance on either of them. I personally think that Armando is the token ASU faculty member given the opportunity. If he reallt has a chance at this I’d be surprised. However I would invite people to examine their point of views. We are in effect only highly criticizing the 2 hispanic candidates. Marguerite has an impressive resume that includes the board of governors at CSU. She’s clearly qualified to be considered. And no, you can’t disqualify someone because they are married to someone else. This is not the stone ages. Marguerite is not the property of her husband. Go to the forums and listen to the woman. If you still think she’s not a good choice, put your support to someone else. Until then, leave your typical racial and gender biases at the door.A few thoughts regarding the recent thread. You have it wrong that Arnold was a big Beverlee supporter. Have you ever been on a board? Decisions are made by the group that you must support as 1 unit. Secondly, who is this person who can off the cuff say that the 2 candidates NOT from the Valley are the only qualified? It doesn’t seem like either of the two who that person thinks is qualified have actually run a University or organization. They have had high level positions, but that’s it. It really is taking a chance on either of them. I personally think that Armando is the token ASU faculty member given the opportunity. If he reallt has a chance at this I’d be surprised. However I would invite people to examine their point of views. We are in effect only highly criticizing the 2 hispanic candidates. Marguerite has an impressive resume that includes the board of governors at CSU. She’s clearly qualified to be considered. And no, you can’t disqualify someone because they are married to someone else. This is not the stone ages. Marguerite is not the property of her husband. Go to the forums and listen to the woman. If you still think she’s not a good choice, put your support to someone else. Until then, leave your typical racial and gender biases at the door.
June 9, 2018 at 4:51pm No doubt Marguerite would drain the swamp. She would have to make room for the rest of the Salazar’s and Lara’s to have leadership roles.
June 9, 2018 at 4:02pm Wow 2:27pm, for someone who appears to understand the problem, your solution is totally and incredibly backwards. The only way that Marguerite Salazar could hope to be an effective president of ASU is to disavow, disown, and discard her husband Arnold in every conceivable way and then some. Arnold Salazar’s malpractice on the ASU Board of Trustees began in 2010 and his disastrous run as chair began in 2013.He presided over any number of failed policies, mounting and reckless finances, a toxic workplace that drove away talented faculty and great staff, declining student enrollment and the “swamp” of all those academic pond scum that you correctly name. Remember: Arnold stood behind and promoted the garbage bin presidency of Beverlee “Just Say Anything” McClure and cost the school countless dollars to get rid of her and repair the damage she’s done. He defended her over and over, attacked her critics, blatantly lied to the public, and slithered away just as the Board finally gave Beverlee the administrative axe.And yes, Arnold personally profited off the university’s Title V program while serving as board chair with what we could call “Barngate.” As the Salazar Ranch is their residential business, Marguerite profited, as well. While I don’t believe in judging one leader by their spouse (we just had an election about this matter), it’s extremely difficult to conceive of a much-needed change agent from within the same entrenched interests and small-town corruption that got us here to begin with. We can and must do better. So let’s select a leader for ASU who is competent, qualified, a fresh start, and a clean record as a force for change... not a creature of the same swamp we both agree needs to be drained. Because really, ASU is a Salazar Swamp and the Salazars won’t be in the business of draining it.
June 9, 2018 at 2:27pm Marguerite Salazar is by far the best candidate for President of Adams State University. I dare any of you naysayers put her impeccable resume up against any others, and the rest would pale by comparison. Adams State University desperately needs an interim president who will drain the swamp: Doell, Crowder, Alvarez, Guervara, and the bottom-feeders like Scott White, and the rest of the trash. The only hope ASU has for any chance of being taken seriously by the higher learning and academic institutions, the state, and local community is to send Nehring back to his playpen, demote half the administration and faculty of deadbeats, and for once in the history of Adams State LEAD THE UNIVERSITY up and out of the garbage can Beverlee McClure left it in. Let's get those President Salazar t-shirts printed!
June 8, 2018 at 11:01am Re: June 8 @ 8:53 - And Kathy Rogers, along with Marguerite Salazar’s husband, then board chair Arnold, gave us fawning reassurance about Beverlee McClure. Yeah, I don’t have much faith in Kathy Rogers or her judgment.
June 8, 2018 at 10:55am Dear June 8 @ 8:53 - The problem is that the board doesn’t want to hire a qualified individual. They would, instead, prefer to continue the deeply entrenched, sickening incestuous hiring and promotion practices that are the core of ASU’s problems. And, on the rare occasion they do hire from the outside, the person is usually incompetent. And by chance a competent individual is hired, they are inevitably marginalized and/or run off. So of 77 applicants, two are locals, who are not qualified. Two are from outside of the Valley and clearly qualified. My bet is Salazar wins the title and the qualified individuals’ visits are an exercise in futility. What is so sad or frightening—depending on your situation—this hire is critical. Everyone should be updating their resumes and CVs.
June 8, 2018 at 8:53am First came the hopeful announcement by the search committee that there were 77 well-qualified applicants for Interim President. This is now followed by the fawning reassurance of Kathy Rogers, ASU Trustee and Chair of the search committee, that: “The finalists we’ve selected reflect the extraordinary pool of talent we reviewed during the initial phase of the process” and “The finalists’ credentials are beyond impressive…” Nevertheless, Dr. Nehring’s campus-wide email announcing the four finalists shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone familiar with Adams State over the past 25+ years. Armando Valdez? Seriously? Marguerite Salazar? Does anyone really believe it is wise to continue the long-standing tradition of preeminence of local politics, nepotism and cronyism directing Adams State administration? If so, by all means do keep it all in the self-appointed first family of the SLV. (Would anyone care to wager whether the ”fix” is in re: the final selection?)
June 7, 2018 at 7:14pm Personally, I really like Armando Valdez. He’s a friendly, thoughtful, kind and considerate person. However, I’ve done enough committee work with Armando to conclude that he is often over-committed, waits until the last minute to get important tasks done, is terrible with responsive communication, and is frequently the bottleneck for completing group tasks. This was a consistent perception and experience among many committee members. On this basis alone, I cannot recommend Armando to a position like university president.
June 7, 2018 at 10:11pm Armando Valdez - Are you serious?
June 7, 2018 at 4:02pm Marguerite Salazar appears to be a walking conflict of interest and it’s unclear why she is a finalist in this interim president search. But I guess ASU is the campus where “great nepotism begins here.”
June 7, 2018 at 10:38am That evidence is circumatantial at best. If anything my IP showing as being from India only serves to demonstrate how easy it is to occult such things. Thank you for confirming that my VPN is working as intended, a precaution I took when I noticed that detractors tend to have their IPs published. ——Editor’s Response: We have never and will never publish IP addresses. We have used IP information to prevent spamming and related activities which violate submission guidelines. We have used IP addresses to note repeated comments (such as yours) from a single account for verification purposes, particularly when a comment is signed in order to authenticate the user. However, we also reserve the right not to publish comments which are off-topic or irrelevant to matters concerning Adams State University, particularly if the IP addresses would indicate a history of activity which is intended to disrupt or spam the comments page. The intentional use of a VPN to conceal IP addresses is actually among the considerations for spamming and will be factored into overall submission criteria regarding spam. All of this in response to posts by and/or about Mike Tomlin only illustrate the likelihood of continued posting by the same individual. At this point, this and related topics will be closed in the interest of furthering discussion about relevant and ongoing issues concerning ASU. References to this same topic and/or from IP addresses unrelated to the southwestern US (such as India) may be considered spam and may not be published.
June 7, 2018 at 10:08am So what I'm reading is that while you suspect that certain posts are being made by Dr. Tomlin, there isn't any actual proof. Especially considering that anyone can put on airs while they hide behind anonymity. This sort of behavior is what lends itself to the perception that this site has devolved into a place for people to shout their personal grievences into the void only to have them conflated into a cabal of malfeasiants and echoed back. ——Editor’s Response: As a point of clarification - all comments are tagged with the poster’s IP address.The string of comments over this past week regarding ASU being a business all came from the same IP address in Boise, ID.This is also the location Tomlin resides, according to his Amazon author bio. Your two posts are tagged as originating from India.
June 7, 2018 at 9:30am Dr. Tomlin - I have no intention of being drawn into a puerile online pissing contest, but I will offer the following: Some who post observations and criticisms here do so based on far longer experience with Adams State than your ca. 5+ years. Historically, it has been exceedingly rare for a department chair at Adams State to be unceremoniously removed by administrative fiat. From this perspective, your supercilious and self-righteous proselytizing has become very tiresome. Please, please give it a rest.
June 7, 2018 at 9:08am Michael Tomlin has a distinctive writing style that drips of condescension and self-certainty.He espouses a point of view that is unabashedly corporate-minded, top-down governance, sneering at dissenting views from employees.Combined, his posts are always a tell. While at ASU, Tomlin wrote in Billy Pulpit about how ASU is a business.So his ardent and delusional insistence upon re-asserting that here is par for the course. He will defend a debunked and vapid thesis to the end, merely because it is his. Now why he persists long after ASU showed him the door is a genuine mystery. Perhaps he just likes being “published” even anonymously.Or perhaps he has such antagonism for those who have rightly identified the poor leadership that got ASU into this mess that he can’t help himself. It really upsets him that McClure was removed after he sang her praises and chastised her critics. He even wrote the Denver Post to complain about this and suggested ASU’s critics are only embittered because they aren’t “successful.” Mike cannot help coming here again and again to complain about the complainers and insist nobody should be on this website. He should probably take his own advice.
June 7, 2018 at 8:10am So is Tomlin signing his posts somewhere and I'm just missing it? Or are people here so intimately familiar with him that he can be identified through his writing style alone?
June 7, 2018 at 7:59am @June 6 5:47. You're talking out of your ass, son.
June 6, 2018 at 6:22pm From this College Fix article: “Public university paid board chair $12,000 to host social-justice retreat - doesn’t even cover food”
June 6, 2018 at 6:09pm Dear June 6 @5:47pm - What do you mean “food costs extra”?
June 6, 2018 at 5:47pm If Marguerite is selected as interim president, maybe she can get ASU some great deals on more navel-gazing, hand-holding retreats to the Salazar barn! Food costs extra... but that’s okay because the real objective is to burn through Title V money before the grant cycle ends.
June 6, 2018 at 4:38pm Is anyone else suffering from “Mike Tomlin Fatigue”? How about those four Interim President candidates? Two very questionable choices — Salazar and Valdez. WHAT is the board thinking?
June 6, 2018 at 3:35pm I read Tomlin’s absurd claim that ASU is a business and his subsequent attempt to shoehorn a broad and expansive use of the term to fit his claim. It’s laughable. Not everything is a business just because Mike says so. A business is a legally-defined entity with specific criteria. State and federal education organizations, regional accreditors,popular and industry press, the IRS, grant sources and foundations all recognize ASU as a public university, not a for-profit enterprise or private organization engaged in commercial activity. As for good ASU is doing? One example is that Beverlee McClure looked at Mike Tomlin’s horrendous personnel file and promptly removed him from department chair, then Tomlin finally left ASU not long after. Then the Board finally removed McClure from her position. Both were extremely positive developments that made many people relieved.
June 6, 2018 at 11:22am To June 5 at 10:15 pm, I am sorry you did not see the definition of a business shown in a previous post. There are numerous definitions but the following is pretty industry standard: "A business is an organization or enterprising entity engaged in commercial, industrial or professional activities. A business transacts business activities through the production of a good, offering of a service or retailing of already manufactured products. A business can be a for-profit entity or a nonprofit organization that operates to fulfill a charitable mission." Yes, a charity can be a business. Non-profits can be businesses. A family reunion typically does not engage in the activities listed above - but universities hire professionals and engage in professional activities. Universities are audited, they have HR departments, payroll, etc. Some negotiate with unionized workers. They accept payment from customers - who, once paid become students, to which they provide their professional services. Most universities answer to a board of directors, and the president is not a subordinate of the Governor, nor a state department head. And yes, while ASU is a quasi-state agency, all employees are not in state retirement, and when "state employees" receive a pay raise that does not always mean all state university employees. State universities are hybrid organizations, but they are never not businesses. Your reference to what students and others believe makes no sense. If 100% of the students believe we are in D1, or B3, or NAIA, it doesn't change the fact. If 100% of the employees believe we are in the WTO and not subject to oversight from HLC that does not change the fact. Some things simply aren't opinions. Now that we've had this nice chat, how have we helped Adams move forward? LOL Is there anything nice that you can say about our university, staff, leadership, direction, campus? Did you miss a pretty nice commencement and not see all of the celebrations? Are you unaware that summer session is up and running and students and faculty are working hard? Those are such cool things. Good people are moving ASU forward every day. Get to know some and become a part of the journey. It's a much happier way.
June 5, 2018 at 10:15pm If a public university is a business, then surely a non-profit organization is a business, and a community volunteer group is a business, and a youth sports team is a business, and a family reunion is a business, and almost any form of organized human behavior is a business.The term loses all meaning when applied in this way.And it’s most certainly not what people consider a business if not a private organization in the pursuit of profit. Ask the HLC if ASU is a business.Or ask the CO Department of Education. Or simply ask most ASU students, faculty or staff.They intuitively understand that a public university is not a business. Moreover, it is jibberish to assert a state-funded school is a business.
June 5, 2018 at 9:01pm Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat???? "I am certain ASU‘s main sources of operating funds are the bookstore, the cafeteria, and ticket sales to public events. Not state/federal funds and subsidized loan programs allocated to public universities." No one said those were main sources of funds. Read the post. Those were just examples of transactions that contribute to the business of ASU. And by definition, even if 100% of ASU's income came from grants, charity, or tax dollars, it would still be a business. Read the definition of a business provided in a previous post. The rest of your post is just jibberish that doesn't merit comment.
June 5, 2018 at 4:28pm Sure, Mike. I am certain ASU‘s main sources of operating funds are the bookstore, the cafeteria, and ticket sales to public events. Not state/federal funds and subsidized loan programs allocated to public universities. ASU could operate just fine as a for-profit business with you in charge. I presume you applied for the presidency and are a front runner for the job? One of us has been providing evidence based on available data... and the other has been slinging insults and empty, malfunctioning definitions that defy rational consistency. That’s certainly not debatable.
June 5, 2018 at 3:58pm To June 5 at 3:50 pm, now you just embarrass yourself with what you do not know. It is okay, but certainly not debatable.
June 5, 2018 at 3:50pm Michael Tomlin is so deeply confused about what public universities are and the definition of a business that it’s truly puzzling he ever taught business at a public university - albeit overseeing a department that violated academic integrity and landing ASU on probation. So that might explain it. Quick review - ASU’s principal funding sources are federal grants, state budget allocations, and various federal student loan programs... Not the book store, the athletic events, concerts or theatre.If ASU were to operate as a for-profit enterprise, it would shut down almost instantly. That’s among the reasons why HLC reaccreditation is important to begin with: eligibility to receive public funding in order to remain viable. Hint: it’s tax dollars. And education shouldn’t be a business.It should be a public good.That’s why almost every developed country funds tuition-free K-12 and many countries fund tuition-free higher education... most of which out-perform the USA in science, math, reading and writing. Not coincidentally, the absolute worst higher ed institutions in the USA - like University of Phoenix and the now-defunct ITT Tech - are “run like a business.”They frequently engage in predatory lending practices and vastly overstate the success rate of their graduates. This is not the model any school should emulate if they are serious about quality education. None of the elite institutions in the USA (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc.) are for-profit colleges. You know what other “school” was run like a business? Trump University.And it was a total scam that resulted in class action lawsuits and a $25M settlement.Speaking of which, I wonder what a degree from Tomlin University would be worth...
June 5, 2018 at 10:10am For those who wish to believe a public university is not a "business," see the common definition below: "A business is an organization or enterprising entity engaged in commercial, industrial or professional activities. A business transacts business activities through the production of a good, offering of a service or retailing of already manufactured products. A business can be a for-profit entity or a nonprofit organization that operates to fulfill a charitable mission." ASU is an "organization" or "entity" and it operates a book store, restaurants/cafeteria, sells tickets in return for admission to theater and sporting events, and of course exchanges the receipt of money for the delivery and provision of educational services. It is by any definition a "business." This is not say that it has been run well or managed well. There is no argument that the Trustees were under-involved in their oversight a few years back. There is no argument that missteps were made by Richardson Hall. Most of those administrators are gone. Many of the department chairs are gone. But the path to stability and improvement for the university is not through the skeletons of previous employees. You can continue to shake "documents" at Doell, decry dinner receipts, and insult supporters of the university, but you only show your smallness and irrelevance. Those who care about the university are working to strengthen it, from its core to the fringes. That's a productive approach and it's more fun. We welcome new faculty and staff to the team and embrace the good work ahead. You haters can join too.
June 4, 2018 at 4:32pm There are literally dozens of documents on Watching Adams that cannot be found anywhere on the ASU website and were only reported after this site published them. Outrageous mediation agreements, unpresidential conduct, reprehensible compensation data and salary sheets, a lying president called out by the CO AAUP, wasteful spending on fancy meals and excessive travel, internal memos and attempts to suppress information and intimidate employees... but on the ASU site, everything is great and getting better! Notice June 4 @2:26pm (aka Mike Tomlin) has no defense for the questions that June 3 @1:05pm asked regarding the “evidence” for Doell’s promotion and raise? Telling and unsurprising. Here are more questions to ponder: if “accreditation first, finances second, and customers third,” why have ASU’s finances been running a deficit since FY 2013 and why has ASU’s enrollment been dropping since 2012 - long before ASU’s academic probation in 2016? Also, students aren’t “customers” and public education isn’t a business. Sorry, Mike. Speaking of the NFL, ASU spends tuition and taxpayer dollars on its football team like it regularly sends players to the pros each year! But that’s not happening; For a decade running, ASU cannot win a majority of its D2 football games. So if management is always management, then clearly it’s management that mismanaged ASU into serious financial deficits, a disappearing student body, academic probation, and a shrinking workforce. Where’s the accountability from those in charge?Instead, we’ve seen a literal “standing strong” parade, fancy banquets and a six-figure severance package alongside padded salaries for admin to return to faculty.Yet according to (disgraced former faculty and dethroned department chair) Mike Tomlin, management has been smooth sailing for the past three years as he has been insisting that everything is great and getting better. This just in: everything is not great at ASU... and for it to get better, will require an admission that things have indeed been very bad for a considerable number of years under leadership elements that are still intact (and promoted, in Doell’s case).Consequently, the apologists like Tomlin who insist that ASU’s real problem is an optical illusion cultivated by nay-sayers now have zero credibility as the unassailable evidence to the contrary is evident in every press report, firsthand account, ledger and enrollment record.
June 4, 2018 at 2:26pm Given the lack of any evidence of "wrong doing, incompetence or corruption," it is natural for a site like this one to devolve into a no news announcement platform and insult site. Most of the announcements here are readily available in other places, and signs show a university moving forward - positively toward reaccreditation, slowly toward financial stability, and still stuck on enrollment. But there is a rule - accreditation first, finances second, and customers third. The Trustees understand this and are wisely steering the ship in the right direction. This site has also developed unrelated themes, such as the NFL. Bill Belichick touts that everyone is replaceable, and that is core to the success of the Patriots. Mike Tomlin is misquoted as saying that management is always right - when he actually said that management is always management - work for it or move on. Two great coaches, one hugely successful, and the other one very successful. Smart organizations can learn from both.
June 4, 2018 at 2:18pm June 4th 8:32 - I agree with you. If you are a new professor or a new incoming professor and want to do research to move up or out think twice about staying or accepting a teaching job at Adams State University. The longer you stay, the longer you are stuck with no where else to go. Don't let ASU ruin your career!
June 4, 2018 at 8:32am If Adams State University is a "true" University, why aren't the professors given the time to do research? The professors have some of the highest teaching loads ever seen at the University level. This does not go unnoticed. It's kind of like a high school for kids who graduated public high school, only not managed as well.
June 4, 2018 at 8:25am Lately, the purpose of this site seems to be documenting who is getting their position cut or their salary reduced versus who is getting a cushy severance package or a raise and promotion... as well as who is getting their budget cut as enrollment continues to drop. The evidence is clearly posted for all that.
June 4, 2018 at 8:01am I thought the purpose of this site was to present evidence of wrong-doing, incompetence, and corruption at ASU to the larger community. However, lately it seems that there is an excess of accusations and a shortage of actual evidence to back them up.
June 3, 2018 at 1:15pm When you aren’t good enough for one job, let’s create another one to make you feel good. #Karlaforpresident
June 3, 2018 at 1:05pm All the evidence available, huh? Here are a few questions for Mike Tomlin’s “Management Is Always Right” School of Higher Ed: - If Doell was so good at her job, why wasn’t she hired as VPAA when she interviewed? - If Doell was so good at her job, why did ASU go on academic probation under her leadership? - If Doell was so good at her job, why has ASU’s enrollment and retention fallen under her leadership? - If Doell was so good at her job, why does ASU have among the lowest graduation rates of 4 year programs in the nation? Apparently, actions have inverse consequences at ASU. If you are great at your job, you’ll be bullied into resignation. If you are terrible at your job, you’ll get a promotion and a bonus. These days, the empty suits/hats around Adams State are usually the ones in charge - which is why the school is in serious trouble.
June 3, 2018 at 10:24am To the contributor who wrote that AVPAA Doell has "for years, amply and repeatedly demonstrated a complete lack of academic integrity," you should have submitted your evidence to Dr. Nehring and/or the Board of Trustees. Based upon proper vetting of all evidence available, and her work performance, Ms. Doell was promoted. So you either sat on your evidence, or more likely you are an empty suit, a hollow hat, and you have nothing other than insults. And while I am truly not an expert on re-accreditation, I don't believe any organization ever "insulted" their way to success. If Adams is to gain a clean - or improved bill of health it will be due to the good and hard work of those involved in the effort.
June 2, 2018 at 6:20pm Let us not forget that inadequate academic integrity at the institutional level is a principle reason that HLC placed ASU’s accreditation on probation. It is therefore astonishing that Ms. Doell who has, for years, amply and repeatedly demonstrated a complete lack of academic integrity would be promoted to Associate VP -- of Academic Affairs.
June 2, 2018 at 3:17pm Yes, Mike Tomlin, those are some “alternative facts.” But if you think Doell was merely “active attending community and social events,” you don’t understand what was really happening. For those of us that do, it was clear McClure was grooming Doell as her loyal lackey at a great cost to many personal and professional relationships in the process. The campus is measurably worse off for it. And this passive characterization of Gilmer as “gone” belies a larger problem at ASU - the competent, professional, committed people who were the targets of bullying and retaliation didn’t just disappear one day out of mere preference. They were actively hunted down and chased out. At ASU, many truly great people have been run off campus while truly unqualified, vindictive and disastrous people were retained, promoted, and protected. ... Are things moving forward?With ongoing declines in enrollment, fleeing employees, declining salaries and cut positions, this hardly appears to be a campus on the ascent.
June 2, 2018 at 1:06pm An alternative translation for 11:13am is that Doell worked for the president appointed over her and was active attending community and social events. No sin there. Gilmer is gone, McClure is gone. Neither are likely coming back. Neither are relevant to today or tomorrow at Adams. We can move on. "If" Adams is to prevail in its re-accreditation quest, then it will be because of good work done by Dr. Nehring, Doell, department chairs, faculty and others. We also have a new VPAA to celebrate, and welcome. Things are moving forward.
June 1, 2018 at 11:13am Translation from 7:07am - even after Doell applied for the VPAA position and wasn’t hired, she befriended President McClure and paraded around with her to social events for years as McClure chased off VPAA Gilmer and generally wrecked things across campus. After McClure was rewarded for her incompetence with a full payout and a jeep, Doell also got a raise and a promotion. Because hey, why hire great people at ASU when you can keep promoting the poison?
June 1, 2018 at 7:07am To May 31 @ 2:20 - Dr. Nehring communicated to all employees via email on May 14th about updates on campus. In that message, he detailed additional duties and responsibilities that were given to Margaret Doell, and a corresponding promotion in rank from Assistant to Associate VP for Academic Affairs. A pay raise naturally follows a promotion.
May 31, 2018 at 2:20pm Can someone please explain how Maggie gets a substantial raise after all these cuts have been made? Her and her wife both make good money off of this Institution and not to mention the Mumper /Freeman scammers!
May 31, 2018 at 1:02pm Actually, the problem at ASU has consistently been a lack of clear, effective, accountable leadership.Blaming the faculty, staff, and students for problems that begin on the desks of upper administrators simply doesn’t cut it. And here’s another idea: how about disgraced former faculty Mike Tomlin stops posing as an ASU employee on Watching Adams with all this talk about “we” in his comments here? Tomlin was absolutely part of the problem at ASU and oversaw some of the worst abuses in course overloading that got ASU on probation to begin with... and then complained on this forum at length about how unjustified it was for ASU to be sanctioned by the HLC for online coursework with hundreds of students. So enjoy your retirement and Amazon book sales, Mike.And please stop lecturing the rest of ASU on how to solve problems that you clearly made worse.
May 31, 2018 at 9:38am Dear May 30 @3:54, thank you for exposing the single biggest problem at Adams - it's always someone else's job, someone else's failure, someone else who should be fired. Unless Karla was there, at the moment and time, then it was the job of whomever wrote the post telling the personal story. We are all "first responders" when someone talks about OUR school. You, me, everyone. Adams isn't perfect, but we can defend and relate the many very good things about it. If WE can't do that, then we should not expect "Karla" to be able to do it. And that brings up the other issue. All of you haters - fire Karla, fire Rodney, fire Ed, fire Frank, fire Erica, fire Tracy, fire Margaret, fire everybody except you.... We are moving forward positively on our accreditation, we are making headway with our budget, and we are positioning Adams for a strong and bright future. Some of you who have done nothing to help with this continually carp about who should be fired. Maybe it's you. Or maybe you should just get over yourselves and do your job, and be a good "first responder."
May 30, 2018 at 8:51pm Dear May 30 @ 3:54 - Isn’t that Karla Hardesty’s job? Major FAILURE. Can we fire her yet?
May 30, 2018 at 3:54pm Dear "Sadly" @ 12:22pm, please share with us the best arguments you used to convince her that Adams is still a great choice for many students.
May 29, 2018 at 12:22pm Sadly, I was in Denver this weekend talking to a workforce coordinator for one of the big school districts and she said she is no longer recommending Adams State University to high school students because of its bad reputation - both financially and educationally. Sadness.
May 25, 2018 at 9:54pm Hey Karla Hardesty... Enrollment is going the WRONG WAY!
May 23, 2018 at 8:41pm I love when the spring semester is over because the sidewalks at ASU are lush and green and the lawn is nice and brown. Those aerator plugs are a classy touch!
May 23, 2018 at 7:32pm Can someone please tell Karla Hardesty that people not registering until later and later is directly related to her lack of energy and strategy for enrollment! Yet another Valley Courier article discussing the reasons enrollment is down with no plan for change presented. The community is tired of reading this WITHOUT an action plan! ASU projects 3 percent enrollment decrease, tuition and rates the same
May 20, 2018 at 8:51am I’m hitting a paywall on the WSJ article. Can someone post the relevant excerpt? ----Editor's Reply: We've provided a PDF version here. The relevant excerpt is: Behind the rancor is a competition for cash. Top tier schools continue to thrive but many universities are facing declining enrollment and public cuts in funding. Hostilities between faculty and administrators can impugn a school’s reputation and lead to high administration turnover that can affect enrollment and ding the school’s credit rating, said Susan Fitzgerald, an associate managing director at Moody’s Investors Service. The credit-ratings firm downgraded the standing of the University of Missouri, Birmingham Southern University, Adams State University and Howard University in part because of turnover of senior management. “The real question is can universities keep up with the pace of change? I think we’re going to see a lot more of this,” Ms. Fitzgerald said.
May 20, 2018 at 5:56am I’m curious about the article posted re; no confidence votes of University leadership. Is there a suggestion that this be done at Adams? ----Editor’s reply: This Wall Street Journal article mentions Adams State’s credit downgrade and was posted for that reason. The context in which it is included could also be relevant for discussions about a growing lack of confidence in university leadership nationwide.
May 17, 2018 at 9:47am @May 15 comments - I agree, congratulations to Dr. Chris Gilmer. It is so true that good things happen to good people! Evil spirits could not dampen his quest to serve students and community. Adams State's loss. So damn frustrating.
May 16, 2018 at 5:30pm The Romero’s are poison to Alamosa and Adams State. How is Erica, who still does not have a bachelors degree, employeed by ASU? She has destroyed the morale of Alamosa School District through her alterior hiring/firing motives and will eventually weasel her way to the top of ASU if she is not stopped. Erica is an evil person. Her husband is a snake in the grass who can’t be trusted. Hiring Jason for the baseball position would be a massive mistake! Go back to Albuquerque, Romero’s! You’ve worn out your welcome in Alamosa!
May 15, 2018 at 10:15pm So... can anyone lend anything to the rumor that Erica Romero’s husband, Jason, is going to be the next baseball coach at ASU? I understand that the current coach isn’t getting the job done, but he is Larry’s boy. I also understand that Romero is a hothead and got into a shoving match with a coach from another school this weekend. Hmmmm. Sounds like someone we need to hire. A bully like those in power now. Didn’t the baseball team only win 2 games this year? Change is needed, but not with the Romeros. They need to be run out of town, like the others from Albuquerque!
May 15, 2018 at 2:44pm Adams State 0; Chris Gilmer 1. Winner!
May 15, 2018 at 1:31pm Congrats to Dr. Chris Gilmer, "the new president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg" according to The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. You know, if Adams State wasn't such a massively dysfunctional place led by hostile and incompetent administrators, Dr. Gilmer would be leading the school into a bright future. But here, the corruption rises to the top and the virtuous are chased out of town!
May 15, 2018 at 11:20am Last line of Matt Nehring’s memo: “I appreciate your continued commitment to Adams State...”. Really, Matt? Those who were forced out were probably the most committed, but commitment to Adams State has never mattered, so why try to fluff it up now so the public can think you actually care?
May 15, 2018 at 7:06am Re: May 14th - I'm so sorry to hear this. Let me count the ways ASU has screwed over their nursing students. In the past 6 years, at least, nursing students have been dealing with a moving target when it comes to reaching their potential success. Changes in course requirements, grading scales, and staff have been occurring overnight, leaving students in the dark and confused. The discrepancy that exists when it comes to disciplinary actions towards students is pervasive. Nursing students with JOBS and FAMILIES of their own don't know what their course schedule is until a few days before term. Students have had to rally for attention, to Svaldi (happily retired), Novotny (still employed), later to McClure (gone, thank goodness), and to Doell (promoted), and for what? They continue to get screwed by a system that consistently works against them. Many of the changes that occurred after Dr. Elliott was removed were welcomed, but in true ASU form, it comes at a cost to the student not to those who are culpable (see names above) for the situation they're having to overcome.
May 14, 2018 at 10:19pm Regarding Matt Nehring’s campus wide email tonight. I’m extremely disappointed in him—especially with regard to Margaret Doell’s promotion. How can anybody recommend anything other than her firing for her culpability in this mess? She’s still hanging with the former president (check her FB page). She is such a failure! Matt has proven he is no better than his predecessors who put us in this position. But of course, he is going back to be Frankie’s colleague (friend). Yeah Matt, it was easy for you to come in, make a few minor changes, wash your hands and return to the faculty. And you will likely continue to complain about the decades of incompetence and bitch about new leadership and their incompetence. But really, what did you bring to the table? A bunch of BS. You fired good people. You ran good people off. And you KEPT the incompetence that continues to plague this institution — including yourself. Nice work, Matt. Your agenda was realized at the expense of good people. Nice work. SMH!
May 14, 2018 at 7:40pm The following anonymous message was sent to Watching Adams on May 14, 2018 at 7:40pm and may be of interest to our readers: Adams State Nursing Program has not provided the education required to the students during the four year degree program and is now preventing 12 senior students from receiving their diploma 2 days before graduation due to a predictor exam that was implemented only for job security of the professors and the security of the program. This predictor exam is used as other Universities as exit exams but does not determine whether they can receive their degree or not. Students were suspected of cheating in the first predictor exam and the intern president and director of the program promised something would be done to those students and instead are letting them graduate. Myself and other students have passed all of our courses and this one test that should be used as a practice exam is determining whether I can be a nurse or not; that is what the NCLEX is for. We are united and we will fight until justice is done.
May 14, 2018 at 2:40pm The Chronicle Vitae has two very ASU-relevant articles this week. Both are worth a read! Do I sign the severance agreement? Do I negotiate? Hire a lawyer to send a threatening letter? You’re Not Just Leaving Academe, You’re Leaving Your Students
May 11, 2018 at 7:49am "Slavery is a system of brute force. It must be met with its own weapons." - Frederick Douglass This trend not hiring or keeping people of color has to stop. How have they safeguarded against such accusations? By putting people of color on hiring committees that have sold themselves out. When all you're out for is self-preservation, don’t be surprised when you’re all alone in your greatest time of need.
May 3, 2018 at 2:10pm Who cares about ASU's Guaranteed Tuition if the student fees are the highest in the state? From The Criterionat Colorado Mesa University: “The highest four-year institutional fees were from Western State Colorado University, with $3178 per year, and Adams State University, with $3704 per year. Though these universities boast some of the lowest tuition ($6624 and $5736 respectively, for 30 credit hours), their student fees are the highest. The average four-year institutional student fees for 2017-2018 is $2086, a number that is more than double CMU’s current fees.“ So ASU's student fees are about 77% higher than the state average? Are the campus services 77% better for ASU's students? Doubtful. This seems like the high cost of a fixed tuition program to me.
April 29, 2018 at 5:32pm Any thoughts on who the next interim will be?
April 29, 2018 at 4:50pm ...and we love and miss you, Meagan! Adams benefited from your passion, your candor, and your student-centric focus. Your presence made us stronger, your absence is keenly felt.
April 28, 2018 at 10:30pm Regardless of the negative comments that were made, I will always of a strong love for Adams State University and the San Luis Valley. - Meagan Smith
April 28, 2018 at 7:55pm The words "love me some ____" is a commonly-used turn of phrase and perfectly acceptable in conversational English. This is the comments section of a website, not a PhD dissertation or literary work. Ya'll need to chill out, calm down, and focus on the real issues ASU faces. Get over yourselves. For reals, yo.
April 28, 2018 at 3:17pm Reading all of the recent posts I saw no assumptions about race. There was a question about education level regarding English language skills.
April 26, 2018 at 11:02pm April 26 @ 9:27am - 1. Meagan's post (which she has admitted to making) indicated "I was responsible for the Valley and Texas. I will take the compliment anyway." Yes clearly Meagan posting. 2. You are making assumptions about my race/ethnicity, my employer, etc. How are you so certain I'm not an African American trying to "learn you some ethnic dialects"? Be very careful about pot/kettle, my friend. I stand by my statement that the comment "learn you some English" was in extreme poor taste--for a myriad of reasons--one of which is blatant racism.
April 26, 2018 at 7:07pm ASU what a shit hole it has become. Morale is low, enrollment is down, great and good faculty have left. More budget cuts! Still not understanding why Tracy Rogers, Ana Guevara, Scott White, Kevin Daniels, school board prez Erica Romero are paid high dollar and didn’t take a voluntary cut in pay. Retired employees or employees who have left - come back and takeover positions. Some individuals need to leave because they’ve been at ASU for too damned long. Some faculty and staff need to resign as they are horrible instructors and employees. So glad I’m out and my girls WILL NEVER ATTEND ASU. CU BUFF FAN FOR LIFE!
April 26, 2018 at 5:22pm @ 4/24 9:49 - The most recent Valley & Western Slope rep was May Mercandante - fired in early March. Texas rep Phil Romero quit in early April.
April 26, 2018 at 1:22pm I made the April 24th @ 9:49pm comment and I have no idea how race got involved in this conversation. So silly! - Meagan Smith
April 26, 2018 at 9:27am @ 10:22, The post was not signed and since it referred to a "Ms. Meagan Smith," it seemed the writer was not she. I think most viewers of this site must work for ASU. However some do not, do not know all of the employees, and do not know the ethnicity of all who respond or are referenced here. To your point on racism, what would have been blatantly racist would be to assume and assign race to a written word or phrase. That is the type of racial stereotyping we should be avoiding, not encouraging.
April 25, 2018 at 10:22pm Re: April 25 @ 8:51 - Wow! I'm not sure what is more offensive or ignorant about your comment... 1. Clearly Meagan is the person who posted about her "loud mouthed" self. Given she is a black woman, and there is an accepted "black dialect" which she was using, your "Take you some English class" comment is so racist, it defies logic or common human decency. OR 2. Let's assume you didn't realize this was Meagan. What does it say about you and your opinion of our students? Either way, your comment is more indicative of the ass you are than anything else. And this comes from a non-Meagan fan.
April 25, 2018 at 10:14pm What? This does not make sense... They should have kept the loud mouth Valley representative! Annoying yes, difficult to work with yes, getting the job done HELL YES!
April 25, 2018 at 8:51pm April 24, 2018 at 9:49, "Love me some Adams State." How about "Take you some English class." I do hope you are a student admitted on academic probation, and not a junior or senior.
April 24, 2018 at 9:49pm I'm assuming you are referring to Ms. Meagan Smith. I was responsible for the Valley and Texas. I will take the compliment anyway. Lol! Love me some Adams State.
April 24, 2018 at 5:59pm @4/21 - No one said Del Tondo wouldn't do a good job. HOWEVER: it is highly inappropriate for the search committee chair & the individual charged with receiving applications, resumes and letters of interest, to be selected for the position! DUH! In more important news: IS ANYONE WORKING IN ADMISSIONS? Texas moved on to a bigger and brighter future. Arizona & New Mexico is in charge ()! The admissions representative calendar is EMPTY! They should have kept the loud mouth Valley representative! Annoying yes, difficult to work with yes, getting the job done HELL YES! #KARLA4PRESIDENT
April 21, 2018 at 5:58pm I disagree I think Bruce will do a great job. He has experience with sitting on construction project committees for years.
April 16, 2018 at 8:39pm Del Tondo is supposed to be the chair of the facilities search committee. If he is indeed taking over the department it would take everything to a whole new level. ASU Current Position Openings
April 16, 2018 at 5:55pm It’s sad that retired people that went back to ASU still have their jobs while others who needed the tenure have to go. People who quit get to return, as well. If Del Tondo is the new director, let’s see how much enabling and bailing out he’ll do.
April 15, 2018 at 6:49pm I heard they hired Bruce DelTondo as facility services director beginning June 1st.
April 15, 2018 at 4:41pm Re: April 15 @3:29 - But didn't you know it's not Karla's fault! It's Eric Carpio's and Dr. Mumper's faults! #karlaforpresident!
April 15, 2018 at 3:29pm The department of admissions is now short 1 director and 2 (TWO) admissions recruiters! Karla for President! I can't wait to see the freshman numbers for fall. Let alone the retention numbers! I hear tell Karla is trying to recruit her next set of employees out of athletics! WOW! There's a bright idea. Karla, the hardest direction to point at is yourself. Admit that you have no idea what you are doing! Everybody already knows! Resign Karla, before they fire you. It will look better on your resume.
April 14, 2018 at 6:02pm I noticed some other revealing language in this Valley Courier article: "Bricker liked the idea. She added, “We don’t want someone to just use this as a stepping stone. You want someone who is a little bit more committed.” ... This is especially sad when thinking about the number of faculty and staff who saw ASU as their home and wanted to stay but were chased out. So many people who would otherwise form roots in Alamosa are treated as though ASU is a stepping stone - one that is pulled out from under them. "The trustees talked about the key needs of the university right now. Some of those include improving enrollment, retention, the university’s financial condition and the relationship between the president and board." ... Yup, these are literally all the things that McClure failed at. Why did Arnold and Company offer her a three year extension to her contract when she was already failing to do these things a year in? And then the Board paid out her contract completely for shoddy work - even as they cut salaries and positions of 35 people for no fault of their own? Is the Board going to talk about that at all? Or is this an executive body that is in constant, non-reflective deliberation? "Lueck said the process needs to allow for transparency as well, and community meetings might be a part of the process... Trustee Rogers said the vacancy announcement could be clear about what the board’s priorities are, and the candidates could tell the board during their interviews how they might “help us get there.” ... Does it strike anyone else as odd that they are just now talking about this process? They removed McClure from office two months ago and no doubt have been talking about doing so for many months (years?) before that. Why are they just now discussing how to start the process of hiring a new president months after formally removing the previous one from office? And overall, I still don't get the sense that this board fully appreciates how bad the situation at ASU is - for students, employees, and the community. Where's their skin in the game? What are the stakes if they fail? Arnold spent something like 8 years on the board and managed to personally enrich himself during the process - even as the school had the bottom drop out from under it on many levels.
April 14, 2018 at 5:13pm Not sure if the trustees are praying, laughing, or crying in the VC photo. Judging from the two fresh boxes of tissues on the table, perhaps the latter? To answer April 14, 2018 at 3:44pm, I'd like to see the following qualities: - An independent-minded leader who will not be drawn into the viper's nest of cronies and who will clean house - An ethically-minded leader who believes in and upholds the ideals of higher education - A team-building leader who truly welcomes ideas and active participation from faculty, staff, and students - A community-minded leader who embraces, values, and nurtures the symbiotic relationship of the campus and the Valley - A healing leader who will acknowledge and address the pain and damage inflicted by ASU in recent years - A daring leader who knows that ASU's precarious future depends upon bold, decisive, innovative action - A coalition-oriented leader who can forge the educational, fiscal, and legislative connections crucial to ASU's survival That'll do for a start.
April 14, 2018 at 3:44pm Enlightening article in the Courier today about ASU's search for a new president. Hints at where McClure fell short: real knowledge of higher ed, our culture, leadership, and keeping the board informed. Of special note, wanting to be part of our community. (In contrast to mocking it?) I sure hope they will survey what's left of the campus. Many vocal critics here on WatchingAdams, so what do we think? For example, the article mentions higher ed experience not being critical. No, maybe not essential, but I definitely think it is desirable. That experience is likely to include knowledge that will help with other issues: financial, legislative, culture, recruitment and retention (of faculty and students). The idea that it's a buyer's market when it comes to faculty is fatally flawed. When faculty leave, students are impacted negatively in ways many people don't understand or appreciate.
April 14, 2018 at 2:07pm Plenty of interesting subtext to explore in today's ASU Begins President Search article. The trustee banter is as much about what was wrong with their last selection as what they hope to see in their next: “Really what we need is a president that wants to be a part of the community and culture.” "Bricker also talked about the need to find someone who had cultural appreciation and knowledge." "Lueck said the three areas she believed should be enhanced in the announcement summary were: relationship building in the community and in general; ability to work well with entities such as the Higher Learning Commission; and financial skills to deal with ASU’s current challenges." Translation: Not like Beverlee.
April 13, 2018 at 10:21am I can't believe the Teflon Don is still with this place, it sickens me!
April 12, 2018 at 7:05pm April 12 @5:15 - So Frank and Ellen Novotny get away with theft and racketeering. Frank's CLEAR culpability for the mess he helped to create with Svaldi, Mansheim, and Rogers is forgiven by a "voluntary" salary reduction? Are you f'ing kidding me!?! I would LOVE to know by just how much his salary has been reduced. I mean, considering he's picked up 5 additional hours in overload this semester with Astalos' resignation. Yeah! Let that sink in! His wife was bragging about it at the all campus meeting the other day. When will those two thieving leeches be driven off of this campus? Or I digress, perhaps these decisions shouldn't have been made by insiders... too many friends, too many agendas. This is sickening AT BEST!
April 12, 2018 at 5:15pm ----Editor's Note: We have published the list of positions affected by the 2018 Financial Action Plan.
April 12, 2018 at 9:43am @April 5, 2018 8:20 p.m. - They should have used the shot of her in Halloween costume, as the wrecked plumber. It's actually likely more HER.
April 9, 2018 at 12:30am ----Editor's Note: Per reader requests, we have published ASU's program self-assessment reports for Athletics, Operations, President's Office, Student Services, Undergraduate and Graduate programs. Thank you for your patience in anticipation of these documents.
April 8, 2018 at 8:05am “Mission: ASU’s mission is to educate, serve, and inspire our diverse populations in the pursuit of their lifelong dreams and ambitions.” Notice how "educate" comes first. No where does it say "entertain with mediocre sports teams." Even considering "inspire," the only inspiring team record here belongs to our runners.
April 7, 2018 at 9:37pm Given that the largest budget cuts are to academics - including tenured faculty positions and administrative assistants who manage graduate programs, how much longer before Adams State becomes a college again?
April 7, 2018 at 9:24pm Did they fire President Hardesty?
April 7, 2018 at 3:02pm From today's Valley Courier article: "A total of 45 people are impacted from the staff changes, which equals 11 percent of ASU’s fulltime benefits-eligible workforce. Two positions were eliminated in the president’s office, which impacts two people. However, the changes that cut three from the chief operating officer’s department affects five people and the vice president for student service’s five eliminated positions only affects two people. Twelve people in the athletics department are impacted by the plan and one position has been eliminated. Academics, which saw the largest cut, therefore sees 24 people impacted as 16 positions are terminated."
April 7, 2018 at 8:59am I would like to know how many departments had to cut positions? I can probably guess some that didn't lose anyone and probably some that even had promotions. Sad, sad day at ASU!
April 7, 2018 at 6:42am @April 6, 2018 at 10:07pm: Remember, 42% of our students are athletes. Athletics makes money at Adams, academics doesn't. What I'd like to know is - of the nine involuntary cuts/reductions/eliminations/terminations (people) - how many are administration vs. faculty vs. classified?
April 6, 2018 at 10:07pm So, the smallest cut in absolute dollars and as a percentage is to athletics, while the largest cut in dollars and as a percentage is to academics? WTF? Are professors' jobs to pretend to teach athletes so that they can compete?
April 6, 2018 at 5:40pm I would love to know who was cut in administration to come up with $740,838? Also, was McClure's "little" exit package factored into the $2.7 million deficit, or did that just become $3,000,000?
April 6, 2018 at 11:06am According to paragraphs 13-17 of McClure's Settlement Agreement, she is fleeing campus with another $250,000, a 2015 Jeep, and a laptop computer. Must be nice when failing at your job results in winning so many prizes at the end of the show! Just remember this when you hear about ASU employees being terminated for the administration's financial mismanagement.
April 5, 2018 at 8:20pm Valley Courier, wow. Could you have made your Beverlee McClure image any bigger? Gives one quite a jolt. Once I recovered and read on, I ran into this beauty: ASU Trustees "...look forward to a stronger, more financially stable institution, one comprised of exceptional talent and dedication from a broad spectrum of stakeholders." "Broad spectrum of stakeholders"? Look around you. Who's left? You're still lopping heads even as you dribble empty platitudes for the press. The ranks of "exceptional talent and dedication" at ASU are not just thinned. They're gone.
April 5, 2018 at 8:10pm Further to April 5, 2018 at 2:35pm: "...poised to make courageous decisions...". Courageous like what...like terminating tenured faculty? Is this your definition of courageous, Bev? I call it reprehensible. Utterly, tragically reprehensible. How does a university ever recover from such a Rubiconian action? What faculty past, present, or future would ever trust such an institution? Trust is a fragile thing, easily broken. Mistrust is deep waters, a long lasting current.
April 5, 2018 at 2:35pm From today's Valley Courier: Dr. McClure, in a statement to the trustees, said she is proud of the accomplishments the university achieved since 2015. “I believe this current board is poised to make courageous decisions about the future of Adams State University and to build on the many successes since 2015. I wish Adams State University and the San Luis Valley the very best.” Does anyone seriously believe ASU is in better shape than it was in 2015? The list of McClure's accomplishments include: driving away students, driving away faculty, driving away staff, driving up debt, driving down the university's reputation, and then driving out of town with a half million dollars. Great job, Beverlee!
April 5, 2018 at 7:20am Fake news, making ASU great again, she really is Donald Trump in a lousy disguise.
April 5, 2018 at 6:01am ...Vituperative, contemptible, and also laughably prone to libelous statements. Danny is no “stalker”; he’s a citizen journalist of the highest caliber. Bev should take care not to open herself up to a defamation suit.
April 5, 2018 at 3:28am Beverlee McClure via LinkedIn 4/4/18 - "The board of trustees at Adams State University and I reached a mutually agreeable settlement. My resignation was effective March 31, 2018. Despite the fake news story generated by my stalker, Danny Ledonne, the separation was due to a change in priorities by the current board. I am going to take some time to determine my next adventure. I will enjoy being a private citizen for awhile—especially since stalking a private citizen versus a public figure is illegal." ----Editor's Response: Take care, Bev. This proclamation is news to me; I don't visit any of McClure's social media and, now that she is unaffiliated with ASU, I have no interest in spending another moment of my time thinking about such a vituperative, contemptible person. - Danny Ledonne
April 4, 2018 at 8:46pm Faculty - particularly tenured faculty - shouldn't be terminated at all absent a situation of true fiscal exigency. Even then, position elimination (faculty termination is what I'd call it) should still be a last resort course of action. Eliminating a dozen or so faculty positions without declaring fiscal exigency does not sound like a last resort move. It sounds like the easy way out of a financial challenge, without any regard for appropriate practices. It sounds like an administration that does not respect the primacy of faculty. Besides knowing who else is getting the axe, I'd like to know is *how* these faculty are being selected for termination. Was there an established process/rubric? If so, was it developed in concert with faculty? And was it shared transparently? Rhetorical questions, largely.
April 4, 2018 at 8:18pm April 4 @ 7:30 - "laid off"... that's an interesting way to say "position eliminated". I mean, no chance Roger will ever be back.
April 4, 2018 at 7:30pm So it's circulating on social media that Robert Astalos is taking a job in Denver and that Roger Eriksen was laid off - both stated on their Facebook accounts. These are likely just the first of many departing faculty. Who else do we know is not returning in the fall?
April 3, 2018 at 12:08pm @March 30, 2018 at 12:22pm - All units (operations, athletics, student life) had to submit self reports. They were all linked in the email Matt sent last month.
April 2, 2018 at 8:43pm @April 2, 2018 at 6:05pm - Judging from the deafening silence, that looks to be about the sum of it. "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What one trusts to be truths, turn into compromises. And what is called resignation is confirmed desperation." - Thoreau
April 2, 2018 at 6:05pm It seems like we have a Tale of Two Colorado Campuses. At Fort Lewis, active and engaged faculty have an AAUP chapter, faculty took a proactive approach to addressing budget shortfalls, directly communicated an alternative plan with AAUP support to the administration, and spared every tenure track position from being cut. At Adams State, scared and silent faculty were hesitant to form an AAUP chapter, faculty took a reactive approach to budget shortfalls while their ranks thinned from attrition and a culture of bullying, and now they sit in quiet desperation as a dozen tenure track positions are planned for elimination. There's a lesson in here somewhere for the future of faculty across this country.
March 31, 2018 at 5:20pm Someone asked what the FLC faculty did to save jobs. I was told they went through the budget with a fine-toothed comb looking for ways to balance the budget without eliminating faculty positions. They then proposed, in a letter to their administrators, an alternative strategy to address the budget shortfalls.
March 31, 2018 at 1:55pm It is beyond comprehension how Karla Hardesty can keep a position is which she has failed at over and again. Name one business in which an employee consistently fails to meet requirements and keeps their job? Anywhere else, this person would be let go. Someone really needs to get a backbone and deal with this. It makes me wonder if the BoT has just accepted ongoing enrollment decline and ultimate ASU failure. Where is the fighting spirit of this university? Come on! Dig in and make hard decisions, people!
March 31, 2018 at 7:17am Embedded within the Fort Lewis college piece is a link to the letter the Colorado AAUP wrote to Fort Lewis administration a couple of months ago. Everyone should read it, as there is much that applies directly to us. Elimination of faculty should be the last consideration, not the first. The comment about concern for administrative cherry-picking of faculty got my particular attention (top of p. 2).
March 30, 2018 at 7:05pm So nice news on a Friday. Academic Affairs is proposing cutting tenured and tenure-track faculty by a dozen positions. A dozen! Is this 10% of the faculty body? Or is it more than 10%, given the flight of faculty in recent years? Is this really “right-sizing”? Or is it just part of a continuing “strategy” to slowly but steadily turn out the lights? How do we engage in our primary business of education without educators? And will ASU’s dwindling pool of educators take a stand in defense of their more vulnerable colleagues? Or will they continue to lay low in the name of short term self-preservation? So many questions.
March 30, 2018 at 3:50pm In looking over the proposed staffing changes (academic only) I notice that chemistry and physics are lumped together, with the recommendation of only one tenure/tenure track loss. I certainly hope with Robert Astalos' departure next week, this doesn't mean that Frank Novotny will slide by - keeping his job despite his role in creating this mess AND maintaining his exorbitant salary! Truth be told, he should be brought up on racketeering charges.
March 30, 2018 at 1:34pm From this week's proposed staffing changes, it looks like there could be cuts to: Business, Art, Math, Psych, Soc, Chemistry, Teacher Ed, English, Comm, and HAPPS. Meanwhile, the proposal suggests adding to HPPE - the major most popular with student athletes. Is it just me or is ASU becoming even more of a "jock school?"
March 30, 2018 at 12:22pm March 28 @6:51am - Not that I can find.
March 28, 2018 at 6:51am Are there self reports for departments like HR, OEO, Computing Services, Cleary, PD, or Admissions? Looks like all the reports posted are for academic programs.
March 27, 2018 at 11:05pm March 27th at 10:31pm - Is it a rumor that ASU hasn't had an Admissions Director since August 2017 or that the search for one was failed? Is it a rumor that enrollment continues to plummet? Is it a rumor that faculty and staff have left in droves? Is it a rumor that the university is facing consecutive financial losses? Is it a rumor that the previous president ran off good people while putting up voodoo mirrors in her windows? These are all facts, my friend. Maybe you should stop laughing long enough to pay attention to what's really happening to Adams State.
March 27, 2018 at 10:31pm This forum is hilarious! Does anyone actually do some fact checking before jumping on here to share rumors?
March 27, 2018 at 9:01pm @Don Connell - I guess certain people’s PDQ’s being changed or reallocation haven’t happened in the last 5 years. I guess maybe a posting at RH for a Mechanic III that was there for only about 15 minutes didn’t happen. My sincerest apologies.
March 27, 2018 at 8:43pm Karla can & will make Adams State Great Again, just examine the evidence. - No director in admissions since August 2017. Don't worry, it saved money. - No Texas, New Mexico or Arizona travel. It saves money. The 2 counselors assigned to those territories are very busy people. - Fire the Valley and Western Slope counselor in the middle of the most important recruiting time in the history of Adams State. It saves money. - Enrollment is down historically, not because of THE Director of Enrollment Management, but, because of everyone around her. #FAKENEWS
March 27, 2018 at 2:10pm For the misinformed individual making the comment about the structural trades department giving raises/promotions. It isn't happening! I wish I knew why so many people who comment here do so anonymously. If you have something to say, say it! Then, stand behind it! Get your facts straight. First and foremost. - Don Connell
March 26, 2018 at 9:27pm March 26, 2018 at 7:53pm - I’m sure if someone reached out to the Fort Lewis AAUP chapter, we could readily learn how they put together their analysis and alternate budget proposal.
March 26, 2018 at 7:53pm I read the commentary about Fort Lewis and followed all the links to the news articles, but unfortunately couldn't find any details about the alternative plan for budget cuts proposed by their faculty. Does anyone have any information on this? How did they save faculty positions? I also noted their voluntary severance package was much, much better than ASU's. In some cases, they offered a full year of pay, 4x ASU's maximum. I guess that's to be expected given our low pay and lack of tuition breaks for dependents.
March 26, 2018 at 3:13pm March 26 @ 8:35 - #KarlaforPresident? WTF? ----Editor's Reply: We detect some sarcasm today. Folks are feeling punchy after Spring Break.
March 26, 2018 at 8:36am How can Facility Services give raises to certain people too? Structural seems to do that from time to time and is this a time to do it?
March 26, 2018 at 8:35am The only recruiting work that continues to be done in admissions is by the transfer coordinator and the Colorado Springs admissions counselor. #KarlaforPresident
March 23, 2018 at 1:43pm GEN | Adams State Athletics Business Manager Position Opening Sports Information Director Mar. 13, 2018 General While Adams burns financially, Larry is adding a full time position to help Dianne Lee, the SWA. How, in the current state of Adams State, can this even be allowed? Anybody? Larry has it made now. He can play AD even more now. Dianne Lee, for all her beliefs in Equal Opportunity, women’s rights in the workplace, and Title IX, is a fraud. She makes 1/3 the salary of Larry the AD and his boss Damon the Assoc AD. As far as team sports, increase football and wrestling as a recommendation? What? The ASU wrestling program is a joke. Lazy coach. Football needs downsizing. Will 20 more athletes create success? More of the same. The RMAC is no longer affordable for an Adams State. Travel expenses are far too great. Have some leadership, Larry. Stand up to the RMAC Commissioner on his expansion. All it has done is price out an Adams State. Oh well, too late. Start your own conference. Western, Pueblo, Mines, Ft Lewis, etc. Realign. Have a vision for the future. But instead, Larry and Damon will ride off in the sunset hand in hand. Larry will remain in the Valley and Damon will leave here as he has said privately. Damon has benefited from a donor that put $1 million in “his” Foundation account. If asked, this donor would have released some money to help the university... but do you think Damon even asked? Not if it hurt his domain. This donor could easily give another $1 million but Damon keeps this guy to himself.
March 23, 2018 at 9:19am At the last minute, President Thomas stepped in and declared that no tenured or tenure-track people will be eliminated as part of the budget reductions. This is at Fort Lewis. But they didn't have McClure, Svaldi, Novotny, and Mansheim running their show.
March 22, 2018 at 8:33pm March 19 @ 7:38pm - Who are those foreign ladder climbers? Who is knowledgeable about higher education?
March 20, 2018 at 7:35pm To 7:57pm from 7:38pm: Mmm, you have a point. Perhaps they’re all gone at this point? They came, they saw, they ducked, they departed. And as we’re just about to embark on broad layoffs, we’re certainly in no position to be attracting fresh new voices. If we should ever be again, I hope we adopt a new orientation towards them of listening, valuing, and embracing their innovative ideas.
March 20, 2018 at 9:19am 7:38pm has got it right. That's what I was thinking when I posted the pointer to the Chronicle article. The thought of VP Cary, Doell, or Marquez makes me nauseous, ready to abandon all hope. I believe Gilmer was in that middle ground, ready to embrace the Valley and eager to share fresh perspectives on best practices in higher education, as were many of the faculty and staff who were driven away by an inept and insecure administration.
March 20, 2018 at 8:44am 10:30pm - Now according to Karla Hardesty, the declining enrollment is Dr. Mumper's and Eric Carpio's fault--despite their record breaking enrollments in prior years (yes plural). And yes, Karla believes she could be a college president. If it weren't so sad, it might be funny.
March 19, 2018 at 10:30pm @March 19 7:12 - While you are at it, let's just make Karla Hardesty the new President. Her record as Executive Director of Enrollment Management clearly indicates she has earned it!
March 19, 2018 at 8:00pm March 19 @ 7:12 - Oh good grief, I hope you jest! Any of those idiots would seal our fate! Part and parcel for our amazing decline!
March 19, 2018 at 7:57pm March 19 @ 7:38pm - And who might s/he or they be?
March 19, 2018 at 7:38pm March 19, 2018 at 7:12pm - Somewhere between the hapless home folk without a clue and the foreign ladder climbers without scruples are the many who come to Adams from elsewhere, ready to embrace the Valley and eager to share fresh perspectives on best practices in higher education. They are the ones that Adams rejects at its own peril. Look to them for the path forward. If there is still time.
March 19, 2018 at 7:12pm 5:53 PM makes a very good point with the Chronicle essay. Home folks look ugly so you bring in the fast talker. Once exposed, you give them a bag of money and the bum's rush out the door. Take pictures of the moving van. Now, it's time to take a new look at the home folks. Let's rally with who we know, warts and all. Let's show support for helping us move forward. We can all suck it up a bit. Let's have interviews in short order and the Board can appoint VP Cary, Doell, or Marquez. Time's ticking. What do we have to lose?
March 19, 2018 at 5:53pm Sound familiar? From the Chronicle Vitae: Another New Provost, Terry McGlynn, March 19. How relentless administrative turnover makes it hard for me to do my job as a faculty member. "We keep hiring provosts who want to be presidents. And we keep hiring folks who have no connection to our university, nor to our geographic area. These folks don’t appear to have an intrinsic motivation to follow through on what they’ve started." "most of the interims have been better than most of the permanents" "As faculty members, how can we deal with an administrative merry-go-round?" "While the university exists to serve students, the faculty and staff are the only ones who plan to stick around for more than a few years. We decide what our community is. When we get new administrators, senior faculty members must educate them about the campus culture and mission."
March 19, 2018 at 3:02pm No comments on this: "Increasing the football roster by 20 students and the wrestling roster by 12 was the first suggestion." Give me a break! Maybe we can double spending on travel for football players who don't play and eliminate travel for faculty. Or just eliminate faculty and turn ASU into a sports camp.
March 19, 2018 at 11:08am How kind of ASU admin to allow folks to wear jeans and ASU colors all week. I mean in light of pending job eliminations. Makes the sting far less painful.
March 19, 2018 at 6:49am $2.2 million in personnel cuts is where they'll make up most of their money. They have the list, just release it so we can move on.
March 17, 2018 at 6:58pm Is there any external monitoring of ASU's layoff process, other than the Board of Trustees, which I don't consider external? Someone with extensive HR experience suggested we should have at least that level of protection. Colorado WINS may be able to provide external monitoring for classified staff. Has anyone contacted them? Who could provide external monitoring for faculty?
March 15, 2018 at 12:52am I had a friend who was an art major. She submitted a project with the motto ‘don’t tread on me’. She was told by the department chair, Margaret Doell, that it was ‘inappropriate’. Things that make you go hmmmm...
March 15, 2018 at 12:22am The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions
March 14, 2018 at 6:59pm Flag art: Free speech. Period.
March 14, 2018 at 6:26pm I thought people might appreciate this picture from earlier today. Notice the side of the van says "Albuquerque."
March 14, 2018 at 6:15pm ----Editor's Note: We have been receiving comments and inquiries about this image including an inverted American Flag, believed to be student work, currently on display in the ASU Art Building. It has generated considerable discussion on Facebook in the past 24 hours.
March 14, 2018 at 12:42pm Adams State University is a joke with a bad reputation state wide!
March 14, 2018 at 9:46am Next time, next place, next targeted people, she needs more potent lemons and/or larger mirrors. Or, a different way to control spiritual forces to protect her from herself.
March 14, 2018 at 7:47am YES! The moving van WAS on campus today. Even voodoo mirrors and lemons couldn't save Bev from herself.
March 13, 2018 at 5:25pm And the moving van was on campus today. I wonder what the final settlement was...add that to our deficit!
March 11, 2018 at 8:05pm If they are not focused on admissions then they are not focused on the future of the school. Read between the lines.
March 8, 2018 at 5:27pm They forced the valley admissions counselor to resign. No Texas travel is planned. Northern NM FINALLY got some attention this week. The Springs recruiter is still trying to cover Denver. I'll say it again: the transfer coordinator seems to be the only recruiter actually working in the local office. Combining the Graduate & Undergraduate Admissions department has done nothing but increase the tension in an already dysfunctional office. Karla is clueless. Ken is spineless. None of that matters. What matters? FALL 2018 ENROLLMENT. First time student applications are down nearly 7% over 2017. How many jobs will have to be cut before someone, ANYONE, takes serious control over the admissions department? Who will stop the bleeding? The 2018 projection is 5% down when compared to 2017. Dr. Nehring indicated that equates to 680k. Will they wait until the percentage reaches the equivalent of 1 million dollars lost to take action? Someone really needs to light a fire. Maybe its just to late.
March 8, 2018 at 11:22am Does anybody know when we find out if we're still employed? I'm certain there's a list of people that are on the chopping block, and it's obvious that a few have been given a heads up already. So when do those of us who aren't favored get our warning? Do we have to wait until the board rubber stamps their approval, even though it's more or less set in stone? Nobody's talking about the special president’s cabinet meeting yesterday either. I bet that went great.
March 7, 2018 at 7:37pm I’ve scoured the quintile rankings multiple times, searching for clues to the fate of friends and colleagues. I’ve concluded that, other than some rather obvious fluffing up of house favorites, the rankings are largely meaningless and can be used to justify just about any decision.
March 7, 2018 at 7:05pm March 5, 2018 at 8:16pm cut-and-pasted from the Faculty Handbook. As I pointed out to Senate, our Handbook provides tenured faculty the weakest protections of any public institution in Colorado, especially with regard to dismissal for cause. The procedures clearly fall short of AAUP/AACU guidelines and I believe HLC criteria. They also include antiquated language like "moral turpitude." Senate formed a committee to recommend changes, but that initiative died as far as I can tell. Oh well, just jobs. Protection for dismissal due to financial woes is similarly weak. Compare us to other universities in Colorado, or better yet, other states. Oh well, just jobs. Not worth making changes to the Handbook. I believe part of the indifference was based on the argument that these things rarely ever happen at ASU. Anyone care to close the barn door after all the horses have been escorted out the door? Nevertheless, I appreciate Matt's process, transparency, and efforts to garner buy-in from the campus. These are a big step in the right direction. Maybe once the current emergency is behind us, we can re-visit the Faculty Handbook policies around dismissal. - Jeff Elison
March 6, 2018 at 7:08pm What hidden magical thinking went into these quintile rankings? The descriptions aren't even internally consistent. From the Introduction: "Also, appearing in the fifth-quintile does not automatically mean that program is in jeopardy as it may be very important to the University, but be weak due to lack of resources historically allocated to the program." From the 5th Quintile: "Inconsistent Outcomes; underperforming despite adequate resources; underperforming due to a lack of resources; potential for growth is limited." So how do we really know if the issues with an underperforming program are due to inadequate resources or not? Some areas on campus have never been adequately funded so it's impossible to know what performance would be if they were adequately funded. And what is "adequate" funding? Furthermore, is there any consideration given to what is "excessive" funding? Some areas of campus are obviously funded far more heavily than necessary and the amount of money doled out each year just to burn through their budget is blatant waste. I'm thinking about all the feel-good, extravagant luncheons and retreats with grant money that has to be spent. Meanwhile, basic department and program budgets are slashed to the point of inevitable malfunction. And blowing $25K for 72 people to travel to one football game over 600 miles away? That kind of financial brilliance lands Football in the 1st Quintile? It's not like they've had a good season in over a decade.
March 6, 2018 at 5:25pm Glancing over the Quintile Rankings, it looks like the lowest performers (with cuts very likely) are: English & Communications, HAPPSS, Spanish, Cultural Resource Mgmt, Masters Public Admin, Nielsen Library, Golf, Wrestling, Swimming, Facilities Services, Lobbying, Adventure Sports, First Year Immersion, STEM Center, and Student Union Building.
March 6, 2018 at 4:01pm From Adams State announces finalists for president's post: "Trustee Paul Farley, Chair of the Search Committee, said, "The entire university community owes a great debt to these dedicated individuals who have invested countless hours in pursuit of a single goal: securing the continued growth and vitality of Adams State for the next generation." The committee was assisted by search consultants retained by the Board of Trustees. Hope Johnson and Camila Alire of Pyramind, LLC, a Virginia-based firm with a connection to the San Luis Valley, assisted the committee in creating in the position announcement and took the lead in identifying promising candidates." ... So we can add Trustee Farley, Pyramind's Hope Johnson and Camila Alire to the list of people who brought ASU the many calamities of Beverlee McClure. And what's this about "a Virginia-based firm with a connection to the San Luis Valley" - some thinly-veiled nepotism to compensate for a poor search process?
March 6, 2018 at 11:56am ---- Editor's Note: We received the following message and want to share it with our readers for further review. We can confirm this did not come from Margaret Madden, one of the four finalists who withdrew her application: I was a prospective candidate in the presidential search that resulted in the hiring of Beverlee McClure. I withdrew from consideration when I was offered another presidency, which was primarily a matter of timing, as Alamosa would have been an excellent location for us as our family primarily resides nearby and we're now on the east coast. One issue that you don't seem to have touched on is that the search firm involved in the hiring was NOT an established higher-ed firm, but rather a general-purpose executive search consultant. I was not impressed with them, and they clearly did not have the Rolodex that a firm familiar with higher education would have. Of course I have no idea how your search played out internally, but the campus finalists were not that impressive on paper. Anyway, just another 2 cents from the outside.
March 6, 2018 at 6:15am As mentioned below, Arnold Salazar should be held accountable for destroying lives of honest, hardworking, and dedicated employees. Salazar cannot just hide and run away from the mess he created.
March 5, 2018 at 9:46pm March 5 @8:16 - 6 months! Oops!
March 5, 2018 at 9:40pm As ASU faculty and staff inevitably find themselves unemployed through not fault of their own, perhaps the eminently charitable Arnold Salazar can put them up in his fancy barn without charging them extra for meals? After all, he presided over this entire mess while lining his own pockets...
March 5, 2018 at 8:26pm Wow! At least 1 employee in Richardson is waiting for their contract to be terminated. They didn't even take keys away, deny banner access, or place on administrative leave! That's got to be a storm waiting to happen. How did HR rank 3rd?
March 5, 2018 at 8:16pm If you are a tenured faculty member, you can only be terminated for cause or if: "a. There is a justifiable change in program. b. A significant decline in state appropriations or other revenue creates a need for the institution to reduce expenses." I think b. falls under "the Board and past administration screwed up." "Unless the program or budgetary needs require otherwise, tenure status and years of service at the University shall be given more weight in this analysis but are not conclusive factors." "e. Notice Period i. When a Faculty member’s employment is to be terminated because of program reduction or elimination, and is not based on the reasons set forth in Section IX.A.2.b [I'm pretty sure the Board is taking current actions under IX.A.2.b] of this Handbook, the Faculty member shall be given notice as follows: (a) A Faculty member who has tenure shall be given one hundred and eighty (180) days notice. (b) A Faculty member who does not have tenure shall be given sixty (60) days notice. ii. When a Faculty member’s employment is to be terminated, in whole or in part, for any of the reasons set forth in Section IX.A.2.b of this Handbook, the University shall make reasonable efforts to give the same notice as set forth in Section IX.A.3.e.i above. The University is not required to give such notice if, in the discretion of the President, a shorter period is necessary to maintain the University’s educational programs and financial stability." In other words, under the current crisis, the Faculty Handbook allows administration and the Board to do just about anything they want and doesn't require much in the way of notice. Nevertheless, the Handbook recommends 6 months for tenured faculty and 2 months for non-tenured. The current crisis was created by the past administration and Board: overspending leading to the high cost of ASU (tuition & fees), probation over Extended Studies, both of which led to declining enrollment. They messed up, we pay the price. Oh so simple.
March 5, 2018 at 6:28pm I know Matt Nehring has a difficult job ahead of him, but I have confidence that he can do the right thing. He understands ASU, he loves ASU, and he has the perspective we need to pull together and succeed. If anyone can do it, Dr. Nehring can!
March 5, 2018 at 2:48pm If you are an exempt employee, you can be terminated for any or no reason whatsoever. Got to love 'right to work'. ---- Editor's Response: Readers are encouraged to learn more about the Employment-At-Will doctrine in Colorado.
March 5, 2018 at 1:20pm Can a person really be terminated without cause?
March 4, 2018 at 8:38pm Danny, an Albuquerque IP address, huh?!? I just WONDER who that might be... Excellent response to a positively ignorant individual. Tsk, tsk.
March 4, 2018 at 8:07pm ---- Editor's Note: In the past few weeks, I've received a number of laughable, juvenile hate mail messages which are par for the course with any public figure, especially one willing to engage in controversial or critical issues that challenge existing assumptions or power structures. I have reported the legally actionable ones that threaten actual violence. In addition, one user with an Albuquerque IP address has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to repeatedly making objectively false claims that form the basis of unfounded assertions and betray a sustained personal animus which is neither relevant nor worthy of response. But rather than simply deleting these messages as spam as I often do, I wanted to share a few of the more obvious errors made in these messages with readers here. These statements and my responses are as follows: “I just looked at Ledonne's Twitter and realized why he needs this blog... only 260 followers and close to zero like or retweet activity.” You got me. Yes, I am hardly ever on Twitter and usually just copy/paste content I already posted on Facebook. I have used Twitter for organizations for which I perform social media work. Personally, I have a much stronger presence on Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and LinkedIn because I have found those platforms to be more useful. I don't have much regard for Twitter and find the discourse there to be among the least productive among major social media platforms. I do follow some people and news organizations there, which I find marginally useful. However, I generally maintain a Twitter account in the interest of being able to respond to press inquiries (this has happened on many occasions with journalists from Chronicle of Higher Education, College Fix, and other publications). I sometimes also use Twitter to promote some of the publications and announcements for my business activity (such as the annual photography calendar I shoot, edit, and distribute). I like having many ways for people to reach out and connect with me. Including anonymous Internet critics, apparently. But Watching Adams really doesn't fulfill any of the many reasons I have used social media since 2005 when I first signed up for sites like MySpace and later Facebook. This site is a topic-specific, open access platform for anyone to discuss Adams State University – which has undergone significant change in the past decade and likely has much more change coming. I see value in maintaining a space for open comments, documents, podcasts, news and commentary. And given that February 2018 broke records for traffic with over 30,000 views, other people continue to see value in the site, as well. “Also, Ledonne's Wikipedia page has been flagged because several people (correctly) assume that Ledonne wrote it himself as a self-promotional tool.” No, that's not true. If you look at the page's edit history, you can see that the Wikipedia page for Danny Ledonne has been continuously updated (and vandalized) over the years by a variety of editors with their own accounts, complete with citations that verify the information included. I've written about some of the more humorous examples of vandalism in an entry on my personal blog. “I also have to wonder...what's your endgame here, Danny? So you get Beverlee removed as president - okay. Now what?” In point of fact, the Board of Trustees removed Beverlee McClure from the role of ASU President for reasons that have only been vaguely described. Watching Adams has reported as much factual data as is available about McClure's performance in office, but it was up to the Trustees to make the decision for McClure to be placed on a leave of absence. Regarding this notion of an “end game,” someone named “Scott Black” posed this exact question on a recent Inside Higher Ed article. I answered it there, so I'll share that answer here: Transparency and accountability for public institutions isn't an "endgame." It is an ongoing objective that citizens must expect from their public officials. Just this week, we received documents that show ASU's football team has increased its travel costs from $67,901 in 2016 to $100,352.01 in 2017. That represents a 47.8% increase during a time of budget cuts and financial shortfalls and the public has a right to know how their money is being spent. Would anyone have found out about this if we didn't continuously monitor and publish it? That's highly unlikely. The same can be said for any number of reports and files - such as Dr. Gilmer's mediation agreement in which he agreed not to disclose the nature of his complaint against ex-president McClure lest he be subject to her threats of litigation. That's a serious form of institutional intimidation and the public has a right to know that Dr. McClure conducts herself by attempting to silence her critics. But it didn't work with me and thus the truth came out and the ACLU's lawsuit on my behalf prevailed in lifting an unlawful order banning me from a public university campus without due process. Benefits? We've seen many positive effects from Watching Adams in the past few years - not the least of which being an improvement in the university's more timely publication of institutional reports (because they'll end up on Watching Adams anyway). Prior to this, nobody even knew what the salaries of employees were - despite this being public data. No one was comfortable requesting it given the culture of retaliation in an at-will employee state. Now, the salary data is accessed on Watching Adams on a daily basis as people review and compare compensation of state employees. Here's a thought: maybe the people who harangue and complain about state-run institutions being subjects to citizen watchdogs should find a new hobby? In this day and age, we don't need more apologists for obstruction of transparent and accountable government. “You have to know they're never going to give you the president's job, even if you want it. You're not qualified. I doubt you'll be able to get any kind of job at Adams again besides adjunct instructor.” This is among the most amusing rumors I've seen online in a great while, so I must thank you for the entertainment! I have never applied for, nor do I have interest in, being a college or university president. I greatly prefer teaching and creating media for a living and enjoy continued opportunities to do so. This ongoing effort to impugn the motives for a group of people forming Watching Adams is a convenient way to avoid the many problems that this site has exposed and explored over the past few years. But it doesn't work. Adams State is going through a great deal of transition now and has experienced an ongoing decline in enrollment, including the Mass Communication program in which I taught between 2011-2015. I don't anticipate that there will be many opportunities for expanding tenure track faculty positions in this or related departments anytime soon. I do hope the university is able to pull together and succeed under Dr. Matt Nehring's leadership and wish him well in doing so. “I realize it's probably tough to realize this when - as a grown adult - you still live in the same place where you grew up” I've had the opportunity to travel many places – living in Boston and DC, traveling through almost all 50 states and visiting about 10 countries. This statement conveys to me that whoever wrote this isn't effectively researching their claims. I have publicly listed my residence as Eugene, Oregon for the past year and half, where I currently live and work since moving here in October 2016. I really enjoy the Pacific Northwest and regret not exploring such a beautiful area of the country sooner! “Are you going to try to become mayor of Alamosa? Is that as far as your ambition goes? What's the endgame for you, here?” Given my above statement about where I'm living, I think we can agree that the notion that I want to be mayor of Alamosa makes almost no sense. I enjoyed performing video services that included Mayor Rogers and Mayor Lucero, both of whom I hold in high regard for their public service. Further, I consider Mayor Coleman to be an excellent leader and believe Alamosa is in great hands under his leadership. I don't have interest in running for public office at this time but have and continue to offer media production and consultation services to public institutions and programs as needed. Indeed, it is work that I enjoy. Also, people who wish to contact me personally are encouraged to use my website's contact page to do so. If you actually want a reply, please leave some form of contact information so I can respond. I cannot promise that I will continue to publish anonymous personal inquiries directed through Watching Adams on this comments page because it is almost entirely off-topic and likely of only marginal interest to people who come here for news about Adams State University. And for the love of all that is righteous, please at least try to get your facts straight when making claims about someone you quite evidently know little about. Now, back to watching Adams State. - Danny Ledonne
March 3, 2018 at 5:47am Someone needs to ask: how much is in the Counselor Ed reserves and how can they keep that much when the university is struggling! $250,000 appears generous, but is just a drop in the bucket for what they are making!
March 2, 2018 at 10:01pm Counselor Education contributed $250,000 to the general fund this year.
March 2, 2018 at 8:33am Crowther is leaving in August. ASU is taking a major turn for the better. He won't be missed.
March 2, 2018 at 7:25am In reply to March 1, 2018 at 7:57pm - Counselor Ed kicked in a very large sum to help with the $800,000 shortfall this year. Matt did provide that number at one of his talks. I wish I could remember the figure, but I'm sure it was over $100K.
March 1, 2018 at 7:57pm ----Editor's Note: We received the following message and want to share it with our readers for further review: How does the cash cow of those counseling programs play into, or take out of, the cash-strapped institution? Aren’t they just growing and growing while the vine they sit on shrivels? Surely they must be contributing a fair amount back to the university... I didn’t hear anything about that mentioned in the meeting or is that something that no one wants to dig into because it’s not broken? They seem to know what they are doing.
March 1, 2018 at 5:09pm I'd love to see the email chain surrounding the series of petty retaliations that made me decide to give up on ASU. I wonder: do they think about fair play to the students they claim to serve? ----Editor's Reply: You may be able to request any email communications from Adams email accounts responsive to your query by filing an open records request with Tracy Rogers, Director of Human Resources.
March 1, 2018 at 2:05pm Considering Prom Queen Beverlee tried to call someone a terrorist, an obviously untrue allegation, a crime you can get the death penalty for, I don't feel the least bit sorry for her. - Alison
March 1, 2018 at 1:02pm There's a lot of talk here about who at ASU to remove - to “clean house” of all the cruel, incompetent, vindictive people willing to sell out their ethics, betray their colleagues, and step on anyone to push them down, get ahead, or make a few bucks. You know who they are: Margaret Doell, Leslie Alvarez, Frank Novotny, Ed Crowther, Ana Guevara etc. And I understand the suggestion. But I have a better idea. They can stay. But they'll be demoted to part-time adjuncts. They will be allowed to teach one or two courses per semester. They won't get an office. They won't have any of the benefits that come with full time employment, like health insurance or retirement contributions. They will get paid what all other ASU adjuncts make – well below the poverty line. They will have to wait for their contracts to be processed each semester, causing them to be delayed by the snail brigade in HR, then told they can take out a loan to float their monthly expenses while their paychecks are finally cut. They won't be allowed to serve on any committees to have a say in making things better. They will be overlooked and disregarded at department meetings, if they are even allowed to attend. This will save ASU money, of course. But it will also teach a lesson in humility and equity to the people who got ASU into this mess and supported the worst elements of the Beverlee McClure administration.
March 1, 2018 at 11:03am LMAO, I got sucker punched by an online program. SRSLY I should have known. When all their instructors are their own grad students. Goodbye 40 k! ASU only cares about the money! Don't use the discussion boards to discuss anything. Some might get upset. Even the assigned topics. It's a mean girl retaliatory culture. For sure, be safe and go somewhere else. Adams State University is bad news. - Alison
March 1, 2018 at 8:07am Feb 28th @ 5:25 - The decision was made this week not to hire an admissions director for at least 1 year, it will save money. Enrollment has done so well under Karla why would admissions need a director? First time student applications are down more than 7%. Budgeting for only a 5% drop in enrollment is not a good idea. Not having a director in admissions for a year is a terrible idea.
February 28, 2018 at 8:15pm In response to February 27, 2018 at 12:15pm - "I hope many people attend tomorrow's open meeting to ask some hard questions and get some honest answers!" I'd guess there were 40-50 people there tonight. I should have counted. About half of them were from ASU. Matt did a great job of explaining the current financial situation. There were some good questions. More importantly, the community members expressed their willingness to help: directly, through fund-raising, via politicians, and with suggestions. It was nice to see community members' pride in ASU and concern for ASU. Cleave Simpson also did a good job with questions and it was nice to see him at yet another open meeting, probably his fourth in a week (2 faculty & staff; AS&F, tonight). I haven't seen this level of communication and transparency in my 7 years at ASU. So glad to see it now. - Jeff Elison
February 28, 2018 at 5:35pm February 28 @ 12:02 - Such as?
February 28, 2018 at 12:02pm People are already being fired without notice. Departments are being completely restructured. So much for handling all of this so called right sizing appropriately. HR should have been ranked 5th.
February 27, 2018 at 12:15pm I hope many people attend tomorrow's open meeting to ask some hard questions and get some honest answers!
February 26, 2018 at 9:07pm "McClure was the first woman president and surely anything that didn’t go her way was due to owning a uterus. It was a massive conspiracy involving Watching Adams, a few disgruntled faculty and staff, countless outside agitators, the local and national media, and the evil spirits she had to ward off with mirrors in her windows and frozen lemons with the names of her enemies in her freezer. (Seriously, that happened.)" - The Aftermath of Superstorm Beverlee ----Editor's Note: Yes, according to multiple trusted sources, that happened. We've known for a year now but it seemed appropriate to discuss this practice in retrospect. Yours truly was certainly among the named lemons...
February 26, 2018 at 8:48pm More football, less education for students and professors! Let's Par-tay! It's gonna be epic, dude! Like, everyone is gonna want to come to ASU!
February 26, 2018 at 7:35pm Arnold Salazar is the main culprit here. I wonder how the governor of Colorado appoints the trustees of this university and who advises him with the names of the trustees?
February 26, 2018 at 6:02pm Looks like Bev was caught lying again today - this time about the AAUP. Seems like people have finally had enough of her Pinocchio stories.
February 26, 2018 at 3:56pm 2/26 @ 12:18 pm - How many investigations is Rodney going to pass? How many are Kurt and Ana going to deny that have been conducted concerning him? There was a post some time back that said he’d be the next Director of Facilities and if that day comes, how many more people is he going to hire to do his job while he officiates games on the clock or visits Shannon at HR while getting paid to do so?
February 26, 2018 at 12:18pm Don't forget Rodney Martinez.
February 26, 2018 at 9:35am Take things to NLRB, that’s the only place left. Can’t go to Ana, HR, etc. The chain of command is a cabal in itself. There is talk that Kurt is leaving soon as well so what happens when he leaves? One thing for sure is Facilities will get worse so all of those in Facilities need to get out ASAP.
February 26, 2018 at 3:29am Dear WA: Excellent, excellent Commentary about Superstorm Beverlee! I can think of no better analogy! It certainly is enlightening to reflect on Dave Svaldi's own role in this entire mess. How the BoT allowed him to completely mismanage the institution for 10 years is unbelievable at best, criminal at worst. Then to add fuel to the fire by hiring an individual with known problems. Did the Board only check her given references? I cannot imagine that a little additional vetting wouldn't have shed light on her deficiencies. Alas, I regress. That's why we pay big bucks to hiring firms (irony intended). One colleague noted that "learning to trust one another again" would be necessary to moving forward. HOW does that happen? How does one ever trust the remaining Svaldi and McClure sycophants and supporters? Margaret Doell Tracy Rogers Ken Marquez Karla Hardesty Leslie Alvarez Kurt Cary Ana Guevara And I'm sure there are dozens of others who have just never bothered to fully crawl out of their holes. The rest of us are so badly beaten down, trust will be difficult to establish--ever again. How will this instituon ever recover?
February 25, 2018 at 3:43pm Re: February 25 @1:04 - Interesting that Margo has such a long history of undermining people in Napoleonic march. Let's not forget Mumper, Novotny, and Gilmer. Nehring and Sanders would be best advised to proceed with caution. Doell is pure evil.
February 25, 2018 at 1:04pm Margo got her start in the ASC art dept after buddying up to a long gone chair of the dept. As a self appointed 'academic citizen' in plying her favoritism to those students she liked and ignoring those she didn't, she orchestrated the ouster of another chair to begin her stairway to the supposed heights of ASC. Disingenuous at best and ultimately a self serving crony, perhaps her Napoleonic march may come to an end sooner than she would like.
February 25, 2018 at 11:57am So. Much. Coverage. Will people continue to blame Danny for ASU and McClure shortfalls? How can you? One thing is for sure: McClure won't be able to scrub all of this from the Internet.
February 24, 2018 at 10:57pm Re-reading the commentary that was supposed to be a Valley Courier op-ed (in Ledonne's reply to 6:26 pm) was enlightening. I forgot the point that according to the FBI and Secret Service, McClure's actions would have actually increased the risks to students - had Ledonne been a real threat. Point being, she was either so stupid or so self-centered, that she did the wrong thing in terms of students' safety. She did what was in her best interest. Who's the terrorist? Funny how quickly history is forgotten. I'm glad I signed.
February 24, 2018 at 8:54pm ***clapping really frantically*** at comment 5:52. Agreed on all points!!! You can throw Beez in there too...oh, but she left.
February 24, 2018 at 6:41pm All this time Beverlee McClure has claimed that Danny Ledonne was a terrorist, but the real terrorists are within the higher administration.
February 24, 2018 at 6:26pm McClure tried to misrepresent the timeline regarding the "recommendation" from Nicoletti-Flater Associates. They were contacted after the ban, as you point out. I wonder if she's also lying about banning you "based on legal advice" or in other instances she is more specific "based on advice from the state’s attorney general." I'm guessing that's not true. Did any evidence come out during discovery to support her claims? ----Editor's Reply: It's been a couple years since I reviewed our document file in detail, but here's what I can recall. The idea of banning me from campus was floated in early September 2015, at least as it appears in Beverlee McClure's ASU email chain. McClure tells Ana Guevara not to meet with me regarding my OEO complaint and that she will be banning me from campus soon. McClure discussed this with Jessica Salazar, then ASU's legal counsel from the CO Attorney General's office. It was clear that they were trying to find a way to get rid of me and did not want to directly address the issues I was raising. McClure has reportedly blamed Jessica Salazar for giving her bad advice and I understand they did not have a positive working relationship (to put it charitably). Civil liberties issues aside, I have no idea why ASU administration thought this would work or what they anticipated happening after I was banned. As one commentary argued, banning someone from campus but not following up with mental health evaluations or a court-obtained search warrant to assess an individual's capacity to do harm only increases the overall threat to campus safety. This is what the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Department of Education have all concluded. So McClure and company weren't serious about protecting the campus and didn't take the steps to do so - evidently because they didn't really believe the hysteria they were promoting publicly. But sadly, this same scenario is almost exactly that of the Parkland shooting, where so many signs weren't followed up and a real threat did escalate.
February 24, 2018 at 5:52pm Surprised to see that people like Leslie, Margaret, and Ana supported her. It does tell me much about their character. How can they remain on campus now after showing such flawed professional and personal judgement? Also, of course, Tracy Rogers has to go. Ken and Aaron, I suspect, also propped her up but that was basically because they do not have a spine and are not able to stand up. Matt needs to clean house if he is going to get anywhere with this mess.
February 24, 2018 at 5:11pm Let's clear up a few things about McClure's “thick file” on me. Thanks to the discovery phase of our lawsuit, I've seen the file in its entirety. So have the CO AG attorneys: Jessica Salazar, Kathleen Spalding, and Patrick Sayas. So have the ACLU attorneys: Reid Neureiter, Kayla Scroggins, Sara Neel, and Mark Silverstein. So did Judge Downes, serving as mediator for the legal settlement. The file contains several hundred pages of documents – many of which are duplicates of chain emails, multiple copies of various application materials I submitted (CV, cover letter), internal discussions about exactly how to create a persona non grata policy, a public records search that found no criminal history and included my driver's license photo (McClure likely misinterpreted this as a “police watch list," according to Spalding and Sayas after our court hearing), and a threat assessment report by Nicoletti-Flater Associates that concluded I was not a physical threat to anyone but had the capacity to annoy people. Annoy people? Guilty as charged. McClure did coerce a statement from one female student. I have since followed up with her. She didn't know her message would be read aloud by McClure and understandably wants nothing to do with any of this. Using a student in this way was a cynical manipulation - after which McClure confidently emailed Kurt Cary to say: “That moment when you realize you are fighting the good fight.” So there's a reason the CO AG's office was eager to fork over the maximum their insurance policy could offer to settle the case as soon as we went to mediation: the "thick file" contains nothing legally actionable. There were no police reports. No prosecutorial action was taken by the university to lawfully file a protective order, restraining order, or other deprivation measures. In point of fact, ASU entered zero exhibits into evidence during our court hearing. Tellingly, the threat assessment was done weeks after I was already banned from campus. McClure just wanted to disappear me and cooked up a shoddy way to do so post hoc. She was desperate for evidence to justify what she had already done... but that ship had sailed, the train had left the station, or pick your favorite euphemism here. In summary: the “thick file” was a “nothingburger.” McClure paraded around with it, carrying the confidence that her status as president would be sufficient authority to be believed without evidence. McClure became the queen of fake news. A pathological liar has to constantly reinforce their fabricated reality with new lies and it's evident that McClure continues to do this. It aids and abets her voracious ego and helps to reinforce her role as perpetual victim. As the saying goes, McClure was able to fool some of the people some of the time but certainly not all of the people all of the time. The truth is starting to catch up with her and no binder can conceal it. - Danny Ledonne, living the good life in Oregon
February 24, 2018 at 4:17pm I hope that with all of the changes in leadership, that they are replaced with people that understand the Adams State's mission. Which is to serve the underserved. Some where down the line this got lost for a number of reasons. It's time to put in the work, and get our hands dirty for the sake of the students. I know and believe that this institution is capable. Students and staff need to feel like the are in safe space. One where the are heard and encouraged to grow within the institution. - Meagan Smith
February 24, 2018 at 1:21pm Beverlee McClure just can't stop lying. "McClure said she had invited the AAUP to campus to help address some faculty concerns and perhaps diversify the staff, with an eye toward adding more women." This is a blatant lie. All the positive things she says in her own defense are either lies, claiming other people's successes (Hispanic enrollment; thank you Title V office), or trivial (restructuring the debt isn't rocket science and was probably facilitated by board members). Similarly, blaming Ledonne for the Halloween costume as reason for being fired narrative is either a lie or ignorance. Ledonne has told reporters (and it has been reported) that he doesn't believe that's the case. Go with the simple explanation for why she was fired: numerous failures and creating a campus climate of retaliation and fear. She definitely exhibits a long-standing pattern of concerning behaviors.
February 24, 2018 at 1:02pm Who really cares about the costume she chose to wear? What about the higher wages for all of her cronies? BTW, where do I sign up for the Erica Romero fan club? Civic service is great but she should do it on her on time. She’s never in her office.
February 24, 2018 at 12:06pm The only one circulating "fake news" is you, Beverlee. You spent the majority of your time at ASU fabricating lies about the university's state of affairs, your success (or lack thereof), and above all, about anyone who dared try and contribute to improving the university with ideas that you didn't come up with first or that you didn't felt were favorable to your public image to discuss. The biggest fake story you created while at ASU was the one in which you depicted Danny Ledonne as a terrorist. The Chief of police, while still working at ASU, admitted that Danny was never really seen as a threat to anyone. Yet you had him banned from campus, and later you willingly sacrificed the police chief’s career to cover up your tracks. And why? Because the only person you ever think about is you. People close enough to Richardson Hall to know what was really going on all know that you were still fishing for students to use as “examples of Danny’s threat” just hours prior to the infamous act you gave in Faculty Senate back in 2015. You’d already banned Danny from campus but that morning, hours prior to addressing campus, you still didn’t have ANY evidence that he was a threat. So, what did you do? You BULLIED one female student who suffers from depression and anxiety into participating in your scheme. Can you image how that poor student felt? What was she suppose to do? Tell you no? Talk about abuse of power! The student really had now idea what she was being signed up for nor did she really have an option to not participate. Anyone who has bothered to talk to her knows that. But you didn’t care! You simply needed someone on record in an e-mail, that you personally solicited, saying they might have felt threatened by Danny. With this fabricated evidence, you walked into a room with a “folder of evidence.” You actually brought a large folder to the meeting and dropped it on the desk! In retrospect, I have to give you credit, you can put on one hell of a show! You stormed into that room that day, a room in which you’d encouraged your soon-to-be-lover to create a “Standing Strong for McClure” movement, and delivered a teary-eyed speech about how being the first woman president was at the root of this problem. Danny Ledonne, you said, was sexist, and a terrorist, and if anyone supported him, or the right to due process for that matter, they too were sexist. You used two male professors as examples that day. Could the audience believe that these men would have the gall to try and influence you? You conveniently forgot to mention that you asked Kurt Cary to reach out to these two men on your behalf as a means of trying to negotiate a solution with Mr. Ledonne. In any case, the message was clear: Beverlee McClure was not to be questioned. I’ll admit, you owned that room but to be honest, it’s probably the last room you’ll ever command as much attention in. Sooner or later, if not already, people are going to realize that you are the fake news, Beverlee. There is nothing genuine about you, which is why no one will dare hire you at this point. You’ve never actually worked in the business sector, you’ve never contributed to higher education in any meaningful way, and you certainly didn’t improve ASU in any measurable way. I don’t doubt that you’ll spin a story of sexism and cyber-stalking in your favor somehow. You’ll likely write a book with someone else’s help, start a tour, and do a TED talk that will get a few likes from folks who buy into your pitiful story but in the end, anyone that has ever worked closely with you will know the truth. They will know that you alone create this unfortunately tragic novel and that the hole you currently find yourself in was of your own creation. Good luck getting out. In the meantime, here’s a bedtime story you might want to pick up. There’s a moral to the story that I think will serve you well as you tread through these difficult times: Bedtime stories - The Stories of Pinocchio As you'll note, Pinocchio's salvation came through admitting the truth. I honestly, believe, despite all that you have done, if you would simply admit your own short comings and addictions, you too would be forgiven. Do you have it in you to tell the truth, Beverlee?
February 24, 2018 at 8:18am She just doesn't get it... still.
February 23, 2018 at 8:40pm I'm still healing from the damage inflicted by McClure. Nevertheless, I'd be happy to buy her a big box of band-aids if that makes her less insane. Maybe she should use the extra large size to cover her mouth. It might prevent more self-inflicted wounds.
February 23, 2018 at 5:51pm From the Albuquerque Journal: "McClure said she was planning to return to New Mexico, where she would “probably take some time to heal.” She has not determined her next career move but is reluctant to return to public service." Yes, we just hope that public service is reluctant to bring you back! Many other people are now healing from what you've done to them, and without the cushy padding of the $500,000+ wasted on your salary since 2015.
February 23, 2018 at 7:40am Feb 22 @ 8:56pm - Hey Bev, is that you?
February 23, 2018 at 7:28am Thanks to Cleave Simpson for attending yesterday's all-campus meetings. We have to acknowledge that the members of the Board of Trustees have changed substantially since McClure was hired, even more so since Svaldi-Mansheim-Novotny ran up our national debt to unpayable levels. It looks like the current trustees are taking their jobs more seriously. Thanks to them, as well. Removing Dr. McClure from the president's office is a clear step toward a brighter future. There are so many happier faces on campus.
February 23, 2018 at 4:48am Awesome article. Thanks for sharing useful information. It's good of you to stay open for your readers. - James Randel
February 22, 2018 at 11:09pm What is remotely crazy or irrational about responding to being called a cyberstalker? The entire piece is sourced and filled with specific examples of McClure's vindictive lies - some of which extend way back before ASU. She's an embarrassment and we're glad to be rid of her.
February 22, 2018 at 9:48pm 8:56: you must be one of those that gets things done (or rather, not) with thoughts and prayers. Keep praying. Danny will continue to make positive change through research and action. You are in the minority, my friend.
February 22, 2018 at 9:47pm
February 22 @ 8:56 - Wow! What a horrible, mean human being you are. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! You went off on your own crazy rails to rant about a decent man - one with whom you've likely never had a 5 minute conversation. I read Danny's "rant". It was not a rant at all, rather a calm, matter of fact account of how another horrible human being (McClure) treated him. I would say by all accounts, Danny has been far more gracious toward McClure and her ilk than most individuals should be.
Further, you seem to make a number of assumptions about him and his life that I can affirm are erroneous. I have spent afternoons with Danny, talking politics, films, and host of interesting topics over tea. And yes he makes a great rooibos. He has spent evenings at my home over dinner with my family. Now that he lives in Eugene, we text regularly and I know when I need help with something, I can count on him to take my call.
So for you to get on here and claim a bunch of bullshit that you obviously know nothing about says far more about you and your worthless life. In all honesty, your rant sounds eerily familiar - like those I've heard in the various halls on campus by the mean girl club--Alvarez, Guevara, Doell, to name a few.
You should "pray" for yourself. Shame on you!
February 22, 2018 at 9:31pm Fit the profile of a school shooter? The FBI, CIA, and Dept of Ed concluded there is no profile. Nice try. It's comforting to believe someone you don't like is miserable. Hope you are comfortable in your own little fantasy bubble.
February 22, 2018 at 8:56pm There you go, Danny! Double down on your own crazy, irrational behavior by publishing a rant about Beverlee McClure. Do you think that maybe if you had a life of your own - a life where you weren't a miserable failure - you might not care so much about what this other person has or hasn't done? Was it the 100th time you got turned down by a girl at a bar or the 1000th that sent you off the rails? How much does it suck to be you, living your life every day? How disappointed do you feel every time you look in the mirror? Why do you see it as farfetched that people see you as a potential school shooter? You gotta admit, you definitely fit the profile. I get sad just thinking about you. I am sure many, many other people feel the same way. Sorry about your terrible, pathetic life. I'll pray for you. ----Editor's Reply: When it's not possible to defend the indefensible, when there is no evidence to support your claims, and when you have no coherent arguments of a substantive nature, the currency of irrelevant ad hominem becomes mightily palatable. So let me share with you just a bit about my life and who I really am. You may not read this, you may not care, but I want you to know what it feels like to be Danny Ledonne. This morning, I watched the snow gently melt and fall from the pine trees out my window while listening to Schubert and Pachelbel. I like to prepare a vanilla rooibos tea with extra cream and sip it slowly. Last night, I taught my Screenwriting Seminar class – the topic was plot points and three act structure. We did scene read-throughs and the students were great! Two nights ago, I caught “Black Panther” for $5 movie nights – a unique contribution to the MCU but “Guardians of the Galaxy” remains my personal favorite. Last weekend, I photographed the 2018 Oregon Asian Celebration – it was incredible and the team I am working with has been so supportive and inspiring, so welcoming and friendly! I'm looking forward to photographing the upcoming Shamrock Run in Portland next month with a good friend of mine I've known since grad school in DC. For me, I try to keep life simple. I cherish my walks and my bike rides. I rarely drive and greatly prefer to cycle for my commutes. I appreciate that rare afternoon sunshine in the swirl of clouds. There's the daily eagerness with which my birds greet me. My neighbor and I chat semi-regularly about life and the headline news. I lead a satisfying and purposeful life dedicated to principles, filled with people I cherish and who care about me in return. It's not for everyone, but it is the life for me and it suits me all the same. And I don't like meeting new people at bars. At all. I find them to be very noisy and I rarely drink alcohol.
February 22, 2018 at 2:48pm McClure says, in her defensive response in Inside Higher Ed to the board's decision to fire her, that "enrollment of minority students jumped and the graduation rate among Hispanic students -- who make up a large portion of the university's enrollment -- has climbed." This is classic McClure - stealing credit for others' hard work. Lillian Gomez and the Title V crew have for a long time been working their butts off to improve Hispanic student participation, and McClure unashamedly tries to rob them of their kudos. Pathetic.
February 22, 2018 at 11:34am Can we kill this myth dead please? Inside Higher Ed characterized McClure as "a business woman by trade," and The Denver Post said McClure was "hired for her business acumen." For a start, she has never been a businesswoman. She has never started a business. She has never successfully run a business. She has always been a salaried worker, just like the rest of us. If the definition of "businesswoman" is to be paid for services rendered to someone else's business, then all of us are businesswomen or men. If it means taking a salary while overseeing a budget, then every departmental head at ASU is a businesswoman or businessman. And, acumen? The Board of Trustees assumed that her credentials as past president and chief executive officer of the business lobby, New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry - again just another salaried position, were proof of "business acumen." But the public record is clear. She was a failure. She raised her own salary while revenues for the Association dropped. She was also exposed as blatantly lying to the public, and was named "Worst Person in the World" by Clearly New Mexico - as reported by the Albuquerque Journal, thereby damaging the Association's credibility during her tenure. Sound familiar?
February 22, 2018 at 8:59am Cleave Simpson is quoted in Inside Higher Ed as saying that "he was disappointed in the way some media reports have mischaracterized its [the Board of Trustees' decision." "Cleave" means to cut. If you lived up to your name, you would cut the PR crap. Instead of saying that "the priorities of the current Board are no longer congruent with the priorities of the President," why don't you say what you really mean? Why can't you use open, honest, direct and unambiguous language instead of weasel words? Why can't you say that finally the Board has had enough of McClure's tantrums, lies, her failure to improve ASU's appalling financial situation and her damage to morale? For once, why can't the Board level with us, treat us like adults and tell us what is really happening? Or are you indicating that you expect the board to continue bullshitting to employees by omission, obfuscation and euphemism? Perhaps if you were straight-up and left no room for misinterpretation, you wouldn't be "disappointed in the way some media reports have mischaracterized its [the Board's] decision."
February 22, 2018 at 8:03am Feb. 21 6:37 pm - Although I disagree in part about McClure, I wholeheartedly agree there were many things going on long before she became ASU president. Lots of people here just come to earn a paycheck by coming in and sitting in their offices with the doors closed when they’re there to help students directly. Instead they make personal phone calls, order online, PM their Facebook friends, play online games, etc. and that IF they show up to work and even at that they leave for any reason under the sun. Everything is an emergency. Those are just some of the reasons for the things you listed as proof of ineptitude.
February 21, 2018 at 11:45pm ----Editor's Note: We received the following message and want to share it with our readers for further review: Have you looked into Damon Martin doing illegal things with the Cross Country runners? There are lots of comments on various blogs. Past ASU runners, competitors... all have issues and knowledge of Damon's wrongdoings.
February 21, 2018 at 10:31pm So will Beverlee McClure be this year's keynote speaker for Women's Week at ASU? Or maybe ASU should be inviting back all the women (and men) McClure has driven away?
February 21, 2018 at 9:53pm This is great! Sorry Danny I have to share! I Think I’m In Love With The Adams State University President Who Allegedly Bullied Everybody
February 21, 2018 at 6:41pm She has made a joke of the university and the trustees are responsible for it.
February 21, 2018 at 6:37pm It's interesting to see so many faculty and staff quick to scapegoat someone but not at all surprising. In my experience at Adams as a student, I've encountered academic advisers that have the most basic understanding of the process, faculty and staff that are quick to transfer you back and forth between departments because they fail to communicate with each other, and professors that can do no more than read the textbook to you for an entire class period. Perhaps some of you feel McClure has hurt the institution, but let's remember that she spends far less face to face time with the student body than the rest of those working at Adams. I influenced several students from out of state to attend Adams before I had a clear picture of the university. As of now, I wouldn't encourage someone to attend Adams. I might even talk them out of coming here and it has nothing to do with McClure. It feels like the majority of the faculty and staff at Adams go to work every day to pick up a paycheck. I understand as well that teachers don't make as much money as they deserve, but I also doubt the teachers and faculty that refuse to go above and beyond would be willing to sacrifice part of their salary to those that do. If the concern is enrollment, maybe we need to survey the students about their situations and how Adams can be more appealing to potential applicants. No student attends a school or convinces a friend to attend a school because of the president. I'm hoping AS&F will give me a platform to be able to bring these concerns to light and maybe we can formulate a plan to resolve these issues. Right now all this petty fighting reinforces my perspective that the faculty and staff care more about themselves and their own comfort than the students. I have had a few professors on campus that have really made coming back to school worth it. I hope you all can figure out how to elevate each other by adopting each others strengths instead of highlighting weaknesses.
February 21, 2018 at 4:52pm
February 21, 2018 at 10:47am Regarding Cleave’s response, I agree that he and the rest of the BOT are out of touch. Yes, enrollment has dipped because faculty/staff retention has dipped but not for his ridiculous economic reason. Why would an F/S member stay at an institution where they do not feel valued and are not encouraged or rewarded for innovation? Why would anyone stay where those who have committed actual CRIMES are rewarded with tenure, promotions, and successful retirements? The rubric is not consistent or objective. Yes, there people and individual departments doing great work. I wholeheartedly believe that. But the positive culture and support found in those departments are not institution wide – not by a long shot! Campus climate is set with smart administrative practice and policies. That hasn’t been the case for at least 2 decades. Regarding McClure’s statement, It is so uninspiring and unconvincing. Yes, you inherited a mess. Unfortunately for you, you didn’t realize how much of mess you were inheriting. NO ONE disagrees with that. But McClure’s responses were poor over and over again. She should’ve made real “necessary decisions” early on (i.e. cleaning house, demanding REAL transparency), but she never did. McClure accuses individuals “outside of ASU” for circulating false information. It’s so easy to say that. It’s so easy to say, “You’re not here anymore, so you don’t know what you’re talking about”. It falls very well in line with how out of touch the BOT is regarding F/S who have left. They have left because of run-ins with their supervisors and former/current vice presidents. They have left because of the campus climate I stated above. While this climate was not created by McClure, it was perpetuated by her actions and poor management practices. That is why so many are now considered “outsiders”. Speaking of those who have left… How many F/S have left? We can cite the previous articles showing the mass exodus in the past years. You can no longer say “if you don’t like it leave”, because there will be no one left. Now is the time to come together and not further perpetuate the broken morale of those left on campus. While I disagree with Matt Schildt’s stance, I stand behind his right to express it and condemn those who have belittled him. I refer back to the original purpose of this site which was and has been for “taking action for Adams, taking action for administrative change, taking action on behalf of faculty and staff who feel they are without a voice, and thereby taking action in the interest of Adams State University’s students, employees, mission, and institutional legacy.”
February 21, 2018 at 9:17am I'm apprehensive that, as all the goings-on at Adams State are reaching a wider audience, the actual and legitimate concerns are getting lost in the petty things, specifically this costume nonsense. It's essentially a self-erected strawman in the apparent zeal to depose McClure, something that is and has been (rightly, I'd say) criticized and has pulled attention away from the much more pertinent issues. In this desperate attempt to undermine the president (and in many regards for legitimate reasons), perhaps a toe's been shot off here. Count the headlines that reference the costume against those that reference the intimidation, and ask if that's representative of your concerns and desires for change.
February 21, 2018 at 7:53am How many more resignations are to come within the next few months before ASU becomes a dystopian society where the reptilian mainstays rule with complete control?
February 21, 2018 at 7:34am Is Matt Schildt suggesting the Board of Trustees was wrong? Blasphemy.
February 21, 2018 at 4:17am Dear Matt Schildt: First let me state that you are an individual on campus for whom I've never had anything but the utmost respect. I truly view you as one of the "good guys". As such, this response is in no way intended to belittle or demean your experiences. Rather it is designed to give you a different perspective--a perspective from a current employee. (In your email to Mr. Whaley you claim those quoted in the article are a handful of disgruntled former employees. I can assure you I am not.) I have worked at this institution for a long, long time. Things I have seen scare me. The losses of shared governance, academic freedom and freedom of speech are truly alarming. The bullying, harassment and general meanness are unprecedented. Granted, this was problematic, to some degree, under the Novotny/Svaldi reign, but nowhere to the extent that it became under McClure's "reign of terror". I have been truly terrified to speak. To speak out against injustices I have witnessed. To speak out in terms of taking up for myself. To speak out with simply my opinion about how we could be better as an instituon and community. I have been--and continue to be--terrified that if I do then there will be retaliation. And it is especially frightening now given the impending right sizing. And while I respect Dr. Nehring and believe him to be our best bet, I still find trust difficult (sort of like an abused animal). Dr. Elison is correct, you likely have different experiences, and therefore different metrics by which you judge McClure and her tenure here. And that is valid. But, please, do not demean or invalidate others'. It just perpetuates the problem. Thank you for listening.
February 20, 2018 at 9:58pm Re: February 17, 2018 at 5:05pm - "Yes, I want to know if Ana Guevara and Leslie Alvarez were less smug and vindictive this past week..." What is this in reference to? Please expound. Transparency please?
February 20, 2018 at 9:54pm
My suggestion, not that it’s worth much and will only fall on deaf ears... begin right sizing with Ana Guevara (loose-lipped unprofessional) and Tracy Rogers (worthless) Karla Hardesty (under the bus thrower and backstabbing) Edward Crowther (bully, part of financial crisis) Frank Novotny (weeeelllll, little squeaky mouse) and Margo (unfitting at her job. Send her back to Canada. I think her visa is about to expire).
My understanding there are two sessions of an all campus meeting on Thursday the 22nd @ 7:30am and then another @ 4pm in Porter Hall and lead by Dr Nehring!
Too bad Simpson can’t attend and give the real reasons of dismissing McClure. Yes! I just realized, I need not to refer to her as President or Dr.! Nor ma’am or Ms.! She is going to become a middle class citizen like so many of us. KARMA!
February 20, 2018 at 9:49pm When will someone, ANYONE! besides Karla, or Ken for that matter, take a good, long, hard investigative, unbiased look at what each and every single person in admissions is "working" on? It seems as though the transfer coordinator is the only active recruiter in the local office. That's one packed schedule. Everyone else is too busy complaining about their jobs and throwing coworkers under the bus! WHO IS IN CHARGE? Karla has no clue! Not one, even though she spends more than 50% of her time in admissions. Want some cheese with that whine? YOU ARE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT, it's your job. There are several schools in the valley that have only seen a recruiter once. Maybe those out of state numbers are up? Who knows. They sure aren't traveling. Just check the calendar, people! Not one California trip this year. No Texas, New Mexico or Arizona travels in 2018! Athletics to the rescue. At least we will be guaranteed some students next fall. Ask anyone in athletics, we will tell you, we alone are responsible for the majority of students on campus. Maybe the quick fix is to get rid of Karla and her admissions counselors. While we are at it, send the welcome center and its staff on their way too. Put Larry in charge of all undergraduate recruitment. That way the next time men's basketball goes to Hawaii they can recruit in at least 10 different schools on their off day! Bring back 2 sports and enrollment will go up at least 10%! Have the athletes and coaches lead new student tours, full of misinformation, and empty promises. All kidding aside, really it is simple, belive it or not, like it or not, there is a correlation between the decline in the number of sports on campus over the last several years and overall enrollment! Whine over a losing football team all you want. Some money in the black is better than all the money in the red.
February 20, 2018 at 8:06pm My New Year's resolution was to reduce stress, and one step was to ignore WatchingAdams. That worked for a while, but then the Board placed the president on leave, and I received many texts and emails about all the discussion. So, here I am again, for a little while. Someone suggested that the whiners (I think I'm supposed to be one of them) won't support any administrator. Not true. I have a ton of confidence in Matt Nehring, and I was impressed by Chris Gilmer. I know that's true of several other whiners too. I apologize to Matt if that just undermined his support on campus. "If Elison supports you..." Regarding Matt Schildt's email, I support his right to free speech 100%. I know what it feels like to express an unpopular opinion, so good for you. Obviously, I don't agree with his opinion. That doesn't mean I will belittle him. I just assume he had very different experiences with the president and perhaps evaluates her performance based on different metrics. I know a lot of relationships have been damaged over the past 2.5 years. Some of us will blame the president and others will blame her critics / supporters. Either way, I hope we can all agree that ASU needs a new direction (I suggest up) and our combined support. I'm still here because I love to teach and I'm idealistic about the value of education. Teachers need to keep teaching and students keep studenting. But let's not fall into the trap of ignoring reality. The duties of faculty go beyond the classroom. We are supposed to "own the curriculum," but we sure as hell didn't do that when it came to Extended Studies. Many of our woes could have been avoided. - Jeff Elison
February 20, 2018 at 7:58pm McClure released a statement to the Denver Post.
February 20, 2018 at 5:11pm Everyone is entitled to their opinions but Matt’s letter is disappointing and disheartening. One simply can’t ignore the facts and add to that how much ASU promotes diversity and acceptance yet all those in power are driven by the very things ASU speaks out against.
February 20, 2018 at 4:15pm Cleave Simpson's latest public statement sums up perfectly why the Board of Trustees must be dissolved, all members must resign and a totally new body formed to conduct ASU's future. If you expect failure, you get failure. According to the Denver Post, he believes that low unemployment is mostly to blame for dipping enrollment, that when jobs are plentiful, people are less likely to chase a degree. “People are going to go to work quicker than going to college.” In other words, despite shelling out more than a half-million dollars to McClure in salary and benefits over the last two-plus years, he believes that she has been defeated by an improving economy, that somehow ASU's continued financial decline is not really her fault. If this self-pitying "we're just a tiny podunk college so what do you expect" attitude pervades the board and the administration, then no wonder we are failing. And if so, why pay big bucks to any ASU president if the board accepts that externalities will defeat them. Big bucks demands big results, not big excuses. This losers' attitude is particularly galling when other small universities in other rural towns are doing just fine, thank you. Let's face it. If Adams has any chance of future success, this board must be replaced with confident, competent and inspiring leaders who demand results, not excuses.
February 20, 2018 at 3:08pm I don't agree with Matt's take on Bev; there is no doubt that she is toxic for morale and has been a total failure in terms of improving ASU's dire financial situation. But I gotta hand it to him. He has the guts to stand by his point of view, albeit a view through one very squinty eye, and put his name to it. Kudos for courage if nothing else.
February 20, 2018 at 2:42pm Feb. 20th at 2:30pm - Schildt is like a Trump supporter, shouting "fake news!" whenever his dear leader is maligned over truthful reporting. Yes Matt, all the news outlets are conspiring against McClure, who has been Making Adams Great Again for the past 2.5 years!
February 20, 2018 at 2:30pm Hey Matt Schildt: Are you going to cancel your subscription to the Chronicle as well? I mean, they must be biased too?
February 20, 2018 at 2:28pm Dr. Schildt Shills for Beverlee? Surprise, surprise. So who else inside ASU is still a McClure supporter? We need to find them all, identify them, and hold them accountable for supporting the worst elements of ASU. Simply put: those who stand behind the status quo are supporting declining enrollment, financial ruin, apologetics for incompetence, a culture of retaliation, and the flight of hard working faculty and staff from our university. Hey Matt, here's a basic rule of journalism: when you ask both sides for their story and only one side gives a comment, you go with the story you have. The Board issued a vaguely-worded statement a week ago and then made an incredibly weak-sauced statement about how ASU's enrollment is falling due to lower unemployment? Really, Cleave Simpson? Nice try. Nobody is buying it. Colorado is a growing state and other universities are experiencing a growth in enrollment over the past five years – while ASU's has declined. Meanwhile, McClure has been missing in action, off the grid, and even the Board doesn't know how to reach her. So if you complain about a lack of “multi-sided journalism,” it's only because the side you are championing are cowards who duck and cover as soon as the inevitable shit hits the fan.
February 20, 2018 at 2:20pm Wow! Dr. Schildt, you have either: a) had your head under a rock the last three years or b) you are completely delusional. Seriously, the data does not speak for itself about McClure's performance? Does that "costume" not offend you? It offends me and my working class family. But more bothersome is the fact that you spoke in behalf of the university after Dr. Nehring asked us not to. It was sent on ASU letterhead! Unbelievable!
February 20, 2018 at 2:00pm The following email was sent to the Denver Post on Feb 20, 2018 12:39pm from mschildt@adams.edu: Dear Mr. Whaley, I was very disappointed to see the article on Adams State in the Denver Post. This article is so blatantly one sided and quotes a handful of disgruntled former faculty members as if what they are stating is the irrefutable truth. I am surprised that the main source of your article was given this platform to air their grievances and most everyone I know on this campus would consider him a very disreputable source with ulterior, mean-spirited motives for his actions. My experience as a faculty member at Adams State does not mirror your article in any way and you have clearly put your desire for a sensational story above factual, unbiased, multi-sided journalism. As this poor excuse for journalism was deemed worthy of the front page, I will take pleasure in canceling the subscription to the Denver Post I have had for the last thirteen years. Sincerely,
February 20, 2018 at 12:39pm Re: University email - ...so as an employee of the University do we not represent the university? Now ASU is about individuality? Nice try.
February 20, 2018 at 11:12am The following message was sent to all ASU employees on Tue, Feb 20, 2018 at 10:39am Office Of The President Responding to journalist inquiries Good morning, I know many of you have received inquires from journalists looking to cover the Board's decision to put President McClure on administrative leave. Each of you need to make your own decisions about whether you want to respond to the inquires, it is a matter of free speech. Please know that you are under no obligation to speak or provide comment, but if you choose to do so, you should make it clear that you are speaking as an individual and not on behalf of the university. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Matt Nehring Acting President Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Physics Professor
February 19, 2018 at 9:50pm This is all sad, but welcomed news. Governance, i.e. the board of trustees are just as accountable as the President. They all need to be replaced and held to account for letting things get out of hand in the first place. I hope they are exposed for what they let happen. They are making a scapegoat out of the president for their lack of oversight and covering up their own incompetence. That simple. I’m so embarrassed to say I went to Adams State. From top down the school is mismanaged and the children of the San Luis Valley are exploited. This is the real tragedy. My kids will not go to this school when they are ready nor a dime of my money. Shame. - AAron
February 19, 2018 at 8:30pm One of Crowther's favorite sayings: Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one. And what kind of parasite does it take to defend the rats that are destroying the barn from within? Queen rat is gone, you parasites better scurry away and hide.
February 19, 2018 at 8:01pm Some of this news coverage gives the Board too much credit. They sat there silently after her Halloween spectacle, never issuing a public statement denouncing her behavior. "No problems here. She's wonderful."
February 19, 2018 at 8:00pm 6:38 pm - You hit the nail right on the head. Although it was paramount that Bev be dealt with one can’t overlook the fact that her sycophants were already in the business of skulduggery, lechery of various kinds and thievery at ASU before Bev ever got there and they need to be dealt with. If not they will only corrupt (at least try to anyway) the next person to take the helm of ASU. What needs to happen is to find out the root of their immunity and deal with them. Some have been around since Wueste.
February 19, 2018 at 6:38pm From US to U.K., what a shameful day for ASU, for her sycophants, and for the BoT who did not fire her earlier. A shameful day especially for Arnold Salazar. I feel for the hard working, honest and dedicated employees of ASU, and the students who came to ASU in search of a dream and a future - they absolutely do not deserve this day. They have been let down by the BoT who let this cheapness and fiasco continue for many years... sad!
February 19, 2018 at 4:08pm I see that Otero Junior College is hiring a new president. I hope they receive letters of dis-recommendation against McClure.
February 19, 2018 at 3:50pm McDonald's is hiring assistant managers in Clovis, NM.
February 19, 2018 at 2:18pm Question: who in their right mind would hire Beverlee McClure after reading today's article in the Denver Post? Adams State places president on leave amid uproar over bullying, offensive Halloween costume
February 19, 2018 at 10:30am Feb. 18 @ 9:39am - That sounds like what the custodial department has gone through for the last 10+ years.
February 18, 2018 at 9:49pm Sadly, this doesn't bring any of the good people who have left back. And, I'm sure, we'll lose more to right sizing.
February 18, 2018 at 8:12pm Feb 18 @ 12:10 - Yes, Karla Hardesty needs to go - yesterday. During her tenure as executive director in enrollment management, we have seen the most significant declines in enrollment in our institution's most recent history. She helped to run off Eric Carpio by consistently throwing him under the bus to McClure, not to mention her negativity toward her previous supervisor - a person who supported her at every turn, even though he knew her deficiencies. Yet she stabbed him in the back, as well. These are the two individuals in addition to Michelle Romero who grew enrollments in historic ways. Karla couldn't even get the dang director position filled... search failed! Karla FAILURE! I wouldn't hire her to manage my lunch break. Cut the fat? Yes! Let's start with an overpaid chameleon, two faced, worthless excuse for a human. Talk about promoted WAY beyond your abilities. But that's what Bev liked - "less than"... made her "shine." Ha!
February 18, 2018 at 12:10pm If enrollment has been on the decline for all these years and there has been no prior intervention, shouldn't another mean girl be on the list now that her protector is gone?
February 18, 2018 at 9:39am Good article: Dominant Leaders are Bad for Groups. Why Do They Succeed? - Dominance involves using power, coercion, and intimidation in group situations. [Hi Bev, bye Bev] - Dominance works as a tool to gain power, if not respect, but generally douses a group’s well-being. [ASU is so much better off after Bev's reign of terror.] - Dominant workers tend to exhibit arrogance, superiority, and conceit. They have higher-than-average levels of aggressive, disagreeable, manipulative personality traits. Dominant people also score highly in the traits known as the ‘dark triad’: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. [Narcissist definitely; psychopath probably] - In groups, dominant members tend to view others as either allies or foes, to evaluate people’s usefulness in attaining goals, and to show a hunger for power. [We hold these truths to be self-evident.] - Leaders high in dominance go to great lengths to safeguard their power, even at the cost of the group. They want to coerce others through reward and punishment. They often view talented group members as threats. [Poor Chris Gilmer] - Dominance-oriented leaders ostracized a talented group member and chose instead to work with an incompetent one. [Chris vs. Margaret, Kurt, Tracy] - They isolated their subordinates and prevented them from bonding with one another, because alliances among subordinates were viewed as posing potential threats. [Just polarize the whole campus and things will be swell.]
February 17, 2018 at 5:05pm Yes, I want to know if Ana Guevara and Leslie Alvarez were less smug and vindictive this past week...
February 17, 2018 at 4:10pm Where are all the strident Mean Girls now that their queen bee is under duress? Why are they not openly rallying to her cause? Who is organizing the support parade? Bueller? Bueller? Margo? Heather? Tracy? Thought not. Fair weather opportunists and bullies, the lot of you. Stay as still and quiet as you can, but you won’t find a rock big enough to hide under. The game has changed, the reckoning is coming. As others have said, we’re just 15% of the way there. Matt, we’re counting on you to clean house.
February 17, 2018 at 1:54pm And don't forget Frank Novotny. He was right in the thick of those decisions along with Svaldi and Mansheim. Right-sizing Novotny out the door would save two entire professors' salaries.
February 17, 2018 at 9:35am February 16, 2018 at 2:28pm - Don't forget Heather Heersink.
February 16, 2018 at 7:57pm 2:28 wrote: "Unsustainable debt service obligations are among the main reasons ASU was audited for poor financial performance and had its credit rating downgraded." And if you read the HLC report, it sounds like administrators were cooking the books. Had they not, HLC would have come down on us earlier. [On page 38]: "Both the overall Composite Financial Index (CFI) as well as ratios which comprise the Index raise concerns about the financial operations of, and fiscal resources available to, the institution. The peer review team was unable to verify the FY 2013 CFI and while on site, requested that the institution recalculate this index. The recalculated CFI worksheet is in the addendum area of the assurance system. Upon institutional recalculation, the CFI dropped from the previously reported 1.40 to (0.06). [Oops, we don't math good here at ASU.] Had this been calculated correctly upon submission in November 2014, it would have triggered a Financial Panel Review because it was below zone and was a second consecutive year with the CFI in or below zone. The past five fiscal years have shown a CFI range of 1.90 five years ago to 0.48 for the most recently submitted CFI for FY 2016. All those years would have indicated the institution should 'assess debt and Department of Education compliance and remediation Issues' and 'consider substantive programmatic adjustments.'" Next paragraph [on page 39]: "Operating results indicate ASU has not been living within available resources (Ibid, p. 107). 'A continuing decline or pattern of deficits is a warning signal that management and the governing board should focus on restricting the institution’s income and expense streams to return to an acceptable net operating revenues ratios' (Ibid, p. 128)."
February 16, 2018 at 2:28pm Let's also not forget the amount of capital construction debt the university incurred in support of the bottomless money pit that is ASU football. Unsustainable debt service obligations are among the main reasons ASU was audited for poor financial performance and had its credit rating downgraded. We can thank Svaldi, Mansheim, and the 2010-2014 BOT members for that.
February 15, 2018 at 10:07pm Regarding the comment about the football team, the unfortunate truth is, yes, the 90-100 students currently paying tuition to play football at ASU bring in at least $1 million per year, if not more. However, a large percentage of this is paid for by student loans, which players take on with the hollow promise of being able to make it to the pros. Of course, we all know, nobody playing football at ASU makes it to the pros. A similar story could be told of multiple other students playing sports at ASU. In other words, a very large percentage of students at ASU are going into debt to play sports, not earn a degree. ASU's extremely low graduation rates confirm this tendency.
February 15, 2018 at 11:48am Football brings in $13,500 to the campus but costs just over a $1,000,000 to keep running. Just me thinking, but is that justifiable for a team that barely wins any games? Do they bring in enough tuition that the costs are offset? Personally, I don't care either way, but it seems like there's a lot of waste in several of their programs. If they offset the costs I can see it being useful, but if it is putting ASU even further in debt, then we can probably do without them. Any information that I'm missing?
February 14, 2018 at 9:47pm Ultimate irony: Ledonne has been allowed back on campus ever since ASU lost the ACLU lawsuit, but McClure is a Persona Non Grata.
February 14, 2018 at 7:45am To what is the "watching the watchers" comment referring? Are you talking about the fact that Bev has Computing Services monitoring certain people?
February 14, 2018 at 7:42am It looks like the Board had its own vote of no confidence. So many happy faces on campus, in spite of imminent layoffs. Tells you something about Bev's management skills.
February 13, 2018 at 5:45pm A leave of absence/administrative leave is what ASU always does to show the mirage of them doing something to someone in a managerial type of job. It’s their way of playing with our emotions only to leave us deflated when the person returns. They never return with a hint of humility, remorse or change. They come back with vengeance on their breath. I’ve witnessed it before.
February 13, 2018 at 4:05pm What I read is the careful legal language of a university that doesn't want to get sued for breach of contract. Thanks for sticking her with us for three more years, Arnold. Yuck! But could McClure really be seen as a legitimate leader at this point? The Courier already reported on this story. We're all moving on without her toxic brand of leadership. We don't want her back. Bottom line: MCCLURE MUST GO. If the Board is somehow daft enough to put her back in the job or if she twists their arm into reinstating her, it's up to the students, faculty, staff, and community to refuse her leadership and demand her resignation. ASU can no longer afford her "expertise."
February 13, 2018 at 3:49pm 3:35pm - Nehring's photo was posted on two webpages earlier today. Now they are switched back to McClure's. If you read the announcement, McClure was put on the "leave of absence" - not "fired". Huge difference there. I have a gut feeling that she is not going anywhere.
February 13, 2018 at 3:35pm 3:18pm - I'm not convinced. I checked last night and that profile was still there - had it ever been changed? ASU is notoriously bad about updating their campus directories and info pages. The campus announcement of McClure's removal is still online.
February 13, 2018 at 3:18pm It seems like McClure is not going anywhere... Profile has been switched back. We are all back to square one.
February 13, 2018 at 11:06am If we are cleaning the swamps, let's work on Heather Brooks next. She is a Beverlee Clone.
February 13, 2018 at 10:57am Time to start watching the watchers. The ones doing the most damage are the ones who sit back and watch other people on camera.
February 13, 2018 at 9:41am Glad to see Nehring’s efforts are acknowledged! Notice Margaret is not! She’s part of the Problem. Hmmmm, why didn’t she assume interim President? Cause she worthless! Move her out too, then pack up Tracy Rogers and Anna Guevara! We are making great stories, folks! Clean out the riff-raff! 2018 is looking clearer!
February 13, 2018 at 8:46am February 12, 2018 at 9:04pm - 8:42 is correct. Stopping with McClure would be a mistake; only about 15% of the necessary job. McClure is out. Ding dong the witch is dead. Bye. Get out of town. McClure has 1 1/2 years of salary guaranteed due to the Board’s decision last year. What a blunder. Next to go should be those that were paid $150k that built their secret society. Next to go will be key administrators in Athletics once financial malfeasance, cronyism, and their power over the ASU NCAA Compliance officer who interprets rules and eligibility decisions becomes public information. Next should be the HR Director. What a joke of a professional. Bye. Go away. You are horrible at your job. A good start for Adams State. But this initial cleansing should be just the beginning. Accountability now must become transparent.
February 13, 2018 at 8:40am
February 13, 2018 at 7:47am February 10, 2018 at 8:35am - who said anything about trashing other schools? Of course it's about promoting ASU's many pluses. Now that the constantly boorish Beverley has been given the chop, perhaps you McClones will get an attitude readjustment and stop being so negative.
February 13, 2018 at 7:21am McClure gets the boot, now that's what I call "right-sizing." Looking forward to a better future for ASU.
February 13, 2018 at 5:15am Replying back to February 12, 2018 at 9:01pm - I hear you, and I do thank the members of the board who acted. I do see many fresh faces and agree that they are likely the ones to credit for this important decision. As individuals, they are certainly to be applauded. As a governing body with fiduciary oversight, it still must be said that the board took far too long to act. The board collectively bears responsibility. I’d love nothing better than to roll up sleeves alongside you to rebuild ASU, but I am now among the innumerable departed. Wishing everyone who remains Godspeed.
February 13, 2018 at 4:57am While I agree that those who aided and abetted McClure’s actions need to go, they need to dig even deeper than that. There still remains those who were involved in many forms of skulduggery before she ever even worked at ASU and not just out of RH.
February 12, 2018 at 10:33pm When Waddell and Elison disagreed with the former president on one legal issue, she called them sexist. So I'm guessing she will accuse the entire Board or entire university of sexism and try to sue.
February 12, 2018 at 9:04pm 8:42 is correct. Stopping with McClure would be a mistake; only about 15% of the necessary job.
February 12, 2018 at 9:01pm Dear February 12 @ 8:42 - I completely agree with you on all points. I would just ask that you be aware of how board membership changes -- every year -- with new membership. I think it is at least worth thanking those newer members who were not on the the board at the time of her hiring. I believe they have undone a grave injustice previous (and some current) members committed. The bottom line: Yes, it's time for a number of individuals, who aided and abetted her actions, to go. But importantly, let the rest of us come together and work with our new president to fix our institution.
February 12, 2018 at 8:42pm The board should have taken action long ago, so sorry - I just can’t bring myself to pat them on the back. Far too many lives destroyed over the past few years while they fawned and diddled, far too many good people gone. If they wish to earn back half of our respect, we’ll need to see more heads start rolling. Quickly. Let’s begin with Margaret. And all of HR. And Novotny should be called to account, no matter what his current title.
February 12, 2018 at 8:14pm Hallelujah! After two years of the reign of terror, "Her Royal Highness" McClure is out! Now if the board and President Nehring simply allow the appropriate dominoes to fall, we will likely solve next year's $2 million budget deficit. Nice work, Board! We all are breathing a little easier tonight - well, except her evil minions.
February 12, 2018 at 8:03pm Big news! McClure is out! Pack your bags! Hire the moving van! I don't care where you go but you cant stay here!
February 12, 2018 at 7:41pm Wow! Board of Trustees you took the initiative, finally! President Nehring that has a good ring to it.
February 10, 2018 at 8:35am The Feb. 7 @ 1:37 really got it wrong on recruiting. He/she wrote about recruiters "Their job is to convince prospective students NOT to go to other universities." No. No! NO!! And hell no!!! You don't recruit by trashing other schools. You recruit by promoting the many pluses of Adams, and help prospects understand how it can be a great choice for them. You don't sell Fords by trashing Toyotas, sell State Farm Insurance by talking badly about New York Life. It's a losers game. But that is why it made sense to the writer. He/she also asked "Do you seriously think a new faculty can negotiate a $100K salary?" No, they cannot. Nor did those on the Oregon Trail find homes built and fields cleared and plowed. They traveled with a dream and backbone, ambition and grit, and built the territory and some their fortunes. So it is at Adams, and any university. It is not your entry level salary that defines you, it is what you do with it and yourself. There is opportunity for those with ambition, dream, backbone, and grit, as evidenced by those here who have achieved. You know them. They are the ones you often wail against because they have exactly that. But then Adams has an undercurrent of anti-achievement. Interestingly someone calling an employee a "phony" for serving in leadership on a school board. That's as un-phony and legit as you can get. Another poster rightly explains it - yes, we value community service. Those who have shown leadership at Adams have also shown it in their communities. Serving in Rotary and Kiwanis, Boys and Girls Clubs, numerous valley school boards, credit union boards, as mayors and city councilors, on the Chamber board, heading up the SLV "branding" initiative, tourism boards, and on and on. Adams State is valued in the Valley far more than by some who draw their pay here value it. Thank you Ms. Romero, and all the others who step forward, lean in to the work and make the university and the Valley a better place. And someone wrote "gag me." That would be nice. But you gag yourself by showing how repulsed you are by good work, achievement, leadership, contribution to the Valley, service, and all of the other things you don't have within you to do. Just criticize. Yes, "gag" you would be a good choice.
February 9, 2018 at 9:08am It's all BS. Not one person in administration knows what to do. Maybe Dr. Nehring & Mr. Simpson could right size & fix things, the problem is they are surrounded by leaches. Forget crumbling, admissions is now shattered.
February 8, 2018 at 12:56pm Feb 7th, 9:19 p.m. - Erica does a wonderful job as ASD School Board President and as a parent of a student in the district, I’m grateful she chooses to serve in that role. If you, too, are interested in serving our community, consider attending the Feb 20 Information Session hosted by the ASU Center for Civic Engagement. ASU’s mission specifically mentions inspiring others, so I think you’d find it helpful to learn about how faculty and staff can promote community service and civic responsibility. We need more of that kind of representation rather than unhelpful negativity and petty jealousy.
February 7, 2018 at 9:19pm Re: February 4th and Erica Romero - In today’s Valley Courier article, it’s nice to see Ms. Romero taking ASU time for photos and school board duties! What a dedicated woman. NOT! What a Phony! Gag me!
February 7, 2018 at 1:37pm February 5, 2018 at 11:05am - You seemed to have missed the point. You say that "she [everyone's daughter] determines her future, not college recruiters." That's right, but college recruiters determine the college's future, or are a pivotal part of that future. Their job is to convince prospective students NOT to go to other universities, but come to ASU. Yes, Michael Mumper is a good teacher and works hard. But so are, and do, most other professors. His over-the-moon salary has nothing to do with his teaching ability or work ethic. It is the result of a golden parachute built into his original employment contract. Nothing more! How many other teaching faculty get $122,000 a year (excluding those who participated in the Extended Studies scam that crashed ASU's national reputation; or like Novotny, who got a similar lucrative landing)? Let's face it: when the university is heading for financial collapse and mass lay-offs are expected, do you really think a new faculty recruit can seriously negotiate a $100K-plus salary? I mean, seriously?
February 5, 2018 at 11:05am To Feb, 4 @ 10:54, I'm sensing some anger. The "screw ASU," says more about you than about ASU. If your daughter is recruited by Stanford, she should go. If she desires to go to ASU, she should go, and not wait for someone else to ask. She determines her future, not college recruiters. And btw, we are all ELL in this country. Nothing special about it. To others, regarding Michael Mumper earning $122K, that's great. He is a good teacher, created the MPA program and works hard. He should be an inspiration, along with other ambitious faculty who earn over $100K. That's a great incentive, and a great tool for recruiting new faculty - the opportunity is here. Make something of it, and of yourself. Regarding Melissa Freeman, yes, cut the fat. She has no talent and contributes nothing in exchange for her toxic personality and granted $69,000 salary. The grant is a farce, and it only enables her. We would be better without both.
February 5, 2018 at 9:02am @February 4th: Lots of goodies for those 2nd graders too! T Shirts, water bottles and photos. Very interesting. Meanwhile, at home in the Valley, Western State admissions counselors are busy doing their jobs! Talking with HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS about attending college and giving them goodies! If the University can afford to send 4 Adams State representatives to visit a classroom of 2nd graders in Pueblo, why is there any concern about financial hardship? P.S. Has anyone seen the Mesa State commercial?
February 4, 2018 at 10:54pm Read the Chietain earlier. The mascot was in Pueblo elementary school. Have they ever taken him/her to the elementary schools around the valley? Isn’t Erica the President of the Alamosa School Board? Where is the recruiting there? Or are Pueblo kids more important than valley kids? Maybe they can get more “gifted” kids from out of the valley? My kid is an ELL student. Recruit her! Oh wait, she’s not G/T. She won’t fit in with your “ASU” kids. Maybe CSUP will be more open to having her there. No wonder full time enrollment is down. Screw you, ASU! My parents fought to have the right to have their kids educated. Now you people are pissing on that. I’m done with ASU! Sad! So sad! Make ASU great again!
February 1, 2018 at 5:55pm Who, during this very critical time, is managing admissions? The "search" for a new director was a failure. So what? Will there be a new search or will the blind continue to lead the blind? Those with firsthand knowledge tell me the application count for fall is down. Seriously down! There has been ZERO out of state recruitment since last fall. Who knows what the recruiter assigned to the much sought after and needed San Luis Valley does all day? Can we rely solely on the Metro areas and transfer coordinator to save us all? No enrollment = no money. What are they doing down there? Who is in charge?
February 1, 2018 at 11:45am Here are some more numbers: According to this website's ASU EMPLOYEE SALARY DATA, the highest paid faculty member is Michael Mumper. He is paid $122,280 per year to teach political science. He is past retirement age. His wife, Melissa Freeman is the Title V grant activity director. She is paid $69,768 per year to do a job she created for herself. Together, this husband/wife team make $192,048 at Adams State University. If the powers that be are paying attention to waste and corruption, this seems a good place to start. Adams State University is well on the way to becoming "Adams High Altitude Sports Training and Conference Center". It's the only way to actually increase income for the institution. Higher Education is on the way out. With enough grant money, they may also be able to continue the Migrant Program. I'm sure Ms. Freeman already has plans for this. Adams State is so top heavy with administration, that faculty have become an extraneous liability. But Adams State faculty members cannot punch their way out of a paper bag. What administration and faculty do well is meetings, workshops, and retreats. The hot air exchange would rival the Albuquerque balloon festival. Trim the fat - Mumper & Freeman. Save your breath.
January 31, 2018 at 10:22am Dear Mike, As a former employee of ASU's Business School, you of all people should be judging ASU on its financial performance. Wasn't it you who used to say in class; "Count the numbers cos the numbers count"? Here are the numbers - again! Enrollment numbers have been declining for years. Student retention numbers have been declining for years. Graduation numbers have been declining for years. Debt has been going up for years. Salaries in real terms for teaching staff have been static or declining in real terms for years, while at the same time, overall, salaries in real terms for members of the executive team, senior administrators and coaches have been going up. You can whine about the whiners, moan about the moaners and criticize the critics. But, Mike, the numbers remain the same. Any accountant, banker, financial adviser, business school professor - and even 101 business students - can see that. And even 101 business school students know that if you just keep cutting costs - that's McClure's only plan - without increasing your income, then your business - in this case, ASU - cannot possibly survive. The numbers say it's so. So, as a "business expert" how about you propose some ideas to improve the numbers instead of whining like the other whiners.
January 30, 2018 at 8:20am @Jan 30th @ 6:57am - I don’t see anyone bashing the people who pay them. I have seen no taxpayers or students getting bashed. Let us all remember who is paying everyone at ASU: students and taxpayers. The big issue is the elitist attitude of people like you in thinking that it is somehow your money that runs the institution, it is not. It is my money, as a former student, and my money, as a taxpayer. I am an alumnus and I am disgusted at what is happening to MY institution. FYI, I am not an employee. FYI, I was always listed as a donor in the A-stater and not at the $100 level. I am no longer a donor and will not be until I see the student numbers back where they should be: double what they are now. I hope you guys get it figured out because Adams used to be great. Now... meh.
January 30, 2018 at 7:34am Re: January 30 @ 6:57am - Mike Tomlin, just give it a rest. You will never be hired back at ASU, much less be our next president. People not only don't like you, they don't respect you. Go write another "bathroom read" to earn your keep. Maybe the topic of "how to get away with harassment."
January 30, 2018 at 6:57am Dear January 25th and your "For the sake of our families please tell us." Did you ever consider for the sake of your family just doing your job? Keeping your yap shut? Not criticizing the very people who pay you? But then, no. The self pity and class envy crowd at Adams exposes itself daily. You also wrote: "I wonder how much time and consideration will be given to those of us who are likely to get the axe? Will we get letters of recommendation?" And "Will Princess McClure sacrifice her bonus during this 'really really difficult time'?" Right, trash the president and ask for a letter of recommendation. Smart. Hopefully you will get no time and consideration. Hopefully you will not get a letter of recommendation - and hey recommendation for what? What would it say? "Hire this person and they will undercut you and your administration anonymously, cowardly, and help create unrest at your workplace." I'm sure there is a "letter" ready for you and others. Call HR and make an appointment to pick it up, and turn in your keys. It will make the Committee of 21's work a lot easier. And it will make Adams a lot better.
January 30, 2018 at 12:15am In reference to: January 29, 2018 at 5:24pm - “Looking at Google Drive will give you the names of those on the “Committee is 21” and I can assure you here are a couple of names contained therein that are definitely on the outside and have taken a stand against McClure publicly.” Please do share who of the 21 have taken a stand against McClure publicly? This would be interesting to seek discussion with these individuals regarding the meeting and their work.
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January 29, 2018 at 5:24pm Looking at Google Drive will give you the names of those on the “Committee is 21” and I can assure you here are a couple of names contained therein that are definitely on the outside and have taken a stand against McClure publicly.
January 29, 2018 at 4:23pm Here's a relevant article from today's Chronicle Vitae: Off the Team and Out of a Job: What do you do when you’re not included in the new president’s plans?
January 25, 2018 at 7:33pm I wonder how much time and consideration will be given to those of us who are likely to get the axe? Will we get letters of recommendation? What about our families? How many children are going to lose health insurance? How many people may not be able to make house payments? Will Princess McClure sacrifice her bonus during this "really really difficult time"? At the very very least don't we deserve an exit interview, directly with the board? I wish someone, anyone, would just tell the truth. If they were hoping for 5 classified to take early retirement, only to rehire 3, just to save $50k, does that mean at least 25 jobs are on the chopping block? Who were the last 25 hired? Billy Adams is likely rolling in his grave. Just tell us how long we have! We are more than just some 900# collecting paychecks. Please!!! Professors aren't at risk. Mr. Lopez is good to go. All of those riding out the storm on the coats of those of us answering the phones, you are safe. Please, for the sake of our families, just tell us. This is the last chance for any of you to do something right. It's going to be hard enough. Don't blind side us.
January 25, 2018 at 6:34pm Re: January 25 @ 1:56pm - Hear! Hear! Mikey--you resigned, albeit late, thus leaving your department in a lurch like the vindictive a$$ you are (are those dollar signs as good as the ones in the crosswalk?). Given that resignation and your personnel problems, your opinion carries little weight. And frankly, you have no professional credibility. A twice (at least) fired harasser. Maybe that would be a good review for Amazon.
January 25, 2018 at 1:56pm The saddest thing about 'January 25, 2018 at 8:08am' is that the ghost of Michael Tomlin continues to haunt ASU even after he was exorcised from his chair position and eventually from campus for multiple accounts of very bad behavior. "The power of personnel files compels you!" Here's a gem: "Unfortunately, there's the occasional dumb ass, too self-absorbed in their own pity to be of any value." - Now there's a "Rock Solid Lesson" for Tomlin! It may be time for him to take a "Hard Look" in the mirror and stop peddling his unending allegiance to ASU's "management" when it has so obviously and repeatedly failed ASU's students, staff, faculty and Colorado taxpayers. Give it a rest already, Mike. Your complicity in ASU's online and on-campus abuse of class sections and course overloads has only made things tougher for the good people at Adams State.
January 25, 2018 at 12:03pm to January 25, 2018 at 8:08am - “Sometimes this site is saddening about the future of America. The questions asked have to make you wonder how some people who can evidently read and write, simply not know basic things. It seemed like this...:” My concern is the future of Adams State. -graduation rates -professors stealing from ASU and still working at ASU with zero accountability -mounting debt that can’t be restructured or paid If you are not on the committee of 21, you are on the outside. “When you sit down at the poker table and you can’t find the fish during the first few hands then you are the fish.”
January 25, 2018 at 10:56am 1/25/18@8:08am - “Management”...use of this word saddens me about the future of higher education as a whole, never mind our school. Higher education is not a business. It is a social good. Treating it as anything otherwise is precisely how Adams fell to its sad current state. Universities don’t have “management”. They have administrations and boards, whose respective responsibilities are to safeguard the operational and fiduciary health of the institution so that the faculty - a school’s true organizational leaders - can focus on their core educational mission. It’s a tragedy that more ASU faculty don’t realize this and hold administration and the board accountable for the current state of affairs.
January 25, 2018 at 8:08am Sometimes this site is saddening about the future of America. The questions asked have to make you wonder how some people who can evidently read and write, simply not know basic things. It seemed like this...: > Who picked the Committee of 21? > What is the Committee of 21? > What is a Committee? > What is 21? Earth to employees everywhere - management probably picked the committee. You see, when you take a job you work for people who are appointed to jobs at higher rank than you. That gives them the responsibility to do the pickin'. This happens at places other than Adams too. If you didn't know about the committee, try going to campus meetings. If that doesn't help, then ask your supervisor. If they don't know and you are faculty, ask the faculty senate president. He will know. If you are staff, ask your staff council president. She will know. Sometimes it's not questions on this site but rather statements that boggle the mind. Someone wrote "I saw new Hispanic students looking for where they might be served." Were they newly Hispanic, or just new students? Did you help them find a place, maybe a place that serves only new Hispanic students, or did you just watch them as they looked, and then walk away? Of course a good strategy would have been to aim them at a faculty member or departmental assistant. They are famous for helping all students, not just those newly Hispanic. You can walk them to the One Stop, or really anyplace on campus and ask a staff employee to help this student, since you don't know how to help students. I'll bet our good staffers will ask questions, or make a call and get the student help. Life on campus is pretty good, with a lot of good employees who help people everyday. Unfortunately, there's the occasional dumb ass, too self-absorbed in their own pity to be of any value. Hopefully the Committee of 21 will keep the right ones.
January 25, 2018 at 7:31am January 24 @ 11:22am - Ok, I'll bite. What are the "actual facts"? Thanks.
January 24, 2018 at 11:22am January 22, @10:44am - Perhaps you should check actual facts before spewing stupidity.
January 24, 2018 at 7:34am What's the committee of 21?
January 23, 2018 at 8:56pm So this "committee" of 21... who decided that they should keep their jobs?
January 22, 2018 at 10:44am How timely was Bishop’s “departure” from ASU? How timely was her “return”? She never truly left, her leaving was a smokescreen on so many levels most notably the fact her departure coincided with the investigation and her return happened as soon as the HLC suggested ASU be taken off probation. One thing she excelled in is information so the new job title is fitting. “Miss Information” should be her proper title.
January 22, 2018 at 10:19am Just watch how Ed dumps his coffee and the grinds into the water fountains and you will see how he truly feels about those “beneath him”...
January 22, 2018 at 9:53am Wait! Where’s or where was this position posted? “Chief Information Officer, reporting to Kevin.”
January 21, 2018 at 1:17pm January 20, 2018 at 9:02am - “One week under our belt and no comments here about the joy of seeing our students, or the buzz around campus with the new semester beginning, or the happy new year greetings as we see our colleagues and coworkers following the holidays. Well that is how it was for me - a good week, and energizing. (Mostly) good people doing their work, and of course our great students.” To Jan 20 at 9:02am - You can find uplifting, spin cycle stories on the ASU website “Great Stories Begin Here”. This site is only for truth to be exposed mostly anonymously and not be fired. I saw 5 Professors that have averaged $140k per year the last 3-4 years still stalking the coffers of ASU, an AD that got a $30k raise 4 years ago from Svaldi (hush money), tried to guess the 17% of the new Freshmen destined to graduate in 4 years or the 28-30% that will graduate in 6 years...walking the campus headed to turn their loans over to ASU...I saw new Hispanic students looking for where “they might be served”, saw 700 athletes dressed in new UA and NB warm-ups walking to classes (ok only 300+ with the rest in bed) I don’t want ASU to close. Period. I just want the thieves and cronies gone. ASU needs a cleansing from the top down. Any shareholders of this company would and should demand this. Let’s go to the board and get new leaders... never mind.
January 21, 2018 at 3:17am Chief Information Officer, reporting to Kevin.
January 21, 2018 at 12:03am In reference to this: “ASU has hired a new assistant CIO--Tracey Bishop. What is a CIO & where is She located ?
January 20, 2018 at 9:25am I have attended my share of Crowther’s talks and he has proven himself to be the last person to lecture anyone on Martin Luther King, Jr. Despite all of his posturing about supporting the oppressed and vulnerable, Crowther has regularly made a practice of standing with the powerful and corrupt to advance his own career or merely just to side with the administration instead of faculty.
January 20, 2018 at 9:02am One week under our belt and no comments here about the joy of seeing our students, or the buzz around campus with the new semester beginning, or the happy new year greetings as we see our colleagues and coworkers following the holidays. Well that is how it was for me - a good week, and energizing. (Mostly) good people doing their work, and of course our great students. But then others of you live in your self-pitying unhappy little world. Posting here about who to fire and listing people who have already left, presumably just to trash their names. Classy. You list professor Crowther - did you attend his MLK presentation? What was your contribution to the event? And then the gossips - "I heard she tried to empathize," and "I heard she walked off the stage when she was done." You "I heards" out there should go to the meetings, and not live in your "I heard" gossip world, or get your jollies by spreading your "I heard" trash talk. You are the virus, the phlegm, that has infected our campus. The President is not easy to like, but she is leading us in the right direction, and the Board is finally getting its proper legs under it. Let's work to improve our university and make positive differences in our students' lives. Those are far better outcomes than at the end of the day knowing that your only contribution to life was that you spread "I heard" gossip.
January 19, 2018 at 6:02pm Reading past today's misleadingly cheerful Courier headline, the article itself makes one thing clear: Plan B has been Plan A for years now and the Adams State Hunger Games have begun: "Cuts have yet to be implemented, but the board stressed on Wednesday that the in-progress contingency plan is now ASU's regular financial plan. "This is our financial plan," said ASU Board of Trustees Chair Cleave Simpson. "It is no longer contingent on something. This is what we have to do. We're committed to working with everyone involved to truly make this successful and it's going to be truly difficult." ... And we should be impressed that the Board canceled their retreat in San Francisco in favor of "as local as possible and as cheap as possible"? Why did the Board think it was a good idea to charge ASU students and CO taxpayers to go to San Francisco to begin with? McClure should triple her salary, then reduce it by two-thirds, then praise herself on her financial discipline in the Valley Courier's next edition!
January 19, 2018 at 7:21am I heard President McClure walked off stage as soon as she finished her last sentence with no chance for questions. Scared? I also heard her attempt to empathize with how stressful this is fell flat. Any other impressions of our great leader?
January 18, 2018 at 6:27pm The criteria for who to fire are incomplete. They should start with the people who put us in this situation, those who ran up our debt to unpayable levels, and those who are responsible for the HLC probation. Let's start with Novotny 1 and Novotny 2, Jill Coddington, Benjamin Longfellow, Kristen Scott, Elizabeth Hensley, Linda Reid, Bill Schlaufman, Bill Mansheim, Walter Roybal, and Ed Crowther. Of course, some of these people have escaped from ASU unscathed.
January 18, 2018 at 2:04pm Who's bringing popcorn to the campus meeting? I have a feeling we are in for a long one.
January 17, 2018 at 12:01pm As HR seeks volunteers for early retirement buyouts, and the right sizing committee begins its deliberations on who to fire, ASU has hired a new assistant CIO--Tracey Bishop. Wow! Just wow!
January 15, 2018 at 6:24pm @January 15, 11:30 am - Awesome way to clarify how petty and immature, not to mention paranoid, recent comments that have taken an all time low. However, I am still seeking clarification on the size of a cockroach's behind and its capacity to carry around a wart?
January 15, 2018 at 11:30am To respond to a few recent posts: Adams may monitor your email - duh! If you are an employee then you likely signed an agreement for use of a computer and/or an email account. This is a work account and it is owned by the employer. There is NO promise of privacy. Many large employers regularly monitor employee's email, this is not unusual. Having said that, Adams does not waste much time or money checking employee emails, but it should be remembered that what you write on your account is for work, on work equipment, and should only contain work content. Kurt and Ed are tight, so beware - right, and Donny and Marie are siblings, Rob knows rocks, Tammy and Lori are co-workers, and I am pretty sure Jimmy cracked corn. There is some useful information. All of which will help us with HLC, I'm sure. Kurt listens to conversations - okay. If it's on campus hopefully he'll catch you discussing how to increase math pass rates, or improve retention, or effective recruiting strategies, or teaching techniques that work. Or wait, is he more likely to hear you bitching about your work, trashing the people who hired you and pay your salary, or otherwise undercutting your employer and fellow employees? If so, that's on you, not him. Who cares who is listening? Just do your job.
January 12, 2018 at 1:24pm I suspect they monitor personal email, as well. Anything accessed via ASU computers could be compromised.
January 12, 2018 at 5:10am Kurt Cary and Ed Crowther are tight so beware of both.
January 11, 2018 at 11:38am Jan 11 10:35am - Kurt Cary is no better than a wart on the behind of a cockroach. And he's not the only nor is that the only tactic. Be very careful about what you do on university computers, using your university email account and be careful around any security cameras. They do watch and listen.
January 11, 2018 at 10:35am Watch what you say and do. Kurt Cary goes all over campus and listens to conversations. He’ll even hide in a room with the lights off and listen.
January 10, 2018 at 6:07pm ASU refused to release the draft report on January 8. Then they turn around and release the final report on January 10? Perhaps CORA violation? Certainly suspicious!
January 10, 2018 at 3:20pm The following email was sent to all ASU employees on Jan 10, 2018 at 3:13 PM: From: Office of the President Subject: HLC Visiting Team Final Report... Please see the following message from President McClure: Dear Faculty and Staff: As we begin a new semester, I wanted to share some positive developments around our most recent correspondence with the site visiting team of the Higher Learning Commission. Following its comprehensive visit this past November to consider reaffirmation of accreditation, the HLC site visiting team is recommending that the sanction of Probation be removed for Adams State and commends ASU for the progress it’s made in addressing prior HLC concerns and resolving federal compliance concerns. It is important to note that this is only a recommendation and that both the Institutional Action Council (IAC) and the HLC Board have full discretion to disagree with the underlying findings and/or recommendation of the visiting team, and the HLC Board has other options at its disposal should it determine, based on the evidence, that a different or less favorable outcome is warranted. Certainly we all should be “cautiously optimistic” that the HLC Board will adopt the recommendation of removing the Probation sanction when it meets this summer. There is no question based on the site visiting team’s full review and recommendations that the hard work and intensive hours many of you put into the site team’s visit this past November led to the positive recommendation. Adams State was placed on probation in 2016, mostly due to a lack of oversight for the online learning and written correspondence course in the Extended Studies program. The site visiting team notes in its recommendations that these concerns have been addressed. There were five core components to the site team’s visit: Mission of the University; Ethical and Responsible Conduct of the University; Teaching and Learning, including Quality, Resources and Support provided by the University; Teacher and Learning components around Evaluation and Improvement; and University Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness. The HLC site visiting team determined Criteria 1, 2, and 3 were “met” and Criteria 4 and 5 were “met with concern.” A follow up visit will be required in 2020. As an institution of higher learning vital to the health and well-being of the San Luis Valley, we look forward to a full review of the site visiting team’s recommendation by the HLC Board. We will continue to share updates as we receive them. In the meantime, it’s onward and upward with Adams State. Please join us January 18 at 4:00 p.m. in Richardson Hall Auditorium for an all-campus update. The full report is located at: https://www.adams.edu/hlc/adams-state-university-final-report.pdf. Have a great spring semester!
January 10, 2018 at 1:57pm Jeff Elison's point is spot on, but doesn't go far enough. Those who whine "we don't care," or "we do nothing," are truly ignorant of the work good people do every day at Adams. Yes, meetings of faculty and staff, students and student leaders, community members, specialists and consultants, and others, all to improve learning opportunities for our students - many who struggle. And truthfully, colleges don't need to do any of that. Adams should be commended. One writer asked about "demographics." We should not care about the divisiveness of demographics. It is not a "demographic" that fails math, or drops out, or incurs student loan debt. It is a person. But that takes us to the very racist "help" programs that are open to some and not to others. One demographic however should be looked at - the large number of SLV area high school graduates who cannot write and cannot pass "grade 13" math.
January 9, 2018 at 8:53am Dear Jan 8: I'll repeat this, I was responding to a question and accusation: "I'm asking what was done and why wasn't there any concern?" I provided facts, data, and an incomplete list of actions. I only used "Title V to support my argument" in that they funded work to address pass rates in remedial math and students not taking advantage of tutoring and other support services. You can't tell me the folks in Title V don't care about pass rates and graduation rates. The meat of my argument is that a bunch of other people (virtually everyone in the Math Dept including adjuncts, me, and a math education consultant) actually took time and effort to do something. I think that partially answers the original question (what was done?) and refutes the accusation that there was no concern. Regarding Title V and racism, I meant I don't know the folks in that office very well. You took that and made a leap to saying I don't "know enough about Title V" and stretched it farther to talking about our students. To answer your question, I have been at ASU seven years. - Jeff Elison
January 9, 2018 at 7:36am While it is a huge injustice that non-Hispanic students feel like they don’t matter here at ASU let’s look at a few alarming things the powers that be are doing. They see being an HSI as a means to stuff their wallets. They are exploiting what it is to be Hispanic for their own selfish gain. Sure, they let us have our CASA and our Cesar Chavez week and let us build hornos and try as we may to keep our traditions and count on the fact that that is enough for us and to a large degree sadly it has been. Then they turn it into a form of demagoguery; again to fatten their bank accounts. As much as I am for keeping and remembering the traditions of such a proud people and culture what the powers that be are counting on is that we remain in the past and celebrate the heroes of yesterday because then no one will rise up and answer the call of today’s cause. As for the people who claim to “help their people”? They only do so because that’s where the money is. We are nothing but job security for them. Bob Marley had it right when he sang, “send us another Brother Moses...”, it’s time for a new generation to rise up. As for those who call for us to give you our names? Know who we are as a people; as human beings first and not just a means to exploit us for gain and job security.
January 9, 2018 at 6:20am @January 8, 2018 at 5:32pm - please explain the demographics to which you are referring to those of us who are unaware?
January 8, 2018 at 5:32pm You not knowing enough about Title V is exactly my point. Yet you use Title V to support your argument. How many years have you been working at Adams, Jeff? You should know as well as Matt Nerhing. Apparently you guys think it's OK not have a better understanding of the demographics of ASU students.
January 7, 2018 at 9:36am January 4, 2018 at 8:49pm wrote: “Wait Jeff. You did not address the first part of the 11:06 PM comment. Accusing the Title V department of being one of the most racist departments on campus." No, I didn't. I was responding to the question about what had been done about low pass rates in remedial math. None of the students in the focus groups mentioned Title V. I don't know enough about Title V to speak to this accusation. However, the next comment made it sound like they only help students with "brown skin." In my brief discussions about the Math 09x studies I did, Title V folks told me that of course the work they were funding would help all students. That was certainly true of all the work I was involved with. Also true of other initiatives they funded, such as bringing in a math education consultant, repeatedly. - Jeff Elison
January 5, 2018 at 8:40pm The biggest function an HSI has is to integrate and not segregate but the latter seems to be the only form of functionality at ASU. LatinX serves a great purpose especially since there are not many Hispanics in places of leadership at ASU but there again it’s only served as a means to segregate especially within LatinX itself! There is more division within LatinX at ASU than there is any hint of unity. Those who claim to “help their people” do so and hold it over their “peoples’” heads in one form or another.
January 5, 2018 at 7:18pm @ 5:48 PM: “Engaño” if you want to imply dishonesty or fraud. “¡Es un robo!” for something priced way too high. I think both apply but I’m sure the CAMP scholarship is available whether you qualify or not. If that’s how they “help their people” count me out.
January 5, 2018 at 7:08pm I think most of the reactions and emotions y'all are sharing are completely valid and I want to thank you all for sharing. In regards to those of you implying that the Hispanic Serving Institution designation is a marketing ploy. Sure. To an extent it can definitely be seen as so, but also understanding the historical context and how we came across such is important as well. I've linked the article below for some background reading on the history of what it means to be an HSI. Honestly, I had no idea what it meant a couple years back. Here's my challenge to our institution as a whole. Most of the ASU community understands we're an "HSI" but also to an extent many of us don't understand how to put it into practice. Right? So ask yourself how many times within our departments have we brought into our meetings, "hey how are we doing in regards to serving our hispanic/ latinx identified student populations?". For me personally, not a whole lot and I'm planning on changing that. So I encourage all of us to engage in these conversations, and really think critically about what actionable steps are next so that we feel like we're achieving our institution wide goal. Bring it up. Set aside from time. Just do it as Shia Lebouf (he was on Disney channel) once said! Don't feel like you can go to the BoT or the President? Start with your colleagues or with yourself and perhaps think of ways to implement it into practice. Doesn't have to be huge, but starting small can have a significant impact! We have a lot of potential this year, I really believe so! Hope y'all had a great holiday The article for though I mentioned before: A Closer Look at Hispanic-Serving Institutions What is "latinx"? Read more here: Rodriguez: The X in LatinX
January 5, 2018 at 5:48pm Yes 2:15pm, I know many former students whose families are more poor, who are in deep student loan debt, and who have no degree at all - thanks to the predatory admissions policies of Adams State University. Given that only 28% of Hispanic students enrolled at ASU earn a degree in 6 years (about half the state's average), the university is engaging in blatantly fraudulent marketing as a designated Hispanic "Serving" Institution. So what's the best way to say "rip off" in Spanish?
January 5, 2018 at 2:15pm Well if ASU is being accused of catering to Hispanics then where does the fault lie when the numbers show a lesser percentage of Hispanics completing their education? Do we let the blame rest at the feet of the students or the people who claim to help “their people”? I don’t see how ASU is a true HSI with those kind of figures. Fact is the students, faculty, staff, community and parents are all being bled dry to line the pockets of the Richardson elite. Everybody serves RH, BOT, HR and the boot lickers who do their bidding.
January 5, 2018 at 10:21am January 5 @ 6:42am - That is the most ludicrous conjecture that has ever been posted. You are delirious. Thanks for the humor. It made our day.
January 5, 2018 at 6:42am Of course the Title V program is racist - by plan, by design, by staffing, by implementation, and by practice. The only students we care (institutionally) about on this campus are migrants, and others of brown skin color. Pete Gomez talks about helping "his people," and that means only the ones just referenced. Try to get reading or math help for a student with black or white skin color and you are turned away. But it's bigger than Title V. When racism charges were made against a previous transfer coordinator, they were ignored, the accuser punished, and the coordinator promoted. Jeff Elison is right about the students. Those questions have been asked and are regularly asked, and the answers are disappointing. But all colleges have those students. It is because of our small size and unique mission that we have a disproportionately larger population of them. Then we stupidly herd them into demographically defined groups (migrant, Hispanic) to better prep them to succeed in the general population. It is the exact opposite of how we should help all students - but follow the (grant) money and the protected employees who exploit and spend it. Much like with opioids, the treatment (to pain) created a larger problem. Such as it is with grants and the untouchable people they fund.
January 4, 2018 at 8:49pm Wait Jeff. You did not address the first part of the 11:06 PM comment. Accusing the Title V department of being one of the most racist departments on campus. That is huge! Wow!
January 3, 2018 at 9:03am Dear 10:41 and 11:06: "So we are saying that the students just don't care?" No, SOME students said that, not all. However, the number was alarming. "They don't want to graduate." Sure they do, but not all of them have a clear understanding of what that requires. I didn't invent the "C's get degrees" saying. I find it very troubling to hear that from students. "Sometimes you should not rely on a survey, you should just talk to the students themselves." Indeed! We created the surveys after running six focus groups with students from the Math 09x classes. We started by identifying the themes that came up in those focus groups. Yes, being intimidated or poor tutors were mentioned occasionally. However, lack of motivation, not caring, and lack of time were mentioned more often, as were complaints about MathXL. I suspect the biggest problem is prior education in that their educational experiences did not provide an adequate base for math and convinced them they couldn't do math. Low self-efficacy for math was the number one predictor of grades. I'm not blaming anyone here; I'm just reporting the data. I responded to a question: "I'm asking what was done and why wasn't there any concern?". There were other efforts by the Math Dept as well (revising content, focusing on "less [content] is more" teaching), but I wasn't involved in all of those, so I can't tell you much more. Some things to consider: "The most recent PISA results, from 2015, placed the U.S. an unimpressive 38th out of 71 countries in math." "Colorado schools rank 21st in the country in Education Week's annual Quality Counts report released Thursday. The state scored an overall grade of C, the same grade as the nation. That ranking is the average of three separate indices: "Chance for Success," "K-12 Achievement," and "School Finance."" "The rankings vary by measure, but Colorado's rank ranges from 39th to 47th across all states in K-12 education funding." "In terms of average faculty salaries based on purchasing power, the United States ranks fifth, behind not only its northern neighbor, but also Italy, South Africa and India." Colorado is way down the list for faculty salaries in the U.S. and ASU is probably the lowest paying public four-year institution in Colorado. On the list I saw from 2015, we were above community colleges, Naropa, and a few art institutes and seminaries. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong (I'm sure I didn't need to say that). :-) - Jeff Elison
January 2, 2018 at 11:06pm Title V is one of the most racist departments on campus. Run by Neo-liberals who only pretend to care about students of color. Many students did not feel comfortable with going to the tutoring centers because they could not relate to the professors and tutors that were there. Most general education math classes are weighed on tests and not the work that is done in class and for homework. There are also many math professors to find it disrespectful to ask questions during class in which a student would have to make an appointment with the professor after class in order to find out what they didn't understand. Sometimes you should not rely on a survey, you should just talk to the students themselves.
January 2, 2018 at 10:41pm So we are saying that the students just don't care? They don't want to graduate. That is the biggest bullshit I've ever heard in my life.
January 1, 2018 at 6:45pm ----Editor's Note: Readers may be interested in the related Watching Adams podcast from a former ASU math instructor: Andy Zaugg: “I Can’t Do Math and It’s Not Important”
January 1, 2018 at 6:36pm Jan 1, at 9:45 - "What plan was made to assist these students with what they needed to pass? I'm not saying make it easy for them. I'm asking what was done and why wasn't there any concern?" There was and continues to be a great deal of concern. Many people put in many, many hours attempting to address this problem. I was one of them. Title V funded studies, which including surveying students, to find sources of the problem and solutions. Title V also funded studies to figure out why so few students go for help (e.g., tutoring or to professors) when they need it. Changes were made in the Math 09X classes and in the tutoring centers, including more "marketing" of available services. The studies revealed two clear themes. First, many students in these classes have very low self-efficacy when it comes to math. So they tend to give up quickly once they start having trouble. They learned earlier in school that "they can't do math." Second, regardless of subject, many students don't care enough to make the effort to get help, or study enough. I'm not being judgmental or jumping to conclusions, they told us these things, over and over. - Jeff Elison
January 1, 2018 at 11:34am I think the real problem is not with the math department, it is that students at ASU are consistently being coddled and the standards of the institution keep being lowered. I know many people, not just at Adams, that struggled with the math requirement. Rather than dumming down the standards, how about ASU raises the admission standards? College is not for everyone. Maybe it is the fact that ASU has watered down the value of its degrees by letting everyone in. The valley has a JC, maybe that is a better place for people who need remedial help. Math is a requirement at any institution. ASU is doing a disservice to everyone by admitting everyone. The math department was great to both my wife and I. The professors were always willing to help. I am sorry that some people are just too lazy to do the work. Oh, by the way. I had Matt Nehring for multiple classes. He was a good professor. He is good for the institution and I hope to god he does not water down the value of my degree by lowering standards. I agree that a 75% failure rate is an issue but I think the issue is not with the math department but an issue with admissions. Again, college is not for everyone and by letting in individuals that can not do the work we do everyone a disservice. I follow Watching Adams regularly and I agree with a lot that I see here but lowering standards in order to accommodate the lazy is not the answer. Again, college is not for everyone. -signed, an ASU graduate, class of 2007, who actually earned their degree Also, if you would like my contact information, please post yours in the comments and I will respond personallly.
January 1, 2018 at 9:45am If any academic department has a 75 percent failure rate of a general education class under poor leadership, why would we want the same leadership to be responsible for all of the academic departments? What plan was made to assist these students with what they needed to pass? I'm not saying make it easy for them. I'm asking what was done and why wasn't there any concern? Fact check the failure rate in Banner. Numbers don't lie.
January 1, 2018 at 8:03am To December 30, 2017 at 8:13pm: We don't understand your point about Dr. Nehring visiting Admissions. He has his degrees and is likely not looking to apply. He also is the VP for Academics - essentially the lead faculty member. The Admissions office is an entirely separate office. There is no need for him to meddle there. But your point that admissions is a failure is spot on. There has been no defined, strategic, recruiting and admissions plan in many years - in recent memory actually. Of the many good things your president has done and cleaned up, this is one issue where she has failed thus far. While evidently unpopular on this site, The Promise Scholarship and guaranteed tuition are actually good tools. But they have never been effectively promoted or used. Hopefully 2018 can be the year where everyone recruits, everyone promotes the good things about Adams, and you all come together to strengthen a good university. Hopefully too the new recruiting hire will craft and execute a good plan and we will see the results.
December 30, 2017 at 8:13pm Matt Nehring hasn't been to the admissions office 1 time. Does anyone have a clue what goes on down there on a daily basis? There is no strategic plan to recruit students for fall 2018! Someone with credibility and some plan, ANY PLAN had better get down there soon. Or maybe Karla already knows that it's too late? Where is that preliminary HLC report? While we are at it, what about the more than 200 students who aren't able to register for spring because they didn't pay for fall? Dont worry, its only $500,000! Keep collecting your paychecks everyone. The well is running dry.
December 30, 2017 at 10:24am December 30 5:32am - Do you have any additional reasons why Matt Nehring would be a "terrible choice"? Because your only reason is worthless. He had little control over the pass rate in those classes, but we do know he didn't just drop standards to let everyone through. I can't think of a better person in ASU administration.
December 30, 2017 at 8:52am December 30 5:32am - I appreciate your point about a 75% failure rate in the mathematics department under Matt's leadership. But let's be honest, there are many more variables than just Dr. Nehring--not excusing it--simply looking at it from a multi-faceted perspective. Perhaps this is indicative of the students who matriculate into ASU, which in turn is indicative of the quality of mathematics faculty or the lackluster GTLC. I'm not completely certain without data collection and regression analysis. But what I can unequivocally conclude is that based on the logic of a variable of one (Mart Nehring), then Liz Thomas Hensley would be an excellent choice for VPAA--no rigor, huge pass rates. I, for one, just can't go to the opposite end of that spectrum.
December 30, 2017 at 5:32am Matt Nehring would be a terrible choice for the VPAA position. Did we forget that while he ran the Math Department most students were at a 75% failure rate for Gen Ed math? How many students are out there who have completed all of their credits and only need math to graduate? I'm not sure why he was picked as the Interim VPAA.
December 29, 2017 at 12:25pm At a minimum, I hope Matt Nehring applies for the VPAA position (I wish the board would just appoint him). He truly seems to be the only person with any sense and who cares about this campus! He works from the heart and what is best for ALL at ASU--not his own agenda. And he's a nice man. That goes a long way considering the "mean girls"' club.
December 23, 2017 at 11:47am Want to be the next VPAA at ASU? This job description doesn't do justice to the workplace hazards of reporting to Beverlee McClure...
December 19, 2017 at 11:04pm @9:22 pm: that’s not the Financial Aid philanderer I was referring to but maybe you are right in what you say. It totally makes sense. In other news Rodney is going to get off “Scott” free. I couldn’t resist the bad joke but sad thing is everybody is going to be the punchline. Not even the mailroom which he ran for a short time has recovered from his despotic reign. His maddening methods have passed on to the one who currently runs it now. Rodney controls ASU, people. He controls us by manipulating those in control. He fits the profile of a sociopath, a jealous and possessive boyfriend and a cult leader.
December 19, 2017 at 9:22pm Maybe the philanderer and the politician have a little something going on! Ever think of that? Why is she always allowed to be campaigning and gone? After all, the philanderer is her boss.
December 19, 2017 at 6:55pm Ask anyone who has a degree... Yes, let's. Let's ask those who have received a graduate degree from ASU (especially an MBA). What were their undergraduate GPA's that merited their entrance into a grad program? What were their GRE scores? Were they pursuing a graduate degree just so that they could continue competing in their sport? Answers: below 2.5, what GRE scores?, and yes. Way too many cases like that to count. There are certainly good people doing good work here but they are drowned out by poor leadership/administration and the few faculty that remain who conduct business illegally and unethically (Crowther, Hensley)
December 18, 2017 at 2:25pm Notice how Guaranteed Tuition isn't even mentioned anymore (in ASU's PR or BOT communications) in terms of how it can attract or retain students, boost enrollment, or even address the increasing costs of attending ASU? That's how poorly-planned a policy it is. And it will be remembered as part of Beverlee McClure's failed presidency. Moody's was correct in downgrading ASU's credit as a result.
December 17, 2017 at 5:22pm Financial Aid, they are watching you too and a certain male trying to be promoted from campus flirt to campus philanderer.
December 17, 2017 at 5:05pm Clearly 25% of the staff at Adams will be cut. Careful everyone, careful. Years of dedicated service won't me a damn thing. Admissions...they are watching you!
December 17, 2017 at 5:00pm Ask the majority of ASU students who never earn a degree and are saddled with the debt... ASU Graduation Rate 26% Lower than State Average - "ASU’s four-year graduation rate is only 15.3%. And in six years, only 34.2% of students will graduate with a degree. The same data shows the statewide average for six-year degree completion at 59.9%." A university that only confers degrees to one third of the students who attend there? That's unacceptable and taxpayers should be outraged that ASU is a long-running dropout factory. Don't tell us that ASU's educational achievements are solid. They are shoddy. And covering for the soft bigotry of low expectations doesn't help ASU students or the San Luis Valley as a whole.
December 17, 2017 at 4:05pm Talking of degrees and jobs: Erica Romero, who is employed by ASU, but who is never at work because of her other political obligations, does not have a degree. Yet she’s trying to run ASU, ASD, the hospital, etc...
December 17, 2017 at 3:45pm Ask everyone who has degrees and jobs because of Adams... then tell me the educational achievements are not solid.
December 17, 2017 at 1:55pm If you think this website doesn’t have facts, you clearly cannot read. This past week, we saw more facts about ASU’s deficit spending, rising interest payments on the university’s debt, diminishing revenue due to lower enrollment, rising costs to students, being among the lowest average university salaries in the nation, and now being about 45% overstaffed due to all the shrinking programs. Those are facts, ladies and gentlemen. So you can celebrate the bread and circuses of athletics, but the educational foundations of ASU are not solid and the financials are not sound.
December 17, 2017 at 1:42pm No facts are presented here, only peoples opinions and negative attitudes towards ASU, if there is truly good happening at ASU we need to recognize that too, not just complain about everything. Cross team takes nationals and you wanna talk smack... whatever haters, jump in a lake!
December 17, 2017 at 9:20am "Chris Lopez was not the first choice for the PR/Marketing position, but Beverlee made sure he was hired." Yes, there were others with much better qualifications and experience, but Chris, with his ties to certain BoT members, had one quintessential asset that placed him above the others. Loyalty. Bev, like Trump, values loyalty over and above skill, experience, intelligence, ingeniousness and energy. Chris may have all those things, but he must defer to Bev's omnipotence - because she is an expert at everything and beyond challenge. This means keep his nose down and mouth shut and simply taking Bev's orders. If he does not, he will lose his job. This of course is what happened to that other Chris. Gilmer put the needs of the university first, above those of the need to feed Bev's fragile ego, and was fired. And of course the BoT capitulated. We will know soon enough if Chris Lopez has a spine because he will not be long in his new seat. Being fired by McClure is now a badge of honor because it shows you have a heart and a brain.
December 15, 2017 at 11:28pm Many good people work at ASU. And many more have left - either because they were run off, disemployed, or simply found a better job elsewhere. This isn’t an accident. Adams State seems quite committed to retaining incompetent bullies and blowhards while punishing innovators, those willing to uphold high standards, or advocates of academic integrity. Just observe who is still drawing six figure salaries and attending lavish parties while running ASU into the ground. And then wonder why Dr. Gilmer was forced to resign at the threat of being sued by Beverlee. The qualified are kicked out, the inept are rewarded generously. But hey, it’s always easier to blame a scapegoat: the HLC, “negativity”, “cyber bullying”, etc. That’s what a failed leader does.
December 16, 2017 at 11:06pm Anyone at ASU doing a good job? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Only Danny I guess, because he goes to plays and what not.
December 16, 2017 at 10:23pm I am so sad that the BoT and the Administration have allowed Adams State to fall to this level. I'm angry that they continue to pad their pockets while the rest of us are left wondering if we will even have a job. Obviously they don't care how their greed will affect Adams State employees or the the SLV.
December 16, 2017 at 8:30pm @December 15, 1:48 PM: Rodney will remain employed at ASU regardless of the current investigation on him. Kurt and Ana will make sure of that. The only reason they started the investigation was because the HLC was in town at the time. In this current investigation they are asking only for pertinent information dating back to only a year or a year and a half back. If the all the prior investigations regarding the last 20 or so years of his tenure hasn’t gotten him fired the current investigation regarding the last year or so of his tenure only cements his stay at ASU. Thank you, Kurt. Thank you, Ana.
December 16, 2017 at 6:55pm Beverlee has been a disaster, and it is shameful of BOT not to have realized this long time back. Their decision to hire her in the first place was an extremely stupid decision. It was clear reflection of the unsophistication and naiveté of BOT. Anyone with experience and professional maturity could see right through her during the interview process. BOT should have dumped her a longtime back.
December 16, 2017 at 1:34pm I would encourage the Valley Courier to shut down its publication. All it does is divide the community with facts about how poorly run ASU has been for years and years. If only the administrative incompetence were kept under wraps, ASU would be great and getting even better!
December 16, 2017 at 12:26pm Regarding this morning's Valley Courier articles, it's too bad the Board and president only acknowledge all these problems now that layoffs are imminent. Rather than addressing them openly, or addressing them at all, they chose to hide and deny problems in the past. I am amazed by the variety of admissions, so much bad news: We are overstaffed for 3,000 students when we only have 1,600. Does that mean 45% of employees will be laid off? ASU currently sits at the bottom of CUPA’s list of average salaries for 89 institutions. There's a shocker. 2010 was ASU’s peak enrollment year and it has decreased every year since. Great job. ASU wouldn’t have to worry about the competition as much if it was still the most affordable public institution in the state; however, it is now the sixth most expensive of public institutions. Holy crap! They blame this on HLC and the drop in online courses, but they never mention the interest and fees for capital construction, or acknowledge that Extended Studies was a joke deserving of HLC's sanction. I can't wait to see Moody's reaction this spring. B-team here we come. According to McClure the average Division II percentage of student athletes is 15-18 percent and ASU is made up of 40 percent student athletes. ... “We can’t get our revenue correct because it costs more per full time equivalent for an athlete,” said McClure. In spite of McClure's statement about athletes, this is Trustee Pryor's take: "While major cuts to the athletic program weren’t discussed, other than the approval of the department’s criteria, Trustee Wendell Pryor added on Friday that he would like to preserve the department as much as possible. 'I would certainly like to not tear down the progress we’ve made in the athletics program,' said Pryor. 'It has to be a shared sacrifice and I’d like to preserve as much of that infrastructure as we can.' Wendell, please resign and take McClure with you. Why does it have to be a "shared sacrifice"? Let me see, we are a university that has to make cuts. Universities exist to teach. But let's cut academics equally with athletics. Your attitude pretty much summarizes one of the biggest problems in higher ed today. We are fighting for survival and if anything is to survive, it needs to be education.
December 15, 2017 at 5:53pm Re: December 15 @ 2:03p.m. - Not to mention interfering in campus employment searches. Chris Lopez was not the first choice for the PR/marketing position, but Beverlee made sure he was hired. Possibly because of his relationship to someone on the BoT?
December 15, 2017 at 2:03pm Salary and benefits combined, ASU students and taxpayers have paid Beverlee McClure well over $500,000 and counting. What do we have to show for it? Declining enrollment, financial ruin, public embarrassment, academic devaluation. There are so many better ways this money could have been spent.
December 15, 2017 at 1:48pm Forgive this comment as this conversation seems to have happened quite some time back but I have just learned of this site. I am very surprised to see that Rodney Martinez still works at Adams, I haven't worked there in many years but I recall at one time he was arrested for beating his I'm assuming now ex-wife. Being drunk and wrecking an Adams vehicle. As well as using facility equipment and other resources to have a side business cleaning. And I do recall that he was an umpire of either baseball or softball (cant quite recall which if not both) during regular business hours when he should have been at work doing whatever he does. So it seems he likes to double dip or maybe triple? Not to mention all the sexual harassment allegations that were "settled". Wow Adams you really let this continue for so long!?
December 15, 2017 at 9:32am We're not the only ones suffering. Check out this poem regarding the compensation package for the prez at Wake Forest: Poem About Your University President’s Completely Reasonable Four Million-Dollar Compensation Package
December 14, 2017 at 10:20pm December 14, 2017 at 6:29pm - You know, there's something remarkable about reading your comment while at the ASU Theatre Building to film the Nutcracker Ballet. I haven't missed a dance recital since I started recording these programs in 2004! So yeah, I care about my hometown for many reasons and I've been going to events and activities at Adams State since I was a kid. I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. The San Luis Valley needs a community hub for creative and intellectual life. ASU needs to be the best it can be. And I think we can all agree that ASU could do better - for its students, its employees, and the community at large. It has to. - Danny Ledonne
December 14, 2017 at 8:57pm It's interesting that nowhere in the contingency plan, which is supposedly to help save ASU from bankruptcy, is there a suggestion that McClure or Doell or Hardesty et al take a pay cut. They are entirely happy to eviscerate everyone else's livelihood, but they make no sacrifice themselves. So much for all that crap about being in this together. Then they wonder why they have lost so many people's respect.
December 14, 2017 at 8:37pm December 13, 2017 at 5:26pm - Kari Allen is Heather Brooks' sister who somehow didn’t have to apply for the position that was never advertised. Hmmmm. Let’s take this a step further, Heather Brooks (Alamosa City Manager) and Randy Wright, who is on the ASU board of trustees are very good friends. In fact, Randy is a puppet of Heather. Heather is very good friends with McClure. It’s easy to see how Kari Allen was hired. The City of Alamosa wouldn’t be much without the support of ASU. The cesspool needs drained at ASU, the City, and the Chamber of Commerce (Wright’s employer). Very surprising that none of this has been made public!
December 14, 2017 at 7:28pm The ones who divide the community and undermine the SLV as a whole are people like HR, Doell, McClure, Hardesty, etc. They implore those who make the least amount of money to make the biggest sacrifices. They bleed ASU dry to ensure their livelihoods are left intact should the doors close. They make sure to keep the integrity of the term “Hispanic Serving Institute” to serve themselves and their ilk and live the American Dream.
December 14, 2017 at 7:14pm The fact that Danny even posts comments from the detractors shows he’s not here to bring ASU down. If a site like this didn’t exist it would benefit those who have plenty to hide.
December 14, 2017 at 7:13pm @6:29: I would encourage you to stop reading if you don’t like this site!! No one is forcing you to, I’m quite certain!
December 14, 2017 at 6:29pm I would encourage you to shut down this site, anyone can make up a name or even put someone else’s name making it seem like they wrote it... this site helps no one... In fact it further divides our community, but what do you care you live in Oregon.
December 14, 2017 at 2:21pm While periodically this page receives a rash of Trump-like personal attacks, with absurd calls to fire swathes of ASU employees, the majority of comments are mainly concerned with finding out what is going on in the echoing halls of Richardson. For example, as someone recently asked, what is the plan to earn the income to dig us out of the debt chasm into which the university has slid? Is that not a reasonable question? Most people simply want to know what's going on at ASU, but because Dr McClure and the BoT are intent on keeping us in the dark, we must resort to WA to share information. It is not ideal, but there is no other choice, and it is lucky for us that we have someone like LeDonne with the technical skills to provide us this channel. I don't agree with a lot of comments, and the tone of some is distasteful, but this site exists only because our "leaders" have actively repudiated shared governance and organizational transparency. This site would dissolve if they took their responsibilities to us employees seriously and started engaging with us as adults.
December 14, 2017 at 11:24am @December 14, 2017 at 10:24am – I have and continue to perform community service in the places I've lived because I find it fulfilling. I try to post 2-3 relevant news and information articles on Facebook each day because I enjoy staying informed and exchanging ideas with other people. Sometimes I post more, and sometimes less, depending on what else I have going that day. I can show you how the comments submission process works and, like yours, I assure you that all comments are published as submitted unless they violate the terms of use. Very few comments have ever been withheld here. I do try to clean up grammar and spelling errors for the ease of readership. Given that this forum is maintained for discussion about Adams State University, I would encourage yourself and others to stay on topic for the benefit of everyone here. But if it's your heart's desire to send me hate mail, I enjoy collecting it and you may do so here. My collection goes back to at least 2006. And I'm sure Mr. Trump appreciates your support! The latest Monmouth University poll has him down to a 32% approval rating, with 56% disapproving. He's really losing support among women and independents lately. - Danny Ledonne, aka a jealous, bitter keyboard warrior
December 14, 2017 at 10:58am The only way to save millions of money is by downgrading our athletic department from NCAA Division II to Division III. Students come to ASU to get a degree! It is mind-boggling how people could say things like students come to ASU to play sports and without strong sports, we won't students. Athletics is NOT the student life - just a PART of it. In higher education, academics has to come first. If they don't get it, they shouldn't work at a teaching institution like ASU.
December 14, 2017 at 10:24am Danny Ledonne is a jealous, bitter keyboard warrior who is always on Facebook and other ridiculous blogs like this, I think it’s only he who posts and puts fake names. Also this site allows others to post under whatever name they like. How bout you go serve the community instead of complaining about others on the internet...... p.s Go Trump
December 14, 2017 at 7:26am Can someone interpret the budget document posted here? Are we really $7.2 million in the hole this year? Are we really paying almost $5 million in interest on our debt? Thanks Bill, Frank, Dave, Beverlee, and the past Board of Trustees members. Swell job that will cost us ours.
December 13, 2017 at 9:48pm There were many times a job was posted for two hours or less in RH especially when it was starting to be renovated. They would put the job post on a wall where nobody could see it.
December 13, 2017 at 6:08pm Well color me surprised! Heather Brooks is Beverlee McClure's lead booster amongst a very shallow pool of remaining support.
December 13, 2017 at 5:26pm Kari Allen is Heather Brooks' sister who somehow didn’t have to apply for the position that was never advertised. Hmmmm.
December 13, 2017 at 4:52pm Yet again, more about the contingency plan but absolute silence about Plan A. You know, the one you put into action before Plan B? Every 101 student in business school will tell you that any commercial operation - and that is what education has become - can only survive if it generates income. Trimming the fat is fine, but if you are already anorexic, cutting services, cutting resources (in our case, the human capital we call employees) and cutting morale without demonstrating a strong plan for income recovery, is a death sentence. You can reorganize your debt and negotiate extended repayment schedules... but eventually the bank manager is going to call in your chit. So... and let me repeat... where is the plan to build income?
December 13, 2017 at 4:42pm December 13 @12:36 - Well stated! All Jason's machismo behavior does is make his wife look worse, not to mention how foolish he looks/sounds.
December 13, 2017 at 12:36am Jason, there's no need to start white knighting on the Internet. This isn't about the “hatred” of anyone but honest criticism of under-performing administrative bloat in times of financial hardship for ASU. I have no special knowledge of Erica Romero's job performance as Scholarship Coordinator in Financial Aid, but what has been alleged is that “Financial Aid/One Stop is replete with people who take unnoticed leave” and providing specific examples of this, to which Erica was then identified. More seriously still: “She is on every board known to man and she is never at work. I believe that being cronies with the higher-ups allows her to take unnoticed leave everyday. Earlier in the year, some students didn't get their scholarship money processed because she was busy trying to be a politician instead of her job.” Notably, Erica Romero was also on the Alamosa School Board when they were sued by a group of community members in 2013 for failing to do their due diligence in assessing the property value of the Polston land. Those bad decisions ended up costing the school district over a quarter million dollars because it turns out that the Healthy Living Park group was able to put up well beyond the appraised value. Erica voted against the better offer and the community lost out as a result. So please keep the personal insults and alpha male braggadocio out of this. Instead, focus on the issues of public policy and job performance where ASU obviously needs major improvements.
December 13, 2017 at 11:58am Hey Alan maybe we can meet up and discuss your hatred of my wife in person? That is if you are truly the non-cowardly grizzly you claim to be. - Jason Romero
December 13, 2017 at 11:40am December 13 @9:04 - That’s Kari Allen - Assistant to the President/Value Added Ag Coordinator, Office of the President
December 13, 2017 at 9:04am Questions: Who is the email exactly from in RE: to “From: Office of the President Subject: Contingency Planning Process"? Who is kaallen@adams.edu? And in reference to bullet point 6: “The Vice President of each area will discuss evaluations with Contingency Plan Senior Leadership Team” ... who is that VP of each area?
December 12, 2017 at 10:54pm To December 2, 2017 at 9:20am- That would be the hated and disliked PRESIDENT of the Alamosa School Board - Erica Romero. Re: December 6, 2017 at 2:20pm - “The students will know about this site in droves shortly. There are 3 particularly interesting stories involving the track team, and upper admin that will be exposed soon. The corruption involved in it is nothing short of shocking and criminal.” Curious when will this be exposed? Do tell more? Will the doors of ASU be reopened after the New Year in 2018? We are not 5 to 6 million in the hole, we are 8 million in the hole! And now academic departments are being asked to give back money to the university... don’t spend your operations budget unless you absolutely need to, volunteer for a furlough, take an early buy out, graduation rates are down, spring 2018 is DOWN, go out and recruit your students, early retirements, searches for departments are on HOLD, Debbie Chapman left, Coach Rosenbach left, track team in the news, sexual harassment, bullies, liars, loss of students, Rodney is going to be director of facility services, Kurt Carey will continue to patrol, prez will recover from her surgery and dig us deeper into a hole... proud to be an INDIAN... I am not a scared cowardly grizzly! Santa 🎅 please deliver one 🎁 gift! You know what I want. I’ve been a good boy this year! - Alan
December 12, 2017 at 10:41am The following email was sent to ASU employees on Mon, Dec 11, 2017 at 5:00 PM: From: Office of the President Subject: Contingency Planning Process Attached you will find a diagram outlining the Proposed Contingency Planning Process. The Process reflects how decisions will be made through our Shared Governance Process. Please review and answer the three questions to help us determine if this is the best process. For clarification, here are the members of each group: Constituent Groups: Faculty Senate Classified Employee Council (CEC) Professional Administration Staff Council (PASC) Contingency Planning Group of 21: Faculty Representatives: Sheryl Abeyta, Rob Benson, Beth Bonnstetter, Ed Crowther, Jess Gagliardi, Curtis Garcia, Yusri Zaro CEC Representatives: Kristina Cook, Peggy Dunn, Jerah Dickson, Andrew (Andres) Herrera, Kendra Marquez, Patrick Roybal, Elaine Wenta PASC Representatives: Rosanna Backen, Andrea Benton-Maestas, Betsy Chacon, Kevin Daniel, Bruce DelTondo, Toni Leach, Shanae Mundee Contingency Plan Senior Leadership Team: Beverlee McClure, Kurt Cary, Lillian Gomez, Heather Heersink, Ken Marquez, Matt Nehring Executive Team: Beverlee McClure, Kurt Cary, Margaret Doell, Karla Hardesty, Heather Heersink, Lori Laske, Chris Lopez, Tammy Lopez, Kenneth Marquez, Larry Mortensen, Matt Nehring, Tracy Rogers, Penny Sanders President’s Cabinet: Beverlee McClure, Mark Manzanares, Alex Lopez, Dianne Lee, Kevin Daniel, Dodie Day, Kristy Duran, Jess Gagliardi, Ed Crowther, Mari Centeno, Renae Haslett, Matt Nehring, Lillian Gomez Board of Trustees: Cleave Simpson, Kathleen Rogers, Pam Bricker, Reeves Brown, Michele Lueck, Wendell Pryor, Arnold Salazar, John Singletary, Randy Wright, Robert Benson, John Owsley Here is the process described: 1. For the Academic area: Data from Institutional Effectiveness and Budget Office is distributed to department chairs for review and consideration. 2. Departments develop the narrative sections of the evaluation – due Feb. 1. 3. Evaluation of programs conducted and ratings assigned by VPAA. This process will include communication/discussion with department chairs and faculty. Completed by Feb. 21. 4. For Student Services and Operations, the same process will be used with data routed to the appropriate department heads. 5. For Athletics, a comprehensive departmental evaluation of athletic programs to determine if athletics is aligned properly with the goals of the University and is serving in the best interest of the University will be conducted. This will include a sport-by-sport review. 6. The Vice President of each area will discuss evaluations with Contingency Plan Senior Leadership Team. 7. The relevant Vice President will make recommendations regarding program prioritization to the Executive Team. 8. The Executive Team makes recommendations to the President’s Cabinet. 9. President’s Cabinet makes recommendations to the Contingency Plan Senior Leadership Team. 10. Additional revenue generating and expense saving proposals will be vetted through the Contingency Plan Group of 21 and will follow the same process as the above. 11. The Contingency Plan Senior Leadership Team makes formal recommendations to the President. 12. The President makes formal recommendations to the Board of Trustees
December 10, 2017 at 11:03am Dec 8 8:16: maybe they offered Ellen Novotny an early out — one that isn’t offered to anyone else yet. - Carol Otto
December 8, 2017 at 8:16am Re: December 8 @7:16am - Really? Ellen is gone? Before the end of the semester? Wow! Maybe Dr Frank(enstein) "NO"votny will be next. They are nothing more than bullies and thieves.
December 8, 2017 at 7:16am What happened to Ellen Novotny? I walked by her office the other day and it's empty and her name plate is gone. Karma? Good riddance!
December 7, 2017 at 11:26pm What does everyone think about the outdoor program? Miltenberger as a director, seems like he is not doing that program justice. It used to be too notch, now not so much.
December 7, 2017 at 8:36pm I've been around long enough to remember when the girls basketball team used their voices. They were able to rid themselves of Storm.
December 7, 2017 at 7:03pm No silence to break on this one, the voices have just been ignored a dozen times: Crowther.
December 7, 2017 at 6:11pm
Many people have put their names in places like HR, VP office, prez office, EOE, etc. and they have been ignored or ran off. One ignorant person who refuses to look at the facts posted will not define what guts is. One ignorant person will not define the masses who although disrespected, retaliated against, lied about still come in every day and work their butts off. Right now it's all about making people aware. Names will come but it starts by naming the perpetrators. You want people to have guts then give them a hope, an avenue by which they can speak and find justice. Stop the dastardly act of calling out the victims.
December 7, 2017 at 9:25am Frank Novotny created a hostile workplace and was one of the major determining factors in my decision to leave Adams State University. He routinely used his status as VPAA to force other faculty into keeping quiet about things that needed to be addressed for the success of students at ASU that he did not want to deal with. I know that several other faculty that left ASU indicated that he, as well as Margaret Doell, bullied them into a feeling of helplessness when the faculty brought up valid concerns that either Frank or Margaret did not want to discuss because it would have made more work for them. I can honestly say that both Frank and Margaret created an environment that has resulted in many faculty deciding to leave ASU because they felt their opinions did not matter.
December 7, 2017 at 8:31am Finally someone with guts, good job Danny, maybe others will take your lead and put down their names like you did. Otherwise these posts mean nothing. BTW I think Danny was unjustly let go, seems like he was kicking butt. At least he is not a coward.... - Doreen C.
December 7, 2017 at 5:19am @11:39 pm: women have shared their stories and they've been ignored. The "it's her word against mine" saying is the loophole. The fact that a person can be under investigation twice in a span of less than a year it telling but what's more telling is the fact that people like Ana are saying the previous investigation was never about said person. They're protecting the abusers and the predators.
December 6, 2017 at 11:39pm If ever Adams State were to have a truth and reconciliation movement, this would be it. Major political, entertainment, and news figures are being brought down by average people coming forward. "The Silence Breakers" are named Time's Person of the Year. Women are sharing their #MeToo stories of sexual misconduct. Perhaps it's time to start naming names around ASU. Who have been the predators that create a hostile workplace?
December 6, 2017 at 9:15pm I find it interesting that people like Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer (to name a few) can be brought to justice for things they've done years ago but ASU can conduct an investigation on someone and only want recent things. They don't want to bring their cronies to justice. They know all too well about their pervy past, their physically abusive actions toward their employees and want to continue to ignore it. If the aforementioned people that had all the fame, power, money and prestige can be brought to justice why not the nobodies at ASU who continue to abuse their power and debase women?
December 6, 2017 at 4:36pm This is golden. Sounds like Trump: "'While Adams State has made some progress toward our goals, we do still have a substantial amount of work to do,' said President McClure." WHY? Why have you, the Board, and upper administration gotten so little done over the past years? The press release then laughingly lists some weak measures or measures that should have been taken years ago. In other words, they don't know what to do. And then the press release slips in the real message at the very end: "The Adams State Board of Trustees also authorized the administration to prepare a contingency plan to 'right-size' the campus". This is the real message, the only thing they really know how to do, get rid of people. Throw up their hands in despair and try to keep the doors open long enough to collect their salaries until they can find new jobs. While watching ASU sink.
December 6, 2017 at 4:23pm Right on Danny! You did a great job at ASU. People in the know know your being banned from campus had absolutely nothing to do with the job you were doing. Total bullshit to imply otherwise.
December 6, 2017 at 2:20pm The students will know about this site in droves shortly. There are 3 particularly interesting stories involving the track team, and upper admin that will be exposed soon. The corruption involved in it is nothing short of shocking and criminal. ---- Editor's Reply: Please have any interested individuals contact us with more information.
December 6, 2017 at 2:03pm During the years 2011-2015, I performed my job duties at or above the defined expectations, including: - Developing and teaching 10 media production courses that had never previously been offered at ASU - Collaborating with ASU Athletics, Art, Theatre, Sociology, and History departments to support interdisciplinary coursework, as well as college readiness training for SLV high school students - Establishing and serving as advisor for the Grizzly Video Productions student organization - Receiving student evals of between 4.65 – 4.94, above the department-wide average - Receiving all “Meritorious” evaluations from my department chair - Producing over 100 videos for ASU Creative Relations – featuring Student Scholar Days, department promotional spots, advertising campaigns, construction updates, and campus messages from the president's office - Co-founding the Southern Colorado Film Festival and supporting its annual programming - Volunteering for service events like Late Night Breakfast and ASU Open House functions I lived and breathed Adams State. Almost all of these duties were performed while working as an adjunct instructor and independent contractor – without health insurance coverage, without an office, and often with delayed paychecks. But then again, I met many other colleagues who were themselves doing a great deal above and beyond their job duties, as well. And they were also being compensated well below their peer position averages. Many of them are now making significantly more money in similar positions elsewhere. One of the hallmarks of a dysfunctional institution is the devaluing of the laborers who make such a system possible. Campus morale surveys, salary data, and staff turnover rates certainly suggest Adams State suffers from these problems. - Danny Ledonne
December 6, 2017 at 12:33pm Watching Adams is a site built by a person who wasn’t doing there job, got let go and now is providing other people who suck at their job to complain about people who are good at their job. You professors that post on this site are a disgrace, be better teachers and not “ no it alls”
December 6, 2017 at 6:25am Keyboard warriors? I'm sorry but I won't fall for such tactics, Doreen. If that is your real name. Fear has nothing to do with anonymity. Rather, we speak for the collective who actually are fearful. We who post don't just speak for self. How many people have come forward without the shroud of anonymity only to be ignored or worse - retaliated against? It's worse than what's being said and people are now having to write up exactly what they do at ASU, so what does that tell you?
December 5, 2017 at 8:16pm Doing a fine job? By what criteria? Increased enrollment? No! Increased gradation rates? No! Increased morale? No! Increased reputation? No! Increased income? No! Improved status as a university? No! I understand the reflex to support your employer and be a good corporate citizen, but we are an institution of higher learning where we are supposed to use our brains, and employ our faculties of critical thinking. That means looking at the numbers and coming to inevitable conclusions. And using these simple arithmetic tools, we can rightly say that McClure is not doing a fine job. She simply is not, period, no matter how much you might want her to succeed. And by the way, between you and me, there is no Santa Claus. Nor, unfortunately, is there a Termination Clause. Bev gets to keep you in Fantasyland for another year.
December 5, 2017 at 8:02pm Oh my god. "Dec 1, 7.27am" got it absolutely right! McClure and the BoT have no idea how to save ASU. Dated 4-12-17 under the banner "Adams State Works to Grow Revenue, Trim Costs," they just admitted in Trump-like idiot fashion that they have no idea about how to recover ASU's fortunes. The blurb starts with Bev's robot-language that no real human would use by saying: "We continue to strive to make Adams State University financially strong, while also meeting the needs of our historically underserved student population," said Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure. "We are committed to improving our financial health while not losing sight of our role and mission as a designated Hispanic Serving Institution. Adams State is vital to its population and the economy of rural Colorado." Danger, Will Robinson, danger! My batteries are low. But the real substance - the .357 magnum shot to the foot - is this; that ASU intends "....identifying and implementing new student recruitment and retention strategies..." So let's get this straight. The BoT has sat on its hands for nearly a decade watching as ASU's student recruitment and retention has steadily nose-dived. Yet it is only now "identifying and implementing new... strategies." And McClure, whose remuneration and benefits package has cost the university nearly a half-million dollars since her appointment two years ago, is only now just getting to think about "identifying and implementing new student recruitment and retention strategies..." Bev and BoT, what have you been doing for the last two years?
December 5, 2017 at 1:42pm 3-5 million in debt is a fine job? Laying people off because she can't do what she claimed she could do? I'm wondering which of the admins are now on here encouraging people to quit under phony names. That'll make their jobs easier when it comes time to lay people off because the University has been mismanaged for years. The ones to go are not the ones responsible for this mess. In fact, the ones who are responsible will probably get a raise after the mass head chopping that's coming down the pipes. But yes, I'd love to hear how she's doing a fine job. What do you know that we don't? I'll continue my anonymity, not due to cowardice on my end, but for to the cowardice that the administration portrays. If their response to any complaint is to harass and intimidate the person into quitting, than I don't see how protecting your employment is cowardly. It's cowardly to retaliate, lie, defame, or harass a person for a legitimate concern. Sounds like a dictatorship would suit "doreen" just fine.
December 5, 2017 at 8:19am I support Adams State, McClure is doing a fine job and all you disgruntled employees need to go to elsewhere if you can’t support our fine institution! Adams State will endure....... your negativity will only bring negativity to your life , but Merry Christmas anyway
December 5, 2017 at 7:56am Doreen, I admire your pluck. Now, on behalf of all these chicken-shit anonymous whiners, go see Dr McClure and tell her that enrollment continues to fall, retention of staff and students continues to fall, ASU's status as a university (already among the lowest in the US) continues to fall, graduation rates continue to fall, and employee morale continues to fall, Then you tell her all your ideas for making things better. See how that goes for you. Go girrrrl!!!
December 4, 2017 at 10:25pm What has become of the tree that was/is going to save us all? Who is Doreen Cordova? Debbie Chapman is leaving and the great Coach Rosy is right behind her. The Director of Admissions search was a joke, but at least they didn't settle for the only game in town. If Admissions doesn't have a full time Director, the blind will continue to lead the blind, right down the drain! Application numbers for 2018 & 2019 are already down. Problems problems everywhere! All of these vacancies should be saving some money, but at what cost? Are there any hot coals left? Who will light the fire Adams State so desperately needs? Where is the sense of urgency? Mesa State Alamosa? President Foster! Simply put, there are no solutions on the horizon. This year's money problems have nothing on next year's. Contingency plan(s) won't help. You (McClure!!!) have to learn to work WITH what you have. Unless failure is what you are seeking? Stop working against the crazy/desperate, capable few left in Adams States corner.
December 4, 2017 at 2:13pm Perhaps you all should quit being a coward and put your names in these posts..... typical of keyboard warriors, talk tough, usually grammar police because they have nothing relevant to say....... - Doreen Cordova
December 4, 2017 at 1:37pm Re December 4 @ 10:46. Perhaps one should practice what one preaches. And you should learn the appropriate use of there, their, and they're.
December 4, 2017 at 10:46am This website is not beneficial for anyone... It is used to gripe and complain about an institution that is continuing to help young and old attend and finish college... The haters on here have nothing else to do other than watch others rather than doing there own job... Get a life.
December 3, 2017 at 9:22pm @Dec. 2, 9:20am: Financial Aid/One Stop is replete with people who take unnoticed leave. It's very easy too when the supervisor is across campus. They go to unnecessary trainings, appointments of every kind and twice a month or more a back goes out or some kind of maintenance man has to stop by their house and only they can go home for such visits. Oh and don't forget they also have to leave when a package arrives at their front door whether it's Christmas or not.
December 2, 2017 at 9:20am How is it that one paper pusher from financial aid is able to be everywhere around town throughout the day? She is on every board known to man and she is never at work. I believe that being cronies with the higher-ups allows her to take unnoticed leave everyday. Earlier in the year, some students didn't get their scholarship money processed because she was busy trying to be a politician instead of her job.
December 1, 2017 at 7:27am It seems that Plan B - the contingency plan, "lower the lifeboats" - is actually Plan A. It is clear that McClure and the BoT don't know what to do. Why is Tracy not explaining how we are going to build up enrollment, prevent staff and student defection, increase graduation rates, bring in the money that McClure promised she would "cos I'm a "business woman", and improve morale? Why? Because there isn't a Plan A.
December 1, 2017 at 2:40am How can Maxine afford to be so mean?
November 30, 2017 at 9:48pm Ding-dong! How can some of the lowest paid faculty and staff in all of American higher education afford to take unpaid days off? Then again, Tracy makes $86,652 per year so maybe this seems like a good idea to her.
November 30, 2017 at 8:05pm Are these emails from Tracy for real? Is ASU actually this desperate? If so, I would strongly advise people to take her up there on the volunteer furloughs so that you have a day off each week to begin looking for other jobs. These emails are a thermometer reading for how bad things are in the boiler room. I assure you, this is the a sign of an institution on the verge of collapse. Don’t wait.
November 30, 2017 at 6:20pm Beverlee McClure should show some leadership on this issue and voluntarily furlough herself until her contract ends. She would save the university more money than any other employee and campus morale would instantly improve! The HLC might appreciate that, as well, given her antagonism towards them.
November 30, 2017 at 5:13pm You all know what comes after the VOLUNTARY options, right? Starts with INV...
November 30, 2017 at 2:30pm The following email was sent to ASU employees on November 30, 2017 at 1:34pm: Subject: Interested in VOLUNTARY furlough? Good afternoon, As we continue to engage in the contingency planning process, one suggestion that has come up in several campus forums is the use of furloughs, which would allow us to reduce salary expense in this fiscal year. A furlough is a temporary reduction in your salary in exchange for unpaid time off. We are exploring the cost savings of offering voluntary furloughs that could be taken between now and June 30, 2018. If you have any interest in taking a day or two (or more) off in exchange for a reduction in pay let me know and we can discuss the possibilities. I can be reached by e-mail at tracy_rogers@adams.edu or at 587-7990. Tracy
November 29, 2017 at 9:18pm @9:00 pm: I sure hope so too. Stop the despotism in Facilities Services because Bev, Kurt, HR and Ana sure as heck won't!
November 29, 2017 at 9:00pm I sure hope the HLC reads Watching Adams.
November 29, 2017 at 6:44pm While I'm appalled and dismayed to read about all the crookedness, lechery and beguilement going on in Facilities particularly from one person I tremble at the thought of how the custodial staff will be retaliated against due to the recent posts. Word around campus is there's already fingers pointed at a few custodians the supervisors think are sending them. Here's a little news flash for you. You honestly think the custodians are the only people who know what's going on in that department? The whole campus and the community at large know what's going on so before there's fingers pointed at an already browbeaten custodial staff in search of whom to punish know there are more of us in the know who are speaking out and this is just the first place we are going to in coming forward with the truth.
November 29, 2017 at 6:51am With Kurt Cary assuming all of Scott's former duties, you can be sure Rodney is the proxy Director of Facilities Services. People once highly esteemed are losing credibility standing in support of Rodney. Even their inaction is a strong stand support for Rodney.
November 28, 2017 at 9:18pm Gee, I wonder how long it will be before Rodney is appointed Director of Facility Services.
November 28, 2017 at 8:14pm How can Rodney cause so much trouble when he spends most of his time in Shannon's office? But seriously, who is going to come forward from his staff? Who will speak up? Even former employees are afraid to speak out against him out of fear that his connections with their current employers will be an avenue for him to retaliate.
November 28, 2017 at 5:05am It's not surprising to read of Scott's departure. No matter what the official statement is, never forget that anybody who opposes Rodney suffers the same fate. He does his homework, people. He keeps his employees under his thumb and when held accountable by his immediate supervisor, he starts filing grievances against them and ends up not having to report to them. Kurt Cary and Ana are basically getting paid to continue to ignore the problem Rodney has been for almost 20 years. Look how many people they ignore when they come forward and "ignore" is the best case scenario for anybody speaking out against Rodney. Mark my words: there will be changes in the custodial department and Rodney's reign of terror will continue and worsen. Every time he gets in "trouble", he ends up getting promoted. Let's see if the trend continues...
November 27, 2017 at 11:23am Effective December 15, 2017 Scott Travis will no longer be Director of Facilities Services. Number the brave among you...
November 27, 2017 at 9:54am The following email was sent to ASU classified employees on November 27, 2017 at 8:02am: Subject: Interested in Voluntary Separation Incentive Plan? Certified Classified Employees, I hope you had a great break. I sent the following message just before break and wanted to remind anyone who MIGHT be interested in a VSIP (or just want more information) to let me know and I'll add your name to the list of people to keep in the loop. If you have interest or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 7990 or tracy_rogers@adams.edu. Tracy
November 26, 2017 at 6:56am How is it that a certain employee can have countless complaints against them for the last umpteen years and nothing happen? Yet when a new investigation is being done on them the people being called in to speak are told speak up because now is the time for something to be done or remain silent and never complain to EOE, etc. again and deal with it. Firstly, how has the problem remained for so long? Also, how is it all up to the people all of a sudden when people like Ana, etc. are the ones who get paid a pretty penny to make such decisions? I'm not sure if it's Ana's decision but she still has to be the one to submit her findings. All of a sudden the people who have the job titles and all the pay want to play Pontius Pilate and wash their hands while they rile up the workers?
November 23, 2017 at 8:38am I live out a way from Alamosa and not totally familiar with everything. Specifically all the posts about Facilities Services, people named Rodney, Ana, and and Shannon. I know about Tracy (ugh). What is the scandal?
November 22, 2017 at 11:50pm This Thanksgiving, I am thankful to have gotten out of ASU before wave after wave of administration-caused problems compounded by a retaliatory workplace. But those turkeys in Richardson Hall should not be pardoned.
November 21, 2017 at 12:06pm @5:02 - I will see your $50 & throw in another $150!!!
November 21, 2017 at 5:23am I also want to know who the gentleman is that's always hanging around Scott. I hear he's some consultant for Facilities Services and that he gets paid a pretty good amount. Is a consultant necessary especially in these financially dire times? Facilities is a place ASU needs to look at more closely and see there's too many supervisors. When custodial is a few people short the supervisors continue to spread them thin instead of helping them out. It's been that way since the current regime took over. Also, isn't grounds a four-man crew? Then why is there always only three of them working to get things cleaned up around campus? Where's the supervisor to make sure everyone is working? A big thank you to custodial and grounds for all that you do to keep our campus clean and safe!
November 20, 2017 at 6:39am When you have Shannon sitting next to Ana at basketball games, people in Facilities taking Ana out to lunch and the whole lot of them having drinks together I don't know what anyone asked to contribute to Ana's investigation of FS can really say of any value that could go against Rodney that she won't go back and tell him. Then he'll obviously retaliate within the parameters of his job and call is a managerial decision.
November 19, 2017 at 5:02pm @4:39pm - We could start an online fundraiser to pay McClure to voluntarily resign! I would contribute $50.
November 19, 2017 at 4:39pm Question: Did Tracy send the voluntary severance incentive plan email to McClure? She's the obvious place to start. ASU could save a lot of money and curb the damage she continues to do.
November 19, 2017 at 1:05pm Not to fear, McClure is a prodigy! Surely her prodigal mind will save ASU! Not convinced? Not to worry, I doubt anyone in the state of Colorado buys into this either. Must be an exercise in self-advertising as McClure continues to find a way to secure her own rescue boat. Of course, after being at the helm this long, I can't imagine anyone expressing any interest in saving our dear leader. Presidential Prodigies - A new breed of campus leader
November 17, 2017 at 7:17pm Why would ASU Horrible Relations send an email to all Classified employees openly inviting them to get paid a bonus to retire or resign? And what happens if not enough "volunteers" step forward to walk the plank for a loaf of bread? This is the Adams State Hunger Games.
November 17, 2017 at 3:11pm To 11/16/17 @ 8:10 am- Do you have any proof that Tracy is not sleeping with the enemy, Bev McClure? We know that Rodney is sleeping with Shannon, hence, nothing is going to be done to him. Keep filing complaints on Rodney, they will only go by the wayside. Ana is corrupt as Satan! And Tracy is probably sleeping with McClure! Rodney + Shannon + Ana + Tracy + McClure= corruption... deceit... lies... adultery... Does one believe that ASU is going to pay out a reputable amount to classified employees for early retirement or separation? I bet they have ocean front property too! But one can read in between the lines, we are financially doomed!
November 17, 2017 at 8:53am How does the snake still have a job? That's easy, when you're as corrupt as the people running this campus, you need someone who has no morals, no integrity, and no dignity to do all the dirty work. Tracy is the perfect person for that job, and is really a reflection of the administrations true self. At-will employees will be preferred to be kept in place of classified because the snake knows they can legally be taken advantage of. They will be forced to work longer hours and take on additional duties without a say in the matter and without reimbursement. They can also have their pay cut for no reason and ultimately become the slaves that Tracy has longed for ever since she heard slavery was a real thing.
November 16, 2017 at 8:10pm Re: November 16 @ 5:16 - Exempt employees will simply have their positions eliminated and IF you're lucky a thank you for your service and don't let the door hit you on the way out. Of course, the snake Rogers won't be in that boat. What DOES she have on people to keep herself employed? Especially this administration? I mean it's not like she's in bed with McClure like she was with Svaldi and Novotny...?
November 16, 2017 at 5:27pm Re: November 16 @ 12:41 - Laughable! As if anyone in their right mind would trust Tracy Rogers, regardless of who the president is. Anyone who doesn't know the snake she is has their head in the sand.
November 16, 2017 at 5:16pm Great, just great! VSIP for classified! What about those of us who are exempt? Not all exempt employees make a great deal of money or have been around forever milking the system. We don't have a council guiding us, no union protection. What the hell are we supposed to do?
November 16, 2017 at 3:41pm Thank you, Tracy. It’s all clear now. Apparently the HLC report is really moot. The straits are indeed dire and it is every man, woman and child (student) for themselves. You, your cronies, and let’s not forget the bored (sic), have mismanaged ASU into the ground.
November 16, 2017 at 2:22pm Another investigation involving Facilities Services? What now? Why does Facilities keep getting treated as a fringe department that gets ignored when there's obviously some serious things going on?
November 16, 2017 at 12:41pm The following email was sent to ASU classified employees on November 16, 2017 at 9:52am: Subject: Interested in Voluntary Separation Incentive Plan? Dear Certified Classified Employee: As part of the ongoing contingency planning process we would like to explore the feasibility of a voluntary Separation Incentive Plan (VSIP). Offering a VSIP allows us to provide a monetary incentive to those considering retiring or otherwise separating from the institution, resulting in base salary savings and increased flexibility for the institution. We are only gauging interest at this time and may or may not move forward with offering an incentive depending on the financial feasibility of doing so. If you have any interest in participating or learning more, please let me know by close of business on November 29th. Indicating interest does not obligate you in any way; it simply provides us with a way to gauge interest. I will not share this information in any manner except as necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of utilizing a plan. If you have interest or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 7990 or tracy_rogers@adams.edu. Tracy
November 15, 2017 at 11:30am I agree with 7:51 am: The letter from McClure is hardly satisfying. The line: "For this process, it is our understanding that the report will only be shared with a few members of the administration and will not be widely circulated." Is a cop out. Of course, HLC is not widely circulating this report. That's not their job! It is the job of university administration to circulate it and inform the campus and wider community. Stop spewing about the supposed ASU pillar of transparency if you're not able to lean on it - much less stand on it.
November 15, 2017 at 7:51am Current employees of ASU, I would ask you to take a minute to carefully consider what your president and self-appointed CEO, Beverlee McClure, is asking us to do. In not so uncertain terms, she is asking us to work hard to save the university while the HLC's decisions looms. However, although McClure and upper administration will have the opportunity to read the HLC's report, and through it gain valuable insight into the future stability of the university, we will not know our institution's fate until next July. Imagine how difficult it will be to secure a new job before August 2018, especially if our previous employer is no longer an accredited institution! McClure & CO have time and again raved about their transparency and their willingness to opening discuss the institution's wellbeing with anyone and everyone. I would encourage everyone to remind her of such promises. As employees, we have the right to know what the HLC thinks about our institution, and of course, for our own future's sake, we need to know as soon as possible. We have children and families that depend on our incomes! Knowing earlier rather than later about the future of the insitution is particularly important on the side of faculty, for as we all know, academic searches are long, drawn out processes that take months on end to sort out. Most faculty members at ASU that have achieved tenure status previously applied to hundreds of jobs before they landed their current position. Imagine how difficult it will be, after being associated in name with ASU, to land another tenure track job? I know most people are already looking for jobs outside of ASU, but I get the sense that if you're not, now would be a good time to start working evenings and weekends on applications before it's too late. Regardless, we have a right to know how the HLC visit went, and as soon as possible, what the report indicates. McClure & CO should hold open houses to discuss these matters ASAP. In addition to our right to know more as employees, the whole community has a right to know about the institution's future. Imagine the negative economic impact that losing accreditation would have on the SLV? How many families depend on income from the university? How many restaurants and businesses depend on a steady flow of students and their families to keep things afloat? And what will be of all our students who are matriculating courses at ASU? What are they to do? Should they transfer? Should they stay? Should they both investing time and energy into ASU? They too need to know. We need to demand transparency. We need more than hollow e-mails from Richardson hall. We need hard evidence to demonstrate that our administration has us on the right path because everything that's currently on the table indicates that we are not. Perhaps this website can run a poll on the percentage of employees at ASU who would prefer to see the results of the HLC audit as soon as they are available. And then, once the results are in, we could send them over to McClure & CO so they have a genuine sense of our urgency. Or perhaps we could print up the results and post them around campus just in case McClure fails to read our e-mails, as her tendency has been in the past.
November 14, 2017 at 10:04pm Is Adams State losing its university status?
November 14, 2017 at 8:33pm Want to expose police corruption? Don't leak documents to the media – just tell the sheriff! Want to reveal a coach abusing their players? Don't blow the whistle to referees – just tell the team owner! Want to resolve a harassment dispute from a colleague or boss? Don't file a lawsuit or make an EEOC complaint – just go to the company's HR! Want to reform a university engaged in systemic abuse, corruption, and fraud? Don't alert the press, accreditors, or regulators – just politely address the Board of Trustees. Yes, it will all work out just fine – for the entrenched interests, that is. For the aggrieved victim, it will be a surefire way to put target on their back. Guaranteed Tuition? How about Guaranteed Retaliation? Just ask the folks who already tried following “the proper channels” at ASU in the past few years... And what happened to them? Truth to Power 101: “When you try to handle a problem internally within a broken system, don't expect justice to be served in the outcome.” That's a lesson that ASU teaches its students and employees incredibly well.
November 14, 2017 at 8:20pm It is upsetting to learn that the outcome of the visit won't be known until July at the earliest. I'm also irritated to read that only select administration will see the initial report....um WTF so much for transparency!
November 14, 2017 at 3:30pm The following message was sent to the ASU campus on Tue, Nov 14, 2017 at 1:28 PM: Please see the following message from President McClure: Thank you for all your hard work and your participation in the HLC visit. Today we had our exit interview and the visiting team will now begin work on their report. As expected, we do not know their recommendations. Here are the next steps: We will receive a draft report from the visiting team in mid-December. We will review this report and can only correct “errors of fact.” For this process, it is our understanding that the report will only be shared with a few members of the administration and will not be widely circulated. We will have 30- days to conduct this review and submit any corrections to HLC. The final report will be sent to us in late January or early February. In the spring (dates to be determined), the chair of our HLC Visiting Team and I will appear before HLC’s Institutional Action Council (IAC) for a hearing on our probation status. This hearing will take place in Chicago. The IAC will review the visiting team’s report and our presentation to make a final recommendation to the HLC Board. The HLC board will vote on our status for the removal of probation and granting of our full accreditation in their June 26-28 meeting. It will not be until after this meeting that we will know our status. Again, thank you all for your hard work.
November 13, 2017 at 7:42pm I am going to assume that the November 13, 2017 at 1:30pm commentator means well. They are trying to be helpful. They are being thoughtful and providing a thorough account of their point of view. But they're also enabling bullies and a workplace culture of retaliation. The idea that we simply need to have more compassion for someone like Bill Mansheim or Frank Novotny or Beverlee McClure or Ed Crowther because they may have personal problems completely abdicates their responsibility for making the lives of many ASU employees more stressful, needlessly difficult, and often times miserable. There has been a documented pattern of willful lying, intimidation, retaliation, and furthering a hostile workplace by a number of past and current ASU administrators and senior faculty. This website is replete with examples. So please, @1:30pm, take your advice and apply it to the people who are causing faculty and staff to flee ASU in droves. These bullies in power are setting the tone on this campus and they are creating the conditions the rest of ASU's employees (and students) must endure. This website is a response to that culture, which existed for many years prior under Dr. Svaldi and has continued (and worsened) since Dr. McClure's hostile takeover.
November 13, 2017 at 7:19pm I could be wrong, but the last two posts sound like they are coming straight from upper admin. At the very least they originate from the admin apologist and sycophant fan club, posted with full admin blessings. It's all so very reminiscent of Russian meddling in US social media. Bonus points to you for being so trendy! But really - we should report complaints to the Bored of Trustees first? You completely blew your cover with such an absurd recommendation. You need to work more on your stealth tactics. Go hang with some Russian trolls for a while. I see this as a good sign. It means the creation of the reporting "tree" has made them nervous. As it should. A few thoughts about the tree: 1. If you are concerned about others being able to keep a secret (understandable), just ask the editor of WA to keep your identity from others. You can share your story, in the company of others, yet without ever knowing who those others are. You can set the terms of disclosure. You control your story. Right, Danny? The idea is to end their ability to isolate us while fully maintaining our individual safety. 2. I don't think reports need to be limited to HR abuses. We all know the mistreatment of employees extends well beyond that office. We all know that HR is often indirectly behind other abuses. They coach admin in tried and true techniques for how to silence us and disappear us. 3. Reporting on systemic abuses does not put ASU at risk. Don't fall for this appeal. It's just another classic tactic of propagandists throughout history. ASU doesn't stand a chance unless all the ugliness is thoroughly rooted out and exposed. Truth is the only way forward.
November 13, 2017 at 3:31pm First of all, I have no desire to be a part of this Support Tree, if for no other reason than I cannot keep a secret to save my life. That being said, I have some concerns about the plan of going to the wider media that has been proposed here. If 9 News ran a story about corruption at our University, it is going to damage the institution. At least for the short term, and probably long term, effect on enrollments at the very least. Maybe it will be worth it in the long run to prevent greater harm to the institution down the road, maybe not, time will tell. For that reason, any accusation brought to the media need to be backed up by evidence that is above reproach, otherwise the damage done will be for nothing and the civil litigation that would be sure to follow any unsubstantiated claims against McClure is going to hurt any accusers personally as well. I'd also recommend giving a copy to the board and any other interested parties before giving it the the news, so that they can have time to prepare to refute any of the accusations if possible. It's not the fun way to do it, but I believe it is the right way.
November 13, 2017 at 1:30pm Re October 22, 2017 at 11:46am - Perhaps I can assist in answering your questions; "I am wondering why there is a need for a "Director of Clery compliance"?" - The DOE program review did call out issues specific to Clery Compliance. All but one of those issues/findings occurred in the 2013 calendar year and prior, and the other had to do with an oversight regarding off-campus teaching locations - 5 out of 6 of these locations have since been found to be inactive beyond 2 years and have been reported to and accepted by the HLC as such. While each of these is absolutely an important concern, ASU's compliance with Clery Act regulations has improved tremendously since 2013. "Considering many other, much larger institutions, do not staff a position like this, is this just another case of fluff at ASU?" Yes, many institutions, do not currently employ a full-time Clery Officer, however, please keep in mind that up until the Clery position at ASU was created in 2015, no one person was responsible for overseeing ASU's compliance with Clery, which meant several important aspects of the Act were mistakenly overlooked, and compliance often fell on the shoulders of employees who had not been adequately trained, and whose primary functions did not include Clery responsibilities but took it upon themselves to try to do as much as they could on top of their normal full-time duties. At that time, and earlier, there was little awareness of it, however, with the increase of Clery-related high-profile cases in the media over the last few years, as well as more frequent increases in Clery fines and audits, the University made a decision to create the position, though it had been lucky in years past to have not been audited before now. Due to these rapid increases & changes, many institutions, like ASU, are continuing to create or designate Clery-specific offices or positions to keep up with the numerous and extensive requirements and take those requirements very seriously. For example, in the first 22 years of enforcement, the Department of Ed issued no more than three fines in a single year; in 2013 the Department imposed a record high eight fines, ranging from $82,500 to $280,000 and totaling $1,455,000. Between 2014-2016, institutions were fined a total of $3,285,000 while the number of audits increased significantly as well. Individual fines were originally $25,000 per violation but have increased periodically from $25,000 to $27,500, and from $35,000 $53,907 just within the last year. This continues to be expected to increase in the future to as high as $150,000 or even 1% of the institutional budget, per violation. One challenge ASU faces is that the Clery act is dynamic and is amended frequently, making it extremely difficult for the university to keep up with these, sometimes very technical, requirements. I do not get on this site often, but every time I do, the amount of negativity and hate I see in these comments is mind-blowing. Which is why I felt it might be helpful to answer a few questions so that instead of wondering, or jumping to conclusions (which I myself am guilty of occasionally) those on this site could form better informed opinions. While I completely understand the need to voice these opinions and fight for equality and better treatment, it seems to me that a lot of these comments boil down to what I consider "blind anger/hate". Being upset about a person or situation not knowing them or the entire background directly or fully. We sometimes become biased because of our own experiences, and it becomes easy to hear one side of a story & feel immediate frustration before hearing all sides or taking into consideration that there may be more to the situation that what we are aware of. Many of the issues on this site are absolutely legitimate concerns, and I in no way am saying that any should be quiet or stop, I just feel there are more kind and intelligent ways to go about questioning or dealing with a lot them. And like we learned as kids, two wrongs don't make a right. Being frustrated about issues at this university, (all very serious and important), does not excuse us from having compassion for other human beings on this earth. I do not personally know a lot of the people on this campus, what their own personal struggles are, what their job descriptions entail specifically, and how busy they actually are. So, while it may be easy to create a list of people who some feel don't do their jobs correctly, or criticize a person's drinking habits, or another's leadership, or another's willingness to act on a grievance or complaint, I implore those of you making these judgments to stop & take a look in the mirror; look at how good a job you are doing as a human being. Think about yourself and these people. Think about what else they may be dealing with in their jobs and lives and the struggles you yourself have dealt with. Consider instead what you actually know about the entire situation and then, please just question and talk about these issues without all the name calling and hurtful jabs. No institution is perfect, and ours is far from it, but we also have a ton of amazing, kind and helpful people working here too, doing really good jobs and making differences in the lives of our students and those around them.
November 8, 2017 at 10:09pm Thank you editor for making the tree possible. I am the one who volunteered to be the first. I have already had contact with the second. We will chat in a couple of days about strategy for this group which includes SAFETY! More info about process will follow. But to be clear, we will vet everyone closely, thoroughly, and rigorously. If someone "in the tree" can't vouch for an individual, then that person will have to be on hold until someone can. Safety is paramount. And yes, the editor is correct DO NOT use your Adams account. And DO NOT use your work computers, even with a personal email account. Everyone is being monitored. This dates back to at least two years when one computing services employee "accidentally" found something against a former employee. The safest way is to use your home computer, a public computer like at a library or your cellular service (no Internet). The second in the tree and I will post more after we figure out what is the safest and most effective way to move forward. Ok everyone... it's time to take back our university: that starts by exposing those who need to be exposed. I haven't been this happy about a project for a long time!
November 8, 2017 at 8:45pm Perhaps a very public outing, one that could include Ruth Heide or better yet 9WantstoKnow, could be arranged? I've been wondering when Adams State and McClure will make their television debut! She is always ready for her close-up. Developing Story or Breaking News? Have they been contacted by anyone? Maybe it's time!
November 8, 2017 at 8:39pm I second not using the @adams.edu account for such purposes. The term "monitor" goes far beyond just being a term for computer hardware.
November 8, 2017 at 8:16pm Bravo, let the tree begin! Enough is enough. Thanks Danny.
November 8, 2017 at 7:48pm Re: November 8 @ 7:39pm - I have often thought the very same thing you have articulated so well. But, as you point out, how do we find out who we are? Is there someone who could start an underground contact tree, of sorts? A way to vet the serious? Perhaps the editor of this very website? I would be willing to be the first to reach out to the second, and so on... ---- Editor's Reply: If people contact us individually and indicate that they wish to establish a confidential contact tree, we can arrange that. Please include a name and email address. I strongly recommend not using an Adams.edu email account for any such correspondence.
November 8, 2017 at 7:39pm I've been following the recent line of comments with great interest. There are clearly many of us who have suffered both ill treatment and illegal treatment at the hands of HR and their RH co-conspirators. But most of us remain anonymous, if not silent. This is exactly what they count on. They isolate us, they leverage their petty power, they play to our vulnerabilities, they make us feel that we are alone and have no recourse. This is what has allowed the Weinsteins of the world to cause so much suffering for so many years. It doesn't mean that we are responsible for our situations. We are the victims of a thoroughly malignant organization that has gotten away with too much for too long. The lesson in recent national headlines is that there is power in numbers. There is power in finding a way to come forward as a group. I suspect that we collectively have a class action case in the making. The challenge, though, lies in discovering who we all are and finding some way to connect with each other. Contacting the state HR officer individually and independently is an option but I suspect that many, myself included, would not feel safe doing so. Is there another way?
November 8, 2017 at 1:01pm It appears that the grievances need to be escalated to the state level as soon as possible! Hostile work environments, fraternization and substantial whistle-blower concerns. Chief Human Resources Officer: Kim Burgess Executive Assistant: Charlene Wisher-Howard 303-866-4920 Someone needs to take the next step, that is, if the accusations are sincere and with merit?
November 8, 2017 at 12:45pm Few know how deep cronyism runs at ASU, but for those of us that has seen it up close and personal, it’s absolutely mind-boggling. Richardson hall was plagued by nepotism and cronyism long before McClure showed up. She hasn’t helped the situation but she certainly didn’t create it, either. Take HR, for example. HR’s issues with neutrality began the day Svaldi chose to hire a young woman fresh out of law school with who he had a relationship with when he was a professor and she was working on her undergrad degree. This is a woman who doodles her way through meetings and proudly brags about doodling her way through law school, which she claims to have despised. Clearly, she wasn't the most qualified person for the job, but now that she’s in it, and she knows what she knows, she’s untouchable. Of course, HR’s neutrality suffered even more when the director decided to begin a second relationship with the then-VPAA at ASU. Tracy probably has more dirt on past and present administration than anyone in the valley. Unfortunately, she’s absolutely terrible at her job.
November 8, 2017 at 8:08am HR & Ana, what a bunch of pathetic individuals who are employed at ASU. File a grievance? File a complaint? Are you kidding me, they don’t even know the rules and how they apply to all employees on campus. The director is here to see her courted love with Novotny. Coffee anyone? The assistant director is in matrimonial bliss with Rodney. The admin used to be best friends and babysit her children. And Ana, the county judge’s wife! See the problem, see the cycle. As anyone who has dealt with these women, they are useless and do not support any employee that is not in their high society world, nor support anyone who doesn’t look like them. And how the HR women criticize others on campus. Get off the phone with the admin to find out how unethical they are... how they make fun or roll their eyes when you walk out of the office or hang up the phone. Send an email to one of them, you might get a response back within two weeks... To find out the director has been gone or out of the office. Disgusting! They have no class, no morals, no ethics, not supporting, do not help with reallocations, promotions, nothing! Coffee at the SUB, anyone?
November 8, 2017 at 6:20am 4:03pm is right on the money. HR and Ana G. won't do anything to help you. The Board doesn't care. The only way to break the cycle is to get external help. It's been done successfully before.
November 7, 2017 at 4:03pm ASU Horrible Relations has functioned as a place to identify “problem employees” and target them for ongoing bullying until they "resign", are non-renewed, or are fired. The Office of Equal Oppression works closely with Horrible Relations to ensure grievances go nowhere and the employee feels too defeated to persist. The Mean Girls Administration will support Horrible Relations and the Office of Equal Oppression whenever possible. And the Bored of Trustees doesn't want to hear about any of this and will just defer employees back to Horrible Relations, the Office of Equal Oppression, and the Mean Girls Administration. Want to break the cycle? You'll have to hire a public sector labor attorney and/or file complaints with state and federal employment offices. Or alert the media. External pressure is the only language ASU's cabal of retaliation understands.
November 7, 2017 at 1:38pm Wow! Not sure what's going on there. I do not support or condone any physical harm to anyone in HR or on the Adams State campus. However. I have had many experiences where they were difficult with almost any situation that I brought to their attention. One being my job description and work duties. Also, my complaints regarding racial discrimination. Most importantly I felt like they were completely unsupportive towards my request for family medical leave during my 8 surgeries on my lower back. I had to come in to the office constantly to show documents from my doctor, and during this time I had a draining tube connected to my lower back with a machine. Again I do not support any harm to anyone in HR my hope is that Adams State looks at these issues with severity, and that everyone feels welcomed and safe. - Meagan Smith
November 7, 2017 at 12:04pm File a grievance with whom? Ana? You think any good would come of that? Hasn't worked for anyone else except in McClure's favor.
November 7, 2017 at 9:59am If the HR rumors are true, perhaps someone should file a grievance: creating a hostile work environment?
November 7, 2017 at 7:48am I suspect one reason HR is contemplating calling the police is due to the fact that a certain situation between an employee and a conflict of interest is brewing and it's their attempt at dissuading this individual coming forward.
November 6, 2017 at 7:46pm Re: November 6 @10:26 - I suspect what the bitches in HR are reacting to is the roar of the karma bus. After ALL of the horrible treatment MANY have suffered at their hands (with Svaldi's blessings), they might be a bit nervous about their victims' desires to beat the snot out of them--which is quite understandable. I have NO sympathy for them. Let them keep crying wolf. ----Editor's Reply: While criticism of ASU employees is within the acceptable standards of commentary, expressing support or advocacy of violence is not. This comment appears to be getting close to doing that, so please remember that such statements will not be published. It is also not encouraged to refer to female employees in a derogatory manner based on gender.
November 6, 2017 at 10:26am Human resources is now threatening to call the police when employees bring contentious matters to their attention. I've heard that they've felt threatened a few times and use it in a manner to silence dissent. I've called their bluff and they never made the report. If you want a fair meeting with them you might as well record the entire meeting. Then, and only then, will they act professionally. SAD!
November 5, 2017 at 6:48pm I pray daily that Adams retains its accreditation, and McClure flies away on her broom!
November 4, 2017 at 11:25pm If McClure really wanted to leave a positive legacy at ASU (which is the opposite of what she is currently doing), she would phase out the football program and re-invest in more funding for academics and culturally-relevant student programs.
November 4, 2017 at 10:09pm How much scholarship money does the football program dole out each year? They are an embarrassment! Wouldn't it make sense to cut football and use the money to increase academic scholarships to attract students that aren't here just to play a sport?
November 4, 2017 at 12:04pm So quiet here lately. Is it the impending doom of the HLC visit? Fear of downsizing? Complete apathy, as everyone has given up?
October 27, 2017 at 5:01pm Apparently ASU administration and the board just see departing employees as fewer mouths to feed. Maybe they don't realize that these are the people who also make the meal that everyone is eating. When employees depart and are slow to be re-hired with a qualified replacement (this is the San Luis Valley we are talking about), there is an ongoing loss of revenue from the lack of expertise and labor from those who left. ASU has been slow to recognize the valuable contributions that employees make and how difficult it actually is to find qualified replacements. And if ASU is serious about improving admissions, they should not be admitting over half of their students with conditional enrollment due to low GPA or standardized test scores. These students are often never able to complete remedial courses (especially college math) and never go on to earn a degree. But ASU has been all too happy to sign them up, even if the data shows they are very unlikely to catch up and graduate within six years.
October 27, 2017 at 4:21pm Why bother with interviews when all new positions are hand picked ahead of time.
October 27, 2017 at 11:17am @9:02 Interviews for the admissions director position have begun. They hope to have a new director by December.
October 27, 2017 at 9:02am Ummm! Who is supervising Admissions?
October 26, 2017 at 4:54pm @10:52, more out of state travel would mean less trips to Starbucks and almost no time for lottery tickets. Not to mention news and football. The admissions counselors are very busy people.
October 26, 2017 at 10:52am Hopefully the new Marketing Director will request that admissions counselors recruit more Out-Of-State students especially the Midwest and East. Our competitors like Mesa and Western are sending their folks out there or have recruiters living in those states. This would make a significant increase in ASU income .
October 25, 2017 at 8:29am Wow! ASU executed a NATIONAL COMPETITIVE search for the new position of Director of Public Relations and Marketing so quickly. Impressive. [SARCASM!]
October 24, 2017 at 11:52pm Does it seem odd to anyone else that the BoT isn't scheduled to meet again until December?
October 24, 2017 at 11:29am Arnold Salazar’s brother-in-law is the new marketing director! Valley politics at their best!
October 24, 2017 at 9:03am Please see the following message from President McClure: Dear Faculty and Staff: I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify some information in the recent Valley Courier article that summarized some of the discussion at Friday’s Board meeting and to provide some additional information about the Contingency Plan. As a reminder, the Contingency Plan is just that—a plan. This plan is more comprehensive than identifying potential cuts. It will also focus on where we can generate additional revenue, improve operational efficiency of the University, and eliminate redundancy and waste. The creation of this plan is an inclusive process and will be open and transparent. Our goal is not layoffs, but instead to look at ways to take advantage of attrition over the next three years. We will also continue to try and reverse the downward enrollment trend we have been experiencing since 2011. The priorities of that plan do include reallocation of resources to make our faculty salaries more competitive. In fact, this is a priority for Dr. Nehring and me. We cannot rely on the Valley’s attractiveness to retain faculty with less than competitive salaries. The Executive Team has already taken steps to correct some faculty salaries in an effort to begin the process of bringing all faculty up to competitive levels. The Foundation has helped us offset the cost of a new Director of Public Relations and Marketing. We are excited that Chris Lopez has accepted this position and will begin in November. Chris is a seasoned Public Relations and Marketing professional, and is an alumnus of Adams State. Additionally, we are filling our vacant Director of Admissions position. We will be looking at offering courses at varying times to better attract our non-traditional age student population, as well as working to provide additional resources for programs that have the potential to grow. Offering non-credit course offerings targeted at serving the San Luis Valley for workforce and professional development is another consideration. In fact, the recent campus survey provided ideas for the type of courses that could be successful. As we move forward in a positive and transparent manner, we will continue to communicate with you openly and often. Please let us know if you have questions or need additional information. President McClure
October 24, 2017 at 12:40amEditor's Note: We have published a commentary detailing some ideas to cut costs and ramp up revenue at ASU. We encourage your comments on this topic!
October 23, 2017 at 9:09pm Worried? Scared? Angry? Wondering what you can do? The time for submitting HLC public comments may have passed, but you can still communicate your concern for ASU's precarious future by showing up to the next trustee meeting. A large audience will speak volumes in and of itself, but if you're comfortable you can also share your views during the public comment period. See you there. ---- Editor's Reply: Just a reminder that the ASU Trustees now maintain adams.edu email accounts and yes, they do check them and respond.
October 23, 2017 at 8:37pm @4:58pm: Respectfully beg to differ. Long lists of perpetrators are problematic, it's true, but everyone is NOT part of the problem. This is not just some sad, unavoidable situation. It's a crime. Crimes involve both victims and victimizers, and there is a distinct difference. I will not be summarily lumped in with the criminals. I will not dilute their guilt. I will not share in their culpability.
October 23, 2017 at 6:47pm I for one am against finger-pointing but certain names have to be brought to light! Why have some kind of Lovecraft-ian phobia as if these wolves are Cthulhu himself? Not everybody is part of the problem, how ridiculous and half-assed is such a comment! If you truly feel that way why don't you have the guts enough to be the martyr and take all the blame upon yourself because I for one will not find a hill to die upon for they who are truly to blame for the denigration of ASU.
October 23, 2017 at 6:34pm Totally agree with 4.58pm. Finger-pointing long lists of people who should be terminated sounds too fascistic for my taste. But as with any organization that faces systemic failure, its leadership - the president and the board of trustees - must be held accountable. Finally they have publicly admitted that ASU is facing an existential threat. Which is in essence a public admission that our leaders have failed to fulfill their jobs. I don't believe that this failure is a result of laziness or unwillingness, but that they simply do not know what to do. So it is incumbent on them to gracefully bow out and find people who can save us.
October 23, 2017 at 4:58pm Ladies and Gents: This is what is the real concern. All bullshit aside, this is the concern and everyone needs to be aware. This does not look good for future faculty nor students! QUIT POINTING FINGERS...... EVERYONE IS PART OF THIS CONCERN AND PROBLEM THAT WE ARE FACING!!! ---- Editor's Note: This commentator then pasted the entire text for the Valley Courier article, ASU financials cause concern.
October 23, 2017 at 1:49pm @10:53 - if you lump those with the reason of "broader economic trends" you clearly have the 25% of respondents who seem to have their heads in the sand. It also seems to show that those ruining the institution into the ground appear to be reading WA. "Broader economic trends" ??? When you look at other universities in the state, most are gaining students. CSU has record enrollment. CU enrollment is up as is U of northern CO. Broader economic trends? That along with WA provides these people with a way to blame someone else. I think the only way some people will see is if ASU fails. Unfortunately, those who are causing the issues are not going to be the ones standing in the bread lines.
October 23, 2017 at 1:37pm re: October 21 at 4:28 pm and October 22 at 8:29 am - Let's not forget to add Rodney Martinez, Alicia Harmon, Shannon Heersink, Jacqueline Martinez, Stephanie Hilwig, Mark Melgares, Kara Espinoza, Angela Madrid and Andrea Rydgrun, and Larie Bearss
October 23, 2017 at 10:53am The recent poll reveals an alarming amount of people that would choose "Watching Adams and its negativity" as a culprit for ASU declining enrollment. 12 votes the last I checked. That in and of itself, not counting those that are still too scared to click anything on the WA screen while sitting at work, should be cause for alarm. These folks are still "drinking the kool-aid" and refuse to see that if you take WA out of the equation - ASU is still hanging on by a thread over a cliff. Remove WA from the equation and the only difference is that we would be more in the dark than usual - or was admin readily handing out public information prior to all the CORA requests that WA has solicited? Didn't think so...
October 23, 2017 at 9:24am Dear friends and former colleagues, welcome to the abattoir. To all the adjuncts and untenured, your time of usefulness to this decrepit institution will be coming to an end. To all you tenured and privileged clubbers, your workload is about to increase with a modicum of a pay increase. Before this House of Usher falls the majority of pain and sacrifice will be put on your backs. In an effort to save what is left to their skins, your feudal lords will eliminate your peers of lower status in a paltry and fruitless effort to raise your pay somewhere above your current but still maintaining a sub CUPA status. In return for this paltry and ultimately meaningless gesture, you will no doubt be asked to teach evening classes, and weekend classes on top of your day load. “O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” As part of the master plan to save your wretched and flailing institution, your dear leader and phalanx of cronies will be asking for schedule augmentations such as these to make the institution more appealing and accessible to unwary applicants. Of course with the elimination of adjuncts and the untenured, the weight of this burden in the fall directly upon your shoulders. Perhaps an alternate plan would be to have the dear leader McClure and others at Wretchardson Hall teach evening and weekend classes. Standing Strong, shoulder to shoulder with tenured faculty in a grand valiant effort for Addams Family Values and and bringing this ship safely into port. Can you see it now? Neither can I. On its current course the SS Adams should more aptly renamed the SS Titanic. The dear leader and Wretchardson Hall cronies are “right sizing” ASU into oblivion.
October 22, 2017 at 9:25pm The Valley Courier piece signals the watershed moment we all knew was coming. Administration is finally cornered by reality – they can no longer pretend everything is fine. Heersink says they’re not crying wolf yet, and she’s correct - they can’t cry wolf because they ARE the wolves. The wolves are crying uncle. The article is a clumsily orchestrated plea for help from administration. A plea for a bailout, a plea for outside intervention, a plea for mercy from the HLC, the DOE, somebody, anybody. And yet they still can’t help but engage in multiple false pretenses. The article references a “possible faculty retention problem”, as if we don’t all know the tsunami of departures is very, very real. They claim the flight of faculty is a pay issue, when we know it’s primarily a result of the supremely crappy, corrupt, and clubby culture they shamelessly honed. And Beverlee has the temerity to suggest that ASU’s enrollment issues can somehow be fixed with course scheduling – beyond laughable! More insidiously, the article is a clear, formal announcement of what we should expect in the coming year. Make no mistake about it, the “contingency plan” will be implemented. Faculty will be let go. If you aren’t tenured, get out of Dodge now. And if you are tenured, know that it may not save you when entire programs are cut. The wolves have finished raiding the hen house, and they’re now at your door looking to "right-size" you.
October 22, 2017 at 6:44pm Whether they are faculty, staff, or administration, offing some employees so the remaining ones receive higher salaries is a disaster for morale and institutional cohesion. Think about it: people no longer want to work together for mutual success and shared rewards but instead compete to make others look bad so they will be fired and the remaining employees take home a part of their fallen co-worker's paycheck. What could possibly go wrong? This is corporate cannibalism and just the kind of “leadership” a shill like McClure would introduce. Sounds like the Adams State Hunger Games to me! May the odds be ever in your favor.
October 22, 2017 at 6:25pm From the Courier article: "If the plan means faculty are let go then the remaining employees could theoretically receive a higher salary. 'This is one of the top priorities of this reallocation plan,' said McClure." McClure mentions letting go of faculty first? Is she out of her tiny little mind? Why does she think students come here, to see her? She should quit and take Novotny, Rogers, Crowther, and most of the athletics program with her. That would be a significant cost savings and no students would miss any of them.
October 22, 2017 at 1:15pm Larry Mortensen and his “great leadership” of his highly successful athletic department will be coming to an end this year due to his self announced retirement. His teams compete to hopefully reach “the playoffs” which in reality they are talking about the RMAC playoffs for many sports. Is this how high the bar is set for success in his athletic department? Or is it simply an enrollment quota for participant sports? The is not how ASC competed in the past, on and off the field. The ASC historic Wrestling program is at an all time low with zero accountability. Football is getting embarrassed constantly. Women’s Basketball is sad at best. Most teams strive to reach the coveted RMAC playoffs. Seriously? Thank God the dynasty that Coach Vigil built is on auto pilot still with strong coaching and scholarship funding. Svaldi gave Mortensen a $30,000 per year pay raise before his retirement. For what? For a padded false 3-4 year average to raise retirement income per PERA calculation methods. Mortensen knew this. He truly is a deceptive person. Mortensen deserves to be on this list and an AD to be remembered for his failures, not a few successes that were in place before he arrived.
October 22, 2017 at 11:46am I am wondering why there is a need for a "Director of Clery compliance"? In the DOE audit, there were issues with Clery compliance specifically called out. This was pointed out in McClure's letter to campus about the DOE findings. Considering many other, much larger institutions, do not staff a position like this, is this just another case of fluff at ASU? I am pretty sure that up until a couple years ago that position did not even exist at ASU. Was ASU ever called out on Cleary issues before?
October 22, 2017 at 8:29am @ October 21, 2017 at 4:28pm - Please do not forget Armando Valdez.
October 22, 2017 at 6:18am Re: the academic identity survey. If I had a dollar for every time a survey like this was sent out, I'd be rich. These surveys are sent out by our leaders under the pretense of gathering input but it's really to get others to do their job! Are we really going to base our optimal enrollment numbers off of an alum or community members perception of what they think is an optimal number? What are the trends, folks? What are best practices being developed all over the country? What are you getting paid to do?!
October 21, 2017 at 9:45pm I came across this comic from 2005 and it reminded me too much of Adams State not to share it here...
October 21, 2017 at 4:28pm Right-sizing the institution, huh? Allow me to make the following recommendations based on incompetence, culpability or both: Beverlee McClure Frank Novotny Ellen Novotny Ed Crowther Margaret Doell Elizabeth Thomas Hensley Tracy Rogers Karla Hardesty Kurt Cary Ana Guevara Larry Mortensen Dianne Lee Anthony Romero Judy Phillips Ken Marquez Lori Laske Gaylene Horning Richard Loosbrock Lisa Marie Centeno Elaine Trujillo Wenta Zena Buser Sammie Thomas Trabert Mark Schoenecker Julie Waechter Michael Henderson Berna Hostetter Aaron Miltenberger Lisa Clements Beneranda Chacon I'm sure there are others deserving of the unemployment line, but this would be a good start.
October 21, 2017 at 2:41pm So Bev stated we need to find new revenue streams. Isn't that why the stupid drunk was hired? Wasn't she hired to lobby and do fundraising? Oh yeah, she's been too busy dismantling our institution, firing competent people, and ensuring a Balkanized campus. Seems like Danny was speaking truth to power all along. But the power (the board) was too arrogant and up Bev's skirt to listen. And yes, we will "right size". Great plan, dozens of hardworking people, who truly care about this institution will be in the unemployment line. And our leader probably won't even know their names. Nice work Bev! You earned that evaluation and quarter of a million dollar salary.
October 21, 2017 at 11:36am Welp, even the Valley Courier is sounding the alarms about ASU’s poor finances, low enrollment, and high turnover. This reads like an article from Watching Adams over the last two years!
October 20, 2017 at 7:46am Again, where is the Board of Trustees? They remain silent, presumably transfixed by McClure's stunning "performance". Why doesn't the BoT make a public announcement about what it intends to do to save ASU? Or don't they have any idea?
October 20, 2017 at 7:11am If well-known, well-liked figures of other universities like Joe Paterno, Rick Pitino, etc. can get caught, be held accountable and suffer the consequences then why not the repeat offenders of ASU?
October 19, 2017 at 11:11pm Looking at these enrollment trends, we should just tell HLC to never mind and throw ourselves at the mercy of the state. Any of the systems, including the community college one, would be a lifesaver. Nice work Bev. Enrollment has dropped since you took the helm by a number larger than you indicated we needed to grow to make guaranteed tuition work. You truly don't know ANYTHING about higher education. AND, you've gotten rid of anyone who does and surrounded yourself with idiots dumber than you! Time to brush up the CV--as if we could be that lucky now. Holy sh*t!
October 16, 2017 at 10:28pm So what do people think about this ASU Academic Identity Survey? Is it the pretext for starting to cut programs and departments? A meaningless showpiece to pretend to care about public input? An administration completely out of ideas?
October 16, 2017 at 12:40pm What a great comment, Danny. I don't know how you were able to describe ASU so succinctly, but it's dead on!
October 12, 2017 at 8:55pm I have submitted my comment to the HLC. I saw no point in having my information remain confidential, though I understand why others might. It was challenging to condense my observations to under 250 words, but here's what I wrote: As a faculty member at Adams State University between 2011-2015, I found many of the institution's structures to be highly dysfunctional. Worse still, a hostile campus culture protects various types of corruption, fraud and ineptitude from meaningful internal reform. I joined multiple committees to address issues of salary inequality, lack of shared governance, deliberate lapses of academic integrity, violations of labor law and handbook codes, and low campus morale. Many employees on these committees subsequently encountered retaliation up to and including termination, workplace hostility to the point of attrition or constructive dismissal. In the years since, I have published WatchingAdams.org – an accountability website with over 100 news and commentary articles, public documents, external press, podcast interviews, and reader comments regarding Adams State. With the assistance of current and former employees, the site highlights various institutional problems primarily rooted in the policies and practices of the ASU administration. The institution's response was to ban me from campus without due process for false allegations of “campus safety”, culminating in the university being sued by the ACLU. The university settled out of court, paying $100,000 and lifting the campus ban. Multiple settlements with other former ASU employees have occurred before and since. After conducting dozens of anonymous and on-record interviews, I have concluded that the nature of ASU's problems are deeply entrenched and not merely regulatory or compliance issues. High employee turnover, declining student enrollment, and a retaliatory work environment warrant serious and sustained intervention to repair a fundamentally broken university. - Danny Ledonne
October 12, 2017 at 5:49pm Most of the people at One Stop need to work out of Richardson Hall anyway. It's not efficient for the department when the supervisor has to walk all the way across campus multiple times a day to check on things. Use the Community Outreach building to house people like Ken Marquez, Karla Hardesty, Margo & Mark and send the back part of One Stop to the 2nd floor of Richardson Hall. That should make things more efficient and improve accountability in that department.
October 12, 2017 at 4:32pm From the Valley Courier: Carpio is History Colorado philanthropy officer "The Community Museum Division of History Colorado recently added a new philanthropy officer as part of the recent expansion of Community Museum programming and services. Eric Carpio joins History Colorado as philanthropy officer for Community Museums. He brings with him more than 20 years higher education experience, most recently as Assistant Vice President of Student Services at Adams State University in Alamosa. At Adams State, Carpio and his team received more than $2.5 million dollars in different grants for several different programs. In his new position, he will design and implement fundraising strategies across the state to support Community Museum initiatives."
October 12, 2017 at 10:45am @9:18pm: One Stop is just as grueling. Come and go as you please and answer only to self. How can one be of service to the students when the office door is always closed even when they do decide to show up?
October 11, 2017 at 9:18pm Admissions is the place to be for those who want to collect a check. If streaming Netflix, ESPN or Fox News sounds like a rough day at the office, they have it the worst. I can't understand why enrollment is down!
October 10, 2017 at 6:40pm All comments to the HLC regarding ASU's accreditation are due by this Friday. The form asks, "Would you like HLC to remove your identifying information before sharing your comment with the evaluation team and institution?" and you may choose "Yes". If you have anything to say about ASU to its accreditor, this is the time to do so.
October 9, 2017 at 10:18am I think the comment about bumping rights is incorrect. The "talent agenda" part of HB 12-1321 eliminates bumping for all state employees except those within five years of retirement. Is this not the case?
October 8, 2017 at 2:43pm Classified will have bumping rights for those with seniority. Classified employees with less than 5 years will be let go. Exempt employment will be let go as they are at will. Classified employees who will retire in the next year won’t be paid out for early retirement.
October 7, 2017 at 4:01pm Does anyone know if there is a plan B in the event Adams does lose its accreditation? What will happen to classified and exempt employees?
October 7, 2017 at 3:27pm "The duty of citizens in a democracy is to be skeptical -- not to worship our leaders, who have always been fallible, but to question their decisions, challenge their policies, and hold them accountable for their failures." Ken Burns & Lynn Novick Same should be true regarding the duties of University employees.
October 6, 2017 at 9:43pm Is anyone really surprised by the Board's evaluation of McClure? This strikes me as precisely the kind of review that a lackadaisical, out of touch, asleep at the wheel board might give of a divisive, unhinged, vindictive president.
October 6, 2017 at 9:20pm "People skills exemplary with those not working under her." ...Wow, lots to unpack with this criticism tucked into a positive wrapper. I'm sorry, but this just cannot be the true or complete evaluation. Comments are far too sparse and generic and pointless for a position of this importance.
October 6, 2017 at 4:40pm What any wise, dedicated employee should do when receiving their evaluation is to start with the lowest numbers because they point to where they need to improve. * "Works effectively to maintain high morale among subordinates and between herself, her staff, and others within the University. = 3.1" I've heard so many people say morale at ASU has never been lower. * "Based upon the President's leadership, faculty and staff have confidence in the future of the institution. = 3.25" The Board pegged this one, but should have given her a 2.0. None of us have confidence we'll still be open next year or the year after. * "The President's leadership has a positive influence on employee morale and performance. = 3.25" Her influence is most definitely negative overall. She has created a divided campus which is becoming less divided as people realize just how bad she is. Sounds like Trump. * "The President is effective in resolving significant problems. = 3.37" Hahahahaha! Look at how she dealt with Ledonne, HLC, enrollment, etc. * "Reacts too quickly without thought at times." Understatement to be sure. * "Looks at problems with clarity, logic, and coolness, and makes decisions based on facts. = 3.4" Yeah, not so much. Coolness? Hardly. Board suggests faculty may be able to assess some of these more accurately. I should say so. The Board picked up on many disturbing shortcomings, but they definitely did not realize or care to admit just how bad these things really are. McClure is no leader. She isn't and never was presidential material. The sooner she goes, the better ASU will be.
October 5, 2017 at 11:54pm President evaluation is a bunch of horse crap! I work at ASU and she has yet to speak or acknowledge me. She’s an arrogant arse! What’s it going to take for others to see her true colors? Get her the hell out of here!
October 5, 2017 at 8:13pm Evaluations completed at Adams State are unprofessional done by unprofessional people or those placed in “puppet power” (Board members) and acknowledged by those they evaluate (McClure) as being of high esteem, character, and servitude. In Arnold Toynbee’s writings Theory of Civilizations, he argues that the breakdown of civilizations begins from decay within by the actions of the dominant minority that forces the majority to obey without meriting obedience. The Dominant Minority then forms a “Universal State” which stifles political creativity. This process leads to the fall of civilizations. History shows this time and time again. Just some thought and parallel to the Rise and Fall of Adams State.
October 5, 2017 at 1:06am I'm not sure what to make of McClure's evaluation. Has the board truly lost touch? Or are they giving her an "out"? Let's review. On a 5 point scale--with 5 being the highest mark, below are her overall marks on each dimension and my thoughts related to each. Commitment to Institutional/System Mission = 4.7 (A-): Ok, perhaps she is committed to institutional mission. How has she proven that through her actions in the past 2 years of her tenure? Part of our mission is that of an HSI...has anyone counted, lately, how many Hispanic employees she has either fired or run off? Leadership Ability = 3.9 (B+): Seriously? McClure couldn't lead her way out of a paper bag. Other than a handful (literally 4-5 individuals) believe in her leadership. The rest of us are waiting with baited breath for her to leave. She is NOT able to "resolve significant problems" any more than she "has a positive influence on employee morale and performance". I could go on, but, space is limited. Management Effectiveness = 4.0 (B): She displays none of these characteristics. Let's just talk about "appropriate judgment in the appointment and retention of senior institutional personnel". From Margo to Kurt to Karla to Scott to Liz, her "administration" is full of incompetent buffoons! And, the most competent can't wait to get the hell out. Fiscal Management = 4.2 (A-/B+): Seriously? BUDGET CRISIS! Need we say more? Daily Decision Making/Problem Solving = 3.9 (B+): "Identifies problem areas before they escalate into crisis". Well, the majority of us know she is the crisis. And we know she loves to escalate things. Human Relations/Communications Skills = 4.5 (A-): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Fundraising = 4.15 (A-/B+): How much has she brought in over the last two years? Academic Quality/Accountability = 4.7 (A-): Three letters: HLC What a bunch of bullshit!
October 4, 2017 at 3:59pm:---- Editor's Note: We have received and published President McClure's 2017 evaluations.
October 2, 2017 at 2:36pm: New email that came out 10/2/17: Office of the President Dear Campus Community: Last week two staff members from the Department of Education were on campus conducting a Program Review of Adams State University. The team met with a number of Adams State University staff and among other things they reviewed student files associated with Federal Financial Aid, conducted an analysis of our compliance with the Clery Act, and explored some distance education courses. On Thursday evening the DoE site review team provided an exit interview with the Administration during which they described a handful of findings as well as outlining next steps in the process and the time frame until the final report is complete. Some issues flagged for attention by ASU included a couple of items under Clery; a policy for how many semesters of developmental education any given student can complete; evaluation of our procedures related to conditionally admitted students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; and an institutional policy for how we make referrals to the Office of the Inspector General. The Department of Education will complete a preliminary program review report in 60-75 days (end of November or early December). Adams State University will have 30-60 days to respond to this preliminary report and the Department of Education will then issue their final report some 90 days later. I will keep the campus community informed as we receive more information and as results from the Program Review become available. Thank you. Sincerely, President McClure
October 1, 2017 at 12:18pm I didn’t realize there was an administrative person in the athletic department (a bit of sarcasm). Dianne Lee is hardly ever in the office. She’s either out taking care of her grown up kids, out to conferences, sitting at games, golfing with Margo and our glorious President McClure. She’s one of the President minions kissing ass and making a huge salary. Have you noted her title? Dianne Lee, Associate Athletic Director/Senior Women Administrator. No college degree nor does she represent any of our students' demographics and she’s as rude as she comes just like her President! If I was not a single parent, relying on my income and insurance for my young children, I’d be gone. I work three jobs to keep afloat. I have a masters degree and I’m still one of the lowest paid employees. People like Dianne Lee infuriate me to no end. There is no transparency, no equity or equality. It’s just a big black dark deep hole. It won’t get better, HLC will dismiss the probation, jobs will be cut (including mine), continue to be in debt. It’s her way or the Highway. And Crowther, Novotny, Nehring, McClure, Doell, Hardesty will continue to reign and look down us with smirks and arrogance because they won the fight! People will continue to resign... and we’ll be back in the same situation in 4 years. It’s a damned cycle. Signed, Feeling Hopeless and Beaten
September 28, 2017 at 6:15pm It's not surprising that some of the lowest-paid faculty in the nation would struggle with house payments, student loan payments, and other necessary bills. It's also common for ASU to cut course loads, making sure adjuncts don't qualify as full time employees for receiving healthcare coverage. This came up during the HLC review in 2015-2016. Many ASU staff and faculty live below the poverty line and many ASU employees qualify for public assistance. Not to mention ASU students on food stamps or those threatened to have their meal plans cut if they fall behind on their tuition payments. But someone has to pay for those six figure administrator salaries. And actually, Beverlee McClure's quarter-million in salary and benefits is among the least costly expenses she has imposed upon the school.
September 28, 2017 at 7:39am If you want to know what the BoT's plans for "rightsizing" means, check this out: Facing poverty, academics turn to sex work and sleeping in cars .... and if you think "it couldn't happen here", well, it already has.
September 27, 2017 at 6:37pm So are Karla and Margaret going around to different departments to coach people on what to say to the DOE?
September 27, 2017 at 3:49pm Miguel Chaparro, Transfer Student Coordinator & International DSO announced his resignation, effective 9/30/2017 yesterday evening.
September 25, 2017 at 3:40pm Having taught at other universities, I can tell you that there are multiple reasons why Adams State isn't a model for a university. 1. Adams State doesn't have nearly enough autonomy within the various schools in terms of department size, number of degree plans, or program budgets. Many schools have only one or two departments so it's redundant to even make a distinction between the two. 2. Adams State also doesn't offer enough graduate and doctorate programs to have a robust post-graduate campus community, there are insufficient graduate fellowships, or dedicated graduate and doctorate support staff. 3. Adams State doesn't conduct anywhere close to enough research to qualify as a true university. Faculty almost all have 4/4 teaching loads (or even higher when they rack up extra money teaching hundreds of students online - putting ASU on probation). There is virtually no funding allocated for research, program development, academic conferences, grant writing, or publications. Consequently, few faculty have the time or resources to conduct research or publish scholarship. If anything the campus culture actively prohibits it. So yes, there was a signing ceremony with Governor Hickenhooper and everyone smiled in the photos, adorned by party balloons. It was a marketing effort and celebrated ASU's record-breaking enrollment and campus expansions. But now the bills are due, the campus is in debt, their credit is bad, students and employees are leaving, and the term “university” is self-evidently hollow as it applies to Adams State.
September 25, 2017 at 9:38am So how about a little light controversy to start off the week? A campus email just went out, and that last line, "Adams State was named a University in 2012." made me put on skeptacles (like spectacles but for skeptics). I think the statement is kind of misleading, it's not like we were awarded the prestigious title of University. We just kind of named ourselves as a marketing gimmick, despite (in my opinion) not having the programs to support the name change. To me, University means Graduate Programs, which are few and far between here at ASU.
September 21, 2017 at 10:21pm Danny - I appreciate you sharing your memories, notes and thoughts about the hiring process that led us down the "McClure" path. I attended two of the three faculty forums, one of which was McClure. And like you, I was alarmed by many of her comments and answers to questions. On the surface, she presented well. She was a great talker. She knew the "points" she needed to make. And yet in the back of my mind I kept thinking, "there is no substance to this woman. There is no idea about shared governance. She is all smoke and mirrors. She is autocratic." And I was SCARED! Scared because I looked at Leroy Salazar, a trustee member at the time, and he was lapping it up like a parched puppy dog. I remember thinking, "OMG! Anyone but her! If they hire her, our path will change forever". And today? Here we are. A quick note about search committees for presidents: make NO mistake, the search committee didn't recommend her. The committee put forward three names to the trustees. THEY chose our train wreck. Nobody else - period!
September 21, 2017 at 6:19pm I attended all three presidential candidate forums ASU offered for faculty in spring 2015 and considered each candidate very carefully, discussing these matters in detail with my colleagues. I thought people here might be interested in the written assessment I gave of Dr. McClure's on-campus interview on March 19th, 2015. These are my thoughts on McClure's forum performance, emailed to Faculty Trustee Benson on March 27th, 2015: "McClure was also very impressive, but in some ways that concerned me. She clearly is willing to make tough decisions and take a strong leadership role. However, her terse, almost snarky response to Carol Smith's question about tenure was the most worrisome to me. She has a Google problem, as we know, that could add to Adams State's mounting Google problem. That seems trivial, but I don't think it is in this day and age. Politically, she could be too right-wing, business-oriented for much of our campus. I would certainly appreciate having her in my corner on a program or initiative as she seems to be a tireless advocate... but I thought she would be the most difficult to work with on issues of disagreement. She seemed to have a 'my way or the highway' leadership philosophy that could be a double-edged sword. That being said, if she could bring more resources to the university and empower us to do our best work, she could be a valuable asset to the campus." In hindsight, I believe I over-estimated Dr. McClure's virtues and strengths but nonetheless identified the tip of the iceberg in terms of her abrasive, vindictive leadership style. I clearly had no way of predicting that, less than a year later, the ACLU would be filing suit against her on my behalf. It is somewhat humbling that I gave her the benefit of the doubt for as long as I did, given the blatant transgressions she would later mete out against so many people. "My way or the highway", indeed! So many people I knew at ASU have hit the highway out of Alamosa since McClure arrived. - Danny Ledonne
September 21, 2017 at 3:14pm I will always remember Beverlee's answer to one question during her faculty presentation when she interviewed on campus. She was asked how she would bring along those who don't share in her vision, or something along those lines. She answered that, in her experience, people either get on board or they leave. A shudder ran through me. The search committee should have known right then what they were signing up for. She is not a community builder. It was a negative response from a person with a negative world outlook. She was fully truthful with us. And she was right. We've had a good look at her "vision", and we're voting with our feet
September 21, 2017 at 11:50am Beverlee McClure has not clearly articulated to those truly concerned about the future and feasibility of Adams State University how her leadership will turn ASU into an upward positive trend and sustainability - the alums, current students and employees, businesses in Alamosa and the citizens of the entire SLV. The survival of many of these constituents listed above correlates directly with the survival of ASU. What group vetted McClure and recommended her for hire? How did this group come to the conclusion based on her words and actions leaving New Mexico at a time of crisis that she could be loyal and trustworthy to ASU? A list of those on the selection committee should be made public and be asked what quality did she display during their search, interviews, and references that made her the selection over other qualified candidates?
September 20, 2017 at 7:28am Surprise — our economy’s taken another ‘alarming’ nosedive since May Words to fail by: "New Mexico saw 15,228 people leave the state in 2012... Said Beverlee McClure, president and CEO of the Association of Commerce and Industry: 'We are seeing a brain drain of COOs and CEOs and we have to address it. We have to stop this brain drain and this jobs drain. I think folks are beginning to realize that we can’t keep ignoring this issue.'" So what did she do? She went down the drain to Colorado. "New Mexico's politicians and business leaders continue to seem paralyzed and perplexed over the long running economic crisis. And the population at large seems more in a mood to flee--if they can--rather than fight." She was perplexed and paralyzed in NM, just as she is at ASU. And believe me, she's trying her best to flee. I wonder why so few employers are interested in her resume?
September 18, 2017 at 12:34am It's not whether or not the assurance document is "accurate" or even truthful. What matters is how convincing it is. I truly want ASU to work its way out of this mess. I want it to thrive--for our students. AND I recognize that student success is NEVER going to happen on the scale we want under this administration. So. What can we do? Take your complaints that you are posting here. Your evidence that the assurance is bullshit. Take those and post on the HLC comments page. Remember! You can ask to have your identifying information withheld from the administration. IF EVER there was an opportunity to have YOUR voice heard without the constant fear of retaliation, THIS. IS. IT!
September 15, 2017 at 7:58pm I've looked through the Assurance Argument and find it less than assuring. Here are a few of the items that stand out from an initial perusal: 1.B.2 and 1B.3 - It is telling that these sections, among many others in the document, rely on evidence from programs that have closed (like Mary Hoffman's Community Partnerships) or professors who are no longer running these field studies (like Dr. Waddell's Nicaragua and Cuba study abroad programs). As more people leave, ASU will be able to do less and less of what it assures the HLC it has been doing. And of course, with no mention of why things continue to fall apart. 2.C.2 - Hilariously, this document argues that the decision to hire Beverlee McClure "is an excellent example of how ASU “lives” this core component" (of Ethical and Responsible Conduct). Referring to the ASU Chronicle of Decline: "McClure was also named “Worst Person in the World” in 2010 by the New Mexico Center for Civic Policy for “incorrect and damaging statements” made by McClure while heading ACI regarding the Better Choices coalition. NMCCP concludes, “The trouble is that most of what McClure [said] was without basis in fact – she simply made the stuff up.” Could ASU have a worse example of "Ethical and Responsible Conduct" than Beverlee McClure's two years (and counting) of reckless, unpresidential behavior and hostile campus environment? 3.D.4 - "While most of the projects undertaken were initially identified in a 1993 Campus Master Plan and revised in a 2007 Campus Master Plan, changes in personnel have resulted in retention of very few program plans documenting the details of each project." - What a total admission of failure on the part of ASU to even track the spending of student fees and tax dollars. A clear indicator that campus turnover has a high cost! 4.C.4. - "Given the fact that ASU serves a large proportion of historically underserved students, the commonly used retention and graduation rates have limited meaning for the performance of our institution." - A laughably lame excuse that in effect says, "don't hold us to the same standards as other institutions when measuring how poorly we retain and graduate our students." This section goes on to move the goal post using other, less stringent measurements. Greatly lowered expectations begin here! Sub-component 5.B.2. - Somewhere in this word salad of administrative duck-speak, it is clear that ASU relegates faculty voices in shared governance and every metric indicates this. What is not mentioned is that the most beloved academic administrator, Dr. Gilmer, was chased off campus in the most hostile fashion by the university president (who many faculty voiced their opposition to prior to her hire). Also, while the deliberately-ineffectual CIELO is mentioned as a presidential advisory group, there is no mention of Campus Advocacy Group (CAG) - the one that actually identified serious structural problems and tried to organize a plan to fix them... until the administration hunted them down to the point of attrition, disemployment, or being banned from campus. And actually, from CEC to PASC and Faculty Senate, this entire section is littered with pure fantasy about how shared governance at ASU works and neglects any mention of how limited, bullied, and intentionally marginalized these shared governance units are and have been for at least a decade. It's been top-down governance all along. 5.S - Criterion 5 – Summary - "ASU has experienced a lot of change over the past decade." That's certainly a charitable way of phrasing it. How about admitting that ASU has been in a period of fiscal decline, lowering enrollment, major academic ethics violations, lawsuits and scandals, and eroding morale from a disappearing workforce? The HLC should hear the whole story about the ASU campus - not just the grossly misleading story that the administration is attempting to tell here.
September 15, 2017 at 2:29pm Michael Skinner has resigned his position as the Sports Information Director for the ASU Athletics department. Michael is the fourth S.I.D. to resign in the past six years. The reason for such a high turnover at this position is a heavy work load and an average salary. When will Athletic Director Larry "the blister" Mortensen learn he cannot work his staff 50-60 hours a week, seven days a week? While Mr. Mortensen and his sidekick Dianne Lee (who by the way does not have a college degree) are well-paid, the rest of the staff is underpaid. It is a well known fact around the ASU community that the only reason Mr. Mortensen was given the A.D. job was because of the influence of his father-in-law. The ASU Athletics department was once a proud and historical department, now these days it is going down the wrong side of the tracks.
September 15, 2017 at 11:39am 2 - Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct - The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible They must have been choking as they responded to this one. Ethical? McClure, Novotny, Mansheim, oh please! Extended studies! Failing grade on that one. Pure fantasy.
September 15, 2017 at 11:39am In response to Sept 14 2017 11:20pm. - "In what way (s) is ASU not in compliance with HLC Core Component 3.C, 1-6? Specific examples or evidence, please." ASU's 4 year graduation rate is 15.3% ASU's 6 year graduation rate is 34.2% ASU's graduation rates STATISTICALLY underperform in EVERY category. This is not a defensible position to be in with these graduation rates statistically displayed over a long period of time with the trend overall downward. This is failure at ALL LEVELS and at EVERY POSITION. What is the one singular goal for EVERY STUDENT that enrolls in higher education? To graduate. ASU is so far behind State and National graduation rate averages it is indefensible. The bus is rolling, the driver is in place, key seats are filled... do you want your daughter or son on this bus?
September 15, 2017 at 7:22am In no way shape or form is it true that the, "institution has processes and resources for assuring that instructors are current in their disciplines." This is especially not true for faculty in STEM fields that often only receive 1 credit for labs that may be 3-4 contact hours a week. There are some STEM professors that have contact hours as high as 19 a week. So you're spending 19 hours a week in the classroom, you have prep for classes, grading, advising, scholarly activity, service, AND somehow need to find time to keep up with a constantly changing field? If the institution is not willing to increase compensation for credit hours, then how can they claim that those professors can be current in their disciplines? How do they see professors working 60+ hours a week that still need to find additional time just to keep up with new literature as a sustainable practice? I have never in my career heard of another university that cares less about the well being of their faculty and staff. I have a lot of friends at ASU whose families rely on the continuance of the institution, and I want nothing more than for ASU to flourish and provide a solid education for students, as well as stability for those people who have invested their careers in ASU. But, that will require strong leadership in a positive direction. Right now ASU does not have that. I believe ASU requires major, systemic changes in their administrative model from the top to the bottom, and with McClure and Margaret in positions that dictate the direction of the university, that will never happen.
September 15, 2017 at 5:21am ---- Editor's Note: We have made the 9/13/17 draft copy of the ASU Assurance Argument to the HLC available for public review.
September 14, 2017 at 11:36pm Re: Sept 14 11:20pm - Let's start with the LIE that there are "sufficient numbers and continuity of faculty members..." Lest we forget the 40+ staff/faculty who left last academic year AND after 3 weeks into fall, already a prominent faculty/chair (Beez) is leaving.
September 14, 2017 at 11:20pm Okay, I'll bite. In what way(s) is ASU not in compliance with HLC Core Component 3.C, 1-6? Specific examples or evidence, please.
September 14, 2017 at 10:59pm Re: Sept 14 @7:24am - Bullshit and lies doesn't even begin to cover it! Wow! Who wrote this glorious piece of fiction? Margo? Bev? Others? Unbelievable.
September 14, 2017 at 7:24am The HLC assurance argument is out for review - it is full of bullshit and lies. Some of the programs don't exist. But this was the biggest joke of them all: 3.C - Core Component 3.C The institution has the faculty and staff needed for effective, high-quality programs and student services. 1. The institution has sufficient numbers and continuity of faculty members to carry out both the classroom and the non-classroom roles of faculty, including oversight of the curriculum and expectations for student performance; establishment of academic credentials for instructional staff; involvement in assessing student learning. 2. All instructors are appropriately qualified, including those in dual credit, contractual, and consortial programs. 3. Instructors are evaluated regularly in accordance with established institutional policies and procedures. 4. The institution has processes and resources for assuring that instructors are current in their disciplines and adept in their teaching roles; it supports their professional development. 5. Instructors are accessible for student inquiry. 6. Staff members providing student support services, such as tutoring, financial aid advising, academic advising, and co-curricular activities, are appropriately qualified, trained, and supported in their professional development.
September 12, 2017 at 7:20pm @9/12 11:03am - According to her Facebook account, Beez will be working at Colorado Mountain College in Aspen/Carbondale beginning in October.
September 12, 2017 at 3:31pm Yes, it turns out that even the most loyal Kool-Aid drinkers cannot stomach the poison that they promote for long. One could feel sorry for Beez if she didn't lead a march for McClure and write the Chronicle to cover for McClure's brash letter to the HLC. What did Beez think would happen? No employee can cut a deal with a pathological narcissist and come out unscathed.
September 12, 2017 at 12:24pm Beez makes me think of Monty Python: "Charge" / "Stand Strong for ASU" ... "Run away. Run away. Run away!"
September 12, 2017 at 11:03am What? "Beez" Lea Ann Schell Department Chair / Professor Human Performance & Phys Ed beezschell@adams.edu EC-111G (719)587-7271 Is leaving? Do tell? To where?
September 11, 2017 at 8:48pm Beez is bailing? Must be time for McClure's "she wasn't committed to our students and our mission" bull. Or we could face facts and admit McClure is ruining ASU, destroying its already problematic culture, and driving away everyone who has a choice.
September 11, 2017 at 7:56pm Da. Da. Da. (Imagine Queen's Another One Bites the Dust). So long, Beez. So happy you were able to get out with your career intact. The rest of us, not so much. ☹️
September 11, 2017 at 9:40am According to the academic calendar, I think the census date was last week. Any word on final enrollment numbers?
September 7, 2017 at 7:41am September 6 @720 - Give credit where credit is due!?! Is that why ASU is a sanctuary campus--NOT!?!! My God! Like Trump supporters, you McClure supporters are worse than sheep! Bahhhh!
September 7, 2017 at 5:55am Credit where credit is due? Of course she was going to take a stand for DACA. It was an ASU-centric statement but probably not one she would make personally. Why would she care about the dreamers when she doesn't even allow Hispanics to cross to her side of the wall to do yardwork?
September 6, 2017 at 7:10pm Credit where credit is due: President McClure's decision to sign a letter supporting DACA was the right move for an HSI like Adams State.
September 5, 2017 at 2:37pm September 4, 2017 at 4:40pm - why would Novotny care? He has clearly, and repeatedly, demonstrated he completely lacks personal or professional integrity.
September 4, 2017 at 4:40pm Recommended reading for Frank Novotny, David Svaldi, and others responsible for ASU's debacle with Extended $tudies - Are They Doing Their Own Work?
September 3, 2017 at 10:45am Re: September 3 @ 801am - Or how about we send Margo back to the art department and she can learn to teach history.
September 3, 2017 at 8:01am Hire a full time art history professor so art majors can get their masters here.
September 1, 2017 at 3:32pm So the administration has known that ASU is under a Program Review from the Department of Education for over three weeks now and there is still no public announcement or documentation on their website that this is happening?
September 1, 2017 at 10:59am Like many others, I am distressed by the news that ASU Community Partnerships is closing its doors. Mary Hoffman accomplished so much with so few resources. It's tragic to lose such a vital lifeline for our rural communities. It also feels foreboding. Does anyone know why this is happening, and if there is any way to reverse the decision? Does the board fully understand the consequences for our regional economy and culture?
August 31, 2017 at 10:47pm Revisionist History - A Good Walk Spoiled. Rich people and their addiction to golf: a philosophical investigation. (Revisionist History a podcast from Malcolm Gladwell and Panoply Media)
August 31, 2017 at 8:29pm @6:44am: The HLC would be well-advised to speak to former student athletes in Liz Thomas's business classes. They might learn an interesting thing or two.
August 31, 2017 at 5:34pm Staff being overwhelmed or understaffed, etc. is not the only reason things get put on the back burner. Getting a degree while sitting at your computer instead of doing your job, taking days off constantly and abusing flex time for various absurd reasons like stopping at Starbucks, waiting for the electrician on a weekly basis or to have time to do homework, etc curtails productivity. Not to mention coming to work late and walking in to put your belongings at your desk to head to First Stop for a fountain drink... So tell me, how strict are the supervisors if this kind of stuff is always going on?
August 31, 2017 at 1:20pm "Some soul searching would serve [Bev McClure] well." You assume she has one. We know she has no heart. She is a White Walker.
August 31, 2017 at 1:19pm Faculty members should not be imposing their views and leadership on the editorial direction of the San Luis Valley Historian. Certain professors are attempting to make the Historian a professional journal (fair enough) but they should not forget or ignore the original purpose of the Historian - to record, if only tidbits, the experiences and memories of those emigrants who settled The Valley. If this movement was encouraged by the current administration, then the administration should remind the learned personnel of the Historian's original purpose while reaching toward journal status.
August 31, 2017 at 8:51am @8/30 10:41am: Back to the original statement: ASU is not an efficient institution with clear and concise processes able to handle fast paced changes. Read: we have some incompetent individuals in their positions. Also read: something like updating a directory is not priority. This could be due to incompetence but most of the time it's due to staff being overwhelmed, under staffed, and under supported through their busy daily operations that things get placed on the back burner again and again and again. Lack of leadership has led us into that vicious cycle of not stopping to do the important things because people are constantly playing catch up. Don't misunderstand - I'm not defending this administration and their shoddy way of doing things. I'm merely trying to provide a glimpse of what it's really like to work at ASU on a daily basis. It's not always the conspiracy of evil lurking in the shadows. This is real life.
August 31, 2017 at 6:44am Regarding the upcoming audit by the DOE, I wonder if they'll interview Walter Roybal? They should. I'm sure ASU’s administration will dump as much blame on him as possible but I'm certain he'd have his own version of the story to tell. We all felt the pressure to teach online courses but don’t doubt he felt the pressure to create them, and lots of them. I never got the sense that he sat well with the way things were run at Extended Studies but I also got the feeling that he was never given the room to make the types of changes that we all knew would have been in best keeping with national practices. And if the DOE really wants to understand what drove the beast for so many years at ASU they should track down Ryan Shiba. As early as 2010, he was internally advocating for all of the changes that the HLC is now mandating. But Novotny, Mansheim, and Svaldi ignored him. He eventually left, in part to continue on with a higher degree but it seems he may have also left because he felt uncomfortable with the ethical violations that Extended Studies asked him and his staff to commit on a daily basis. Man, the stories Tyler, Stacy, and Jared could tell. Today, Svaldi is retired, Novotny is back in the classroom pulling in a cool six figures for teaching out of date chemistry, and Mansheim is conveniently out of the country searching for his soul on the Camino de Santiago. I wonder if he'll dare come back? My guess is that these investigators will want to get to know their history and I'm sure Mansheim’s name will pop up a lot. Perhaps McClure should jump on a flight to Spain as well. Some soul searching would serve her well, especially after all the families and careers she’d destroyed. Someone should also suggest that the team interview former athletes and assistant coaches. If I were them I’d start with that nice young man from Oklahoma who was just out of law school and served as the compliance officers for a little while. He saw everything the university was doing and ran for higher ground! He knew the legal consequences that would eventually face this campus! There are more than a few that could speak to the constant pressure recruiters feel to fill classroom seats with students who will never play but are more than willing to play, albeit with Pell Grants and loans. They've been handing out federal aid to student athletes for years, many of whom wouldn't be eligible at all for aid or to play if it weren't for coaches who carefully place athletes in unfailable classes such as Liz Thomas' infamous business courses. For God’s sake, she was paid by the basketball team for years to tutor student athletes and she encouraged them all to sign up for her own classes, many of which were online and she got paid for! And surprise, surprise, they passed, even when they’d been failing out of classes in departments across campus. What a racket! Oh, and how about that MBA program that they've been filling with students who haven't even graduated undergrad yet?!? Man oh man, the list just goes on and on. I'm afraid this investigative team might need more than two members! And then there’s McClure and her cronies. September and October are not going to be a good months for them. I'd bet money on her downsizing her Halloween party—and costume—this year. She might want to consider dressing up as Bernard Madoff. Just like him, she fooled people for a long time, decades really, but it seems the game's over. Her days of playing CEO and president are over, as they should be. After all, once the dust has settled and her latest reviews are public, who would hire her? I sense that the seams are about to burst at ASU. They could only hold out so long. It's sad, really, for ASU foreshadows a pending doom that lurks in the shadows of underfunded public campuses across the nation. And when the education bubble bursts, and it will, watch out. All empires eventually crash and burn. Not surprisingly, most are led to their ruin by the hands of egotistical leaders who are blinded by illusions of their own grandeur. Leaders like Trump and McClure are merely symptoms of systemic fault lines that run through the very heart of this nation. They are the result of decades of under-investment in the public sector. They are the false prophets that everyone wanted to believe in. Above all, they canaries silently gulping for air amidst the darkness.
August 30, 2017 at 2:46pm So what do you all think will happen with the HLC visit and process? Will we lose accreditation?
August 30, 2017 at 10:41am The directory information is updated by HR last I heard. You mean to tell me HR does not know who is leaving?
August 30, 2017 at 8:49am @8/29 8:50am: The reason our website and directory are so outdated has more to do with staff being overwhelmed with high turnover. Staff who are responsible for updating the information often don't even know people have left either because of timing, or someone hasn't completed the bureaucratic forms needed to process an update, or simply (not so simply) they're still on the payroll. It's not some conspiracy to hide that people have left. We're just not an efficient institution with clear and concise processes able to handle fast paced changes.
August 29, 2017 at 7:15pm I'm saddened to learn that ASU Community Partnerships is closing. It was definitely an area of campus that brought wide engagement from the San Luis Valley and ASU is a lesser place without it. This also cannot look good to the HLC given the criterion for community involvement. Is CASA (or other programs like it) next on the chopping block?
August 29, 2017 at 8:50am @8/28 5:01 PM - The reason they're listed still is to hide all the facts that this place is hostile and people are dropping like flies. Pretty much the same way knee-high boots hide vericose veins, reptilian skin and cloven hooves.
August 28, 2017 at 5:01pm I find it hilarious that Eric Carpio, Walter Roybal, and many other non-employees are still listed in the campus directory. What will it take for this administration to get its act together?
August 26, 2017 at 3:20pm It's simply not possible for enrollment to have been in decline since 2010 as McClure claimed in yesterday's email and article. Looking back, a September 2011 article on the university website proclaims, "ASC smashes enrollment records for third year running." In a February 2016 Faculty Senate meeting, McClure had also claimed that enrollment has been in decline since 2008. That's also not true. As someone wrote earlier, state enrollment data suggests that ASU's on-campus numbers peaked in 2011-2012. While McClure has a growing track record of making stuff up (police watch list, anyone?), I think this pattern of claiming enrollment peaked much earlier than 2011-2012 is an attempt for McClure to distance this administration from owning its own failures. The severity of ASU's decline is more recent than McClure is willing to admit. And at this point, it's definitely her fault. From a budgetary and now a marketing perspective, Guaranteed Tuition has been a failure. Don't be surprised if it is quietly phased out.
August 26, 2017 at 8:12am As of today I'm taking my job search much more seriously and expanding the range of areas I'd consider moving to. The writing is on the wall. The current and past leadership is and has led us down the toilet of financial and reputational ruin.
August 26, 2017 at 7:17am Scratching my head over Bev's assertion that enrollment has been declining since 2010. According to the CDHE: 1. Undergraduate student FTE (p. 15) peaked in 2011-2012, not 2010, and 2. Total student FTE (p. 5) hit a RECORD HIGH this past 2016-2017 academic year.
August 25, 2017 at 8:39pm The 47 employees who left during the past year are looking pretty savvy right now, whatever the circumstances of their departure. The dwindling number who remain can look forward to such alluringly named experiences as "right-sizing", "attrition", "restructuring and realignment of personnel", and the ever growing prospect of fiscal exigency. Fun times in the Valley. But don't worry - all this will "assure a stable financial foundation for Adams State". Sounds peachy, Cleave! Run for the hills, kids.
August 25, 2017 at 6:09pm "Cleave's service as chair of the board's Finance Committee makes him ideally suited for the position of chair as we move to right-size our staff and grow enrollment," said Adams State President Beverlee J. McClure. What she means is, "Cleave will do as he is told, just like Arnold before him." What she means by right-sizing is, "slash our staffing, slash courses, slash wages and salaries for everyone except me and my special people." What she means by "grow enrollment" is, well, er........... um. Results so far speak for themselves. She has no idea. When she says; "His selection demonstrates the board is taking its fiduciary responsibility very seriously," she actually means, "Even though the board has been aware of ASU's decline by all measures over the last seven years, their experience will allow them to watch passively for another seven years." Something Biblical about that. Perhaps the famine will end? We'll have to wait and see. God save us all.
August 25, 2017 at 5:52pm Of course! The solution to ASU's problems! Promote a longtime valley insider to take over the reins from the other longtime valley insider. Who needs new blood and new ideas when we can capitalize on our progress of the last few years? ASU has done soooooo well, all thanks to the board of trustees and the visionary Miracle McClure. And to ensure "continuity of leadership" - McClure's works - we have Kathy Rogers, who as deputy chair, ably steadied Arnold's hand on the helm as he nobly took us forth, and will stand by to pass Cleave his tea and cupcakes. Cleave is indeed a nice man. A total pushover for McClure.
August 25, 2017 at 5:39pm To summarize: The university is now being led by a local guy with a bachelor's in mining engineering and a local lady with no college degree at all. But maybe with his mining degree, Simpson can dig up some gold or oil underneath McClure's mansion?
August 25, 2017 at 4:16pm So Arnold Salazar has jumped ship just as it is about to go down. Now we have a new chairman as of today - Cleave Simpson. Nice man. What else? Is he a change agent or is he simply going to fill in the buttock impression left by the departure of Arnold's backside on the deckchair he has abandoned? So Cleave, tell us how you are going to steer ASU out of this mess.
August 25, 2017 at 3:20pm Funny enough, the About page on the ASU website still says, "Adams State has entered a new era of growth, recording an all-time high enrollment of 3,701." Yeah, SEVEN YEARS AGO. Talk about false advertising! Get it together, Adams State.
August 25, 2017 at 2:33pm Seven years!!! The board has sat twiddling its thumbs while enrollment has declined incrementally for SEVEN YEARS! Can you imagine any other board watching its organization head towards a cliff for seven years and doing nothing? And now that ASU is at the precipice, the most innovative thing they can think of is to cut the resource - its employees - that provide the services that sustain it? Is this a joke? Why has the trustees chairman not been forced to resign; after all, he has been on the board for most of those seven years. Why has the chief executive, whose package is in the vicinity of a quarter-million dollars a year - all by herself a massive and wasteful overhead - not been fired? Please note HLC, this race to the bottom is not the fault of faculty or staff, but is entirely the result of grossly poor leadership and sustained mismanagement. If you really have a desire to help the people of this valley, those who depend on ASU's success, then don't dis-accredit us. Just sack the small group of "leaders" who got us to this point. SEVEN YEARS!!! For godsake! What a bunch of motionless morons.
August 25, 2017 at 2:05pm This is the email that went out to ASU employees today. A fine "welcome back to ASU" indeed. Dear Faculty and Staff: Today our Board of Trustees approved a motion that authorizes "the administration of Adams State University to prepare a contingency plan to right-size the campus, in a manner which supports the board's long-term priorities as embodied in the ASU 2020 Plan, and which is complimentary with other parallel strategies to ensure ASU's financial stability, which may include a reduction in workforce, and directs the administration to communicate openly and deliberately with ASU faculty, administration and students to minimize concerns to this end." Our on-campus enrollment is down 6%, but thanks to the changes that moved the Extended Studies courses to semester-based, our total enrollment is down 3%. However, we must align our staffing with the on-campus enrollment. To create this contingency plan, we will use data and enrollment patterns. More importantly, we will work with each constituent group to help us develop this plan in a careful and thoughtful manner. At this point, this is a plan only-not an implementation of a reduction in workforce. In fact, we hope that we can meet the budgeted vacancy savings through attrition and retirements. Our enrollment has been declining since 2010, yet our staffing has not changed to align with that decline. We have narrowed the percentage of the decline, though not enough for us to avoid the chance that we would need to change the way we staff our campus. The Huron Report, on our website, also states the need for this plan. You may read more about the board's action by clicking here: https://www.adams.edu/news/aug1709.php We all need to work together to increase enrollment and improve the retention of all of our students. Not just for financial reasons-this is our mission. It is the focus on our mission that will help us through the difficult times ahead. Dr. Beverlee J. McClure
August 25, 2017 at 12:22pm So THIS is the official welcome back message? "Welcome back everyone. All is well since we were just waiting and hoping for so many people to leave so we can save money. Of course we wouldn't want to change and make things better for faculty, staff, and students. If we did, we would have to spend more money that we don't have due to poor financial practices. You are a liability to us, not an investment! Have a great semester!"
August 25, 2017 at 12:12pm Let us not forget that a huge form of bullying in exclusion. Shame of all of you. You know who you are...
August 24, 2017 at 10:06am Two "bad guys" I would like to highlight are Ed Crowther and Lisa Centeno. As chair of the department has for years pushed the HGP 110 and HGP 111 courses for being required. They are courses to ensure his faculty will be busy enough to justify a seven person department. But do the enrollments justify all the sections? This semester there are eleven sections of HGP 110 with a cap of 45 students per course (495 maximum seats available). Well, as of today, August 24, 331 students are enrolled (67% of capacity). Enrollments may justify 7 or 8 sections of this course, but look at some of the sections. Centeno herself has a mere 8 in one section and 12 in another! Her hostile, bitter personality is well known and is proven by her numbers. She has another 5 students out of a 20 size cap, for her Model UN course. That course is simply an extension of her Model UN Club which receives massive amounts of student fees and taxpayer dollars every spring to pay for their trip to exotic cities around the world. Of course Centeno herself goes on each trip. And this same course is offered every semester, so she claims to teach 5 courses, an overload, each semester but two are the HGP courses and Model UN is one prep. What about her political science courses? The Middle East course has 8 students and the US-Latin American Relations course has 3. That is 11 students! Altogether she has 34 students in 5 courses which is an average of 7 per course. Every semester, EVERY semester, her enrollments are the absolute lowest in her department and among the lowest in the university. Yet Crowther and Centeno have both bilked ASU out of thousands of unearned money. His corruption has been detailed in numerous reports and posts. She is being protected, despite being an unqualified and ineffective teacher (who does NO scholarly research-NONE) by Crowther. He has let it be known that he has so many previous sexual harassment allegations that one more could end his career. So he gives Centeno her easy schedule and overlooks her low enrollments and student discontent. What used to be a vibrant department has seen dwindling numbers. And Political Science that had grown to be a vibrant major with high enrollments has been ruined by Centeno. Michael Mumper teaches two courses but students facing a major that is heavy with Centeno courses have dropped the major and prospective students know her reputation and avoid political science. Shame shame shame.
August 24, 2017 at 7:33am So I spoke to a custodian yesterday and they told me for three years running they have had to email daily duty logs to their immediate supervisor and until recently the supervisor above their immediate supervisor. It has to list all the things they do per day and then the supervisors go thru and question why they did a certain task. Not only is that a daily requirement but their immediate supervisors still check on them many times a day and stay talking to them for long periods of time and take the away from their work. I wonder why they need supervisors if they can just look at a computer to see what's been done?
August 23, 2017 at 7:13pm So... quite the pair of recent podcasts. Way to go, WA. Way to go, Meagan and Andres. You both display more individual courage and commitment to the institution than of the rest of us combined. Applause. I do hope the HLC listens to your disturbing experiences because, umm, ahh: "Accreditation criterion 1.C. The institution understands the relationship between its mission and the diversity of society. 1. The institution addresses its role in a multicultural society. 2. The institution’s processes and activities reflect attention to human diversity as appropriate within its mission and for the constituencies it serves." - HLC Policy Title: Criteria for Accreditation Oh, yeah, right, oops: Accreditation.
August 23, 2017 at 6:59pm Underlings who enable fall solidly in bad guy territory. They can't pull "just following orders" bulloney. You are either part of the solution or part of the problem. Loyal underlings permit the problems to persist.
August 23, 2017 at 5:32pm From my perspective reading articles and comments, as well as on campus, here's my take. Who are the "bad guys"? There are certainly a few abjectly awful influences on ASU. Beverlee McClure is chief among them and sets the tone for a hostile, vindictive campus that is failing underneath her. Shame on the Board for offering her a 3 year contract even after she was sued by the ACLU and fired her mouth off at the HLC. They ultimately are responsible and should be held to account for the lost revenue, lower enrollment, high turnover, and probationary status. Some of McClure's dutiful lackeys have perpetuated the “Mean Girl” culture – such as Margaret Doell, Leslie Alvarez, Beez Schell, Scott White, and Ana Guevara. I would place Tracy Rogers in this category, as well. Then there are the people who are simply willing to be cruel bullies to maintain their power – Ed Crowther, Zena Buser, and the recently-departed Mike Martin and Mike Tomlin. Of course, there's also the legacy of administrators who knowingly ran ASU into its current mess – David Svaldi, Bill Mansheim, and Frank Novotny. It's debatable how much blame their underlings like Eric Carpio, Walter Roybal, Ken Marquez, etc. had to do with this. Who are the “good guys”? Probably everyone else. The people trying to deliver a great education to students – even as their pay is far below the state average, their department budgets are cut to the bone, and they are constantly being monitored and watched for any signs of dissent or critical thinking. The people who clean the buildings even if the president calls the campus police on them. The students themselves – who return in dwindling number to earn a degree even as the value of a diploma from ASU continues to sink with bad PR and academic sanction. ASU is a failing university and the casualties are too numerous to mention.
August 23, 2017 at 4:29pm I've been trying to follow the comments here and it's really confusing! Who are the bad guys? Who are the good guys? Are there even good guys? If there aren't good guys, then certainly some people must have competing agendas or actively work against each other (at least that's how it seems from the comments). Can someone create like a diagram or something?
August 23, 2017 at 8:07am Whatever became of the Facilities Services investigation? The only thing I know that was done was a sexual harassment training yesterday and sometime during the summer they had a marriage counselor speak to all of Facilities Services. Really? A marriage counselor? I think the same couselor spoke to a couple other groups as per Bev's requests.
August 22, 2017 at 10:00pm Got my A-Stater in the mail. All happy news and feel good reporting... right down to page 3 (just opposite Bev's letter). Yep! Adams State seeks public comment. Nope! No anonymous comments accepted. Of course they forgot to mention that identifying information can be withheld upon request. Oh yea...biased, misleading reporting, just like the Valley Courier. People! Requesting your identifying information to be withheld is ANONYMOUS from the university! Speak up and speak out! Don't let Bev and company continue to bully and silence any longer!
August 22, 2017 at 9:15pm Sometimes, there's an article in the Valley Courier about new faculty arrivals at ASU. But I didn't see anything this year. Now I'm seeing the list of departed faculty, sometimes multiple in each department. How is ASU quickly replacing these people? I see that Michael Martin left, did anyone know he was planning to leave? I see so many staff leaving, who is training their replacements? Next, I look at the enrollment numbers and course offerings in various departments and it is smaller than I remember – sometimes significantly. Is the campus collapsing? Or is it already post-apocalypse and some people don't realize it yet? Surely administration and the board know that ASU is imploding. Does the Dept. of Education know? Does the HLC know?
August 19, 2017 at 6:44pm I haven't kept up with Watching Adams comments, but I remember a few about whether or not comments made to HLC would be kept confidential. I just made my comment and the form explicitly asks: Would you like HLC to remove your identifying information before sharing your comment with the evaluation team and institution? And this is a required field, so fear not.
August 19, 2017 at 9:27am Analogous to Trump's presidency, McClure leverages the power of her position to harass and intimidate. Despite the heated rhetoric and passionate opinions, the Board of Trustees must endorse her behavior. Putting her up in the President's home to plot and execute domestic terrorism, she has free reign to do as she pleases. I imagine the Board is also plotting to erect a monument to represent the time and place of her reign at ASU; a monument that depicts her persona, knock off boots and all.
August 19, 2017 at 9:09am Of course she doesn't care about minorities. Ever notice she won't allow ASU Grounds mow her lawn, etc and they are all Hispanic? Notice who she DOES have as grounds keepers; those worthy of attending those little personal outdoor parties she throws.
August 18, 2017 at 10:03pm Bev's statement about Charlottesville was so obviously self-serving as to be ridiculous. She doesn't care about others, especially minorities. She mocks those "below" her high position as Queen of Mirrors. As for her mirrors, faculty from other institutions, citizens, students, and parents of students assume the Board of Trustees must endorse voodoo. Otherwise, they would have booted her last January. The woman is a nutcase and responsible for all kinds of harm to ASU, its students, and its reputation. Is it any wonder enrollment is down again... and again?
August 18, 2017 at 10:22am When duck hunters want to fill their bags to the limit, they do three things. They hide in blinds, apart from their prey, and stare out at them from a protected place. They use duck calls to mimic the sounds which make the trusting birds feel most safe and comfortable. They float decoys out onto the lake so the ducks see others, tokens, who look like them, and they wrongly assume if the decoys are safe, they will be safe, too. Then they are slain. When the pied piper came to town, his music was so alluring, so hypnotic, that he could charm a whole town into jumping off the highest peak of Mt. Blanca. Was it their fault they wanted to believe? No. Was it the piper's fault his song was untrue. You be the judge. The eyes of the Cobra dance as it sways back and forth. How beautiful the colors of the dance must be, until it strikes. Perhaps history will remember Walter Roybal not as the person who drove Extended Studies to the brink of destroying a university, but who instead, tried to convince those with all the power to stop funding their own folly and excess on the backs of students. But those in power did not listen. They needed a scape goat. Perhaps history will remember Eric Carpio not as the person who sent enrollment numbers diving, but instead as someone tasked with the impossible, trying to sell seats on the Titanic after the iceberg hit. Perhaps history will remember Chris Gilmer as he was when he came to us, full of passion and hope, equity and joy, someone who always had time to counsel a student or listen to a faculty member's concerns, someone brave enough to speak truth to power as an advocate for the underserved, and not someone who was run out of town by mirrors deflecting truth. Are these men perfect? No. Are we perfect? No. But they are not the ones who hung the mirrors and neither are we. We are not the ones who betrayed right and hope to serve our own agenda. Neither did they. Before this campus and its leader get to call out the racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia of this nation, we need to repossess one of those mirrors and look with a discerning eye at ourselves. Are we so afraid of the Adams State Gestapo, Scott White and Ana Guevara, that we turn away while our own minorities are carted off or racially profiled for simply eating their lunch on campus? Yes, Charlottesville was an abomination. Perhaps more of an abomination is letting our students believe that vacuous words spoken by self-serving leaders are sincere and will somehow render us safe. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts doesn't mean you should not accept a pound cake from your neighbor. It means those who sue for peace are sometimes just buying time to deploy their duck decoys. If you want to call me the ugliest racial name you know and climb over me to get where you are going, do it to my face. If you want to keep me in my place, well, if I am a 19-year-old Latina from Antonito whose parents are migrant workers, then Adams State is my place. False words spoken with motives even more false will never make it yours. We see you. ----Editor's Reply: I would welcome the opportunity for you to write commentary articles for Watching Adams in the future so that your comments can be written in greater detail. If you are interested, please contact us here. You may remain anonymous.
August 18, 2017 at 7:22am Bev's email about the tragedy in VA was just her way of telling us we shouldn't hate her or have a contrarian viewpoint to her's. She is not mindful toward others, we are all just a body count by which she can step on to achieve a higher status of hubris.
August 17, 2017 at 8:10pm Just a friendly reminder that the ASU President who claims "no toleration for intimidation" regularly intimidates people - the same president who claims "hate has no place here" after wearing a Halloween costume mocking obese, working class people. And of course, never apologized.
August 17, 2017 at 2:33pm The email below was sent to all ASU faculty and staff on August 16th. I think Beverlee should start practicing what she preaches. She's the most hateful person on our campus. How laughable! Many of us are still in disbelief about the events that occurred this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. We saw violence and hatred of such proportions that we want to believe it could not and did not happen here on American soil. But it can happen and it did happen. It was a frightening display of how much anger and hate one group can manifest toward others - others who are also Americans or who have come here in hopes of finding safety. Regardless of whether the violence was witnessed in person, on television, or on social media, the hurt inflicted runs deep across the country. The phrase "Hate Has No Place Here" is an important mantra for those of us who wish to push back and denounce this hatred and violence. It is up to us to stand together to ensure that hate does not have a place "here," whether that "here" is our country, our state, our valley, or our campus. I want to encourage us to think of "here" as all of these and to stand together in unity and say, "No more! Hate Has No Place Here!" It is only by speaking with a unified voice that we will be heard. Adams State University can be an example of how vital it is to embrace and celebrate our diversity. This embrace can help us create a safe haven here on our campus. Hate has no place here, and that "here" is in our hearts. Sincerely, President McClure
August 13, 2017 at 11:05am I hope people have been watching the news closely in the last 24 hours. Imagine that you are student of color, and you walk in around Adams State campus. There are very few faculty of color. Are you going to feel supported? Where do you go to feel like you are in a safe place?
August 12, 2017 at 7:45pm It is not merely incompetence among upper administration at ASU. The problem has included knowing, willful academic fraud against students and taxpayers of Colorado. Remember that Walter Roybal engaged in an ongoing and systemic act of fabricating degree plans for which there was no coursework in the Interdisciplinary Studies program. He was directed to do so under the Svaldi administration and this was allowed to continue under the McClure administration. This was only discovered because the hastily “resigned” Dr. Gilmer commissioned an investigation into Extended Studies which found, on page 8: "It was reported and documented that Interdisciplinary Studies majors have been officially transcripted with emphasis in areas in which the University has no offerings such as “Interdisciplinary Studies in Construction Management”, “Interdisciplinary Studies in Child Development”, and “Interdisciplinary Studies in Public Safety”. Such notations on the ASU official transcript are misleading, inaccurate, and in violation of institutional integrity as seen by regional accreditors."
August 11, 2017 at 10:11pm Double kudos for Walter Roybal for gaining any sort of job with having no real skills or talents and having done what he did with Extended Studies after leaving ASU...
August 10, 2017 at 5:12pm Kudos to Walter Roybal for securing gainful employment at SLV Federal Bank after suffering no consequences for officiating the Extended Studies program that landed ASU on probation!
August 10, 2017 at 12:45pm HLC will not accept anonymous comments but you do have the option to have any information which may identify the person making the comments removed before comments are given to ASU and those who will evaluate ASU. I don't think there was any intent to mislead anyone.
August 10, 2017 at 8:21am So let me get this straight... the Valley Courier reported that comments to the HLC regarding ASU's accreditation could not be anonymous. But when an HLC staffer was questioned s/he, in fact, confirmed that anonymity could be provided upon request? Wow! Not sure whether it's just shoddy journalism, biased reporting or fake news. Either way, it's dishonest at best and an outright lie at worst. Shame on you, Keith Cerny, and your "rag".
August 8, 2017 at 1:42pm Are you hiding from your boss? Leader’s destructive personality and employee silence - Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal (SBP) "Employee silence is increasingly prevalent within modern organizations and has been considered a significant issue linking to a number of important organizational outcomes, hence attracting academic interest. In this study, we developed and tested a model of leader’s destructive personality, trust in leader, and employee silence with a sample of 205 supervisor– subordinate dyads. We found that (a) leader’s destructive personality was positively related to employee silence, and (b) trust in leader mediated the relationship between leader’s destructive personality and employee silence."
August 4, 2017 at 7:28am Yes, I confirmed by email with an HLC officer that while you have to submit your name on your commentary, you can ask to have your identity hidden from public exposure.
August 4, 2017 at 12:38am So here is a public service announcement that was NOT in the Valley Courier. Individuals are, in fact, able to submit complaints or comments to the HLC and, upon request, the HLC will keep the user's identity confidential. The link is here: Third-Party Comment on an Upcoming Visit Just want to make sure that everyone has ALL information available.
August 1, 2017 at 2:51pm Re: 6:18pm and BoT emails: Way to go Danny! This is fantastic progress. ----Editor's Reply: I have been assured by Trustee Brown that these emails will be treated confidentially and/or he is willing to discuss matters over the phone if preferred. ----Amended 8/16: Trustee Brown wanted to make clear that confidentiality likely cannot be maintained for email communication. He said, "Given that ASU is a public institution and its trustees are subject to the Open Records Act (CORA), I don't think we can assure anyone that their emails to the trustees are confidential. I think that a CORA request might even require a trustee to divulge any of their PRIVATE email if that email pertains to ASU business. Could you correct this on your post? I just wouldn't want anyone to perhaps share more than they would otherwise be comfortable based on the errant assumption that their emails are confidential, and then have that turn out not to be the case. (This is the unfortunate downside of CORA.) It might be helpful for you to caution your readers about this."
July 31, 2017 at 6:18pm Thanks to our constructive communication with the ASU Board of Trustees, the university has created email accounts for each of the Trustees and they can be reached here. - Danny Ledonne, Watching Adams editor and publisher
July 31, 2017 at 10:15am If ASU were truly a Hispanic Serving Institution, the Student Life Department would like CASA. If McClure is worried about supporting the Hispanic Community and retaining students, she should make these changes ASAP. Hispanic students deserve to see leaders that look like them and support their culture.
July 30, 2017 at 2:02am @July 26, 2017 at 7:50pm - I whole-heartedly agree with this statement. It makes zero sense that CASA is not a standalone program. ASU needs to highlight and examine programs like CASA who are practicing and living best practices related to serving students, especially marginalized students.
July 29, 2017 at 1:46pm Alright everyone, it's time to put up or shut up. I see many people writing anonymous complaints about ASU but that probably won't change anything. So take note of what is in today's Valley Courier: Adams State University is seeking comments from the public about the university in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. Adams State will host a visit November 13 through November 15, 2017, with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission. Adams State has been accredited by HLC since 1950; it was placed on probation in March 2016. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation to determine whether the institution has demonstrated that it is now in compliance with all Criteria for Accreditation and whether probation can be removed. The public is invited to submit comments regarding the university to the following address: Public Comment on Adams State University Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1411 The public may also submit comments on HLC’s website at www.hlcommission.org/comment. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing. Anonymous comments will not be accepted. All comments must be received by October 13.
July 27, 2017 at 10:08am I'm guessing Carpio is leaving because he sees no point in staying. Everything he tries turns to crap with a touch of Bev's magic wand.
July 27, 2017 at 10:06am McClure had burnt pretty much every bridge in the valley and a lot of people are just waiting for her to go. Many people can't understand why she hasn't been fired. I suspect no one is putting pressure on Arnold Salazar because he is a respected member of his community.
July 27, 2017 at 10:03am Yes. Lots of disgust in some quarters, but no one wants to step up and "make a fuss." Others think everything wrong with ASU, from falling rolls to falling morale, is exclusively Danny Ledonne's fault. The fact that he has been living in Oregon for months seems not to have changed that fiction.
July 27, 2017 at 9:09am Anyone have any idea of public opinion in Alamosa and the Valley on ASU and all the presidential scandals?
July 27, 2017 at 6:42am I am guessing there was a reason for Carpio leaving. Does anyone know what the fall freshman/transfer numbers are looking like?
July 26, 2017 at 7:50pm CASA does, organically, what no other department or program can do with all the fancy planning and strategizing that most spend their time and money on; create a home away from home for Hispanic and/or first generation students. In addition, it has made countless community connections and receives community support (on and off campus) without even trying. Why? Because we believe inn what CASA stands for. As such, to answer the previous poster's question, CASA should be a stand-alone department under the Division of Student Success, with its own Director, funding source, and staff. If ASU is truly to be a Hispanic SERVING institution (rather than just enrolling), that would be a first step.
July 26, 2017 at 3:18pm Questions about the prez: Is she married? What does her husband do for a living? Does she really have a drinking problem? Is Ed Crowther her drinking partner?
July 26, 2017 at 9:07am @July 25th at 10:59am - CASA being a student supporting group should not be under Student Life? Isn't he the director of student life? who are you suggesting it be under? Athletics? IT? Who?
July 25, 2017 at 10:59am I agree Aaron needs to go. He has been a dead weight for years. He uses students to do his work. The fact that they put CASA under his department makes no sense what so ever. Let's not forget him supporting the "White Folks Study Group".
July 24, 2017 at 10:51pm In 2015 Ledonne lost a job, but has since moved on, and clearly has come out ahead in his battle with McClure. The latter, on the other hand, has ruined her career. I'm not sure that has sunk in yet but it will shortly, for the inevitable is already unfolding behind closed doors. Where will McClure go from here? Who would dare hire her? Those who have supported her in her quest to bring Adams State down should be asking themselves the same questions. You may have run all those individuals you didn't like out of town but what is your plan now that your captain's ship is sinking? There's a lesson woven into this saga and it's quite simple. Selling your soul always comes at a cost, for in the long run, values and morals matter.
July 24, 2017 at 9:59pm @3:41pm - If you don't understand how a septic culture can make even the most competent subordinate look like an idiot, you have not been around ASU long enough. Alan Turing, the father of computing, a genius, was imprisoned and eventually committed suicide because he did not fit into the culture of his time. Galileo was threatened with death, then exiled for life because he did not fit into the culture of his time. Socrates was condemned to death because he pissed off the elite. I am not calling Carpio a genius by any means, but no one, not even you, could perform to any level of competence in administration so fouled by McClure's "leadership".
July 24, 2017 at 9:53pm If we're going to speak of the dead weight at ASU, let's also look at getting rid of Aaron Miltenberger AND Ken Marquez. Both worthless and nothing but kiss-assers to the drunken President. Aaron has his head so far up the prez' butt! Keep cleaning house, Dr. Nehring!
July 24, 2017 at 6:39pm @July 24, 2017 at 3:41pm – Your comment might be funny if it weren't so sad. We've already seen the enrollment data that includes a rise and fall during Carpio's time at ASU. We also know that, for years and years, there has been no marketing plan – which is not his job! He was literally sent out without the tools to succeed... and then gets blamed for the failures of this administration's leadership? I don't buy that for a second. Given the diverse options in higher education today and the tuition hikes, scandals, controversies, and outright failures at ASU over the past five years, what rational student or parent would want to attend this university? Blaming all this on Carpio is like blaming a bank teller for the 2008 stock market crash; if you aren't directing your criticism about ASU right to the top, you don't really understand what is happening.
July 24, 2017 at 3:41pm July 24, 2017 at 12:27am - Carpio's performance has been mediocre, at best, for many years. This is not just a recent situation. Carpio couldn't sell the university to students before all the issues you listed began. Again, he had no marketing plan. He thought people would just show up. Many of his admission counselors had no faith in him. Regardless, his job was to sell the university and recruit students to coming. He did not. It seems to me that if you are supposed to be selling something, you better be good at it. So good, he should be able to sell ice to an Eskimo, but he can't even sell slop to a pig. Good riddance to dead weight who can't do their jobs.
July 24, 2017 at 1:07pm So if we were taken over by CU or CSU, would the BoT be replaced? Let's hope so. We need new blood and they deserve to be replaced after ignoring McClure's disasters.
July 24, 2017 at 12:27am If the Board of Trustees (BOT) tries to plead ignorance, I have some oceanside property in Arizona I’d like to talk to them about. Only a blind man wouldn’t be able to see what’s going on at Adams State. Do they care? Obviously not. They have failed to act in the interest of the University or its students. The writing has been on the wall for President (I use the term loosely) McClure for a year and they refuse to admit their mistake, take the well-earned negative publicity of hiring her, and right this sinking ship. Instead, they are, as others have mentioned, most definitely the band playing while the Titantic was sinking. To the individual claiming Eric Carpio was “dead weight.” I admit he wasn’t perfect (nobody is). At the end of the day, he cared about students and their success. He had to sell an "unsellable" University in the wake of: guaranteed joke, rising tuition costs, cheating scandals, being sued by the ACLU, an unethical former police chief, the list goes on and on. I’d like to see you put a ribbon on a piece of crap and see how successful you are selling it to parents and students. At this point, it looks like it would be a blessing for Adams State University to become part of the CSU or CU system. Maybe degrees would be worth something again. Unfortunately, CSU or CU would be insane to take on the mess that is currently Adams State.
July 23, 2017 at 9:29pm I heard second-hand after the Chronicle of Decline report was sent to the Board that some of the newer members "had no idea things were so bad." I think the trustees simply aren't sufficiently informed and aren't provided information to become more informed. Thank Beverlee McClure and company for that.
July 23, 2017 at 12:32pm So many times people have called for the BOT... has anyone actually spoken to them about the state of Adams State? Do they know? Do they care? When (not if) the state come in to save us will they be held accountable? Will they plead ignorance? I truly am confused as to their role, their power, who they are and what they know. They are completely silent and practically invisible!
July 22, 2017 at 6:56pm Lets hope not, because she could not even manage her program assistant. Karla Hardesty thinks she should be a vice president. She wants Eric's spot. LET US SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.
July 22, 2017 at 5:57pm Got any idea who got the police chief job? What are that person's qualifications?
July 22, 2017 at 1:17pm @7:48am: Those in the upper echelons now considering resignation in order to "keep their integrity" should be actively questioning whether they still can. Retaining one's integrity through adversity involves assuming personal risk, taking action at the right time to do what's right, and never, ever allowing loyalty to a leader to *trump* one's personal values. At a certain point, resignations become obvious to all as cowardly acts of self-preservation. I'd say we're well past that certain point. So good luck to ya.
July 22, 2017 at 9:11am 7:48am - It's also extremely difficult for one to do his job--in this case enrollment--when Dear Leader is such a drunken nut job that she constantly has our institution in the news in a negative light--ACLU, HLC, credit rating, guaranteed tuition failure, drunken parties on facebook, author of soft porn, etc, etc, etc. What student would want to come here? What parent would want to send their child here? Eric could walk on water, get trees to grow money and make pigs to fly. But he would never be able overcome her "leadership". Nobody can. And until the BoT gets that, this instition will continue to spiral downward.
July 22, 2017 at 7:48am For those who blame Eric Carpio for ASU's dire student enrollment numbers, they should keep in mind that no one, no matter how competent, can do their job properly when you have a Dear Leader such as McClure. Independent thought is not allowed. Independent thinkers are rooted out. Gilmer, Lemke, Ahmed - the list goes on - were cut out or cut off because they did not toe the line. Regardless of their skills, talents and experience, no executive can do their job effectively without teamwork, and Dear Leader has destroyed her team by divide-and-rule. And there are many others in Richardson Hall - some in the highest echelons - who are considering resignation. They are all asking the same question Carpio asked himself: "Do I stay for the pay, or do I keep my integrity and get out?" It takes enormous courage to resign without another job in line. Congratulations, Eric. You have my deep respect.
July 21, 2017 at 5:02pm The question we all want yet fear to know the answer to: What are Fall 2017 enrollment figures looking like right now? Any inside insights out there?
July 21, 2017 at 2:56pm I would add to 11:52's comment that the "hostile and defensive" tone is also consistent with the comments made about Chris Gilmer after the Queen of Mirrors ran him out of town.
July 21, 2017 at 2:48pm 7:29am wrote: "But if you're a nice human that can't do their job, then you need to move on." And what if you are a cruel, hateful, spiteful, insecure barely-human that can't do her job? I guess the BoT gives you a 3-year contract. It's so far past time to boot Bev.
July 21, 2017 at 2:40pm @11:52am - Wow, thanks for posting that data! It seems like Eric has been through the rise and fall of ASU's enrollment and pinning the current trends on him doesn't make much sense. People who don't understand Eric's job are quick to blame him for so many other problems... and continue the general trend of kicking sand onto the bodies of ASU's departed soldiers as though they were the reason the war is being lost. Next time, try blaming the generals!
July 21, 2017 at 11:55am July 20, 2017 @ 5:40pm - Eric Carpio was entirely incompetent. Full stop.
July 21, 2017 at 11:52am Re: July 20 @ 9:09pm No, I’m NOT kidding you (I don’t even know who “you” are). I find absolutely nothing about ASU’s enrollment situation or the hemorrhaging of faculty and staff to be funny or something to be “kidding” about. Frankly, I find our current state of affairs to be frightening, at best. But let’s address your claim that Eric Carpio is incompetent and that enrollment “is his main duty and responsibility and he has failed bad at it.” [sic]. Below, I provide ASU enrollment data from the Colorado Department of Higher Education for every fall (this is how we report in higher education) from 2006 to 2015. Fall 2006 is an appropriate baseline because Eric Carpio arrived at ASU, as the Director of Admissions in March 2005. I ended with 2015 because these are the most current data available on the CDE website and ASU refuses to publish compendiums any longer. Fall 2006 Total Undergraduate enrollment 1981 Fall 2007 Total Undergraduate enrollment 1965 Fall 2008 Total Undergraduate enrollment 1924 Fall 2009 Total Undergraduate enrollment 2134 Fall 2010 Total Undergraduate enrollment 2218 Fall 2011 Total Undergraduate enrollment 2225 Fall 2012 Total Undergraduate enrollment 2194 Fall 2013 Total Undergraduate enrollment 2140 Fall 2014 Total Undergraduate enrollment 1980 Fall 2015 Total Undergraduate enrollment 1893 http://highered.colorado.gov/Data/Search.aspx Some interesting points to note and a little history lesson: Yes, enrollment dropped from Fall 2006 through Fall 2008. Remember this was partially a time in which ASU had both an interim president and an interim provost, Dave Svaldi and Frank Novotny, respectively. In July 2007 a new provost began, Michael Mumper. After putting together an enrollment management plan, one can see the growth from Fall 2008 through Fall 2012. Actually, it was reported widely on the ASU website and at Dr. Svaldi’s retirement party as “record breaking” and “record smashing” enrollments during those years. Yes, Dave Svaldi took credit for something that he had never accomplished during his time as provost or interim-president. In fall 2013, enrollment dipped by 55 students. This was a trend nation-wide as the economy had rebounded. In other words, yields were down at institutions across the nation. Anyone with any knowledge of higher education, whatsoever, understands that enrollment trends are often tied to economic trends. When people find jobs, they drop out or stop out of school. When people lose jobs, they go back to school. Then, in late 2014, the now infamous article “Confessions of a Fixer” hit the Chronicle of Higher Education—although Svaldi and Novotny were well aware of this and the problems in Extended Studies long before the Chronicle got ahold of it. Oops! Now our HLC troubles begin… McClure comes in 2015 and everything has gone downhill since, exponentially so. There is plenty of documented evidence on this very website as to McClure’s irrational and irresponsible behavior in terms of how HLC was handled; in terms of how PR was handled; in terms of decisions that were made. Additionally, McClure has surrounded herself with individuals who do not have the skill set or experience to be running enrollment management. The entire re-organization she undertook upon first arriving nearly cemented our doom. Karla Hardesty is hardly qualified to be in the position she is in. To name her director of enrollment management and marketing AND have Eric report to the VP of Student Affairs was just an irresponsible, rookie mistake. A mistake that would never had been made if Dr. Duran or Dr. Maestas had been hired. As a side note, you ask “How is that marketing strategy?” related to some comments that Eric Carpio allegedly made. Ummm, marketing strategy was not his responsibility. That responsibility falls on the shoulders of Karla Hardesty and Mark Schoenecker to name a few. To suggest that plummeting enrollment is solely Eric Carpio’s fault is simply looking for an excuse; someone to blame; someone at whom to point the finger. Which leads me to my final point. The tone with which your post comes across—hostile and defensive—coupled with the fact that you provide quotes from Eric Carpio that were never public statements, but more likely came from an E-Team meeting leads one to believe that you are, in fact, Beverlee McClure, herself! And, if you are not Beverlee then you are one of her ever-dwindling minions—Kurt Carey, Margaret Doell or Scott White. Interestingly, the first two would be in those E-Team meetings as well.
July 21, 2017 at 7:29am I have to agree. Grieving? Seriously? One of the biggest problems with ASU and one that keeps any organization from functioning effectively is that we confuse people's friendly personalities with their ability to do their job! "He's really nice, but..." "She's really friendly, but..." No! Stop that! I'm not talking about taking humanity out of what we do because we are not machines and humans are the most important part of any organization. But if you're a nice human that can't do their job, then you need to move on. I'm really quite unsure why McClure did not replace him the minute she took office. It is clear that our admissions/ recruitment strategy is NOT working.
July 20, 2017 at 9:09pm @July 20, 2017 at 5:40pm. You have to be kidding me about ASU grieving over Eric Carpio's resignation. Talk about someone who is extremely incompetent in the position he was in. His main duty was to bring students to ASU. How has that worked out the past several years? Enrollments have been declining and as of today, we are significantly down in numbers. This is his main duty and responsibility and he has failed bad at it. Even when asked about why numbers are low, his usual response was along the lines of "we shouldn't be worried" or "we'll make it up" Even asking him about why we are not getting as many valley students and what he is doing about it and he gave responses of "we expect them to show up" How is that a marketing strategy? Carpio more than McClure is to blame for the decline in enrollments. If there is major blame on McClure, it is she did not fire him sooner. Carpio...what a waste of space, time and money. People put too much trust in him. I hope more "housekeeping" is done to eliminate the dead weight on this campus.
July 20, 2017 at 6:11pm During my time at ASU, I always thought Eric was a friendly, sincere, and genuine person. I also thought he was a "lifer" at Adams State. After a semester or two under President McClure, I would see him with a nervous smile that concealed a deep sense of despair. I hope he goes on to bigger and better places in his career.
July 20, 2017 at 5:54pm July 20 @ 2:28 - That's what alcoholism does.
July 20, 2017 at 5:40pm Re: July 20 @ 11:26am - Yes ASU lost an incredibly valuable employee this week with Eric Carpio's resignation. It is especially disheartening given where we are in the recruitment process for the fall 2017 class. Enrollments will likely be even further down than anticipated as no one is there to "seal the deal" with fence-sitters. And lord knows with our issues, we need someone with some competence who can sell this institution. How many more hard working, competent faculty and staff will be bullied by Beverlee into resignations before the BoT not only does something, but GETS it? How much more Hispanic leadership do we lose at this "HSI"? It's a real shame. Eric will be fine. While he left without any employment in the immediate future, he WILL land on his feet. He's that good. Beverlee...not so much. Today is yet another day this campus grieves.
July 20, 2017 at 2:28pm Maybe the Conejos County Citizen captured McClure's true form. Despite all her witchcraft and sorcery, Beverlee isn't looking so great these days.
July 20, 2017 at 2:05pm Another campus, another set of problems involving Paul Grohowski. At Allan Hancock College, his own police officers spoke out against him at a recent Committee meeting. Not long after, Grohowski resigned as police chief (again). “Chief Grohowski has made no effort to lead his department members. His lack of leadership and continued hostility toward his officers has crippled the department's morale,” according to an online campaign to keep the Police Department. Notice also that this involved a large severance package - another $100,000 settlement involving Grohowski. Why does ASU keep hiring these train wrecks?
July 20, 2017 at 11:26am It's official - Eric Carpio gave his resignation to ASU.
July 17, 2017 at 11:11am July 11, 2017 at 3:13pm - I definitely appreciate your comment describing what your work load consisted of. It definitely provides some good insight to what it might look like to be a student of this program. This information also causes further alarm. Your statements, "Although I believe that I have received a quality education, that appears to be primarily because of the work Gilder Lehrman has put into it" and concluding that "ASU is a schlocky institution.", says it all. That is exactly why the relationship between Gilder Lehrman and ASU has always been so questionable; in the way it was implemented and administered. Regardless of the rigor Gilder Lehrman offers in its own programs, they are not in the "business" of providing Master's level diplomas. Similarly, ASU should not be attaching its name to Gilder Lehrman and claiming title of a rigorous Master's level program. By doing so, it is nothing more and nothing less than a diploma mill.
July 14, 2017 at 2:03pm Looks like everyone's favorite bumbling chief of police continues to bounce around the lucrative market of campus cops. As reported in the Lompoc Record: "Hancock College Chief Paul Grohowski, who was sworn in seven months ago, has resigned as the school's top cop. His last day is July 31. Hancock trustees accepted Grohowski's resignation during a board meeting Tuesday, and the school's Police Department now is seeking an interim police chief to lead the 12-member department. Grohowski, who was not available for comment before press time, has received a 10-month severance package." Has ASU hired a permanent replacement for Grohowski almost a year after he resigned? I couldn't find any info about a new police chief on the ASU Campus PD page.
July 11, 2017 at 3:13pm I am an M.A. student through the GLI program. I just read some of your articles because I was curious who Matt Nehring is, since he sent me an email notifying me that ASU was terminating its involvement in the program. While I'm not surprised that Ed Crowther was treating the program as his own personal cash cow, nor that Eileen Tilton was buried in work for the program, I do believe you have some misunderstanding about the program. First, the phrase "as long as you want" refers to how long you have to finish the overall program, not how long you have to finish each class. Every class has a set starting and ending date. Second, you appear not to understand the workload for the classes. Your article makes it sound like you just watch some videos and presto! instant credit. In fact, each course has a TA assigned (a Ph.D., as you noted). Besides watching the videos, there is a significant amount of reading with required discussions monitored and graded by the TA, a series of short papers (typically 5-8 papers per course, 1000-1500 words each, and a final project for each class. The requirements for these projects have varied, but for one I had to do a 25 page paper based primarily upon primary source research. I worked my butt off for that, as I have for the program in general. I guarantee you that the requirements are rigorous, and I would be happy to put the work I have done up in comparison with any MA candidate at ASU. I have no doubt that the quality and rigor are comparable. I am glad for future participants in the program that the association with ASU is ending. Although I believe that I have received a quality education, that appears to be primarily because of the work Gilder Lehrman has put into it. Based upon my experience, I think ASU is a schlocky institution.
July 9, 2017 at 4:25pm Dear Matt Nehring, Congrats on your promotion to Interim VPAA! Here's a piece of advice: you're now working for a vindictive, high-functioning narcissist and pathological liar. So tread lightly. If you look “too presidential,” if you start acting like a genuine leader, if you make too many bold and sensible reforms, and if you create alliances across campus, you will be blackmailed and forced to “resign” just like Chris Gilmer. Until she is removed from office, she will continue to undermine and ultimately destroy anyone's career if she perceives them as a “threat.” And trust me, nobody can manufacture fake threats and needless controversy like Beverlee McClure. Good luck! - a former ASU employee
July 9, 2017 at 4:03pm Matt Nehring and Ed Crowther, now there's a serious contrast. Could the two of them be any different? Matt puts students and ASU first. Ed puts himself first. Matt moved up (and continues to move up) because he earns it. Ed moved up (and is now sliding back down) because he steps on others. Matt can be trusted. Ed is a snake who will bite in any direction that serves those to whom he sucks up.
July 9, 2017 at 1:05pm 6:12am mentions Senate doing something meaningful. That was never going to happen. Faculty ignored the problems with Extended Studies for years, inculturated into believing they have no power or responsibility for making ASU a quality institution. Far too often we hear: "I just worry about what happens in my classroom and trust administration to do the rest." That's a lazy and unethical position. Faculty who spoke up were driven away. Crowther as Senate president was the final blow, crushing any hopes of progress. In some cases, Crowther actively worked to undermine faculty who sought change.
July 9, 2017 at 6:12am July 6, 9:50pm: "Go Matt Nehring! Clean this frigging house!" The general consensus is that Matt Nehring's laundry list of changes, dated July 5, 2017, represent a significant step in the right direction. Two questions, though: 1. Why are such changes only being announced and implemented now? The HLC's first written warning shot across the bow came in January 2015, in response to the December 2014 Chronicle articles. That was fully two and a half years ago. Think about that, people. 2.5 years ago. 2. HLC returns to campus in just 16 weeks or so. Are the announced changes a whole lot come too late? Many of the listed actions won't be fully realized until July 2018. Will that satisfy the HLC in November 2017, after administration has had 2.5 years to get their act together? There's a third question, that of whether the interim VPAA engaged in sufficient shared governance before implementing the changes, but it's really not worth much consideration. When the plane is in a tailspin, a pilot has no time for group discussions. And it's doubtful that group discussions would have accomplished anything anyway. Faculty Senate should have stood up and demanded these changes years ago, but they're all either in bed with administration or rightfully fearful of speaking up.
July 8, 2017 at 9:25pm “From my perspective we’re accessible,” [Arnold Salazar] said. This is a clear sign of the contempt that the ASU Board of Trustees chairman, Arnold Salazar, has for his community. HE thinks he's accessible. Other people's opinions don't count. Everyone else must be, well...... who cares? “I think the important access is to us as a board. As individuals, we can’t do anything but listen to someone, we can’t act. It’s only when we’re together as a board that we can take action on things.” That his colleagues on the board believe that they as individuals can do nothing except listen, is an abdication of responsibility. Imagine the captain on the Titanic saying that he heard from his crew about the iceberg, but that he couldn't act until the next White Star Line board's meeting. I wonder what the Unsinkable Molly Brown, a Colorado resident, a woman of fortitude, courage, and action, who helped saved the lives of her fellow passengers when the Titanic was going down, would think of the gutless board members who watch, without saying a word, cos Arnold says they shouldn't, as ASU founders. Heroes, every last one of them.
July 7, 2017 at 2:54pm As the article on the Gilder Lehrman program posted here pointed out, everything about it stank. It put our accreditation at risk, but Crowther didn't care. It should have been handled by the Graduate School, but Crowther wouldn't let it go. No more TED chair, no more Boettcher, now it's time to let Crowther go all together.
July 6, 2017 at 9:50pm Re: July 6 @ 8:32 - We lost the Boettcher program because Beverlee McClure is a self serving, misguided, narcissistic bitch. Because she is ALWAYS right; because it's her way or the highway; because she is SO ill informed, she pissed of the Boetcher board and they pulled the program. And why wouldn't they?!? Who in their right mind would want anything to do with this dysfunctional institution? It will take YEARS before the damage done by Svaldi, Novotny, Crowther, and company can be undone. All of those crooks should be fired, run out of town on a rail, and tarred and feathered. I don't what is the appropriate descriptor: Sad Frustrating Irritating Enraging Dumbfounding Others? In any event, it's critical. And anyone who doesn't believe it has their head in the sand. Go Matt Nehring! Clean this frigging house!
July 6, 2017 at 8:32pm Trying to reconcile the loss of the Boettcher program with this: Officials tour Colorado looking for ideas to solve statewide teacher shortage
July 6, 2017 at 8:16am THANK YOU Watching Adams for publishing that article on Gilder Lehrman. It seems that the only way the university and its leadership will mobilize to do the right thing is if they get called out on it publicly. The unethical practices with Gilder Lehrman had gone on too long. And who knows how long it would've continued despite questions being brought up by faculty and staff for years.
July 5, 2017 at 9:15pm Check out the recent article in the Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction's paper) about how many Colorado universities don't make their Boards of Trustees accessible to the public. This has long been a criticism of the ASU BOT – often called “asleep at the wheel” and woefully out of touch with the ASU campus. I hope they read this! The Adams State University trustee web page lists no contact information for a trustee, secretary or spokesman. Trustee Arnold Salazar said the public’s ability to interact with the board during meetings is the most important form of accessibility. “From my perspective we’re accessible,” he said. “I think the important access is to us as a board. As individuals, we can’t do anything but listen to someone, we can’t act. It’s only when we’re together as a board that we can take action on things.” It is a total farce and a public outrage that a state-funded university Board of Trustees has no public contact info available and whose communication is handled by the assistant to the ASU president, is regarded as “accessible” by the board chair. How can Salazar claim to believe this with any credibility? But then again, he's collecting major Title V funds for renting his barn and lying to the public about the ACLU settlement, so this is nothing new.
July 5, 2017 at 7:38pm This email was sent to all employees today at 3:53pm, detailing many changes across campus. Apparently Nehring is the only one with any integrity and can see the fool's path we were on with Gilder-Lehrman. And no, HLC would never have approved! That boondoggle (for Crowther) couldn't be axed soon enough. Along those lines, it seems somebody (Nehring) FINALLY has Crowther's number - no more Teacher Ed chair, no more Gilder-Lehrman. We all hope HAPPS is next.
June 29, 2017 at 9:52am June 22, 2017 at 7:47am - yes, you and everyone else!
June 22, 2017 at 7:47am Oh, I was hoping Novotny left ASU altogether.
June 21, 2017 at 10:16am In December 2015 (after the HLC site visit but before the University was placed on academic probation), Frank Novotny announced he was stepping down as VPAA "given health concerns." He officially left the position in fall 2016... but continues making $106K to teach chemistry!
June 21, 2017 at 7:29am Did Novotny leave ASU? When? Where did the jerk go? Did he take his girl Tracy with him?
June 20, 2017 at 6:08pm First Svaldi, then Mansheim, then Novotny, now Roybal. It seems many people connected with ASU's sanction by the HLC, primarily due to Extended Studies, are finding their way out the door lately. This is what the email he sent recently said: Amigas y Amigos, I am writing to inform the LatinX Caucus of a change in my employment with Adams State University. Last week I submitted my letter of resignation to the President's Office. I will be fulfilling my contractual obligation through June 30th; however, my last official day in the office will be Tuesday, June 27th. I have accepted a position as a Commercial Loan Officer with the San Luis Valley Federal Bank and will begin the next chapter of my career shortly after the Independence Day holiday. Words alone cannot express my gratitude for the friendship, support and collaboration that members of this group have provided to me over the years. I have worked with many of you for the 17+ years I served the institution. Our challenges have never ceased and continue to require the attention of this collective group. Although I won't be working on campus after June 27th, please know I will always support the efforts of this group to provide a strong and safe learning environment for our students, staff and faculty of color. Thank each of you for making me feel valued to this institution! Walter Roybal, M.A.
June 20, 2017 at 4:55pm I was told I had to check in to see recent relevant comments. Glad I did. You see I've been having these horrible chills in the 95 degree Utah heat. Frozen lemon voodoo must be the explanation. I'm taking a White Bath immediately. I wonder if Danny and Chris are experiencing the same. - Jeff Elison
June 18, 2017 at 6:46am June 16, 2017 at 3:56pm - Please give us evidence, examples, of Mumper's incompetence and dishonesty. I agree with you on Novotny and Liz Thomas Hensley. I would like to know of the incompetence and dishonesty of Mumper. Also, what is your take on another unethical felonious miscreant-Ed Crowther.
June 17, 2017 at 9:03pm But the truth about Bev's incompetence isn't buried very deeply. Google Image search Beverlee McClure. She must be thrilled to know that multiple photos of a smiling Danny Ledonne and Chris Gilmer come up, as well as quotes of her ridiculous lies about a police watch list, her hideously offensive Halloween costume, blatantly unprofessional emails and letters as archived on Watching Adams!
June 17, 2017 at 8:05pm Google search Beverlee McClure. The curious searcher will notice that the top results are from 2015, when Beverlee took over as president of ASU. This, of course, despite a large amount of negative press coverage in recent years regarding her clear mismanagement of ASU. How is this possible you might ask? In the 21st century you can buy your way to the top of Google searches by paying a hefty fee for phantom traffic. Think about that for a second. The president of your university is paying to have news of her hiring--at your university--remain at the top of search results, as if those articles were the ones that readers were most interested in reading! What's even more egregious is that it appears that she is instructing her own staff to increase the traffic on these articles: Adams State Trustees name Dr. Beverlee McClure 10th president of university Or might she be instructing staff to pay an outside party to increase traffic to these articles? It would certainly be interesting to know the truth, even if the source were to remain anonymous. Regardless, think about that for a second. The president of a university is instructing her staff to increase traffic to news of her hiring, when they should really be dedicating their time to improving the quality of education on campus that is in dire risk of folding up all together. Beverlee McClure, Frank Underwood, and Donald Trump suddenly seem to have a great deal in common! Of course, Frank Underwood and Donald Trump simply can't compete with the running love affair between McClure and the Assistant VPAA. Perhaps Netflix should take note! Or perhaps insiders already have and are currently in touch with the folks at Netflix. Only time will tell. Ding, dong.
June 16, 2017 at 4:09pm I'm worried the conversation is going to get stuck on witchcraft and lemons for an intolerable amount of time. So here; If you believe in this sort on non-sense, this is how to remove a lemon-voodoo affliction. White Bath for Removing Lemon-Voodoo Afflictions Materials: • 1 tbsp lavender flowers (dried) • 1 tbsp rose petals (dried) • 1 tablespoon salt • 1 bay leaf • Juice of 1 lemon Place the dry ingredients in a container of hot water and allow the potion to brew. Mix in the lemon juice and add the contents to the bucket of warm water. This bath helps to increase focus and personal productivity. It is also an excellent remedy for warding off malochia or the evil eye. • Make sure that all the bathing accessories that you use are clean and dirt-free. To ensure that you are as clean, do not forget to take your normal bath/shower with soap, shampoo and water. Wash your hair and body and rid yourself of physical dirt. • After the usual bath, add the warm water redolent with herbs to your bucket of bath water or the tub if you have one. Use a mug to pour the water over your head and body. As you bathe, consciously remind yourself of the aim of taking the magical bath and trust the process to accomplish its purpose • Do not use a towel to dry yourself after you finish bathing. Drape a robe or any other comfortable clothing around yourself and let the body dry naturally. This is known as air-dry in magical bath traditions. • If your hair is long or if you have a tendency to catch colds easily, wrap a towel over your head but do not towel dry your face or body. • It is best to wait 24 hours before you take another bath. If this is not possible, at least wait 12 hours before your next bath.
June 16, 2017 at 3:56pm Re: June 12, 2017 at 9:20pm - among those who have egregiously exploited Extended Studies, none are more culpable that the two individuals you have correctly identified. Frank Novotny and Liz Thomas Hensley have shamelessly demonstrated a complete disregard for academic and institutional integrity in exploiting Extended Studies for personal profit. From his position as VPAA Frank Novotny engineered his wife’s blatant disregard for academic integrity in enrolling in excess of 500 students in a composition course not simply for immediate profit amounting to nominally $150K per year (for an adjunct instructor), but more importantly in order to grossly increase her PERA benefit upon retirement. Thus, Novotny’s greed extended beyond exploitation of an immediate revenue stream, but more egregiously in order to position his wife to exploit an inflated PERA retirement benefit - for the rest of her life. Such an exaggerated benefit by one retiree would inevitably have an adverse effect on the solvency of the PERA retirement system, potentially at the expense of all PERA participants. If Novotny’s nepotism is not criminal, it is without question abjectly unethical. However, ethical conduct has never been evident in Novotny’s conduct. However, if Ellen Novotny were in fact compensated at a higher rate than any other Extended Studies instructor (as documents provided on Watching Adams indicate) this would seem to warrant investigation as potentially criminal malfeasance. In the case of Liz Thomas Hensley, her disregard of academic and institutional integrity extended beyond the gross over enrollment in her own Extended Studies courses to coaching her “student” athlete advisees as to how to bring administrative pressure on other Extended Studies instructors who were unwilling to compromise academic and/or institutional integrity in their courses. Beyond the obvious lack of professional respect extended to her colleagues, this clearly demonstrated a complete disregard for academic and institutional integrity. Institutional integrity, if it existed at Adams State, would mandate an immediate reprimand and post-tenure review. In the case of Michael Mumper, I must take exception with the June 12 (9:20pm) post. Mumper was removed from the position for which he was hired (i.e., Provost) owing to obvious incompetence and a documented disregard for honesty. Mumper is an incompetent buffoon who has publicly admitted that he has no idea how, or why, he has managed to ascend to upper administrative levels. Nevertheless, as is the case with Novotny, upon his “resignation” from his administrative position and “return” to faculty status (in a department in which he is clearly superfluous), Mumper enjoys a grossly inflated salary relative to his peers at both Adams State and in the CUPA comparison. This, as is the case with Novotny, is an institutional disgrace.
Time: June 15, 2017 at 3:04pm From her first month here, all her behavior has been patently ridiculous for a university president. That's not the main issue. Every large organization from time to times makes a hiring mistake and ends up with a loony-tune. The problem at ASU is compounded by a board that has failed to do anything about it. I understand that the trustees won't fire her because they are terrified, not so much of frozen lemon voodoo curses, but of having their asses sued off. Not only do the trustees lack competence, they also lack courage.
June 15, 2017 at 2:25pm Does the ASU Board of Trustees, Higher Learning Commission, and CO Attorney General's Office know that Beverlee McClure is casting spells and practicing witchcraft on ASU employees and community members she doesn't like? This is patently ridiculous behavior for a university president.
June 15, 2017 at 11:46am Ask Bev's followers about lemon voodoo. They watched and rolled on the floor laughing as she set up the concoctions aimed at certain individuals.
June 15, 2017 at 10:19am June 12, 10:57 - Please tell me more about the lemon voodoo. That is creepy as hell!
June 13, 2017 at 6:44am Crowther doesn't care about students, faculty, or anyone else. He only cares about power and his wallet. He sold his soul long ago and is a danger to ASU.
June 12, 2017 at 9:20pm June 12, 2017 at 2:30pm - Well put. I am several years removed from all the scandal, greed, immorality, viciousness. I had my contacts with ugly mean people - Novotny, Crowther, Rogers, Centeno, and others. Oh, and truly one of the most UN-intellectuals at ASU - Liz Thomas Hensley. They are a collection of misfits not worthy of being at any true institution of higher learning. The current Board is a farce. Bev is mentally, emotionally, intellectually unfit for her position. HR is a dating site. Athletics, specifically everyone's dream child cross country, has been the monster that ate and then excreted a university. I hope enrollments decline and eventually the state figures it out - ASU needs to be officially eliminated. The campus should be incorporated as a vibrant branch of the U of Colorado or Colorado State. Billy Adams had a long run, but the track has been in a ditch for decades now. All of the individuals implicated in enriching themselves though Extended Studies and other adjunct teaching (NOVOTNY!) should be investigated, indicted, charged, and tried. Crowther should be retired and sent off to the local bars to spend his life. Promote Michael Mumper, the only one in HAPPS with class, to department chair.
June 12, 2017 at 2:30pm Not a darned thing is going to happen to anyone at ASU. Those individuals who have ruined our departments, credibility, and reputation will walk off this place hands free and with the money they stole richer. BOT have no backbone, leadership or desire to do whatever is best for students and the community. Individuals have continued to make contributions, comments, file complaints and grievances and not one thing has been done! HR is worthless. Heck one staff member sleeps around with the main facilities guy who has numerous complaints! Go figure! Tracy Rogers and Ana Guevara are two failed, inexperienced, idiotic lawyers. One would think that after Novotny was demoted that people would see Tracy's incompetencies. No more sleeping - or rather “having coffee” with one another. This place can fall apart... no one that can do something... will. And me, I'm a lowly at-will employee hoping I have a job each hour and each day that passes. Yes, I am looking constantly to leave this place. And I will never allow my family or friends' children attend this horrible school.
June 12, 2017 at 10:57am The recent fallen tree on the south side of Marvel House should be replaced with a lemon tree that yields an abundance of fresh lemons. That way, Bev would have lemons readily available. For you see, she practices "lemon voodoo" and targets certain people. Check out the Marvel House feezer. Yes, for reals!
June 10, 2017 at 5:47pm In the Wall Street Journal. Shameful. And what is the Board doing? Novotny, Crowther, and others who scammed Extended Studies to bolster their income; Bev for her incompetence; Tracy Rogers for her complicity, and others should all be fired. The Board should be replaced with real trustees. Good riddance.
June 9, 2017 at 11:05am Adams State is in the news again, but not in a good way. The Wall Street Journal profiled efforts ASU is making to increase enrolled student credit hours, which many of us remember as a failed effort by Frank Novotny to require enrollment of 15 credit hours per semester. Back in the spring of 2015, President Svaldi received a widely-signed petition urging him not to enact this policy - which he didn't. According to this WSJ article: "The university’s goal is to have more than 20% of its students graduate in four years by 2020. For the freshman class of 2009, the rate was 11%." The baseline here is terrible and the aspiration by 2020 is almost as bad. Was this number chosen merely because 20% and 2020 end in the same number? If ASU only graduates 1/5 of its students in four years, what does that say about the institution? And remember: that's just a goal for three years from now. Does anyone who reads the WSJ honestly want to send their son or daughter to a school that aspires to such mediocre graduation rates?
June 7, 2017 at 4:35pm June 6, 2017 at 7:55pm – Of course everyone is still in the dark about ASU's plans and ASU's money. That's intentional. Recall that the 2020 Strategic Plan concludes with “the detailed plan with action steps and metrics is available at adams.edu” but the webpage that is supposed to have details just links back to the slick document itself. There is no detailed plan, there are no action steps, there are no metrics. It's all for show. If ASU really wanted to raise some money to fill its yawning chasm of debt, it should have setup a dunk tank at the Summerfest last weekend. Imagine! The chance to dunk Beverlee McClure, Arnold Salazar, or any of the others complicit in running the university into the ground. As long as they were anonymous, many ASU employees and students would be happy to step up to the challenge.
June 7, 2017 at 3:31pm Re: June 7 @1:17pm - Ed Crowther stepped down of his own accord? Do you SERIOUSLY believe that?!? Your own post stated his complete ineptness. Your own post states how he has single-handedly destroyed that department. And that's what Ed LOVES to do--destroy things. Look at his track record. Look at his long standing collaborations with the master destroyer Frank Novotny. This coupled with his insatiable greed and thirst for power. WHY would he ever step down of his own accord? Ed's story is likely that it was his decision...but like you suggested ask anyone in the department. I believe they knew nothing until a Sunday evening email from Ed himself. Not really a typical communication strategy for a planned exit. Nah...despite McClure's bungling of many things, this one she got right. Or was it Nehring? We will never know for certain. And it doesn't matter...so long as the big buffoon is gone. Next up: HAPPS! (And could we be so lucky to get his tenure stripped too?!?)
June 7, 2017 at 3:27pm Fire the pot-smoking alcoholic bully once and for all. He is an embarrassment.
June 7, 2017 at 1:22pm May 8. 3:39 pm - Ole' Margo and the prez seemed like a pretty chummy couple at ASU's football golf tournament. I wonder if this why Jennifer resigned from her position; she most likely had enough of their relationship.
June 7, 2017 at 1:17pm In reference to May 24 @ 1:30 pm - Edward was terminated? I hear he resigned/stepped down on his own free will. I'm quite positive a faculty member in Teacher Education will share. My condolences to Dr. Cheri Meder for having to clean up over 5 years of damage that Ed faltered. There are no tenured faculty that could stand up to him. And the fact that there is only one on a tenure track. There is a huge decline in teacher education students, reduced programs, retired graduate adviser, and loss of the Boettcher program, and now HEAL! What a disaster and disappointment to our community and students! Teacher Education is most likely overjoyed to not have his lack of leadership! Surprised to hear that another "Hensley " was not going to be the interim chair. But yet there is time to hand it over to her. Teacher Education has always been dysfunctional and altered states.
June 6, 2017 at 7:55pm I see that McClure and the board have both been challenged to demonstrate transparency and business competency. Basically, that challenge was: "Show us the plan, show us the money." Silence. As usual. We are all still in the dark.
June 2, 2017 at 5:01pm Either way, the board's reaction to any information it doesn't what to know seems to be; Put your fingers in your ears, close your eyes and loudly chant "lah-lah-lah."
June 2, 2017 at 2:12pm Actually, I believe the Huron Report was paid for through the Colorado State Assembly - so, the taxpayers of Colorado. And while the Board may prefer Pinot Grigio, Beverlee McClure seems more inclined to down large quantities of Patrón.
June 2, 2017 at 1:38pm I too would like to think that the board of trustees doesn't lack care; that they simply don't know what's going on. But while that excuse might have been convincing a few weeks ago, now that the Chronicle of Decline is public, how can they possibly make that claim? The document itself says that it was sent to all of them. And even if they didn't receive a copy, I find it impossible to believe that one of their colleagues did not pass them a copy. I suspect that the Chronicle of Decline only tells part of the story, and that there is much more that has yet to come to the surface. I am sure the administration would be terrified of a proper forensic accounting audit. The Huron Report only scratched the surface. Huron's managing director Andrew Laws even says that in the foreword: "We did not audit any financial statements... Our services are not designed, nor should they be relied upon to disclose weaknesses in internal control, financial statement errors, irregularities, illegal act, or disclosure deficiencies." That the board paid a bucket load of money for a report that did not explore these avenues when the university is in deep financial do-do is surely proof of willful ignorance. And they've treated the Chronicle of Decline in the same way. See no evil, hear no evil, do no evil.... and "Oooh, I shouldn't, but perhaps a top-up of the Pinot Grigio please?"
June 1, 2017 at 12:15pm Re: May 31 @ 5:48 - I don't believe it's because the board doesn't care. I believe it's because the board is ignorant. Let's face it, the dog and pony show we call board meetings are nothing more than parade the good, spin the bad and hide the ugly. McClure and her minions are the masters.
May 31, 2017 at 5:48pm Yeah, come on Bev! Tell us what the hell's going on? We need to know what your plan is for getting ASU get out of debt. Are you going to start closing departments? Trimming salaries? Firing staff? Cutting the football team? Imposing a sinking lid? You, as a leader need to tell us. That's what leadership is all about...identifying risks, figuring out solutions, then telling your people - us - what we need to do. But we are getting none of this! Why not? And board members. Why are you not insisting that the president you selected is doing her job as leader? Why are you leaving us out of all this? Don't you care?
May 30, 2017 at 12:24pm The Board of Trustees has kicked ASU's massive debt down the track a few years, but Moody's is obviously unimpressed because it continues to keep ASU on its endangered species list. What then is the Board's plan for repaying the debt? Is there a business plan? I can't find one on our website. If there isn't one, does this indicate that the board continues to do what it has done for a decade - hit and hope? Kick and hide? In which case, we can only expect our decline to continue. Or is there a business plan but it's being kept secret like everything else? If there is, please share it with the rest of us. We need a shot of morale, a boost in confidence, that we have people in positions of power who can actually save ASU from the fossil record.
May 29, 2017 at 3:55pm May 29, 2017 at 3:00pm – I'm encouraged by your acknowledgment that ASU is in a mess. We have a president who refuses to admit this, even when the trustees seem to be increasingly aware of ASU's deeper financial problems. According to McClure, the HLC had no reason to sanction ASU at all. What a victimhood complex. If only her wardrobe was her greatest flaw! Instead, ASU is being led by a vindictive narcissist and pathological liar who cannot admit to making mistakes. McClure is living in a willfully-imposed, alternative reality and a change of clothes or more mirrors in her window won't fix that. So will Nehring be able to fix what is broken at ASU or will he be micro-managed and obstructed by McClure until he is driven out - like Gilmer? Stay tuned...
May 29, 2017 at 3:00pm Wow, didn't take long for people to start attacking Nehring in his new position. Can't wait to read more about other criticisms about him in the future. It seems people are going to attack anyone. I have seen so many silly and petty attacks...what is next, going after what McClure wears again? Whether or not Nehring's glasses are appropriate to be the interim vice president? I for one am glad Nehring is the interim vice president. If anyone can lead us out of this mess, he can. He has the support of many across the campus and is a true gentleman. If we ended up with Aaron as the interim, we all would have been screwed. I am not even sure how he was a serious candidate for the position. There hasn't been much positives lately, but I feel better with Nehring now in a senior leadership position.
May 28, 2017 at 8:38pm If November comes along and we lose accreditation, then we need to sheet home who is ultimately responsibility. Trustees can't just blame McClure for everything. Decline started with Svaldi. Trustees have sat high on Poacher's Hill, draped in sapphire and cracked emerald, and watched, while below ASU turns into Hunger City. They have sat there for years watching as ASU sputtered like a wet squib and have done nothing. As least Nero fiddled; these people have diddled. If ASU goes down, the town should be festooned with posters of the perps, the trustees. Not wanted, either dead or alive. Just leave town and let the rest of us pick up the pieces.
May 28, 2017 at 9:20am It doesn't surprise me that ASU trustees aren't fully aware of the problems at the university. I have been to enough trustee meetings to observe that they are carefully staged and with highly selective information presented to them. Trustees should seek out more information, particularly from other sources than an upper administration which has been fully committed to misleading them and repressing faculty or staff who speak out.
May 27, 2017 at 1:41pm Well, now that the board DOES know about the extent of what's going on, what is it going to do about it? Surely they can't remain sitting on their hands; they can't plead ignorance anymore. We know that Arnold Salazar is gutless, but now that he is shortly going to step down, who among you, trustees, has the gumption to stand up and take the helm?
May 27, 2017 at 11:32am I have been informed by a member of the Board of Trustees that a number of them who received the "A Chronicle of Decline to the Brink of Failure" document are surprised and aghast that they knew so little of what was going on at ASU. The trustee said that they knew ASU had some serious challenges but did not know the extent, or pervasiveness, of those challenges. This is a result of the administration's purposeful lack of transparency. It disempowers the Board from doing its fiduciary duty. It disempowers employees from being able to do their jobs properly - what would we do differently, better, if we knew what was going on - and it damages morale. Until the board demands that the culture of sneaky secrecy is abandoned, ASU will not be able to improve.
May 26, 2017 at 1:33pm Yes 12:42pm, this is just another example of Top-Down Governance at ASU. Much like with Guaranteed Tuition, this Extended Studies decision appears to have been made unilaterally and without the consideration or consultation of those charged with actually performing the duties assigned. This is what a non-democratic university campus looks like and it's failing our students, community, and the state of Colorado.
May 26, 2017 at 12:42pm The following email was sent to the Extended Studies staff on 05/24/17: Extended Studies staff, During the spring semester a group of staff from Extended Studies, the Veterans Center and other campus offices drafted a proposal to make the Prison College program and print-based correspondence courses a stand alone program, instead of continuing with its current structure as a component of Extended Studies operations. The rationale for such a change was to better enable staff to focus on providing better customer service to the prison population and on expanding the prison college program, especially within the veterans population. After several meetings, Dr. McClure and I have decided to endorse this proposal and move ahead with separating its functions from Extended Studies functions. Changes will be effective July 1, 2017. This change will result in reassigning some Extended Studies staff exclusively to the Prison College Program and print-based correspondence delivery. There will be no change in salary or classified rank for these staff, however, as part of the reconfiguration additional duties may be added and others may be removed. Duties not related to the Prison College program and print-based correspondence may be reassigned to other Extended Studies staff. Staff will remain assigned to their current work space. While some reporting details are under still discussion, AVPAA Margaret Doell will lead the transition to a stand alone program. She will be scheduling individual meetings with staff members identified for reassignment to the Prison College Program and print-based correspondence courses. We understand that change can be difficult and unsettling, and opinions always vary as to the best options. This said, clear and transparent communication is key to successful transitions. We encourage everyone involved to keep an open mind, but welcome the opportunity to understand any concerns. Questions may be referred to AVPAA Doell or myself. Thank you for your continued service to Adams State University. Sincerely, Matt Nehring The staff was not informed of this change until a decision had been made, and those staff identified for reassignment to the new department are being told that they must either comply or resign. It is a direct contradiction of the principles of "Transparency" and "Shared Governance".
May 25, 2017 at 7:50am Shortly after starting here many years ago, I was warned Crowther was a bully. Quite accurate. I've seen his bullying in action over and over again since then. His departure would greatly improve ASU.
May 25, 2017 at 12:02am He's a drunk and pothead. He is a terrible role model for students. He bullies faculty in his department (and others). He was at one time a domestic abuser. Is he not responsible and to be held accountable for all of these things? He needs to be fired. If not, retire. He is one of the reasons ASU is in the condition it is. He is not and never will be part of a solution. I have no respect for him.
May 24, 2017 at 4:23pm Not that I'm defending Dr. Crowther specifically, but it's worth remembering that alcohol addiction is a serious medical condition, not some character flaw to be the subject of ridicule.
May 24, 2017 at 1:36pm Great news to learn that Crowther has been terminated from his Chair position in the Ed. Department, but what in the world took so long for the current administration to fire this nut job? The ultimate benefit to the university moving forward, if they are really serious about changing the culture here is to give Crowther his walking papers straight out the front door. Fire his drunkard ass immediately to save us lawsuits.
May 24, 2017 at 9:52am From Academe: Hang Together or Hang Separately: The importance of participating in governance on small campuses - By Afshan Jafar, Simon Feldman, and Joan C. Chrisler "Not enough has been written about participation in academic governance as a form of faculty activism. It is perhaps no coincidence that all three of us identify as feminists. For us, being active in governance is a natural fit for our activist tendencies. It is surprising that this sentiment is not shared more widely. Of course, one need not identify specifically as a feminist to be an activist. For example, faculty who study the corporatization of the workplace should find a perfect home serving on major faculty committees on their campus. Faculty who study stratification and the erosion of workers’ rights would be very valuable in shared governance. Any faculty member interested in issues of equity, social justice, and the preservation of higher education has an important role to play in governance. Most academic training does not encourage us to use our insights, knowledge, and experience to understand or change academia. In fact, activism may be frowned upon in favor of maintaining the myth of the disinterested researcher and scholar. As if affected by Stockholm syndrome, we refuse to work in our own interest and instead uphold the logic, practices, and values that help to create and reinforce our subordinate position."
May 23, 2017 at 5:53am Just curious. How is it that Grace Young is teaching seven classes for 21 hours next fall semester? Are there no rules on how many classes one person can teach? Is this exploitation an expense saving strategy? There is no need for adjuncts when we can have faculty teach 7 classes? How in the world can anyone properly teach our students when they are teaching 7 different classes? Is this not something that was an issue with extended studies?
May 23, 2017 at 5:39am May 22, 2017 at 11:07pm: You are so correct. Crowther had no business chairing Teacher Ed. He has no business chairing HAPPS. He was so obsessed with pleasing Centeno, and Novotny, that he orchestrated reducing full time faculty in Political Science to one-Centeno. And how many students are now taking Government classes? How many majors are there? Look at the decline in enrollments over recent years. There was, of course, the scandal of Loosbrock lying about completing the Ph.D within the time allowed and Crowther covering for him. With the sad death of Stuart Hilwig-a true scholar and man of honor- there is no one competent to chair that department other than a non-tenured faculty member. I would not think that would be a safe job given the current environment. What has he done, accomplished, with Teacher Ed? Other than fire people, which he seems to have a sick and twisted lust for, what has he done? Perhaps now that he is no longer chair faculty will post on here. What else will administration allow Crowther to **** up? He is loud, obnoxious, a bully, and motivated only by brazen self interest. I guess he fits with Bev's morally bankrupt administration.
May 22, 2017 at 11:07pm Adams State University was founded as a normal school in 1921. Our history is our excellence in teacher education. So sad how a drunken, washed up has been---who KNOWS he has no other employment opportunities due to a lack of skills and knowledge--has all but destroyed our signature department. So much so that he was finally given his marching orders today. Yep! Crowther is no longer chair of teacher education. Could this be the beginning of his end? God! Could we be so fortunate?! By destroyed, I am referring to the fact that nobody in teacher education is qualified to step up to the chair plate. Nope that interim honor goes to a counselor education faculty member. Seriously, Ed, explain to us how in the hell decimating departments and programs makes ASU better (Teacher Ed, Graduate Studies, HAPPS, etc, etc, etc). Are you truly that stupid? Or... what? Everyone is scratching their heads. Oh yeah! It's your bank account. Shame on you, Ed. Every horrible thing at ASU has one common denominator. That's you!
May 22, 2017 at 7:33pm Ed Crowther has no morals. He is driven by the same two things that drive Trump-money and power. He will hitch his wagon to Satan himself if that will benefit him materially and/or give him power.
May 22, 2017 at 7:24pm Umm Novotny DID break state and federal laws. He's just still gainfully employed by ASU like many other criminals (Hensley, Crowther, Roybal). Why not?
May 22, 2017 at 1:37pm To 8:57am and Ed: AMEN!!!
May 22, 2017 at 8:57am Message to Ed, former Southern preacher, former liberal, former civil rights advocate: “On some positions, cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ Vanity asks the question, ‘Is it popular?’ But conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when a true believer in Jesus Christ must take a stand that is neither safe nor politic nor popular but he must take a stand because it is right.” - Martin Luther King
May 22, 2017 at 2:23am @8:56am-Yes, I forgot Novotny. I still can't believe he did not break some state or federal law.
May 21, 2017 at 6:43pm What in the world did Mari Centeno do to be bullied on this website? ----Editor's Reply: This was a topic of relentless, almost singular focus for several weeks back in March-April 2017. I suggest you review those comment threads for possible answers to this question. Given the length at which this topic was discussed, there hasn't been any additional information presented beyond what was already posted.
May 21, 2017 at 8:56am May 20, 2017 at 4:51pm - AND Novotny!
May 20, 2017 at 5:37pm May 20 @4:51pm - AMEN!
May 20, 2017 at 4:51pm Bye bye, Tomlin. Now can we get rid of Bev, Crowther, Rogers, Centeno?
May 20, 2017 at 6:54am Like May 17, 2017 at 9:29pm, I, too, was on the receiving end of Tomlin's inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. Unfortunately, I had no recourse to "fight" Tomlin's aggression due to his ties to the VPAA and HR. One word comes to mind about Tomlin is "karma".
May 19, 2017 at 9:44pm I literally just stumbled on to this site. As an Adams State alumni I didn't know there was so many issues with the budget and the school in general. Sad to read how the school and current and past presidents are ruining the school. Sounds like Adams is circling the drain and about to be flushed. As a former athlete of Adams it's hard to say but they need to get rid of some of these athletic programs. It's absolutely crazy how poor every program is besides cross country and track. Honestly those would be the only athletic programs I'd keep. The cost of travel is outrageous especially football and a bad football team at that. That's hard to say as a former football player but is draining the school all of the poor performing teams are. Now I know people think these athletic teams are generating more enrollment but instead of blowing money on a crappy team how about using that money to fund better and more medical, science, technical, computer and business programs. Instead of an athletic recruiting budget have that money to recruit students for serious programs that will get a student a career once graduated.
May 17, 2017 at 9:29pm Re: May 16 @ 8:13pm - I am not May 16 @ 6:31am, but I am one of many at ASU who has been on the receiving end of Tomlin's bullying, intimidating and harassing behavior. This is a pattern of behavior he brought with him from his previous position in Idaho. A position from which he was fired for this same behavior. And yes, he sued. And yes, he received a small monetary "go away annoying person settlement." Google it. Likewise, many--mostly women--on our campus have been the victims of this same behavior. He is a sexist, a misogynist, and a sexual harasser. Look up Title VII and Title IX definitions. His behavior fits all three and he has violated both. And yes, he will claim--as he did in a business department meeting--that he wasn't "convicted" of anything. But he WAS demoted for some reason. He IS leaving extremely quietly (quite unlike him). He hasn't even bothered to "stand up for himself and not be bullied" at the first mention of his departure here. How many times in the past has he risen to the bait? Yes, I believe his bad behavior FINALLY caught up with him. Want to know more? Start asking the targets of the gossip. I'm sure those individuals would like to have the opportunity to clear their good names. Names he has smeared since he arrived.
May 16, 2017 at 8:23pm @May 16, 6:31am - Please explain how ASU is or will be a safer place without Tomlin. There was also a reference made women would be safer now that Tomlin is leaving. Please explain. I heard something happened between he and a coworker in the business department. Please expound on this.
May 16, 2017 at 5:46pm Wow, I leave the state and hours later I'm dubbed the King of Shame. I'm sure I know what 4:19 is referring to, but that can't be it because summer of 2012 I was splitting all my time between Pueblo and distant climbing areas. That spanned the 8-10 month period in a healthy relationship with a woman from Pueblo, no shame there, and one of the best climbing seasons I've had since moving to Alamosa, certainly no shame there. Unless of course the author is referring to the two relatively easy climbs I fell off of in Wyoming that summer. Yeah, that must be it. Oh the shame! Get a life! - Jeff Elison
May 16, 2017 at 4:19pm Dear 12:33pm, or should I say G. M. or M. M.? Yawn. Regarding your thinly veiled reference, as I and the nearly two dozen others who were interviewed recall, there was an investigation into someone else's behavior that cost ASU tens of thousands of dollars and many wasted hours. Apparently this person made up their own story and inappropriately let it adversely affect the work environment. The investigation resulted in that person being demoted. Such a shame ;-)
May 16, 2017 at 2:07pm Ah, beg to differ. Jeff Elison is a true hero. For the many who fled ASU's bullying, toxic administration rather than stand up to it and suffer the consequences, he is our hero. For the many who remain but are too afraid to speak their minds for fear of retribution, he is also our hero. He stands for us all. We take courage in his example, even if we can't or don't follow his principled lead. If you don't see his heroism, it is because you are a card carrying member of the toxic administration. I keep hearing stories about how some of you, though, are now beginning to realize your alliance to McClure was misguided. You now harbor regret. Gotta say, don't have much sympathy for you unless you also display some belated heroism as penance. Give it a try.
May 16, 2017 at 12:33pm As Jeff Elison quoted, "As Trump has demonstrated over again, facts don't matter, just the story people want to hear." Jeff would know, he has been the King of Shame and deceit since the summer of 2012.
May 16, 2017 at 10:18am Dr. Elison's presentation to the board of trustees was very well-received. So now he has been promoted to full professor, his sabbatical was approved, and apparently the recordings of faculty senate meetings that attempted to malign him have been destroyed. It's probably time for his needlessly vindictive adversaries to use the shame scale on themselves. McClure, Crowther, Buser, and Alvarez can go first.
May 16, 2017 at 6:31am Make ASU great again. Tomlin's leaving is a huge first step. Campus will be a safer place.
May 15, 2017 at 6:24pm Re: May 15 @ 10:57am - Please, Tomlin isn't worth the gum on the bottom of my shoe! Good riddance to a god awful disaster! Ick!
May 15, 2017 at 2:02pm In reply to 7:25am: > Dr. Chris Gilmer was indeed a great hope and seemed a nice man. I agree. I thought and still think he was an excellent fit for the job, but apparently not for ASU's administrative culture. > He was charged with Extended Studies review and remodel, and with writing our Academic Strategic Plan. He hired a crony to review OES and write the report. I'd say "crony" is a mis-characterization. How about: a well respected authority with who he had worked (once?) before. > Then, given the authority and task of the remodel he did nothing but talk. For months. It sounds like he wasn't allowed to do anything substantive. If you believe the lack of change was due to him, then why have there been no significant changes regarding Extended Studies since he left? > Conspiracy with Elison to undercut the President and BOT. No conspiracy. That's a narrative painted by others. People were upset about the rumors of friction within administration. As a senator, I was asked by other faculty to write and begin circulating a "letter of support" for Dr. Gilmer. Not sure how to go about that, I went to the Faculty Senate President, Ed. It was he who suggested a senate resolution. I helped draft it. An email I sent to friends, on my own time, from my personal account wound up in Ed's hands about 18 hours later. I asked how this happened and never got an answer. HR and IT claim my email doesn't exist on any ASU computer. Hard to believe to say the least. I suspect my personal email was hacked, but that's just a suspicion. My email was sloppily written, taking shortcuts for friends who don't know all the details of ASU (e.g., referring to our Provost), which opened the door for others to paint the conspiracy narrative. As Trump has demonstrated over and over and over again, facts don't matter, just the story people want to hear. - Jeff Elison
May 15, 2017 at 1:31pm Of course, Gilmer would be kicked out for trying to fix Extended Studies... whereas those responsible for getting ASU on academic probation for violations with Extended Studies either took the money and ran (Svaldi, Mansheim, Novotny) or they continue to collect a paycheck without any consequences (Roybal, Crowther, others). It's the ASU way!
May 15, 2017 at 10:57am Farewell Tomlin. Does anyone know why he left? For all his blind faith defending of such a good employer, perhaps he realized he was worth more than what Adams State was offering?
May 15, 2017 at 7:25am Dr. Chris Gilmer was indeed a great hope and seemed a nice man. He was charged with Extended Studies review and remodel, and with writing our Academic Strategic Plan. He hired a crony to review OES and write the report. Then, given the authority and task of the remodel he did nothing but talk. For months. He never started the Academic Plan. Half a year wasted. Half a $140K wasted. Turmoil created by he and his partner. Conspiracy with Elison to undercut the President and BOT. Make no mistake, the BOT had/has the goods on Gilmer and he was lucky to leave the way he did. He was worthless and toxic.
May 14, 2017 at 8:31pm Happy news! Tomlin is no longer in the fall schedule! May the door hit him in the arskie!
May 14, 2017 at 9:53am May 13, 2017 at 10:21pm - Or the streaming numbers were low because fewer and fewer students are graduating from ASU... because fewer and fewer students are attending ASU. According to enrollment data, there were 3,033 undergrads in fall 2012. There were 1,635 undergrads in fall 2016. That's a 46% overall drop. That's one warning sign. Then there's ASU being at least 10% lower in four year graduation rates from most peer institutions. According to the most recent College Scorecard data: Adams State University graduation rate: 22% Colorado State University–Pueblo graduation rate: 32.3% Western State Colorado University graduation rate: 38.8% Colorado Mesa University graduation rate: 31.6% That's another warning sign. You say, “Rather than complain about the commencement, figure out a way you can make things better and go do it.” - Yes, many people have tried. One of them was Dr. Chris Gilmer. What happened to him? He was hired less than a year ago. He “resigned” when threatened with a lawsuit by President McClure. Gilmer commissioned an investigation of ASU Extended Studies – the main problem area that put ASU on academic probation. How many of the recommendations of the Mathieu Report have been followed? The main one was closing Extended Studies and opening an Office of Continuing Education. Has that (or any of the other fixes) been implemented? No. Along with students, more faculty (and staff) are leaving by the month... and fewer and fewer applicants are applying for the vacant positions. This should be another warning sign. The first step to making things better at ASU is removing a hostile administration that has been running ASU into the ground and suppressing anyone who would try to fix problems they see. Until that happens, it's unlikely that things at Adams State will improve.
May 13, 2017 at 10:21pm I am the first to acknowledge there are many issues at ASU but I think it is pretty sad that you take the streaming numbers as an indication of the success of a graduation. This is about the students and a lot of hard work for those students of ASU. Rather than trying to find an issue where there is none, Congratulate those students on a job well done. You ever think that maybe the reason the streaming numbers were low was because all the family and friends were at the graduation. A good portion of ASU students are from the valley and Colorado. We're the hotels in town not full? Maybe those people watching the stream are just those looking/hoping something would go wrong. There are plenty of problems at ASU but it appears Some people are just reaching on this one. Please stick to the real issues. Remember, when it comes down to it, what happened today, is the real purpose of ASU. The success of the students. Let's not forget that the students are why ASU exists. No students, no ASU. Rather than complain about the commencement, figure out a way you can make things better and go do it. ASU has many problems but the graduation is not part of it. That is one of the few successes for ASU regardless. I have to say, I am not on the side of the administration but Everyone here complains about the issues but they do nothing about it. Talk is cheap.
May 13, 2017 at 3:26pm Not weak sauce! Did you see all the people that were there?? It was a packed house with many happy people. One of the liveliest commencements I've been to at Adams. Congrats grads!
May 13, 2017 at 10:36am Only 46-48 people streaming the ASU graduation? Weak sauce, ASU.
May 12, 2017 at 8:33pm Re: "Hasta la vista, Mike Tomlin" - I certainly hope this comment is true and Adams is now getting rid of a truly horrible person. Many, many folks--women in particular--will be safer in his absence. I do wish, though, these types of comments would provide more substance and less conjecture. Not all of us reading here are a part of the "in" crowd. So a little more info would be helpful. Thank you!
May 12, 2017 at 8:46am Hasta la vista, Mike Tomlin. Tell us again why the grass is so much greener on the ASU side of the fence? Apparently you didn't think so.
May 11, 2017 at 10:49pm I remember when Beverlee McClure gave her candidate interview in the spring of 2015. She huffed and puffed a series of statements that, in retrospect, were rehearsed and empty platitudes. It would be great if those presentations were recorded so we could all go back down memory lane and identify just how much of a phony president she has been. Specifically, she made some slick statements about “friend-raising before fund-raising.” Thinking of the past two years, is this at all true? What major “friends” has McClure made for ASU? To the contrary, she has made more enemies than ever before – within the university, with accreditors and press outlets, professional organizations and foundations. And what major “fund-raising” has McClure done for ASU? Where are all the resources she's supposed to have brought in? To the contrary, ASU is kicking its can of debt down the road and hoping for better numbers even while continuing failed initiatives like guaranteed tuition. Maybe instead of jet-setting to Hawaii on the public dollar and gloating about it on Facebook, she should be focused on bringing in allies and funding streams to ASU. It's only a matter of time before she storms out of ASU once and for all. It will have been years too late. But please, Bev, claim this is all about “sexism” and “cyberbullying.”
May 11, 2017 at 5:10pm Re: May 11 @ 2:57am - I think the "massive" counselor education program is one of a couple of shining lights in this mess called ASU. They are independently accredited (with high marks from CACREP), don't have a buffoon for a chair, AND have---wait for it---qualified, quality faculty. Perhaps if more departments modeled themselves after counselor education--think business, teacher ed here--then our institution would be better off.
May 11, 2017 at 2:57am I wonder how that massive online graduate program in counseling is thriving in such a toxic system that can barely maintain itself financially?
May 9, 2017 at 6:37am @May 6th, 4:34 comment- Does Ed also receive compensation as Chair for Teacher Education? How can he effectively run two departments? Seems to me he has allowed Teacher Education to run with very few faculty. I believe there is only one 10 year faculty member. And one tenure track. Where are the credentials for these faculty? Or are there any faculty? How can Ed be a double chair, faculty senate president, stroke Bev, attend AA classes, continue to drink and drive, coach football, and the list goes on and on...? No wonder his salary has continued to increase. $$$$
May 8, 2017 at 10:18pm @9:19 - Bev "pissed off the Boetcher Board". She was probably drunk. Nothing new there for our drunk president.
May 8, 2017 at 9:19pm Speaking of graduate degree programs... I hear Bev pissed off the Boetcher Board, costing us this prestigious program. She is such a disaster!
May 8, 2017 at 8:18pm The ASU press release says, "Adams State University maintained an A3 bond rating as established by Moody's Investors Service." Right. Another way of saying that would be "Adams State University has spent 16 months spinning its wheels and still has the lowest investment grade and with a negative outlook." Brought to you by the blind optimism of the McClure administration.
May 8, 2017 at 7:21pm It's hard to imagine even a modicum of justice or legitimate investigation of any ASU department when the supposed deadline of May 1st for the investigation on Facilities Services produced only a "Professional Development Training". Instead of dealing with the repeat offenders everybody in that department gets the pleasure of having an "underpaid on the job training" for something 99% of the people aren't guilty of doing. To make all suffer for the few just shows the incompetence of those in charge.
May 8, 2017 at 7:05pm One can only hope... Right. Are state and other government officials asleep at the wheel along with the trustees? That huge document should be enough for them to come in and take action, at the very least ask some serious questions. Current leadership has been unable and CANNOT turn this ship around. Some are unwilling while others are very willing and put in the work but our impact is negated by inconsistent and incompetent leadership. When will we swallow our pride and ask for help? When will admin stop publishing alternative facts at the cost of students suffering? When will enough be enough?
May 8, 2017 at 3:39pm Is there a problem growing between McClure and Margaret Doell? I heard they are not on good terms these days. Anyone want to shed some light on this?
May 8, 2017 at 10:42am It's clear that Svaldi is the foundation of ASU's problems. He spent a decade ignoring problems and outright allowing his friends (such as Novotny, Mansheim, Crowther, and Rogers) to break laws, bully faculty and staff, and steal university resources for their own personal gain. It's a tragedy because those who pay the price are students and dedicated faculty/staff. Yes, the common denominator is an axis of evil and corruption that defies logic, ethics and common, human decency. That does not, however, negate McClure's role in this mess. Her disposition is such that she would rather fight, bully, and deflect like a 12 year old 'mean girl' than take a leadership role and responsibility for cleaning it up. Individuals such as Novotny and Crowther should have long ago been indicted for racketeering, stripped of tenure and fired. Instead they continue to enjoy old perks such as ridiculously high salaries 'earned' through continued questionable practices (e.g. Gilder Lehrman). And those faculty who continue to support this farce of an administration continue to enjoy those ridiculous perks as well (Liz Thomas Hensley and Linda Reed, among others). One can only hope, at this point, that the HLC and higher level state government officials come into ASU for a thorough audit/investigation from the Board of Trustees down to the lowest-paid employee on campus. Maybe then our institution will have a chance of survival.
May 7, 2017 at 9:53pm Hasn't Crowther already been in handcuffs previously? I seem to recall someone telling me he had been arrested for domestic abuse to a previous wife. Does anyone know for sure? I absolutely believe that he would have no problem performing illegal acts when in pursuit of self interest.
May 7, 2017 at 1:46pm Didn't erasing tapes go poorly for Nixon and others? No lessons to be learned from history, of course.
May 6, 2017 at 9:47pm No bounds whatsoever. Crowther belongs in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit. The sooner the better. Maybe he can bunk with McClure.
May 6, 2017 at 6:51pm Those faculty senate recordings are public record. Is it even LEGAL to destroy public records?! Does Crowther's narcissism and arrogance know NO bounds?
May 6, 2017 at 5:17pm Apart from the “business as usual” obfuscation and willful incompetence at ASU, it is very likely that the Faculty Senate meetings are being destroyed for specific reasons. The attempt to censure Jeff Elison in absentia and in violation of the faculty handbook comes to mind, particularly as I saw in the Valley Courier that Elison was promoted to full professor even after attempts by Ed Crowther, Zena Buser, and others to railroad him for his protected speech (namely, advocating for the removal of the disastrous Beverlee McClure presidency). But we know what really happened and who is now trying to cover it up.
May 6, 2017 at 4:34pm A little odd to destroy the senate recordings? No, it's business as usual. Rationale? Do some dirty shit and then destroy or cover up the evidence. I left ASU five years ago and rarely look back, but when I do I'm thankful I left. Crowther makes over $150K? For WHAT? Stroking the president? Your new president puts mirrors in her windows to drive away a more competent VPAA? ASU is on HLC probation and has to "kick the can down the road" with its debt praying to stay afloat? Run away, run away!
May 6, 2017 at 9:33am What does the Senate say the rationale is for no longer recoding meetings? Was it Crowther's idea? What is their claim as justification for this?
May 4, 2017 at 9:48pm @8:43am - I don't know why I'm surprised. Once again... way to go Faculty Senate. Really good work you're doing. I would love to see what the report to the Board of Trustees will look like at their next meeting. BOT: what did you accomplish this year? FS: recorded meetings, humiliated ourselves, destroyed the recordings of us humiliating ourselves BOT: good job!
May 4, 2017 at 9:10am With guitars: Oh the brilliance of the Clash: And number two / You have the right to food money Providing of course / You don't mind a little INVESTIGATION, HUMILIATION And ... if you can live on 72.5% of CUPA Number three / You have the right to free speech As long as / You're not dumb enough to actually try it
May 4, 2017 at 8:43am This is a public service announcement, WITH GUITARS! Not really, sorry to disappoint. Last year Faculty Senate voted to record meetings so people who could not be present could get the full content of discussion. I think it's called transparency. This week they voted to stop recording. Most interesting, they plan to destroy the existing recordings sometime soon. Anyone find this last bit a bit odd?
May 2, 2017 at 7:39am Debt refinancing has you worried? Oh come on, ASU has no problems. You just need another serving of Kool-Aid. Chill out. Besides, Bev is optimistic, what more do you need to know? And what the hell does she mean by this word spaghetti: "While enrollment is still down,” said McClure, “we’re not as far down as we were. We’re at least going the right direction." Does "not as far down" mean "up"? Or just that the decline has slowed, which would not be "the right direction"? I wish she would just keep her mouth closed and leave. It would be her greatest contribution to ASU.
May 1, 2017 at 8:45pm Did people read the Valley Courier article about ASU's debt refinancing? It very thinly veils how deep ASU's problems are and how the Board and administration are out of ideas for fixing these problems. By any other name, it's a “cry for help” for restructuring and/or receivership. A few highlights that convey as much: “We’re moving the can down the road a ways but it does buy us breathing room,” said board member Reeves Brown … “The university is banking on future improvements to make the refinancing worthwhile.” … “It seems to be the right thing to do,” board member Cleave Simpson said, “but make no mistake about it that we have got to focus on retention and recruitment for all of these strategies to come together. Or we continue to put Band-Aids on this going forward.” … If we stay status quo or see a decline in enrollment, there aren’t a whole lot of options left,” said Simpson. “If we can’t generate revenue we’ll end up having to do cost saving measures somehow, somewhere.” Yes, the Board is now using phrases like "breathing room," "there aren’t a whole lot of options left," and "somehow, somewhere." Great Desperation Begins Here. But never fear. McClure continues to assure us all that everything is going great: “ASU President Beverlee McClure is optimistic. “While enrollment is still down,” said McClure, “we’re not as far down as we were. We’re at least going the right direction. We’re confident that in the next three years we’ll see more improvement.” May Day, May Day! Ring-ring-ring! Hello? Has anyone notice that nothing is ever going badly at ASU – merely that the university is headed in the right direction and everything is improving. Yet enrollment continues to fall, major structural problems with Extended Studies remain, faculty and staff are fleeing by the semester (with more leaving soon). But ASU just signed the first female football player, so it's all good. As long as a football program with a losing streak gets some positive press, the negative stories about key personnel, financial conditions, and academic probation won't matter too much to prospective students, state regulators, or the HLC.
May 1, 2017 at 2:28pm While I probably want that drunk bitch gone as much as the next person, I think we need to be cautious about creating and spreading untrue rumors. What exactly did April 28@ 10:19pm hear? As far as the jeep is concerned, I'm fairly certain the institution provided it for her. Her personal white car sits in the garage. So does anyone have any true updates? Fingers crossed that this is in fact true.
May 1, 2017 at 11:00am Bev doesn't come to office today. Is she really leaving? Updates please!
May 1, 2017 at 7:59am When I got to my office I noticed her white Jeep is still at the president's house.
April 29, 2017 at 11:52am If indeed Bev has left we must not falter nor get distracted from continuing to expose the things going on elsewhere. The harassment and bullying has got to stop.
April 29, 2017 at 8:21am Did she really leave? Who will be her in the interim? Another enabler?
April 28, 2017 at 10:19pm She packed up her mirrors. Today I stood afar and watched her stroll her suitcase down the sidewalk. Then loaded the monstrosity of a suitcase in her white vehicle, while talking on her phone stating "I'm done!" She's leaving! She's leaving! She took a position in Hawaii! She's leaving! She's leaving! Vaya con dios Bev!
April 28, 2017 at 7:45pm Hopefully somebody somehow can post the findings of the Facilities Services investigation on this site for any and all to see. Maybe those findings can reach the NLRB. There has to be some place people can go where none of the reptilian upper echelon aren't members of HR, the BOT, a state liaison, etc. Somewhere where the victimization of ASU employees will not be ignored. ----Editor's Reply: We will publish any documents pertaining to this investigation if they are sent to us. We can also file a records request to obtain them.
April 28, 2017 at 6:12pm @6:02 PM, there are a few in Facilities who are willing to do just that but the key word is "few". Those few know the laws, know the procedures and have tried to inform others of their rights but the wolves get to the other ones by any means necessary and the few willing to stand are marked.
April 28, 2017 at 6:02pm It would be truly remarkable if ASU facilities workers, and any others, formed a class action lawsuit. The ASU administration and board of trustees seem totally immune to accountability and resist any effort to address concerns from employees. So get a lawyer – a good one – and publicize the matter so everyone can see how badly ASU treats people. And create an online donation page for people to contribute – I guarantee many donors would be happy to anonymously support an effort to hold ASU accountable for its many illegal deeds.
April 28, 2017 at 5:53pm McClure is definitely ruining ASU but there are people there that have been ruining it long before she came along. What do they have over ASU that they still are around? How can they get away with buying someone's silence for dirt cheap? It's the administration that exploits the financial hardships of others by buying them off for literally nothing.
April 28, 2017 at 5:23pm @2:58 PM, that's exactly what's going to happen with the Facilities Services investigation too.
April 28, 2017 at 2:58pm If we are talking about a class action lawsuit, I think ASU students enrolled in extended studies or nursing would have a very strong case for being the victims of fraud and willful negligence. Based on public documents alone, it wouldn't be difficult for an attorney to file a complaint alleging the university has knowingly promoted programs with egregious errors and practices in violation of academic standards. Every expert who has reviewed these programs has concluded they are highly deficient, yet ASU administration responds by stating that everything is great and the people who say otherwise must be reprimanded.
April 28, 2017 at 8:10am The Board definitely needs to WAKE UP! McClure is ruining ASU. Employee morale is at an all time low. Administration only listens to lawsuits. Perhaps employees could initiate a class action lawsuit against the Board. Count me in.
April 27, 2017 at 10:47pm @9:20 PM - Taking the proper channels is just a vortex all the people courageous enough to take a stand end up in then get get labeled as deviants and insubordinate and either quit out of frustration or fall victim to the games of the administration and just stop trying with which said administration then uses against them and ask them to resign quietly or risk termination. As for the ones with no backbone they believe the lies that they are not good enough and deserve the silent forms of abuse they are subjected to. Such tactics used by the administration, etc. hearken back to the tactics used by some of the most grotesque people in history and the mindless become like the processionary caterpillar experiment conducted by Jean Henri Fabre.
April 27, 2017 at 9:20pm April 27 @640pm - But people HAVE come forward. Many provided evidence to Dr. Gilmer applicable to the Mathieu report. Unfortunately, Bev buried it (and Dr. Gilmer). Until our hands off board demands information and becomes a little more hands on, Bev gets away with her shananigans. Of course you are correct, employees need to grow a backbone and start speaking out through the proper channels against Bev and company's abusive behaviors. Again, the board would be wise to micromanage a little more.
April 27, 2017 at 6:40pm What can be done? Nobody is coming forward in these investigations whether present or former employees. Nobody.
April 27, 2017 at 10:45am April 26, 2017 at 8:05pm: I would be suspicious of any poll asking about confidence in anyone, or any office, of administration. The privacy of such a poll would be in serious question. Critics of administration would be afraid that their responses would be determined and retribution would follow. This attests to the general feeling of fear on this campus. I have never seen morale lower on this campus or any campus I have taught in the past. The major suspects are McClure, Crowther, Centeno, Novotny, Rogers, Beez, OEO, business department, extended studies, and others too many to name. This institution needs a wholesale cleansing. Drain this stinking swamp. The odor is unhealthy.
April 26, 2017 at 8:05pm To properly answer 10:16am, I recommend a poll: How would you rate your trust level with Tracy? - I am confident taking any HR issue large or small to Tracy. - I would consider taking a personal HR concern to Tracy. - I am either neutral or have no experience interacting with Tracy. - I view Tracy with wariness, - Tracy is an Informant and the Enemy, to be avoided at all costs. ----Editor's Reply: While a poll on the level of satisfaction ASU employees have with HR might be helpful and certainly merits discussion here, it wouldn't directly address the question of alleged criminality mentioned on April 25, 10:23am.
April 26, 2017 at 10:16am 10:23am - could you please explain why Tracy Rogers is a criminal?
April 26, 2017 at 8:05am Re: April 24 12:53 PM - What's even more disheartening is the fact that the current investigation the OEO is conducting on Facilities Services will end up the same way with nothing done. I feel for those who are left in the wake of a retaliatory despot to simply endure or be told by HR if they are unhappy to seek employment elsewhere.
April 26, 2017 at 7:38am Wow, great site, thank you for maintaining this! Bev is what a Hillary Clinton Presidency would have been for this country. She needs to go sooner rather than later. ASU is in a death spiral, and needs major, total reorganization, starting with releasing many of the problem "children" we have: e.g., Novotny, Centeno, Crowther, Beez. Drain the swamp. Focus MUST be on regaining accreditation, if that is even possible now, with so many resources being deflected for "other" activities, like, say, Sanctuary Status. I guess in a couple of years the only persons on campus will be the Illegals. Long-time financial supporters of ASU are seriously reconsidering their donations for a University that is has lost its way and does not seem to have any interest in finding its footing. Take-over by CU, probably the best thing, at least it will clean out some of the rat's nests, probably not all, though. Faculty leaving--who wouldn't if they could? These are intelligent people (for the most part), and see the hand-writing on the wall. Anybody remember what ASU is here for, really? Surely not for those pesky students?
April 25, 2017 at 10:23am As I have written in an earlier post, McClure, Ed Crowther, Frank Novotny, Tracy Rogers, and other criminals should be fired, indicted, and convicted. If state law enforcement will not do it then the feds should. Oh wait, neo-fascist Trump upon hearing of their criminality would give them jobs in his administration.
April 25, 2017 at 7:40am Dear 10:30am, save us your alternative facts. The "Gilmer didn't do his job so he suddenly resigned voluntarily" story makes no sense whatsoever. It's clear from the documents that he was blackmailed into leaving. Real facts: the BoT "is entering into this Release and Settlement Agreement in compromise of disputed claims for compensatory damages and injunctive relief." "President McClure has the right to exercise any legal recourse under the law against him that includes the disclosure of information in her possession" "In consideration of the above, Dr. Gilmer agrees to resign his position with the University, with prejudice" "Dr. Gilmer further agrees to withdraw with prejudice the complaint he filed against President McClure" He filed a complaint just as many, many others have or would like to do. She got someone to search for dirt on him and found some on a family member. He resigned to protect a loved one. It's detestable that she would put the university at risk over her ego. It's even worse that she would pay to dig into employee's past. It's even worse that she would extend this to family members. And then to basically brag about blackmail shows how warped her mind really is. Not to mention the mirrors pointed at his house. Those aren't things a wise leader would do, much less brag about. The sooner she "is resigned" without prejudice, the better for ASU.
April 24, 2017 at 2:34pm Coincidence or psychotic behavior? Dr. Gilmer's former residence is completely vacated and the voodoo mirrors have been taken down!
April 24, 2017 at 12:53pm "Inheriting a mess" is one thing, making it worse and being a vindictive bully is another. Under Beverlee McClure's "leadership," student enrollment has continued to drop, employee turnover has increased dramatically, guaranteed tuition and other financial decisions have worsened ASU's credit rating, debt burden, and prompted the state audit, and her embarrassing behavior has disgraced ASU for the HLC all all of higher ed to see. To the extent it appears that Chris Gilmer "didn't do his job," it was because Beverlee McClure obstructed his ability to implement the changes recommended by the OES external report. What happened to shutting down extended studies and creating a continuing education office, anyway?
April 24, 2017 at 10:30am Beverlee inherited a mess and is trying to clean it up and it turns out Gilmer didn't do his job while he was here.
April 23, 2017 at 4:56pm So maybe Bev and Ed Crowther are drinking pals and that's how he got to be her hit man in charge of knifing Gilmer.
April 22, 2017 at 8:54pm Could someone remind the ASU president that tonight is Alamosa's prom night? Parents, family and friends don't need to have her drunk ass (like usual) on the roads in the university vehicle jeopardizing lives tonight. This community loves our kids. I hope she can be respectful of DUI laws just tonight.
April 21, 2017 at 9:25am I can't speak for every department on campus, or even for everyone in my own department, but I can say that I don't have any problems with either of my supervisors. My experience has been that they are fair and understanding. I came to this job after having worked retail for a number of years, and even those few times when I've been frustrated with my supervisor here do not even come close to hair-pulling frustration I experienced in my previous jobs. The job I left to come to ASU literally gave me a script to follow for everything, and stepping out of line meant being written up. (And if you followed the script and didn't meet your quotas you were still written up.) Since starting at Adams State I've never felt anything close the dehumanizing experience of being treated like a piece of company equipment. I'm not saying that ASU is without its problems, but since my experience seems to be vastly different from the others presented here I thought I would it add it to conversation.
April 21, 2017 at 8:30am Missing VPAA Gilmer? Just remember, Crowther did everything in his power to bring him down, including manipulating senate.
April 20, 2017 at 7:21pm As a fellow former ASUcks employee, I have to concur with 5:49pm. Don't suffer, people. Life is short. Functional workplaces that value you and your contributions do exist. Read the latest WA poll results and look sharp.
April 20, 2017 at 6:03pm Get it? Got it? Doubt it...
April 20, 2017 at 5:49pm As a former ASU employee, I have to say leaving that place was the best decision ever. Promotion is a joke, only those who can conform to the supervision staff in a mindless "yes man" mentality will ever get promoted, or if you are a "ol drinking buddy" of one of the supervisors, and then you are guaranteed to climb the ranks quickly. Progressive thinking is looked down upon, and standing up for the rights of a co-worker is a big no no. But playing the devils advocate and brown nosing? Promotion! Back stabbing and ridiculing a co-worker? Promotion! There are so many that work so hard for there little pay check and so many who do a whole lot of nothing for a nice fat paycheck. Something will have to change one day, or ASUcks will just bury itself one day, and no one will come the the funeral.
April 20, 2017 at 4:56pm I think there's a lot of people in ASU qualified to lead. Not everything said is criticism but statements made about what really goes on but when it's said about a supervisor it's criticism, etc. But when a supervisor does it it's evaluating. There are plenty of employees who do their job and don't complain and whether or not their superiors are good or not they do there best to make them happy by doing what's asked of them. Some people just don't want the responsibility and just go to do a good job and get what they earn at the end of every month. As far as supervisors there are some good ones out there too but when you speak out on the negativity you get labeled as the "worst kind of workers at a workplace". You don't have to go to the OEO or the inner circle to get labeled, just have the right person with the right amount of sensitivity and anal retentiveness read something they don't like in the comments section.
April 20, 2017 at 4:40pm What's just as bad or worse is a myopic outlook on what was said about supervisors. Nobody said anything about WANTING a supervisor position and you know nothing of all the negativity they spread, fear they try to instill and the double standards they create. Maybe there's a reason people don't want to be a supervisor. Learn the back story before you try and say somebody else is spewing forth vitriol. It's the ones out in the field who hold things together and have to have a mind of their own to do what they know needs to be done.
April 20, 2017 at 3:42pm When you realize the administration is leading your organization off a cliff – all while giving themselves raises, exotic vacations, and throwing themselves fancy parties with public money and student tuition... it's hard to imagine the solution is “sit down and shut up.” It's not that most ASU employees want a supervisor job. They just want a functional and supportive workplace that isn't governed by incompetence, fear, retaliation, and bullying.
April 20, 2017 at 8:05am The worst employees in any organization are those who worry, snipe, and snark about their supervisors. What their supervisors do, what their supervisors get, when their supervisors work or take vacation. You would do well to do YOUR job, worry about YOUR job, take care of YOUR life, not just criticize others. You want a supervisors job? Earn it, get it, do it,
April 19, 2017 at 10:02pm Facilities supervisors are a joke. The most useless ones are the ones promoted and all of a sudden become the standard for cleanliness. Where was that type of work ethic when they actually had to work? Blackout dates during the Summer but yet supervisors can have off, being told when to take comp time and not on Mondays or Fridays but supervisors can miss whenever. But yet it all gets denied and nothing is ever done about it. How can so many people who have come forward be wrong?
April 19, 2017 at 9:54pm Re: April 17 9:00 AM, I totally agree but isn't that against the labor laws? Isn't it wrong for a person to have an investigation go negatively against them if they are summoned to speak? I've heard that people who have spoken to Ana and told the truth had negative reports thrown into their personnel files.
April 18, 2017 at 9:34pm Dr. Gilmer is, I'm pretty sure, on to bigger and better things. What a HUGE loss to Adams State. What an embarrassment that he had to endure the atrocities he did while employed at ASU. We should all be ashamed.
April 18, 2017 at 9:27pm This is a really great poll right now regarding the timeline of ASU's bail out. For those that voted that ASU will recover on its own, I'm genuinely interested: how? HLC visit looming, the state watching (and not helping), leadership in shambles, faculty and staff leaving, enrollment and retention down, and budget deficit. I'm having a tough time seeing the silver lining here.
April 18, 2017 at 4:05pm Sad day watching Dr. Gilmer move. Maybe now that worthless excuse of a president will remove her mirrors and stop embarrassing us. After her much-needed vacation in Hawaii. After all, it's exhausting causing all of the problems she causes. The one nice thing about her vacation is that the rest of us get some relief from her lunacy.
April 17, 2017 at 2:36pm Will there be a President's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, April 18? Will our savior and fearless Prez graciously show her face? Oh wait, I have been notified in my newsfeed 21 hours ago "Hyatt Residence Club on Ka'anapali". No golf boots this time as she is "flying solo". What's wrong, Bev? No friends? Glad to see your priorities are with ASU. But you have minions to take care of this! Májalo
April 17, 2017 at 9:00am I have a better view of the OEO due to my current position and can verify that the OEO is just another spin room for ASU and looks to be good friends with the HR director. What they do to employees is an unethical and immoral way to silence dissenters. She sits you down, gets your claim so they can defend against it, and then add a negative spin to what you say to label you as the problem. You will literally walk out wondering if the moon is just the sun at night. The most frustrating thing is their display of psychological projection. They display piss poor behavior and then claim the staff member have those attributes, which only adds to them overwhelming the employee with unfounded claims. Then they claim nobody wants to deal with it because the employee is defending themself. It's a very pervasive culture that starts with the HR director and is taught to supervisors. Their strategy seems to overwhelm and then claim there's too much to sort through because they don't want to deal with it. So they're shunning their responsibilities and use their bias in their decisions.
April 16, 2017 at 5:42pm The OEO. What a joke! Ana should be fired for her lack of professionalism, lack of confidentiality, lack of organizational and investigation skills and her persistent stupidity! But I am sure she's protected due to the fact her spouse is a county judge. And on that note, the HR director is just as bad! Both are plain worthless, unfair and bullies. But no one sees this, so we continue with creating great stories. All is I can hope for is that CU will take us over and all our tremendous debt and run our campus with integrity and hold ALL EMPLOYEES accountable!
April 14, 2017 at 10:15pm 9:37pm - Which "conflict of interest" is that?
April 14, 2017 at 9:37pm Re: April 13 4:50 PM - What about those who can't afford a lawyer and can't go to HR not only due to their looking out for the interests of the "inner circle" but also due to a "conflict of interest" everybody knows about but won't comment on?
April 14, 2017 at 7:24am 9:35 is right. Some of the things the OEO director has said about employees should have gotten her fired long ago. She can't be professional about anyone associated with this site: Ledonne, Elison, and Waddell come to mind. Administrators above her know it, but they are one big happy inner circle and they don't want her to be professional about people they perceive to be adversaries
April 13, 2017 at 9:35pm Yes, OEO is certainly part of the inner circle. Yes, the deck is stacked against you. No, the behavior from that office is not professional or ethical. Some of the communications out of that office warrant termination.
April 13, 2017 at 7:44pm Part of the reason OEO has been ineffective or counterproductive is because in the past certain people had keys to everything including the OEO filing cabinets. That was one reason certain repeat offenders knew what was said about them by the next day in a "confidential meeting" that happened hours before.
April 13, 2017 at 6:51pm That the OEO is part of the "inner circle" or not wasn't my target point. I failed to mention there seems to be a secret society atmosphere at ASU that has permeated every department and the select few receive many perks at the expense of others. Facilities Services gets overlooked a lot since it seems to be a "fringe department" and that's where a lot of the skulduggery occurs. So much of it is filtered thru middle management so that it doesn't look to be coming from their superiors and they are so brainwashed into believing that's the way to supervise that they believe they are doing their job when in reality they are just a human shield for their superiors.
April 13, 2017 at 4:50pm Adams State's Office of Equal Opportunity is a source of many problems for many people. It is presented as a neutral space to resolve an issue but its administrative oversight and current cronyism undermine any equitable outcome. I used to think the OEO was simply a closet employees could ineffectually shout into, but now I see that it is actually a coercive tool that the administration uses to ferret out dissent and tag employees for removal. When filing a compliant with the OEO, the deck is stacked against employees and most complaints are swept under the rug, buried, or found to be “meritless” (even when outside review would conclude otherwise). I can't tell you how many people have told me that they felt totally disappointed, even retaliated against, because they went to the OEO. Employee grievances often aren't treated confidentially and filing a complaint will put a target on their backs for future bullying and backlash from administrators. This is among the reasons so many ASU employees have left. Next time someone has a dispute at ASU, get a lawyer like Ledonne or Elison did. Ledonne was able to have the campus ban lifted and received a $100,000 settlement while Elison was able to secure his rightfully-earned full professor promotion. Legal action seems to be the only language ASU administrators understand. And I'm sure the Colorado Attorney General's office is tired of defending ASU's ridiculous actions by now.
April 13, 2017 at 8:01am Some think the real problem with the previously mentioned investigations is that the OEO is part of the "inner circle" and often uses bully tactics themselves. It appears there are many individual relationships preventing objectivity from that position.
April 12, 2017 at 9:55pm One of the many problems in the aforementioned departments is bullying and fear-mongering. McClure calls for stronger laws against Watching Adams' alleged "cyber bullying" but yet she completely ignores, defers or hands over all complaints given to her to the OEO. All that does is put up a front that she took action to deal with those issues but yet they'll conveniently be swept under the rug and later on she'll enjoy a nice strong drink and a few holes of golf with the perpetrators.
April 12, 2017 at 9:09pm Did the investigations of Extended Studies or Computing Services yield any fruitful results? What will the investigation of Facilities Services bring? What are so many current and former employees afraid to come forward? Why do some former employees fear it will affect their current job?
April 12, 2017 at 8:51pm What makes certain employees so bullet proof? Why is Facilities Services in such a shambles? Why is Computing Services in the same condition? Why are there so many complaints about certain people in those departments and yet they are untouchable?
April 12, 2017 at 8:04am Re: April 11 and Carol Guerro-Murphy: Didn't the board just vote rejecting ASU become a sanctuary campus? And now we have faculty/staff using university resources (email) to defy the board? Uhhhh... SMH
April 11, 2017 at 4:55pm The AAUP just released their Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession and the main trends all seem to apply very strongly to Adams State. They are: Part-time employment continues to grow, Administrative pay is high and on the rise, Funding of public education remains below prerecession levels. Visualizing Change: The Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2016-17
April 11, 2017 at 3:25pm Just read the email from Carol Guerrero-Murphy about the all campus forum on how to hide, obstruct justice, and generally break numerous laws to protect ILLEGAL immigrants for deportation. What the Hell is this school doing? It is totally insane to detract from the most important task set in front of everyone on this campus and that is get off probation, increase tuition, increase retention and do something new for this institution and that is make some freaking money, but NO we've got to get sidetracked by this kind of bullshit. Come on people, we live in the San Luis Valley where ILLEGAL immigrants have been deported for decades and it's never had an effect on Adams State. Yes, there are a couple of ILLEGAL immigrants going to school here and it would be a tragedy to those people, but in the big picture it will have little to no economic effect on this institution. Whereas, losing our accreditation, the retention rate declining and lower tuition will have a huge impact on our economy. I've been told from a person that attended a all campus meeting from another small college where they talked about how to survive as a small university in Colorado. In the presentation they referred to Adams State numerous times as being in a financial death spiral, with no way out. Now there's a good way to be remembered!
April 10, 2017 at 7:56pm What I want to know is how can an employee have so many claims against them, be a passive aggressive bully and yet complain when a supervisor asks him to be accountable? How can this person complain to the point they no longer answers to their supervisor, constantly miss work for another job, etc and still be employed at Adams?
April 10, 2017 at 4:34pm Some faculty member in a department other than HAPPS could really do pre-law students a service by starting a Mock Trial Club. Do not count on Crowther and his Ph.D JD boy . They started one years ago and watched it die. Backen does not give a shit about students. Same with Crowther. The faculty advisor could be from any department- English, sciences, business, math, Theater, whatever. Adams have more than enough serious pre-law students to join if faculty really took it seriously. You do not have to be a political science or social science major to be pre-law. A student can major in anything and get in law school with high GPA and good score on the LSAT. So I hope some concerned faculty member will look into this and start up a serious Mock Trial Club. As an extra added bonus feature, the Mock Trial Club can request and get some of those funds MUN grabs every year. The team would go to regional competition and if good enough the finals which are frequently held in nice places like Florida. It will look great on a student's application, and a faculty member's vita. And will get Adams some positive coverage.
April 10, 2017 at 1:59pm The question is not can a week in another country be beneficial to students. The question is the fairness of a handful of students, and one selfish professor, getting the large portion of AS&F funds at the same time many, many, more students are being denied adequate funding for their projects. Again, someone needs to do a study of how much money does MUN receive each year and what percentage of total funds available do they receive? I think many readers will be very concerned.
April 8, 2017 at 4:41pm Agreed! And well said.
April 8, 2017 at 3:41pm Well, it seems like the nastiness continues. Highly distasteful. I'm with April 7 9:53pm. Let's cut it out and hone our attention on the true culprits. They love that we're distractedly tearing at each other below decks while they continue to line their pockets in first class. I've witnessed firsthand the nasty vehemence against the Model UN organization, and it speaks volumes about the poverty mentality of our campus. There is no richer or more educationally rewarding experience for students than to travel and experience other cultures. Too few ASU students get to enjoy such culturally immersive opportunities, but those who do bring back a broader awareness of the world that they can share with others. It is the rare ASU student who can afford a full semester abroad, but Model U.N. at least provides participating students with some limited, critical exposure to global perspectives. This should be celebrated, not torn down. But that is the valley way.
April 8, 2017 at 10:20am April 7, 2017 at 9:53pm---You use a lot of space and many words to actually say very little. But toward the end of your drivel you give yourself away. You can promise that any Model UN student would be happy to tell us about the hard work they put in. I guess that means you are one of those students, or the instructor. Thus, your defense of Centeno and not so subtle attack on Nealy are meaningless. How can you promise anything unless you are one of the parties? You also go on about those of us who are critical are really unaware of the truth and need to educate ourselves before we make comments here. You do not know who the critics are. They could be HAPPS students or even faculty. And who are you? Why should we believe that you KNOW what the truth is? Why should we believe that you are one of the few with real insider information? Identify yourself, or stop criticizing others who have different viewpoints. You want us the accept that anyone criticizing Centeno, defending Nealy, are really ignorant of the truth. Well, until you identify yourself I suggest you are a biased party, probably one of Centeno's sycophants.
April 7, 2017 at 9:53pm I first heard about “Watching Adams” through the rumor mill a few months ago. That was roughly around the same time Dr. Crowther’s drinking habits were first called into question (at least from what I could tell) and the discussion included questioning the Goddard’s positions on campus. I had already come to my own conclusions about the LeDonne mess, so I did not pay the site much attention. I assumed that this was just a way for dissatisfied students, faculty, and staff to vent and let off some steam about Adams State. However, in the last couple of weeks I have heard increasingly worse comments about both Dr. Elison and Dr. Centeno around campus. One student mentioned the new obsession with Dr. Centeno, and I became curious what new nonsense was being spread. In the last couple of evenings, I have spent some time reading the comments going back for months. I even delve into the archives to try to get an understanding of when some of these comments all started. Even then, I cannot figure out your obsessions with certain professors. Frustration and dissatisfaction with administration makes sense. Even blaming Dr. Crowther makes sense, at least to a point. However, there is no logical reason for venting faculty to continue focusing on their fellow professors. For students there are generally better ways to vent, especially if you are attempting to discourage other students from taking classes with these professors. The problem with Adams State does not fall on the professors. Especially on the professors in HAPPS or Psychology. The college as a whole does not care about its faculty or students. Our faculty are over-worked and under-paid. Our students lack any form of support and are currently under threat of losing the chance of a degree from an accredited university. None of which is the fault of the faculty being attacked on this site. Wanting to watch the happenings of Richardson and call administration out on their actions is far more acceptable and understanding. An earlier poster (April 5, 2017 at 6:00pm) ended their comment with “If you care about student retention, you should care about faculty retention.” Last year we lost over half of the English department, this year we are losing two incredible professors in the Psychology department. Along with the many departments that lost one professor. We need to be focusing on why so many professors are leaving Adams. Instead, it seems as though you are attempting to push professors away. Or do you not realize the kind of affect losing half of the psychology department or some of these key professors will have? A part of me wants to come to the defense of the professors coming under fire in these comments. An even bigger part of me wants to defend the HAPPS department as a whole for not renewing Dr. Nealy’s contract, especially since she seems to be a renewed focus. However, I am not entirely certain how much that will accomplish. It is obvious the people discussing such issues have never talked to someone in the department, student or faculty, to find out what happened. You all are reacting to events that you have no accurate or detailed information on. I know I will never be able to convince some of you that some of these faculty members do not deserve the hatred being spread on this site. I recognize your first-amendment right to voice your frustrations. I just encourage you to educate yourselves on a situation before you take to posting online. Talk to the professors you have problems with, or at least their students. I promise any of the Model UN students will be happy to tell you about their conferences and the amount of work they put into it. Even more students will tell you that if their favorite professor left, they are likely to transfer to a different college as well.
April 7, 2017 at 5:15pm Good detective work. I hope you take down all of this person's posts. I post frequently but have never tried to deceive readers into thinking I am multiple posters. Anyone doing this, regardless of which side of the issues they are on, should be banished!
April 7, 2017 at 1:50-2:33am [1] True dat. Hey, i'm a white dude who was a student of Dr. Nealy's. I didn't know she had left the university until it was too late. I really hate that cuz I had planned to sign up for her radical feminism course. Bring her back President McClure. [2] This African American male student support Dr. Nealy. I admired how she taught the HGP course. Very different from how my white profs taught the course. I learned that civilization didn't start in Europe, but in the "Garden of Paradise". Doesn't get any better than that because my white history professors hated her approach to such truth about the real genesis of civilization. [3] Dr. Neeley had my full support. Enjoyed the black history event she organized. Nothing of such high quality has been organized here since she left. -White male professor [4] This feminist supported Dr. Nealy. I was hired with her and the others in that group like Dr. Kirk. But I'll be leaving ASU as well. -A Hispanic female professor. [5] WTF....hell yeah, I like Dr. Nealy and supported her. -Former student of Dr. Nealy [6] In complete support of Dr. Neely. -Staff in McDaniels. [7] I supported Dr. Nealy and I'm a staff member in McDaniel Hall. -Single white female [8] I agree with previous comment. I too supported Nealy. I'm an administrator in Richardson. ----Editor's Reply: About a year ago, someone on this forum expressed concern about the motivation for logging IP addresses on these anonymous comments. This is why we do so. These above comments all originated from the same IP address and were all sent within moments of one another in the middle of the night, all purporting to be different people at Adams State University (note the deliberate effort to misspell "Nealy"). We've also received many previous comments from this IP address, including one purporting to be from “a retiring business professor!” The obsessive focus on praise for Dr. Lisa Nealy and criticism of Dr. Mari Centeno calls into question the motivation and identity of the author of these falsely-identified comments. After some investigation, we have determined that this is a clear case of astroturfing and violates our spam policy. We will no longer be publishing comments from this IP address. The author is welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns. We apologize for any disruption to our readership caused by this attempt to abuse the discussion forum.
April 6, 2017 at 11:58am The post submitted on April 6 at 3:49 AM, in regard to Dr. Centeno and Lisa Nealy was certainly not written by “a retiring business professor,”or any other professor for that matter. My guess is that it was written by one of the handful of students who didn’t drop her courses. The reality is that she was simply an awful teacher who spoke in a ridiculous affected accent. Dr. Nealy had no support whatsoever by anyone in the university. Her PIZZA-PERHAPS presentation was a disaster, mostly incomprehensible gibberish. She wouldn’t end her presentation on time, and took up most of the time from another presenter. The people who attended will probably never attend another one. Her lecture was abysmal, and the idea that anyone would be interested in stealing her research is ludicrous. After all, this is a professor that taught her students that B.CE. stands for “Before Civilization Existed.”
April 6, 2017 at 3:49am Dr. Centeno is getting what she deserves on this list serve. Look how her backstabbing has ultimately backfired. An individual cannot be sued for practicing their First Amendment Rights. Noone should feel sorry for a so-call Latina,hack, single female because I surely do not. Also, the expressions on this list serve regarding Dr. Centeno are stated facts Mr. Editor. Uuumm...seem perhaps you Mr. Editor has changed your tune about free speech. I guess you are now going to suck up to ASU after how they mistreated you???? It's a fact that Dr. Centeno was not only jealous and intimidated by Dr. Nealy, but she even tried to steal Dr. Nealy's presentation points presented at a PIZZA-PERHAPS event. And I quote, "I use some of the same variables that Dr. Nealy is using". This is what Dr. Centeno stated when she presented her presentation after Nealy presented her's. Some of the students laughed siliently at Dr. Centeno because she wasn't convincing. Clearly, Dr. Centeno was out of her league trying to compete with Dr. Nealy. Dr. Nealy's research presentation was highly specialized with sophisticated mathematical models that went over the heads of every faculty member who were in attendance that day. I talked with Dr. Nealy afterwards and found her to be a lovely person with a deep commitment to her student's success. She is a very passionate and fascinating intellectual with serious minded thinker as well as doer. Dr. Nealy is a highly trained research methodologist and statistician. I've read some of her scholarly work on the criminal justice system and religion and politics. Very impressive. I learned months later that she was not retained at the very hands of Centeno. - A retiring business professor! ----Editor's Reply: We are committed to providing an engaging and high quality forum for open discussion about Adams State University. Unfortunately, the grammatical errors and incoherent composition of posts like this aren't likely to be in the service of these objectives. You said that you're a retiring business professor? From ASU? Nonetheless, we are publishing this post, like every other before it, so readers can draw their own conclusions.
April 5, 2017 at 6:00pm April 5, 2017 at 8:57am – do you really think ASU is “purging itself for better more professional professors?” That seems doubtful. Dr. Kelso was a very accomplished and beloved faculty chair, Dr. Pipitone was very involved with taking his students to conferences and conducting research, and Dr. Kirk had just arrived with an impressive list of publications in his field. Why are so many faculty leaving ASU in their prime – some after being here only a year or two? At the same time, those who have led ASU down a path of academic and financial ruin seem to stick around for many decades, soaking up large salaries and maintaining the status quo. ASU invests resources into training and integrating faculty. When faculty leave, they take that experience with them and leave behind the relationships that form the basis for retaining students. There is a strong connection between faculty leaving and declining enrollment. If you care about student retention, you should care about faculty retention.
April 5, 2017 at 1:41pm Thank you so very much for putting an end to the of the endless bitching about the one professor. In my humble opinion, it went on way to long. How in the world does bitching about one professor help the institution with the larger picture? That out of the way, the uber liberals are bringing this "Sanctuary Campus" status back up for consideration. WTH are these people really that stupid. I understand that this is one of those liberal feel good topics but does this campus really have the luxury to spend energies on such a moot point? Like this institution can afford the possibility of losing federal funding, anyone that would promote or do anything that had the possibility to lose out on possible federal money is a self-centered dumb ass. Why I call this idea a moot point is we don't need some liberal generated label to treat each other with respect, keep the physical safety of each person on campus an absolute priority, and just treat every individual with grace. Why must we have a political driven agenda label to do what I've just listed?
April 5, 2017 at 10:07am Has anyone been following the proposition that we become a "Sanctuary School"? I think it's a great idea in theory, however I have doubts about ASU's ability to properly execute it. For one thing, I highly doubt the school will take any stance or action that has even the remotest possibility of jeopardizing our funding. I fully expect that resolution to become a sanctuary school will pass, and it will end up on all of our marketing, but we won't see any significant change in our policies or any additional protections for our students. Does anyone believe that this is going to turn into anything more than a marketing gimmick?
April 5, 2017 at 9:03am The Great Exodus continues. And the Board of Trustees remain asleep at the wheel. How's Bev working out for ya?
April 5, 2017 at 8:57am It looks like ASU is purging itself for better more professional professors.
April 5, 2017 at 7:59am Dr. Kelso left at the end of last summer and her position has not been filled. Dr. Kirk announced he is leaving last week. Dr. Pipitone announced he is leaving last week. Dr. Elison will be on sabbatical. The Psych Dept hired one new person for fall, so far.
April 4, 2017 at 7:00pm What happened to Elison and Pipitone? I do not see either one in the fall schedule. There are only three faculty left?
April 4, 2017 at 5:35pm Too bad the owner of this site, himself a victim of censorship, is now practicing it himself. ---- Editor's Reply: We have not omitted even a single comment from publication, including the dozens of yours in the past few weeks which are entirely fixated on the same topic. If you have some new information to bring to light, we will publish it. Your recent posts offers our readership no claim which has not already been discussed ad nauseam.
April 4, 2017 at 2:12am Adams State isn't the only Colorado school that is lowering academic standards for financial gain. Check out this story: Fired Because He Wouldn't Dumb Down a Course? “A new report from the American Association of University Professors alleges that Colorado’s Community College of Aurora terminated an adjunct because he refused to lower his expectations for his introductory philosophy class.” This looks to me like more abuse of adjuncts and a focus on marginalizing any faculty member who dares to stand up to administrative dictates.
April 3, 2017 at 10:37pm Who would say that Crowther is too white? Yo, that's laughable. Talking about Centeno's child on this forum is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I'm a single mom and if somebody talked about my child, you might see a Grizzly come out of the Den. Someone took it too far. Sick! - Meagan Smith
April 3, 2017 at 8:42pm THANKS ----Editor's Reply: This is likely in reference to our decision to close the "Centeno complaint center" for the time being, but we're not sure that is what this comment is in reference to.
April 3, 2017 at 8:21pm As long as Centeno is a topic on this board let me add some insider information. I come from a department in the same building. Centeno claims to be a feminist but in fact is the worst friend any woman could have. Twice in three years she has single-handedly made great efforts to deny young female academics employment in her department. Three years ago the department brought in three candidates for a political science position. All three had superb qualification. Two were males and one was a white woman. After years of complaining and making accusations about how lonely was being the only woman in the department,one would think Centeno would argue with search committee members on behalf of the clearly qualified woman. In the past Centeno constantly complained to anyone who would listen how she was the only woman in a department of seven. What happened? Not only did she not urge for offering the woman the position but she urged against her and voted against her. She had the chance to take a step to remedy past gender discrimination and what did she do? More recently, the department did hire Lisa Nealy, a published professor. Her vita looked remarkably more impressive than Centeno's. Not only was she a Ph.D with experience teaching political science, but she was also a proud African American woman. Again faced with a fork in the road- rehire Nealy for year two towards Tenure, or fire her? What did Miss Progressive Liberal Neo-Marxist Radical Latina Feminist Centeno do? She urged to have Nealy fired, voted against Nealy, and backstabbed her further by talking trash about her. Why? Could it be that Centeno only knows how to play the victim? She needs to be the only woman in the department. That gives her something to be angry about and fight. Add to this, she is very insecure, psychologically damaged, and would fear any other woman in the department would be more likeable, popular with students, popular wit colleagues. With a really sharp personable female to compete against, she would not no know what to do. Research and publish? Out of the question due to lack of intellectual curiosity. Improve her teaching techniques? How? She never attends conferences, does not have friends who have published, how could she ever be up to date? Ask her sometime, what is a dummy variable? No. All she has is Model UN. Of course, she does not only betray women trying to have access to and success in her department. She will betray and backstab new widows. Some of you may understand that. I do not take joy in exposing Centeno as a fraud. But I believe if someone Is a fraud, be their name be Novotny, Margaret, Bev, just about anyone in extended studies, or the business department, they should be exposed. ----Editor's Reply: At this point, this issue has received a great deal of exposure, largely from this same IP address for weeks on end. Now it's time to either send us hard evidence to support these claims or this topic will be closed for the foreseeable future given its dominance in the overall conversation.
April 3, 2017 at 3:11pm Crowther has been Centeno's primary enabler over the years. I'm not sure about the new administration, but under the previous administration he was essentially told he was sitting on two strikes. One more harassment allegation and he would be toast. Hence, his pathetic sucking up to the single mom. He does not really trust her, but he has to put out the image he does and is willing to give her whatever she wants. That is one hell of a dysfunctional department. As for his involvement with her, I highly doubt it. Crowther is too white. She claims to be a victim of white western oppression. In the past she would only have sex with women and men of color. More recently I get the distinct impression she is completely asexual. ----Editor's Reply: As members of this forum have discussed this topic extensively for weeks on end and are now at the point of actively speculating on someone's private sex life and the involvement of their underage children, we consider this topic closed if or until new information of a relevant nature to the public interest comes to our attention.
April 3, 2017 at 5:38am I support an audit of Centeno because she is a complete fraud. Tired of hearing about Model UN this and Model UN that which is a non-scholarly endeavor to say the least. No other female faculty here uses their parenthood status to advance their careers, so why does Centeno get away with it? Crowtherism is the reason why she get away with it. Is he possibly the father of Centeno's child? And Centeno is not a Latina. Just simply observe her skin tone....purely white pigmentation. Soooo, I will now proclaim my identity as a Native American although i am white. Go figure.
April 2, 2017 at 1:29pm I think an audit needs to be done to investigate for just how many years has Centeno and Model UN been given how much taxpayer money to take how few students on vacation junkets. I am sure she could provide all sorts of good arguments how students gain from this experience. The question is, do they? Do they actually spend any significant time at the conference? Does she book moderately priced accommodations? Do they eat at basic restaurants? It is a complete and total scam. She has been scamming taxpayers ever since she arrived here. She NEVER does research, NEVER attends any real academic conferences, NEVER presents scholarly papers, NEVER publishes, is NOT current in her field, gets mediocre students evaluations, performs no meaningful community service, and is not collegial. The sham scam Model UN is her claim to fame, and hundreds of thousands of dollars over a long period of time. And she will continue to get away with because as a single female Latina mother no one in administration has the guts to take her on.
April 2, 2017 at 1:15pm She puts her child on limits every time she complains how hard it is to be a single mother. She uses her daughter as a crutch to advance herself. Just one more example of Centeno hypocrisy.
April 2, 2017 at 12:16am Isn't there a No Child Policy at Adams? I seem to recall that children are not supposed to be on campus for long periods of time so this is a way Centeno is violating the rules and written policy. However, I guess we excuse her because she is supposedly a "Latina" and we are supposed to excuse her on those grounds. I think with all the issues that people have written about, Centeno should be looked at. Is her club traveling again anytime soon? If so, she should be questioned as to the value of these trips. I suspect it is true that these trips are her way of getting a vacation, but again, we should look the other way because of her "status". Her teaching is trash and her scholarly activities are non existent. She needs to be held to the same standards as the rest of us and stop receiving free passes for being a single mother, hispanic, and whatever else she claims to be. It is time to review Centeno and make her earn her keep like the rest of us.
April 1, 2017 at 10:17pm With those many turnovers per year, if not per semester, how can the college survive? It simply can't. The Psychology Department is down to only 3 professors. ASU is flaming out and sadly McClure hasn't expressed any real concern over this institution that will become extinct.
March 31, 2017 at 12:40pm Agreed! Leave the children ALONE!
March 31, 2017 at 8:52am Children are not off limit because remember, Centeno played the "single mom card" in order to get tenure. She brought her daughter-son into the discourse as a tool to advance her tenure and promotion bid. And it obviously worked.
March 31, 2017 at 7:40am The ASU business model: - offer a pretty good product - underpay, overwork, and fail to appreciate your sales people which drives them away - creating a shortage of sales people to service your customers - rather than fixing the three (and more) problems that drive away the sales people, just hire more - making your remaining sales people spend lots of time hiring new sales people, further reducing their time and ability to provide service to your customers - which is often wasted effort because you don't offer candidates enough money to attract them - now you have a whole new crew of sales people every year who don't know your customers, your customers don't know them, and they are too busy learning the ropes to help with advising or engaging students in the activities that lead to retention and participation in SSD and other conferences and visible activities - in other words, the quality of your product just dropped... again! - invest in infrastructure of the physical variety rather than the intellectual kind - finally blame your sales people for not being dedicated and place the responsibility for recruitment and retention on their shoulders Works like a charm, a charm that is losing us students and millions of dollars every year. Three cheers for leadership! It's that time of year again when we depressingly look forward to compiling a list of all the valuable colleagues we are losing. In addition to Matt Steffenson, last night I was told Nate Pipitone and Robert Kirk are leaving. All three will be teaching lighter loads, doing no advising or less advising, and earning more money. Beverlee, Margaret, and others will indirectly blame them for their lack of dedication because it's always easier to blame others and deny your problems. That's revolting. I've seen Matt and Nate in action and heard great things about Robert. These are big losses for our customers. We have a lot of sad students walking around because of these losses. Who will announce they are leaving next?
March 30, 2017 at 8:56pm To all the haters leveraging horrible insults: Basic rule of haters anonymous should be that children are off limits!
March 30, 2017 at 2:55am The "single Latina" has been given everything, favored over other women and men, and still she is a sour faced bitter person.
March 29, 2017 at 8:34am Centeno's child has a bigger ASU office than any prof.
March 29, 2017 at 1:09am As long as Adams is imploding and will soon be history, I nominate Crowther for VPAA. He will certainly help Bev destroy this place from within.
March 28, 2017 at 10:56pm Thoughts on Aaron Abeyta as Interim VPAA?
March 28, 2017 at 6:20pm Any student wanting to be selected by the professor to go on the Model UN Annual Vacation Abroad need only volunteer to baby sit for free.
March 28, 2017 at 11:11am Centeno is protected due to being a single female parent of a daughter who now proclaims is a male. Not only that, Crowther won't make waves due to that aspect and her teen is being homeschooled on the 3rd floor of McDaniel.
March 25, 2017 at 8:20am No, Centeno would not get tenure at another college or university, especially if it's a major research university. But even in this example, Centeno would be evaluated in research, teaching, y service. However, Adams is a mediocre teaching college void of rigour in research scholarship focused. But given Centeno's low class enrollment numbers and dismal student evaluations, clearly she shouldn't have been awarded tenure to Associate nor Full Professor. And yes, Crowther is the culprit in her promotion. He promotes faculty in that HAPPS department who are seriously deficient in all three categories of teaching, research, and service. And yes, Centeno as well as others in that department should have a post tenure review so the "swamp can be finally drained"! But in order for that to occur, the T&P Committee must also be heavily scrutinized as well because they are the ones who vote on these tenure y promotion of faculty. So, perhaps the swamp need to be drained there also and replace the committee with new members of a sound mind and of integrity, honesty, civility, and decency.
March 24, 2017 at 8:18am Perhaps Dr. (loosely) Centeno needs to be subjected to post tenure review by an outside academic group? Would someone with her record have been granted tenure and promotion at another institution? And what about subjecting the chair of that department to close scrutiny. Why does he approve clearly deficient faculty for promotion? That is where the problem begins. There is at least one other faculty members in Crowther's HAPPS department who has a checkered past regarding tenure and promotion procedures.
March 23, 2017 at 9:59pm Centeno is just one example of many who get to play by different rules. So many people have advanced at this school for no reason at all. I have never heard of anyone being a full professor and tenured without having any publications or engaged in scholarly activities. Why and how did she get to where she is? I can't imagine when I go up for full, the P&T committee isn't going to take a hard look at my scholarly activities and teaching evaluations and service to determine if I have done enough. But, Centeno gets off free and gets whatever she wants. It would be nice if I could also claim to be a feminist, scholar, and some sort of minority to get tenure and promoted. Why hasn't she published anything? Why doesn't she do research? One could question how she even is a PhD in the first place. She has no credibility in anything. I think she should go under tenure review. She is lucky to have what she has here because she could never be a professor elsewhere.
March 23, 2017 at 1:48pm If Dr. Centeno's full professor status is unwarranted, is this the lone example of undue promotion? Or are there others – within HAPPS or university wide? If so, that is a structural problem worth addressing. And how to address it? That might be worth discussing. But a few people repeatedly complaining incessantly about Dr. Centeno here will not solve anything.
March 23, 2017 at 9:00am It's not "petty" to raise awareness of an academic institution who illegally promoted a professor based on purely subjective measures instead of productivity in research/publications, teaching, and service. Centeno obviously lacks in each of these 3 categories and yet she was promoted to "full" professor. Such promotion is a violation of the faculty handbook policy(none of these knuckle headed administrators gives a damn about policy here and neither did the tenure committee who voted to award Centeno full pro). Gosh, this is simply not going away because you yourself probably love no standards when it comes to tenure. But it is a larger issue at hand here surrounding rules, policy, playing the "single mother" card because any faculty member like myself are currently on track line can holler foul ball when we go up for tenure and subsequently denied as a result of not being "single" and without child out-of-wedlock. So, yes it's not petty fixation on Centeno, it's simply rationalist thinking that propels me and others to point out these law breakers who didn't earn tenure the right legal way. Centeno didn't follow the policy that governs the process. She skated her way straight to full professorship. Perhaps Centeno should talk with Jeff who could offer her some sound advise on how to gain full professorship the legal way!
March 22, 2017 at 1:39pm March 21, 2017 at 5:15pm------------- Who the hell are you to judge what is a petty issue, what the proper ranking of issues should be? In scientific and medical research some study AIDS, others cancer, or Heart attacks, others blindness, others hospital care. They are all important. Is podiatry as important as pulmonology? Perhaps not. Is there a need for both? Absolutely. So get off your high horse and knockoff with your self righteous holier than thou attitude. If you are so wise and such a judge please stop with your anonymity and publish your name. In the mean time please spare us your tears for Centeno.
March 21, 2017 at 5:15pm Days and days of complaining about this topic, again? It seems like a petty fixation on one professor's career if you ask me. For all the major problems that ASU has to resolve for re-accreditation and financial solvency, let alone to excel as a rural university, I wouldn't place "Dr. Centeno's professorship" among the top 10 or even top 50 issues that need to be addressed. Whether she is the most popular faculty member or the most published, the most "authentic" Latina or whatever that infantile gripe is about, Dr. Centeno is nowhere close to what is really wrong with ASU.
March 21, 2017 at 12:52pm I think the point of discussion as to why Dr. Centeno is a full, tenured professor because she is a single mother and is a "minority" is valid. Why would anyone want to deny her tenure or promotion, knowing that she was likely to pull out the single mother card or her "hispanic" card? She has become a broken record by saying that she is hispanic, feminist, scholarly, and so forth, but she has not proven anything. And organizing Women's Week which has poor attendance and poor events does not count for doing anything scholarly. It is sad that Dr. Centeno is able to get tenure and be a full professor without doing anything except taking a trip to Europe every year, that does nothing except allow her to get a free trip from students. I bet you the trip they are taking this year will be nothing more than a tourist adventure. Every one else who has gone up for tenure has to show they have done scholarly work and are proficient at teaching. She has done none of these. How can a person be a full professor and never publish anything? Maybe when I go up for promotion I should take fancy trips and stop doing research, and claim to be some sort of ethnicity I am not. Dr. Centeno is discouraging. She is nothing of a professor, yet this evil bruja gets a free pass and gets to take free trips to Europe every year. Although she needs to go, she won't be hired anywhere else, because she would actually have to do something.
March 21, 2017 at 9:20am The Tenure&Promotion Committee "gave" tenure to Dr. Centeno because she is a single mother? Is this the policy now here at Adams State to just "give away" tenure due to social status? This is an all time low which reflects no standards used to evaluate faculty whom are applying for tenure. What about single fathers up for tenure? What about divorced fathers up for tenure? What about widowed fathers up for tenure? And what about heterosexual single fathers up for tenure? The T&P Committee can now use the lowest-of-low litmus test for "giving" tenure because it's certainly not "earned" around here anymore. But, I digress, Dr. Elison earned his full professorship. - A single white transgendered with three children
March 20, 2017 at 9:15pm Wow, this is really an eye-opener regarding Dr. Centeno. As a graduate of Adams State I was "forced" to enroll in one of her courses. Something was missing from her lectures. Motivation, aspiration, inspiration, knowledge of the issues all lacking from Dr. Centeno. That's why I didn't give her glaring evaluations and am very surprised she hasn't been fired. I didn't like her. - An authentic Latina!
March 20, 2017 at 8:54pm I am so glad that someone else see Dr. Centeno for what she really is: a "fake" Latina, a "fake" feminist, and a totally "fake" teacher. I took her class last semester and she taught the subject like a middle school teacher. I'm like..wtf... is this college or am i back in high school? During class, I asked her about the other course i heard a lot about on radical feminism. I asked would it be taught again and when? She simply did not answer my question at hand, but proceeded to deflect by giving a plug for her course "Women and Culture". She only said, the professor who taught that course is no longer here. I looked at Dr. Centeno and asked why she ain't here what happened? Well, i eventually dropped her class because it was void of college-level teaching that i had hoped for and didn't challenge me at all.
March 20, 2017 at 4:31pm March 20, 2017 at 12:52pm- Centeno has not published (maybe a letter to the editor), does not attend her discipline's conferences, does not do research, does not present conference papers (that would be difficult since she does not attend any conferences), lacks intellectual curiosity, and probably does not does not keep current in her field. This semester she has 45 students in four courses. Look at her department. That is the lowest average class size in her department. Check her enrollments in the general education courses HGP 110 in the fall and HGP 111 in spring. Compare her numbers with everyone else who teaches those courses. So she is not scholarly, students do not like her and will not enroll in her courses, and most of her efforts are in pressuring her Model UN enrollees to constantly sell cookies, burritos, donuts, whatever, to raise money for her European vacations. Hey Bev, here's a way to save some money. How much is she costing Adams?
March 20, 2017 at 12:52pm I agree with the previous comments about Dr. Centeno. She has done nothing but use her to promote her travels around the world. Basically, this club takes a huge trip to go play and pretend to be the United Nations. What is the good in this? What has this done for the university besides getting money to travel and play around in a different country? This is her only claim to ever being worldly and cultured. Dr. Centeno is nothing more than a mediocre professor, who stumbles through any lecture or presentation she gives, and has her favorites, all who get to travel with her and most likely earn better grades in her courses. She can't even fill a class the way her colleagues can. If she was the lone political science professor in that department, that program would see its end, because no one except her following of students take her classes. How is she a full professor? Has she published anything? Does she even do research? No. She has done nothing scholarly, but who would deny a "latina" single mother promotions or tenure? All she does it gather students she can intimidate to continue traveling around and role-playing. This is not scholarly in any way. She is as real as a $3 bill, but gets pass after pass for being a wannabe "latina" and other things she claims to be.
March 19, 2017 at 3:34pm March 17, 2017, 3:00 pm- You are right on the mark! "She is no scholar. She is only interested in having students raise money so she can travel around the world in her Model UN club. Centeno has scammed and bullied hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to get her and a handful of her sycophant students a vacation to far away places. Upon their return all they talk about, all the photos they have, are of tourist sites, bars, restaurants, not of the actual conference. They receive disproportionally higher sums of money than the students who actually participate deserve. But anyone at the ASF Senate who questions this club getting so much money is immediately labeled a woman hating racist and is on Centeno's "do not speak to" list. What a dismal, depressing, mean spirited woman she is. Unlike Jeff, she had no trouble getting full professor. Everyone knew not to deny her, even though she has no real publications, gets mediocre student evaluations, and has the lowest enrollments in her department. If she had been denied it would have obviously been because she is a Latina woman. Yeah right.
March 19, 2017 at 3:20pm With all the scandals going on at Adams let me add one more. I am sure most of the staff in Richardson Hall have NCAA brackets. I like sports myself. But most of them use their Adams STATE office computers to enter their brackets, see results, and so on. Is it ethical, legal, to use state computers for gambling? I know Ken Marquez, Frank Novotny, the ladies in HR are in the pool. Maybe I should alert the state legislature.
March 18, 2017 at 7:58pm I totally concur with the previous comment regarding Dr. Centeno's "Women Week". Given her phony stance on women issues, it's no surprise that the event lacked "real" serious intellectual discourse on feminism. Please remind me again why a deep serious intellectual and scholar such as Nealy wasn't retained in that bullshit department? Oops, I figured it out, Dr. Centeno subjectively cast a mean-spirited vote against Nealy... wow. And now she can't even organize the "Women Week" event? And I've attended these programs in the past as well as this year, but I really don't see the point anymore. Dr. Centeno marching for what cause? It certainly wasn't for women support whom skin are shades darker than hers? You are correct, Crow-ther isn't eating by himself... hilarious.
March 18, 2017 at 3:00pm I want to state how disappointed I am that Women's Week was not as lively on campus as it has been in the past. I think we have to thank Dr. Centeno for this. In my opinion, there was not as much variety in any of the events at all. Where was the excitement? What happened to males participating in events? I thought the panel on all males who identified as feminists went a long way to helping out Women's Week. In my opinion, having only all-female participation for the events is somewhat counter-productive in the true ideals of what feminism is about. With a good amount of focus on creating equality for women, Dr. Centeno and others should be reminded that anyone can be feminists, not just females. But I am not surprised. Her events during Women's Week were not great. Even her "keynote" address was unmotivated and hardly anyone participated in her march. She is no scholar. She is only interested in having students raise money so she can travel around the world in her Model UN club. Such a disappointment that she has depleted Women's Week into a joke.
March 17, 2017 at 10:01pm Congratulations Dr. Elison. Deserved! Crowther isn't the only one eating "crow".
March 17, 2017 at 12:24pm Congratulations Dr. Elison, full professor. Vindication...
March 17, 2017 at 9:02am Dr. Elison, congrats to you! Crowther is eating "crow" right about now!
March 16, 2017 at 10:13pm Congratulations Dr. Elison, your promotion is well deserved. It is nice to see things work out the way they are supposed to.
March 8, 2017 at 3:45am Given how badly Beverlee McClure bungled the ACLU lawsuit - embarrassing ASU, increasing their insurance premiums, and shredding her own credibility, one can only wonder what personal injury attorney would want to take on her case, anyway. If I were Gilmer, I would call her bluff and speak out publicly. There are MANY people who would happily contribute anonymously to a legal defense fund for Dr. Gilmer should McClure actually try to sue him. And can you imagine just how terrible it would look if she did so? What Board of Trustees would want to retain a university president who files personal injury lawsuits against former employees who speak out? Go for it, Bev.
March 7, 2017 at 9:21pm Today's forums were predictably disappointing. More of McClure pointing fingers, shirking responsibility and smearing her enemies (Gilmer and Elison). She even admitted that the forums weren't her idea. Rather some faculty reps came to her and told her she needed to do them. Why the hell aren't those people running this institution? They clearly understand the need for proper communication and transparency, unlike McClure and her minions--all sitting in the front row. The beauty of it all was her deer in the headlights look as the room filled to capacity. Her comment that we were there because we cared. Yes Beverlee we care. We always have. But not about you and your "leadership". We care to see you exit before you completely burn it to the ground along with our careers. Final observation: very, very few questions. I wonder why? Could it be the culture of fear that she seems to think equates to "respect". "Respect"...whatever!
March 7, 2017 at 9:06pm One of the beauties of positioning all of your mirrors toward the outside world is that you never have to look yourself in the face. Eventually, however, regardless of how long you ignore reality, the outside world will stare you in the face. I wonder, when that day comes, how McClure will justify her actions? At some point she'll have to admit that she's played a role in all of this. Unfortunately, for ASU students, staff, faculty, and the larger SLV community, it appears that it's going to take losing accreditation for McClure to see the light.
March 7, 2017 at 8:25pm What is McClure's side of the non-disparagement / non-disclosure agreements? She couldn't help herself today and had to deride Gilmer with the implication that she could have filed a personal lawsuit against him. So unprofessional. Let's build trust by putting down others. Then there was the slightly veiled reference to Elison. No wonder we work in a culture of fear. Glad I attended because it just verified she is hopeless as a leader. Board members, please find us someone competent.
March 7, 2017 at 8:11pm The open forums today were great! Whew! What a burden off my shoulders. Good thing we had these forums because now I truly feel like we work in a safe, happy environment.
March 6, 2017 at 4:34pm One has to wonder, at minimum, why 1) President McClure didn't disclose to the campus that she and Dr. Gilmer went to mediation or 2) that they agreed jointly on the language of the statement attributed only to him. While so often assuring the campus that she is open and transparent, McClure has evaded disclosure whenever possible. Note how ominous this mediation clause actually is: “6. Dr. Gilmer and his spouse agree not to make any disparaging remarks against the University or President McClure now or in the future. Dr. Gilmer understands that if he violates this term that President McClure has the right to exercise any legal recourse under the law against him that includes the disclosure of information in her possession.” This is reminiscent of the “thick file” that McClure would carry around campus while referring to Ledonne, claiming he was on a police watch list that didn't exist, etc. McClure seems to believe that holding “information” against people (real or fabricated) is an effective way to intimidate and control them. J. Edgar Hoover would be proud! It also gives us insight into how Richard Hall functions. When people wonder why no one is fired even after systemic wrongdoing with Extended Studies are uncovered, it is likely because so much of this “information in their possession” is collateral in exchange for continued silence. People are being bought off to remain compliant, still in on the take... or they are threatened with “legal recourse” should they speak out. Or they are just banned from campus under fictitious allegations, later settled without explanation.
March 4, 2017 at 4:09pm How sad is it that we need a website like this to get information of what's going on at the very institution in which we work? You can argue that the president was going to address these issues at the forum but we all know there was no way that was going to happen. Even now with these documents in the open we'll just get another version of BS. Great stories indeed...
March 4, 2017 at 9:36am Thank you, Watching Adams, for your ongoing service to the community. The latest round of documents you obtained and shared cast light into one of the darkest, most commonly frequented corners of ASU’s box of dirty secrets: Richardson Hall’s techniques for “disappearing” dissenting voices. Gilmer is the latest but certainly not the first in a long line of victims. The general impression the documents convey - point 6 of the mediation document, in particular - is of a vindictive, vengeful president who is willing to hold dirt over the heads of others in order to keep them silent. It's blackmail pure and simple, even if cloaked in legalistic officialspeak. Free speech is clearly alive and well at our public institution (not). What are you all so afraid of? Fear not, similar documents lie just around the bend for McClure.
March 3, 2017 at 12:12pm ---- Editor's Note: We have received and published the mediation agreement between Dr. Gilmer and President McClure for public review.
March 3, 2017 at 8:44am Is it the governor who has the power to fire university administrators and members of the BOT? They all need to go along with the alcoholic Crowther, neo-Nazi Margaret, incompetent HR tools, everyone on the business faculty, as well as extended studies. Clear out the swamp.
March 3, 2017 at 7:07am As your article points out, Gilmer's "resignation" is a "story" but not a great one. It's pure fiction and it would be laughable if it weren't indicative of why ASU is dying. When will McClure be "resigned"?
March 2, 2017 at 8:56am ---- Editor's Note: We have received and published Dr. Chris Gilmer's letter of resignation and settlement agreement for public review.
February 28, 2017 at 8:14pm Salazar is too egotistical, narcissistic, and most of all, power hungry to do what's in the best interest for ASU. As a current staff member, we all know this, but I guess somewhere deep down we ignorantly believe our current situation will change. In the meantime, McClure and her cronies as well as the BOT idly stand by as the building continues to burn. They should all be ashamed of themselves.
February 28, 2017 at 6:59pm We need to get rid of Salazar. He has no idea how to run a university. ASU is almost bankrupt because of him!
February 28, 2017 at 6:31pm … so undergrad enrollment has dropped by over 8% since Beverlee McClure arrived, Guaranteed Tuition has dropped ASU's credit rating, and the State Auditor concluded that ASU can no longer afford construction projects until it pays off its debts – with what increase in revenue? At what point does it become clear that McClure and the Board are unfit to lead Adams State University?
February 27, 2017 at 8:16pm Has McClure been fired yet? Has dirt bag EC been fired yet? Is dirt bag EC having an affair with McClure? Has Adams burned to the ground financially? Has Elison sued Adams yet? Did faculty who applied get promoted and tenured this semester? Were any other faculty denied tenure and promotion besides Elison? Bye-bye Adams C.
February 27, 2017 at 6:40pm I wonder if McClure's campus meetings have anything to do with she and Ed getting shut down when they tried to call the meeting of chairs and senators without Gilmer? What they did to Elison backfired. Trust in administration has never been lower. And trust in meeting "agendas." Any predictions on what to expect at her meetings? Remember of course, she will read or hear about anything written here. Personally, I predict that it will be one big catharsis with everyone freely sharing their deepest fears and frustrations. All will be fixed, ASU will be saved.
February 26, 2017 at 2:34pm That's a great game, 10:11! Here's my contribution, called “He Said, She Said: Disgraceful President Edition.” Trump said: "One of the things I'm going to do if I win, and I hope we do and we're certainly leading. I'm going to open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money. We're going to open up those libel laws. So when The New York Times writes a hit piece which is a total disgrace or when The Washington Post, which is there for other reasons, writes a hit piece, we can sue them and win money instead of having no chance of winning because they're totally protected," McClure said: “I believe that stronger laws are needed to protect victims of Internet mobs and cyber bullying. I hope others will join me in the effort to support these laws at the state and federal level. We cannot continue to allow Internet mobs to stifle the free speech of others.” Trump said: "I love the First Amendment. Nobody loves it better than me. Nobody. Who uses it more than I do?” McClure said: “ I will fight to protect the freedom of speech until my last breath, but alongside it I will fight for the preservation of civility. These cyber bullies, hiding behind freedom of speech, have in essence taken away the rights of others to speak freely by intimidating them into silence.” Trump said: "I’m against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldn’t be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody’s name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out. 'A source says that Donald Trump is a horrible, horrible human being.' Let ’em say it to my face. Let there be no more sources." McClure said: “It is tragically easy to sit behind a computer and lob shameful insults across the digital universe. Leveraging the tools of connectivity, meant to bring us closer together, cyber bullies use the Internet as a means to be hurtful while never having to look their victims in the eye... I am disgusted by what I've seen. These attacks have been the weapons of cowards, safely hiding behind a website to exercise their aggression.”
February 26, 2017 at 10:11am Let's play a new game, Trump or McClure? 1. He and his team or she and her team "are serving notice that a new era in media relations is coming, an era in which all criticism is by definition oppositional -- and all critics are to be treated as enemies." Answer below. 2. "It's not just that both Putin and [he / she] lie, it is that they lie in the same way and for the same purpose: blatantly, to assert power over truth itself." Answer below. 3. "A culture that has accepted that graft is the norm, that rules don't matter as much as relationships with those in power, and that people can be punished for speech and acts that remain theoretically legal -- such a culture is not easily reoriented back to constitutionalism, freedom, and public integrity." Answer below. Answers: 1. It should be obvious due to the tense that this quote was written about Trump. For McClure, it would have been written in past tense and continuing (Ledonne, HLC, Elison). 2. Can't lose on this one: Trump and McClure. Everything with extended studies is fine, all fixed last spring, HLC is being a bully. Or Ledonne is a terrorist on a State Police watchlist. Or Gilmer resigned. Hah! 3. Trick question. ASU under Svaldi and continuing down the rat hole under McClure: graft, relationships with those in power, lack of integrity - extended studies, Novotnys, Crowther, Doell, Schlaufman, Mansheim, all those who taught hundreds of students online with minimal contact... The parallels boggle the mind.
February 25, 2017 at 9:27am Reactive leadership, such as the type of leadership currently being practiced by McClure, is analogous to the high school football team who is behind in the 4th quarter with seconds left in the game and is forced to play hard defense. The Open Forum next week to discuss "trials and tribulations" is a reactive and defensive tactic that is too little, too late.
February 24, 2017 at 8:48pm Thank you, 6:35pm. I ask myself the same questions every day: What is wrong with this place? What kind of institution for higher learning is this? Is anyone out there listening? This institution is utterly diseased. It is hopelessly beyond internal repair. The idea of now discussing "grievances, fears and new ideas in a safe and open setting" takes too little, too late to a whole new level. The notion of holding bold conversations after virtually all dissenting perspectives - save Jeff's - have been run out of town is a JOKE. Except it's not funny. It's tragic. Hang in there, Jeff. This is Alamosa's version of the Salem witch trials. The fever and fervor will fade and the false accusers will disappear into the woodwork when outsiders finally come in, take over, and save the institution from itself. I can't believe that day is very far off.
February 24, 2017 at 6:35pm Here's a quick point of clarification: Thomas GILMORE was ASU's president 1995-2003. Chris GILMER was VP for Academic Affairs for about seven months before mysteriously “resigning” earlier in February. You know, this hostility towards Dr. Elison reveals some of the underlying dysfunction at Adams State. The guy has been asserting his rights as a tenured faculty member, quoting from the handbook, standing up for himself, using the legal processes available to advocate for his rightful interests, and in return he is being run down as “unstable” and deserving of “rejection.” What is wrong with this place? I guess everyone here is supposed to take it lying down, just follow the administration's orders, and exert no critical thought or speak openly. What kind of institution for higher learning is this? I hope the HLC pays attention to how faculty are being repressed.
February 24, 2017 at 2:17pm Good god, would someone please promote this very unstable man?! Mr. Elison has been rejected by his department, rejected by the promotion committee, rejected by the senate, his email outing Dr. Gilmore's insurrection against the President got Gilmore fired, and yet he continues on and on and on. Call the attorney general, show us your teaching evaluations one more time, tell us about your research, we know, you are Mr. Perfect and such a victim. One thing is sure about President McClure, she PNG'd the wrong damn person. - Not Jeff Elison, and not by a long shot!
February 24, 2017 at 11:36am Babbitt or McClure toadie.
February 23, 2017 at 4:45pm Babbitt alert at 1:45. Just the type the AAUP statement refers to: "Certainly a college or university replete with genial Babbitts is not the place to which society is likely to look for leadership."
February 23, 2017 at 4:40pm I presume 1:45 is a School of Business faculty member based on their (largely irrelevant) right-wing political diatribe. This is valuable to examine in more detail because any Adams State employee who would regard “income redistribution, social justice, etc.” as ”scary ideology” is either very confused or willfully ignorant about how public education works. The inescapable fact is that public sector education (K-12 or higher ed) is predicated upon income redistribution. It is funded by the collection and allocation of tax revenue for the purpose of investing in the future workforce and citizenry. Whether through state funding, federal student loan programs, or other government financial aid, Adams State University only exists because of “income redistribution.” So if you like collecting a paycheck from ASU, let alone believe in its charter to serve the public good of education, you should not be so quick to dismiss its funding structure as some scary “Alt-Left ideology.”
February 23, 2017 at 3:12pm Thanks 1:45, you pointed out two more violations of Handbook procedures in handling my promotion application. That makes about 5 so far. My case just keeps getting better. "the Department Chair ... may add documentation bearing upon the Faculty member’s teamwork, as described in IV.B above or any verified peer reviews" and IV.B: "any documented evidence of a lack of teamwork shall be added to the Faculty member’s evidence folder and considered when evaluating the faculty member in the category of Teaching" The Faculty Handbook-violating senate censure wasn't until a month after my promotion meeting. The faculty senate event to which you refer occurred less than 24 hours before my promotion meeting, my chair did not add this to my folder as far as I know, and the committee members who voted against me either did not tie my email to any criteria or they tried to force it under service, not teamwork as specified in the Handbook. They were improvising. In contrast, two committee members stated I had clearly met the Handbook criteria. What you think doesn't matter. It's what the Assistant Attorney General thinks and others making the subsequent recommendations or decisions. And BTW, sections of ASU's Faculty Handbook are verbatim from the AAUP. - Jeff Elison
February 23, 2017 at 2:10pm Yes 1:45pm, and who does the ASU administration work for? The people of Colorado, the students who attend, and the public at large. The source of those paychecks seems to have been forgotten at Adams State, which repeatedly violates constitutional rights, academic freedom, tenure provisions, and the public trust in favor of self enrichment and personal ego. It is little wonder that ASU rejects professional faculty organizations like AAUP in favor of its own corrupt regime. If one wants to know why the university is on academic probation, one need not look further.
February 23, 2017 at 1:45pm The post about AAUP's position on collegiality is interesting. It is consistent with much of the Alt-Left's ideology about "equity," income redistribution, social justice, etc. Innocent enough words, but scary ideology. In fact the very ideology that was rejected by the popular vote in over 30 states last November. But none of us work for the AAUP, we work for ASU, and the "Faculty Oath" you signed relates to your positions here, and here you are held to a standard of "Teamwork." If you have failed to meet the standard of "Teamwork" such as leaving your fellow senators in a lurch trying to figure out who wrote what lies about Dr. Gilmer, then that evidence and the censuring resolution of senate that followed "shall be added to the faculty member's evidence folder," per the Faculty Handbook. So go ahead and quote the AAUP, the NRA, Black Lives Matter, or Ducks Unlimited, your paycheck is not signed by any of those
February 23, 2017 at 12:49pm I used to be a work-study for computing and that place is a mess. I was insulted daily in my time there by administrators and fellow student workers who did their bidding. A few of them even think that if they continue doing what they're told despite integrity, they'll have a job once they graduate, which didn't happen for any of the previous students that were offered this. Before I left, a full time employee stood up for the students like me and put an end to it. Not at a cost of his own employment though, since then the intimidating supervisor has changed his focus on him and is doing some insane things to the poor guy. The administrator actually approached other work-studies and asked them to treat him like dirt. along with spreading rumors that he's on drugs and speculating that he takes psychiatric medications. very very shady and immoral coming from administration, especially for such a great employee and person. It's just sickening and I could no longer be a part of it.
February 23, 2017 at 10:55am From the AAUP article On Collegiality as a Criterion for Faculty Evaluation: "The current tendency to isolate collegiality as a distinct dimension of evaluation, however, poses several dangers. Historically, “collegiality” has not infrequently been associated with ensuring homogeneity and hence with practices that exclude persons on the basis of their difference from a perceived norm. The invocation of “collegiality” may also threaten academic freedom. In the heat of important decisions regarding promotion or tenure, as well as other matters involving such traditional areas of faculty responsibility as curriculum or academic hiring, collegiality may be confused with the expectation that a faculty member display “enthusiasm” or “dedication,” evince “a constructive attitude” that will “foster harmony,” or display an excessive deference to administrative or faculty decisions where these may require reasoned discussion. Such expectations are flatly contrary to elementary principles of academic freedom, which protect a faculty member’s right to dissent from the judgments of colleagues and administrators. A distinct criterion of collegiality also holds the potential of chilling faculty debate and discussion. Criticism and opposition do not necessarily conflict with collegiality. Gadflies, critics of institutional practices or collegial norms, even the occasional malcontent, have all been known to play an invaluable and constructive role in the life of academic departments and institutions. They have sometimes proved collegial in the deepest and truest sense. Certainly a college or university replete with genial Babbitts is not the place to which society is likely to look for leadership."
February 23, 2017 at 10:02am "Lost focus of non student athletes" huh. They have lost focus of all students. The administrators and staff really just take advantage to push their own agendas. Instead of working on safety for students they redo their building and have cameras covering every inch of it. Meanwhile, Student areas and parking lots where most crimes occur aren't even on the administrators radar for safety. The former police chief was fixing this, but got fired because he showed integrity. With the fancy conferences where people really just go to party, erm, social networking. Paid vacation on the company, erm, the students dollar. Often The stuff they report back from these conferences fall under the header of common knowledge, 5k to learn something that's readily available for free is just stupid. This campus only cares about the students money and ensuring the staff's own pleasure. That's why we are failing together.
February 22, 2017 at 5:58pm Of course the ASU-owned Valley Courier had the same headline: ASU Improving Its Financial Position.
February 22, 2017 at 5:15pm I see the ASU spin room is still in full effect. Compare the Denver Post's headline yesterday: “Adams State University in Alamosa is fighting deficit spending, state watchdog says - The San Luis Valley rural college can’t afford any new capital projects until it boost revenue, cuts costs” ... with the one from the ASU website: “Adams State University improving its financial position.” So anyone reading only the university's state propaganda wouldn't know that anything was wrong with ASU's financial position to begin with and also wouldn't understand what problems led to that. This misleading ASU headline comes from a long line of great hits, like when ASU initially declared legal victory with “Mediation decides in favor of Adams State University” (ASU paid $100k and lifted the ban) or when the administration trumpeted “ASU well positioned to improve debt rating” (Moody's had just downgraded the university's credit rating). I guess when you're at the bottom, it's always better to be looking up? How anyone buys what ASU is selling to the public is truly a mystery.
February 22, 2017 at 9:20am The audio from yesterday's legislative review of ASU's performance audit is fascinating. Some real gems in there, mainly how badly our huge investments in construction are now hurting us. Others: McClure: "We lost focus on the non-student athletes and how do we increase those." Most definitely! We need more non-students on campus. Extended Studies now reports directly to McClure and it will stay that way through the HLC review. That makes sense after she ousted Gilmer and considering Margaret's abilities. Now even less of the president's time will go toward raising money. Gilmer's expensive hiring and firing was never mentioned. Senator Neville: "Tell me about the Board because I'm looking at a situation where apparently some decisions were made, that the debt load was increased extremely high over the last few years to a point where it's not really sustainable. So, I'm concerned, do we have the same Board? ... We have this new focus, a little more of a fiscal responsibility focus, which apparently seemed to be lacking over the previous few years." That's an understatement.
February 21, 2017 at 10:28am I am afraid to include my name because of the campus culture of fear and retaliation. My question is - what is the highly paid Board of Trustees doing about this crisis?
February 21, 2017 at 9:51am .... and no doubt, jobs will be lost. Given ASU's negligent accounting practices, surely it should be those in charge of the books who walk the plank first. Perhaps this is a chance for Dr McClure to show real leadership. If jobs are to be lost, how about she leads this little parade over the cliff?
February 21, 2017 at 9:27am Also from the Huron Report's performance audit press release: "With tuition revenue of $5,636 per student, Adams’ tuition rates were some of the highest Huron found in its peer group and concluded that above-market tuition rate hikes might not be a viable solution to the problem." Good thing ASU raised tuition to some of the highest in its peer group prior to locking in those rates with "Guaranteed Tuition" for ASU's economically-disadvantaged students. But when you are building fancy new athletics facilities, polishing the administration building, and paying out huge salaries to senior administrators, VPs returning to faculty, and a select few department chairs and senior faculty, one must pay the bills somehow. Though in ASU's case, it has been coming up short by "$8.9 million in Fiscal Year 2015 and $6.6 million in Fiscal Year 2016."
February 21, 2017 at 8:31am If we increased enrollment by 500 students (!), we would still be losing money, based on Exhibit 23 in the auditors' report. We would need about 800 to break even. That's not going to happen quickly. Things are probably even worse than the report indicates given the fact that ASU's profits from extended studies will drop. The report and ASU's response agree we can't raise tuition substantially. Programs will be cut.
February 21, 2017 at 8:18am From the Huron Report released this morning, this should have people worried: "allocate resources strategically by considering eliminating or restructuring any financially under-performing programs as an expense reduction opportunity and investing in those financially high-performing programs that are most sustainable and impactful." Eliminating programs is the easiest way to get rid of tenured faculty. This is also worrisome: "However, for the years included in our analysis, there were challenges in calculating instructional costs and related revenues on a per-program basis because of the University’s data structures. Though not uncommon in higher education, the University’s approach to cost allocation meant that constructing more nuanced, program-specific cost analyses was beyond what could be accomplished as part of this evaluation." ASU's record keeping is so bad they couldn't even figure out which programs were doing poorly? Does administration know which programs are struggling? McClure's campus announcement about the report makes no mention of cutting programs.
February 17, 2017 at 10:33pm How can you talk about how cyber bullying is so wrong when you allowed a white folks only study group to exist on the ASU campus? How have you proved to students that you support our HSI status? Sick.
February 17, 2017 at 2:32pm Just a quick comment to say that I almost never visit this site unless Dr. McClure references it someway in her communications. If she is trying to keep people away from this site she is doing a terrible job. (you can insert your own quick jab about the terrible job she's doing in other areas) It reminds me of how I don't watch SNL unless 45 tweets about it. Wait, does that make Danny our little community's very own Alec Baldwin?
February 17, 2017 at 8:37am The Troll obsessed with Ed Crowther's web page photos needs to get a life. The discussion of the pictures is silly and clearly this person has plenty of spare time on his/her hands. The Slipper is not only a bar, but one of the most popular restaurants in town, and nobody should be ashamed having a photo taken there. Oh I forgot that the concern is really for the child in the background. Really? No one believes that. Those of us who support Ed are reluctant to post here on the Danny & Jeff show because the small handful of trolls will come back with even more hateful posts.
February 16, 2017 at 9:31pm: I think this quote from President Truman is especially appropriate: "There are some people who wish us to enact laws which would seriously damage the right of free speech and which could be used not only against subversive groups but against other groups engaged in political or other activities which were not generally popular. Such measures would not only infringe on the Bill of Rights and the basic liberties of our people; they would also undermine the very internal security they seek to protect. Laws forbidding dissent do not prevent subversive activities; they merely drive them into more secret and more dangerous channels. Police states are not secure; their history is marked by successive purges, and growing concentration camps, as their governments strike out blindly in fear of violent revolt. Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear." - Harry S. Truman, August 8th 1950
February 16, 2017 at 12:23pm Visit http://staff.adams.edu/~ercrowth/ At least he admits "After 28 years here, I'm starting to scare myself.", while sporting an older ASC shirt. He appears to enjoy MLK discussions. Apparently, he also admits to having a future (presumably at ASC/ASU) and an alter crocodilian ego as well, while standing next to a stuffed gator wearing a fishing "My alter ego and I in New Orleans (Back when I had a future!)" Is Ricky Lake or Jerry Springer available for a town hall with ASU administration, faculty and students?
February 16, 2017 at 10:00am Hey Bev, Do you really think a photo of a department head taken in a bar is appropriate for recruiting students? Think parents will be impressed? How about prospective students and their parents who have deeply held religious beliefs? Crowther was embarrassing and pathetic already with the shaggy burnt out 60s look. But now this? Is no one at all bothered by this narcissistic pagan?
February 15, 2017 at 4:40pm Sorry 2:03pm, you are factually incorrect. Rubi Slipper is private property that serves the public but is privately owned. Photographing a minor without parental consent and then publishing the photo online is legally actionable. It would take a simple cease and desist letter from a lawyer hired by the child's family to compel ASU to remove the image and there is no way the Attorney General's office would advise otherwise. But really, the problem here is that a senior faculty member's official work photo depicts him sitting at a bar. Is this truly that difficult to understand? - Not Jeff Elison
February 15, 2017 at 2:54pm I once heard that the speech we deem the most hateful and detrimental is the speech we must protect the most. It is easy to accept and agree with uncontrolled rants that fit our agenda. Whether that be personal, religious or political. In most every case that speech that fits our agenda is ever as bit hateful as speech that does not fit our agenda. Sticks and Stones my Break my Bones, but Names Will Never Hurt Me. It was true when I was five years old and whether you like it or not, it is still true today! Those that teach, say and preach otherwise are doing nothing but making our culture weaker and putting our freedoms in harm's way.
February 15, 2017 at 2:10pm While the campus at large is distracted with fighting over Liberal vs Conservative, male vs female vs non gender, etc. Which by the way is what they want, there's plenty of Liberals and Conservatives at ASU working together to line their pockets. Watch the hidden hand or shall I say the sleight of the hidden hand.
February 15, 2017 at 2:03pm This web is becoming more dumbass by the minute. Ask the hostess at the Ruby Slipper if it is a private bar and restaurant or if it is open to the public? It is public, and so are the views inside, to include any photographs that may be taken. "Jeff" (Ellisen?) proclaims to not write on the site by writing on the site and proclaims he is not "losing it" which is generally a sign you are losing it. No wonder he is PNG with his wife, PNG with the promotion committee, PNG with his department, and PNG with the senate of the faculty. Dumbass.
February 15, 2017 at 12:50pm Make this merry go round stop! Bev, LEAVE while we still have a chance to save our university, community, dignity and cultures. You are driving us further and further to the ground. You have continued to lie, shun my culture and my home. You came here with your flashy shoes and boots and had no intentions to create transparency. My family has a long history of attending and teaching at this university and for you to tear it down. Tú eres uña bruja mala. Your cyber bullying message is only a scapegoat to which you do on a daily basis. If you stand true to ASU send out a message that really states the issues at hand. What are you doing with my education? Will my degree be accredited? What about people's jobs? What about those who had a hand of bringing this university to probation? Talk about accountability? ME MENTISTE! Estás mintiendo!Arruinaste todo! I believe I am being sexist, no wait yo so una mujer también! I am a LBGTQ Mexicana estudiante. Maybe you too should also admit you are LBGTQ and be proud. Come out of the closet. - María José de el valle
February 15, 2017 at 12:03pm I encourage everyone to compare Dr. Gilmer's "statement" to Dr. McClure's recent rant on "cyber bullying." The style is very similar and unusual phrases like "Internet mob" appear in both. This makes it very likely that Dr. Gilmer's "statement" was actually written by Dr. McClure and required to be signed by Dr. Gilmer before he could resign in good standing. For all her bluster, she is not a very bright person.
February 15, 2017 at 11:34am Small point of fact: a pub (such as Rubi Slipper) is a private establishment - and not a public place. Photographing a minor in a private location and without parental consent, then publishing it on a website is generally not a good idea. Plus, who would want to be photographed with Crowther? That should be a crime.
February 15, 2017 at 11:25am 9:29am looks like it was written by McClure as part of a plan to PNG Elison's butt. Using words like "irrational", "seek help", "hurt someone" sounds disturbingly similar to the rhetoric that was used against Ledonne. Based on the latter case, no facts or examples are necessary for asu administration, just innuendo. From what I've seen Elison shows up, teaches classes, meets with students, and always says hello. Doing his job and nothing unusual.
February 15, 2017 at 11:03am I wrote nothing about Crowther's bar picture or the baby. I have not posted anything irrational. And I'm certainly not "losing it." - Jeff Elison
February 15, 2017 at 9:29am Jeff, it doesn't matter how much you hate Dr. Crowther, it is not illegal to meet at a pub, nor is it illegal for the baby to be photographed in a public place, as you infer in your previous message. It is feared you are "losing it" and becoming irrational in your posts and behavior. Please seek help before you hurt someone or yourself.
February 15, 2017 at 8:36am Yes, Bev, we are fighting to save the university from you. Without hyperbole, it is fair to say that you are a failure by almost every standard. For a start, during your tenure, you have failed to raise enrollment. You have failed to improve graduation rates. You have failed to raise any real money for the university. You have failed to improve ASU's Moody's rating of ASU's credit worthiness. Instead of pulling everyone together, you have widened schisms into gaping chasms. You have brought ASU into public disrepute with your failed attempt to crush LeDonne in court. You compounded that failure by lying about the outcome, saying you won when clearly you failed. You have failed to nurture talent - in fact, only last week you got rid of Gilmer who was universally recognized as a competent, savvy straight-shooter who had the expertise to straighten out the HLC mess. You take the credit for others' achievements, and blame others for your failures. Meanwhile your remuneration package has sucked nearly half a million dollars out of ASU. And all we have to show for it is ................Nothing. You are a failure. Please leave.
February 15, 2017 at 8:32am We should pass no-confidence votes in the leadership of the Board. They are responsible for employing incompetent Svaldi for many years (lots of damage) and hiring equally incompetent McClure (more damage). No university should go on like this!
February 15, 2017 at 8:20am "We cannot continue to allow Internet mobs to stifle the free speech of others," whines Dr McClure. So will she lobby for laws that also prevent her mob of sycophants from bullying her critics? I think not.
February 15, 2017 at 8:12am Dr McClure says she is "speaking out to protect my dignity." You cain't protect what you ain't got.
February 15, 2017 at 8:08am Dr McClure, you say it's cowardly to fire off anonymous criticism, but when Chris Gilmer offered his frank, honest and upfront criticism, you got rid of him. So why the hell would anyone want to stand up just you can stomp on them? What goes around, comes around. You are reaping what you've sown.
February 15, 2017 at 8:01am Cyber bullying is at least democratic if unsavory. Look at all the nastiness expressed against the likes of Elison, Waddell, Smith, Smith, Centeno, etc, but McClure is okay with that because her critics are "evil" so it's okay to hound them. As Truman said, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." And clearly McClure is having a melt-down. Time to vacate the building, Bev.
February 15, 2017 at 7:53am Why does McClure think cyber bullying is not okay but it is alright for her to publicly brand someone a terrorist, use the full resources of a university including its police department and legal services to bully a powerless and jobless former employee, to constructively dismiss others or even simply "resign" them because she doesn't like them anymore? She truly is an irony-free zone. Worse, she is an honesty-free zone.
February 15, 2017 at 2:10am Regarding McClure's cyber bullying whining: Yes, Beverlee... stronger laws are needed to censor freedom of speech. It's especially important because if that freedom of speech disagrees with you, you may then fire that individual because, after all, disagreeing with a woman is simply sexist. And yes, I am a woman. You are simply unbelievable.
February 15, 2017 at 1:03am Regarding photos and general ASU web presence... After the other lawsuits (Remember the campus cop stealing from students and the postal service?), there was this one... Coach denies threat - Trustees to review issue http://chieftain.com/coach-denies-threat/article_81523f5f-87ee-5659-8b3a-19c2770c2a47.html Do you feel that 3 years is enough time for the next link to be removed? It's even a high Google search result return, 2nd in my case for "ASU Chief". It's still hosted on an outdated and VERY insecure version of WordPress. According to this, I hope this former Chief is receiving compensation. Even if it is a Beta/Preview site. http://adams-preview.adams.edu/ps/chief.php Cyber bullying has many meanings, and Dr. McClure holds the title currently, so look into your mirrors before claiming victorious victim and running the jewels on your campus community, education, tuition and people's futures.
February 14, 2017 at 11:18pm February 14, 2017 at 3:29pm-Crowther holds department meetings off campus at bars. Either there or the Brew Pub. I suspect that probably violates state law but hey, it's Ed Crowther. The man who does whatever he wants while administrators enable him. Crowther drinks enough at these meetings that surely his blood alcohol count is in excess of state law so perhaps he will be in the newspaper again soon. Take a good look at this man everyone. This is a photo of a truly amoral individual. He has no concept of right or wrong. His narcissism has no limit. In many ways he typifies everything that is wrong at Adams.
February 14, 2017 at 3:29pm Has anyone else noticed that Ed Crowther's faculty page has a picture of him seated at Rubi Slipper, a local bar? Brilliant, especially for a guy with a history of driving under the influence. Also, I feel sorry for the baby pictured directly behind him, whose parents likely didn't give permission for the infant to appear on ASU's website.
February 13, 2017 at 5:18pm So what happens to the National Center for Historically-Underserved Students? It wasn't Beverlee or Margaret who drew all those fine people here. I'm guessing it is gone along with Gilmer. Such a waste.
February 13, 2017 at 10:17am Of course Margaret wanted the article about Gilmer's resignation to be removed. It points out that she applied for the VPAA Position but it was painfully obvious during the interview that she had no idea what she was doing; the search committee refused to hire her and would have failed the search had Gilmer not accepted. Plus, McClure was in no position to install Margaret as VPAA against everyone's wishes after just having lost the ACLU lawsuit. The article also points out the feud between Gilmer and McClure was largely over his high level of competence and her embarrassing degree of incompetence in dealing with the HLC.
February 13, 2017 at 8:40am The article about Margaret Doell interfering with free speech would be unbelievable, if this weren't ASU. Any critical free speech is seen as a threat to be squashed. Maybe she can send Crowther to Antonito to beat them up.
February 12, 2017 at 8:18am It seems like almost everyone I talk to has applied elsewhere or at least thought about it. My point about the health-care worker was: community members are paying attention and they are worried.
February 12, 2017 at 8:13am Dr. Gilmer is a smart man. He clearly knows something and risks severe retaliation if he exposes it, so he saved himself and exited from the sh*tshow. Has anyone mentioned the "hiring freeze?"
February 11, 2017 at 10:46pm Similar story for me! I rented in Alamosa because I never felt like ASU was a reliable or stable long-term employer. Ironically, senior administrators said they wished they could convince more young faculty to buy a home, start a family, and stay at ASU. But the problem is, ASU doesn't treat its employees with nearly enough value or appreciation to make it feel like home. I know so many faculty (and even some staff) who are eyeing the door and applying elsewhere as often as possible.
February 11, 2017 at 7:32pm A health-care worker here in Alamosa told me he and his wife didn't buy a house since they moved here 3 years ago because ASU is too screwed up; and now, after hearing about Gilmer's "resignation" he's thankful they didn't.
February 11, 2017 at 6:05pm Predictably, there is still no information on the ASU website about Dr. Gilmer's resignation. It tends to be the last place to find out what is going on at Adams State. The Valley Courier ran this article yesterday, which is basically a re-arranging of Dr. Gilmer's “statement” that itself remains a mystery. The only additional information it contains is from the already-unreliable statements of BOT Chair Arnold Salazar, who famously insisted Ledonne didn't get “one dime” from the ACLU lawsuit. So here's what Salazar says, the closest to any explanation on hand: “While Dr. Gilmer's tenure at Adams State University was short, it was productive ," said Arnold Salazar, chairman of the Adams State University Board of Trustees. "Dr. Gilmer voluntarily and at his own initiation resigned his position." This leads to more questions for Salazar and company: 1. What circumstances led up to Dr. Gilmer “voluntarily and at his own initiation” resigning? Most employees who just moved across the country seven months ago do not wake up, rub their eyes, and resign from their high-paying administrator job in which they were clearly very engaged. 2. Did ASU do anything at all to try and resolve whatever matters led to this circumstance such that Dr. Gilmer could be retained? If there was mediation or some legal arbitration, just say so. Much like ASU's diminishing student body, one wonders why the institution so casually brushes off anyone and everyone who has issues with the university. It just demoralizes everyone else. 3. Does it occur to ASU's PR team that these random departures are destabilizing to employees and create a perception in the community that 1) all is not well at ASU and 2) they are being deceived about what is really going on behind the scenes? 4. There is mention made of an “interactive style which President McClure and I pledge to model together” but then Dr. Gilmer “resigns effective immediately” and cannot speak publicly, calling into question this entire statement. Does this “interactive style” include explaining what really happened to drive Gilmer out of ASU? 5. Isn't the real issue here that President McClure is a vindictive, narcissistic, and deeply insecure person who continues to cultivate a culture at ASU that drives away talented and committed people, replacing them with dutiful lackeys who lash out at any agents of change? But don't count on these questions being answered by the ASU administration anytime soon.
February 10, 2017 at 7:44pm Fire McClure NOW! We need new competent leadership!
February 10, 2017 at 7:27pm Gilmer's "resignation", an interesting euphemism, was not surprising. It is incredibly disappointing, but not surprising, it was either him or Beverlee. The Board of Trustees made the wrong choice and now we will all suffer, including our students. And so will McClure; campus is buzzing with rumors about why a competent administrator would be forced out while an incompetent president would be protected. I'm sure her days are limited. What is most surprising is how poorly McClure has handled all of this. As the previous post points out, her last two emails were total failures from a marketing, leadership perspective. She is instilling deep doubt rather than confidence. Each move shows her incompetence.
February 10, 2017 at 3:55pm So Dr. McClure emailed the campus to try and calm everyone down before the weekend. Here's my favorite quote: "I know that for many Dr. Gilmer's resignation was an unexpected turn of events and it has created some uncertainty and many questions." The next sentence should read: “And I am not going to answer any of them. Instead, I will distract you with empty verbiage about how much I value each of you, until you say something against my actions, and then I'll publicly humiliate you and drive you out of ASU.” Here are a few questions that faculty have at this point: 1. Why does Dr. Gilmer's statement, which appears to be in fulfillment of the terms from a settlement, not mention anything about resigning or transitioning out of his office? 2. Why is Dr. Gilmer publicly silent about his reason for leaving ASU and why can't he speak further? In other words, why did he sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of his settlement, unlike Ledonne? 3. Most of all, why was a well-qualified academic professional removed from his position after only six months of service? Was it because they were about the most impressive six months any ASU administrator has put in to actually identify and reform the problems with ASU? Isn't the real message here: “if you expose the depth of our problems, you're the problem and will be removed”?
February 10, 2017 at 3:31pm I believe I've now read all the relevant documents, including Jeff Elison's purportedly offensive email, and I haven't read anything that even remotely justifies his censure by the Faculty Senate. What I have seen is the kind of robust political debate that ought to be protected rather than shut down. Elison's comments here on WA have been consistently civil, in sharp contrast to those of some of his petty detractors.
February 10, 2017 at 2:47pm The university president setting up mirrors pointed at her rival employee's residential window? Taking a faculty's private email about removing the president and posting it around the office building and in bathrooms? Secretly recording public campus meetings to prove the president said a former employee is on a police watchlist that doesn't exist? Jesus Christ, this must be the most toxic and dysfunctional university campus in the United States! Any outsider reading this week's comments can see that it will take more to solve this than a weekend retreat in Taos or even on the high-end estate of the Salazar Ranch. Adams State's major problem is not Beverlee McClure or Danny Ledonne or Extended Studies or the HLC. It is actually the same problem America is experiencing right now. It is a lack of basic trust, respect, transparency or camaraderie. Until you have that, no budget will really work and no department will ever get along. This website isn't causing that, it is exposing how profoundly rotted the ASU Campus culture really is. It should be entirely obvious that the solution to ASU's (or the USA's) problems isn't banning people, driving them away, or shunning them until they leave. We must find ways to listen to each other and work together under competent and supportive leadership. The administration needs to be cleared out and replaced while the employees need to take a hard look at how to be supportive, trusting, civil and cooperative.
February 10, 2017 at 2:24pm "So one of them lied, Elison or Gilmer. ... In this same email Elison lies about the classified staff being in on the deal." You are over-interpreting a personal email w/o speaking to the author. I've explained elsewhere, including a very long email to all senators, that I was projecting my hoped-for outcome of the riff between President McClure and VPAA Gilmer. I hoped the Board would understand that he was far more important to the success of ASU. He said he would talk to the Board about faculty concerns regarding Extended Studies and HLC as part of his job; I added my hopes. I took liberties in an informal personal email, but neither of us lied. Similarly, I took the liberty of referring to Dr. Gilmer as "provost" as a short-cut appropriate for the intended audience. Regarding the classified staff, I meant a different group of employees, but used the wrong term. No lie there either. Funny how NO ONE has bothered to ask me about any of this. Hell, I wasn't even invited to my own trial! Send me an email or stop by my office and I can share with you the 18-page attachment from my email to senators. Oddly, I haven't seen that one posted on bulletin boards or bathroom walls. - Jeff Elison
February 10, 2017 at 1:58pm What would a march to support Dr. Gilmer achieve? Probably nothing, of course – just like the march to support Dr. McClure. My point is simply that it is revealing what this institution pretends to care about as a matter of public relations.
February 10, 2017 at 1:53pm What's a march on ASU campus gonna achieve? Regardless of the cause the best it can accomplish is make the front page of the Paw Print.
February 10, 2017 at 1:47pm ASU has always had a "secret society" atmosphere to it. Before McClure there were others at the helm who had goons reflective of them and now they've just been replaced with goons reflective of McClure. ASU is just a microcosm of what's been going on in this country for the last few administrations. We must not fail to keep our eye on the campus as a whole though because there are rogue groups scattered about that are just as vile and corrupt that don't get noticed. Just like carbon monoxide. Beware of the silent killers.
February 10, 2017 at 1:42pm Why isn't there a march called "Standing Strong for Dr. Gilmer"? He certainly did more to improve ASU than McClure has... if Beez, Carol GM, etc. really want to unite faculty, they should start by organizing support for Dr. Gilmer.
February 10, 2017 at 1:37pm How did Elison cause Gilmer's departure? With his email of December 11, which others had and I found tacked to a bulletin board in one of the buildings. Elison wrote: "I met with him (Gilmer) last week and he said he will speak to the Board of Trustees this week about removing the president." Gilmer denied that in front of the faculty senate. So one of them lied, Elison or Gilmer. In this case it is believed Gilmer lied so Elison got him fired by outing him. In this same email Elison lies about the classified staff being in on the deal. Now we have Gilmer gone - good. Elison exposed as a liar, publicly censured, not promoted, and out of the house on his ear. All of this is earned and well deserved. He is disgraced and should leave.
February 10, 2017 at 1:24pm I have immense respect for Dr. Elison and great admiration for the strength of character and fortitude he is displaying while being openly flayed by his so-called "colleagues". I know he is sincere when he states, that "I honestly believe Beez and others feel we've reached a point where we need to try something new", and do not doubt they've finally reached this point. Finally. They should have long ago. But if the faculty honestly want to try something new and hold a truly candid discussion, it should be organized by someone - anyone - other than McClure's apologist and bully-in-chief, Beez Schell. It's always the same moderators, always the same mock theater, always the same predetermined "anticipated outcomes" (to quote the invitation). How about some fresh faculty voices? Or better yet, perhaps staff should facilitate their conversation. Faculty might learn a thing or two about collegiality.
February 10, 2017 at 1:03pm Based on first-hand knowledge, I can assure you that Dr. Gilmer did not "resign" because of Watching Adams. That is the kind of incredulous cop-out that keeps people from critically thinking about what is really wrong with ASU.
February 10, 2017 at 12:37pm "11:57am", you made me smile. Or perhaps guffaw. How, pray, are Elison and Ledonne "responsible" for Gilmer's departure? At least back up your emotional outbursts with some semblance of rationalization. How else could anyone take you seriously?
February 10, 2017 at 12:06pm Re: feel sorry for Elison... That's not karma. That's retaliation by individuals who can't handle the truth. Jeff will be vindicated.
February 10, 2017 at 11:57am Elison, Ledonne, and the other trolls behind this site are really the ones responsible for Dr. Gilmer's departure, although they will never admit it.
February 10, 2017 at 11:53am Commenter "Feb 10 at 10:32am" perfectly articulates the intimidation heaped upon anyone who has a point of view that does not suit McClure and her acolytes. It proves the claim first made nearly two years ago that freedom of speech is dead at ASU, and that those who have the temerity to speak out are soundly trounced. Should - or perhaps when - ASU finds itself entangled in another law suit, this commenter's contribution is perfect proof of malice and vengeance by administrators, and confirms other testimony that most employees are too fearful to speak out. Only the morally strong and personally resilient, like Elison, have the willingness to speak out. Even his enemies should toast his courage.
February 10, 2017 at 11:46am "One has to almost feel sorry for Elison." Awww, so sweet of you. Don't bust a gut straining to find empathy. I don't feel sorry for myself, so you don't need to. In the grand scheme of things, these are pretty manageable issues, mostly first-world problems. The promotion process isn't over yet. The censure "hearing" was a Kangaroo Court, set up to be an ambush, which I did not attend due to having the flu and not having been told about it. Nor was it on the agenda. Who puts someone on trial without telling them and then holds the trial when the defendant isn't there to speak for himself? You can listen to the senate recording if you really want an answer. (Hint: Ed Crowther and Zena Buser) I won't miss Senate. There's a reason they call it service. I won't comment on my marriage, just as you should not have. Life is good! - Jeff Elison
February 10, 2017 at 11:31am Regarding February 10, 2017 at 10:32am: Wow. Good luck with that collegial chat, faculty. You need it.
February 10, 2017 at 10:32am One has to almost feel sorry for Elison. In a period of a couple of months, he is denied promotion, censured by the Faculty Senate, removed as the Psychology representative to the Senate, is experiencing some serious marital discord, and is forced to bunk with Pipitone. When karma comes a visiting, it is harsh and brutal. Bad times.
February 10, 2017 at 8:05am "Does anyone really think this event will prove anything other than a highly structured, artificially engineered attempt to ... ? " I hope so. I honestly believe Beez and others feel we've reached a point where we need to try something new. From what I know, this meeting will be anything but highly structured. How artificial it is will depend on people's willingness to listen to each other and speak up honestly. I agree 100% that the state of ASU affects everyone. I seriously hope staff will hold a similar meeting. - Jeff Elison
February 10, 2017 at 8:04am Re: February 9 at 9:03pm, BRAVO! Standing ovation for an outstanding observation! Thank you for articulating what I was too pissed to put into words! Yes inclusiveness is for the few at Adams State. Perfect example? Carol Murphy is no longer "faculty". She retired from that role and is now an administrator. Yet her highness is one of those calling the "faculty only" meeting. Just astounding! Way to continue the divisiveness. After all we lowly administrators and staff couldn't possibly have any skin in the game. We couldn't possibly have any ideas to save this institution. Nope leave that to the elite PhDs. After all, NONE of them are responsible for the HLC mess!
February 9, 2017 at 9:03pm Regarding today’s disaster of an ABM invitation and "disinvitation" – oh, where to start? 1. The Invitation: ---------------------- In this short message, the word “colleagues” appears twice, along with “collegial” tossed in for good measure. The word faculty appears three times, including the lovely, exclusionary statement that “This gathering will be for faculty only”. Have faculty cornered the market on being “collegial colleagues”? Does Beez the Bully really think she is in ANY position to lead campus discussions on “connecting as colleagues”? Does anyone really think this event will prove anything other than a highly structured, artificially engineered attempt to shore up the rapidly crumbling Trumpesque Age of McClure? ASU has put on these sham shows before. I recall one in 2014, led by Novotny with another Novotny on the “panel”. Principled faculty can vote their distaste for this desperate 11th hour maneuver by McClure’s cronies by not showing up. Just don’t go. 2. The Disinvitation -------------------------- And then the glorious kick in the gut: “If you received a faculty invitation, and you are not faculty, we just have to blame the abm system.” Oh, so it wasn’t their fault. It was campus technology. I suppose they also blame the glaring typo in the original invitation (“We also invite ghe group”) to technology as well? They also couldn’t bother taking time to capitalize the acronym ABM. Such care taken with their dissing, dismissive disinvitation to staff. The staff disinvitation continues: “Sorry for the confusion this may have caused. All faculty are meeting as a result of the recent resignation by the VP for Academic Affairs, which most directly impacts the teaching faculty. The primary responsibility for curriculum is held by full time faculty and the VPAA.” Oh, really! Staff, who are at will employees with no tenure protections, who have the most to lose by our rapidly unfolding disaster, are the ones "most directly impacted" by the disaster that is ASU. Administration is so selective in their determination of what concerns whom and when. Margo and others have repeatedly told us that recruitment, retention, and getting off probation are EVERYONE’s responsibility. The resignation of the VPAA is directly tied to these critical issues of survival, so staff are directly impacted, even more so than faculty. This elitist, exclusionary, entitled attitude is a major contributor to the death of this campus. The Titanic is sinking, and yet they’re still concerned about keeping the 4th class passengers below decks and clueless. It cracks me up that those who trumpet most about inclusivity, transparency, and communication are the very worst offenders. This campus is rotten to the core. I’m with the other recent commentators: CSU-Alamosa. Toss out the lot of them.
February 9, 2017 at 2:10pm It seems like people posting here are very upset. But what are we doing about it? Given that ASU is a public institution, there is a degree of shared ownership and responsibility in its success or failure. If you believe the institution is in serious trouble, consider reaching out to some or all of these organizations. You may do so anonymously, as you would here. Colorado Governor's Office Colorado Department of Higher Education Higher Learning Commission: Complaints Against an Affiliated Institution Higher Learning Commission: Third-Party Comment on an Upcoming Visit US Department of Education - Title V
February 9, 2017 at 11:44am As far as supervisors stepping up goes, I agree but at times they have been unjustly criticized for just asking people to do their jobs. Let's face it, supervisors aren't there to be somebody's moral or ethical barometer either. These people abuse their time in and out of work due to their own lack of a moral compass and a lot of people clamoring for supervisors to step up and crack down on so and so... Do they really want that? Most of those who cry loudest are doing the same thing so if the other person gets "cracked down on" then that other person is going to have to let go of their cozy life too. Some people are their own supervisor and they give themselves plenty of liberties and only run to their supervisor to complain about someone else.
February 9, 2017 at 10:02am Damn, who's left at Adams? Goodbye Adams College, you are a piece of garbage forcing out Dr. Gilmer. And the rest of us who haven't been forced out will be soon and very soon. Those dirty wicked bastards and their firing squad Crowther, McClure, Doell, Novotny, will get what's coming to them... wickedness begets wickedness. They all have a special place in hell! Pathetic Adams College...more like Adams State Middle School. Not a real college.
February 9, 2017 at 9:01am In regards to the abusers of flex time; they are everywhere. One problem with Richardson Hall being the main focus of all the goings on is that it takes the focus off other people in other buildings who are constantly missing and the list of reasons is endless. Many times they find the furthest places (out of Alamosa) when it comes to appointments and their excuse is the quality of service is better. As far as the ones who. "stay in their office"? Don't be fooled.
February 8, 2017 at 4:55pm Since he is a poet, maybe Dr. Gilmer's resignation letter should be this poem - a variation on the original by anti-Nazi theologian, Martin Niemöller: First they came for the non-employees, and I did not speak out Because I was an employee. Then they came for the staff, and I did not speak out Because I was a faculty member. Then they came for adjunct instructors, and I did not speak out Because I was a tenured professor. Then they came for the tenured professors, and I did not speak out Because I was a senior administrator. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak.
February 8, 2017 at 1:42pm Isn't it stealing money when someone abuses their flex time? Isn't it also wrong to be gone from the office and not make note of time away on time sheets, which is a way to steal money? I see this as a huge problem on this campus that many abuse on a regular basis. People who are constantly away from their office and doing personal business while on the clock. It doesn't take much to see this. Just walk around campus and you will see how many people are "busy" instead of being in their offices. No wonder why so much goes undone here. Some of the biggest violators are people in the Library and Richardson Hall, who are frequently gone (mostly to run personal errands). Supervisors need to step up and stop letting people get away with this!
February 8, 2017 at 9:09am I like the sound of "CSU-Alamosa." That was a proposal a number of years ago; however, I don't think CSU wanted us under their umbrella.
February 8, 2017 at 8:55am While we're at it look into all the staff that abuses flex time (all while complaining about how others do it and not look at themselves) and spend time during work hours working on their degree instead of doing their job. That's been one of the biggest issues that has undermined ASU and goes unnoticed. Flex time is there for a good reason but it's abused and rarely ever made up.
February 8, 2017 at 7:39am Based on the "goodbye Dr. Gilmer" comment, I'm guessing some people see his "resignation" as a win. It's not. It's not a win for ASU, not a win for students, not a win for faculty, not a win for higher education. And it's certainly not a win for administration. President McClure's odd email with its even odder attachment paint a pretty clear picture. Chris Gilmer was forced out by the McClure-Doell-Crowther Bully Squad. They couldn't work with him, so we all suffer. No one is safe. I've never heard so much anti-administration buzz on campus before.
February 7, 2017 at 10:40pm Fire all in administration, including department chairs. Carefully review each faculty member. ASU is closed and control given over to Colorado State University. CSU will run what was ASU. They will supervise everything, put their people in place, and in five years the institution will have a better reputation as a real university than it has ever had. Do it. Colorado State University-Alamosa.
February 7, 2017 at 6:15pm Answer: HELL NO!!!! You are spot on regarding language and propaganda. I expect Margo to be named "interim" soon. This is complete bullshit! For all of you McClure supporters, you'd better get your CVs in order. We will all be looking for jobs soon!
February 7, 2017 at 11:06am Question: Does anyone really believe Dr. Gilmer wrote his "statement" of his original ideas? Or that he wrote it at all? Answer: The entire text is structured as a pro-administration propaganda document, praising Dr. McClure, shaming Watching Adams (like that had anything to do with the HLC or his resignation), and cheering on "positivity" even as he resigns "effective immediately." It isn't even written with any of the obvious gift for language that Dr. Gilmer has but certainly smacks of the trite, juvenile, simplistic thinking of B. Jeffries, er... Beverlee McClure! More total and utter nonsense from the ASU administration. Hopefully some of the smart folks left at Adams can see through such a thin veneer of self-promotion from an out-of-control, vindictive university president. It's the written equivalent of the fiddle solo played at the fall of the Roman Empire. Sincerely, the "Internet mob"
February 7, 2017 at 8:25am Dr. Gilmer states the following in his non-resignation letter: “Beginning in November 2016, President Beverlee McClure has been accused of (1) discrimination against protected groups and at-risk populations, (2) creating hostile work environments, (3) retaliating against those she did not like, and (4) harboring homophobic tendencies. Concerns President McClure and I might have had about each other resulted from misunderstanding and miscommunication. Based on fuller understanding and better communication between us, I do not make these accusations against her.” That’s quite a list of non-accusations. By the issuance of this non-resignation letter and the sudden departure and resignation, one can get the feeling that something is rotten in the state Denmark, to quote the Bard. Was Chris paid off with ASU dollars that it can’t afford to spend in order to avoid yet another losing legal battle? Why is there not an actual letter of resignation instead of an odd letter full of non-accusations with a “roll up your sleeves and join us in fixing our problems” attitude? There is no hint of resignation in that statement. If Dr. Gilmer was abruptly ousted, as is in keeping with the fine tradition of ASU then we could possibly project that this list of non-accusations can become the basis of yet another lawsuit. If there is an open call for character witnesses against Beverlee in such a suit, she has an ever-growing collection of joiners to that witness roster. But hey, look on the “bright side”, Maggie gets to have her dreams come true. Bev’s gal pal, (no collusion or nepotism here) Margot gets to be VPAA for more than a day. YAY!!! Aren’t you all pleased as punch now! I’m sure she will do a fine job as usual in preparing the institution for the HLC review. AND remember, if you’re in good with the RIGHT crowd, your dreams may come true too! Something else to wonder about, now that Bev’s voodoo hex has succeeded in ousting yet another foe, let’s see if she continues her “native American” tradition of placing mirrors in here windows affixed on her intended target’s residence.
February 6, 2017 at 8:17pm Chris Gilmer: one of just many - far too many - forced out by a toxic administration. When does it end? Given that Gilmer's statement is clearly not a resignation, why does McClure explicitly link it as such in her announcement? She is such a rank amateur. Amateur! Her statement, despite its terse, side eyes "compliment", will only lead to rampant speculation across campus and the valley. Bev, you are an utter fraud and fake, head to toe. You expose yourself more and more everyday. You may feel momentarily triumphant in driving yet another decent employee into exile, but just look in one of your mirrors if you dare - your own special day fast approaches.
February 6, 2017 at 7:41pm Gilmer's letter certainly was not a resignation letter. Dated Saturday, it sounds like he was still hoping for the best for ASU and to continue working here. What happened on Sunday? The fact that McClure sent the link in her very brief announcement just goes to show she doesn't understand people, marketing, or business. It raises far more questions than it answers. Chris Gilmer: forced out by a toxic administration.
February 6, 2017 at 6:10pm Who needs to be competent when you have mirrors? I guess they worked. They drove away one of the very few decent administrators we've had in years. Good guys: zero; Evil: the count just keeps growing. Our chances with HLC just dropped like a rock.
February 6, 2017 at 4:26pm Do any citizens, taxpayers, parents, care about the corruption at Adams? Does the public care about how an institution is being turned into the laughing school in Colorado? Its reputation is being destroyed. Graduates with degrees will not be respected. New faculty will have no respect for a weak pathetic faculty, many with phony doctorates bought from for-profit Internet "universities." Does the public care at all how their money is being stolen by greedy, selfish, corrupt individuals like Crowther, and everybody in the business school? Do people care that the institution is being run by an incompetent, mean-spirited, witch?
February 6, 2017 at 2:17pm Re: "his office is empty. She won." God help us all!
February 6, 2017 at 1:29pm February 6, 2017 at 9:16am - HAAHAAA... This is sort of like Crowther teaching a course on non-bullying, or Centeno speaking on "Don't claim to be a victim."
February 6, 2017 at 9:49am His office is empty! She won. What a HUGE loss to ASU.
February 6, 2017 at 9:16am Zena Buser is recruiting for a workshop on principle based ethics? With opening remarks by President McClure? This must be a comedy show. It should be hilarious!
February 4, 2017 at 8:27am Goodbye President McClure.
February 3, 2017 at 10:19pm
"Goodbye Dr. Gilmer." Interesting comment. In Bev we trust. She is sure to save ASU from HLC and our financial straits with all her talents.
Secret meeting on Monday with Faculty Senate and Chairs Council, no agenda, called by Crowther on behalf of President McClure. Faculty and staff not notified. Nothing unusual there. Faculty, staff, and students go back to sleep. Those who care about ASU will be eliminated.
February 3, 2017 at 7:37pm Goodbye Dr. Gilmer.
February 3, 2017 at 4:10pm Quite the contrary, it is President McClure who has been undercutting Vice President Gilmer. Recall that he arrived on campus and quickly took initiative to determine what was wrong with Extended Studies and set about implementing those recommendations by the Mathieu report. But as her usual narcissism dictates, McClure has been impeding any real change and keeping Margaret Doell as her reliable puppet to oversee areas she has no clue how to manage or repair. And it will be to everyone's detriment given that ASU is nowhere near ready for the HLC to review these criteria. All Jeff Elison did, from his private email on his own time, was encourage people to vote in a Watching Adams poll asking for a vote of 'no confidence' in President McClure – something that should have happened long ago. According to the poll, over 60% of respondents still believe she should 'definitely' have a vote of 'no confidence' against her. Elison is guilty of engaging in popular democracy and for the interests of a better ASU. Only the vindictive elements of this twisted campus cabal would believe otherwise.
February 3, 2017 at 3:45pm Dr. Elison's unethical acts were directly against the senate, not the faculty or departments. Thus it was proper for senate to discipline him as they did. His unethical behavior was at the December meeting when his email accusing Dr. Gilmer of undercutting President McClure was read. It was also his email that accused the classified employees of opposing President McClure. (Gilmer and the classified employees both denied their involvement - so either they lied or Ellison lied). Senate President Crowther covered for Ellison as he read excerpts from the email since it impacted a support resolution they were considering. Only he and Elison knew who wrote it. Elison, the coward he is stayed silent and let his fellow senators grapple with confusion. He had a moral and ethical duty as the one who knew the truth to speak up. He chose not to, and the senate in January acted properly. Without Ben Waddell to do his thinking and to hold his hand one wonders if Ellison has the stones to continue as a senator.
February 3, 2017 at 9:35am During the meeting, senators requested time to take the resolution back to their departments. Ed and Zena pushed for a vote. A bare majority of senators voted in favor of voting that day, as opposed to taking it back to departments and/or having Jeff present to defend himself. Zena argued for shared governance, just not outside senate. Sorry faculty.
February 3, 2017 at 7:51am What a bunch of crying babies you all are. ----Editor's Reply: I have yet to meet any baby that composes written comments for a website, so perhaps this comment is misplaced? In any case, I wanted to take this opportunity to state that we consider these vague, single sentence rejoinders to be spam which add nothing to the conversation (given that they make no coherent argument or informative claim) and will not be published.
February 2, 2017 at 8:57pm Pipitone a toadie? Give me a break. You obviously don't know him. And he didn't get my email. Backen did not receive my email either, so you can leave his name out of the Great ASU Email Scandal. - Jeff Elison
February 2, 2017 at 6:39pm February 2, 2017 at 3:40pm---Backen would be a good bet. He is one of Crowther's drug suppliers.
February 2, 2017 at 5:41pm Zena Buser introduced a senate resolution to reprimand Dr. Elison, but didn't have the decency or professionalism to discuss it with her department. She accused Dr. Elison of not acting the way senators should, but he ran his resolution by his entire department and other faculty. H-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e?
February 2, 2017 at 3:40pm I am just curious. Who in Elison’s tight social circle “snitched” and turned over the fated e-mail to the powers that be. Probably not Pipitone as he is Elison’s main toadie. My money is on Backen.
February 2, 2017 at 1:06pm The February 2, 2017 at 11:45am comment makes a number of false assumptions and seems generally confused about what “success” even looks like. Ed Crowther quite obviously is not fulfilling his core duties as an educator based on his course overloads and the students who have stated he doesn't grade their work or even ensure they pass the Writing Assessment before graduating. Then there's the problem of his vindictive character with regard to other faculty, driving out many good people over the years in order to protect his own ego and financial interests. All of this, of course, at the expense of ASU's students. The irony is that many at ASU who strive to make positive steps for the university are the first to be bullied, reprimanded, or repressed for doing so. Professors who stand up for academic integrity, librarians who call for fully staffing their services, adjuncts who work long hours without adequate pay and no benefits. There are plenty of hard-working people at ASU who make less, do more, and keep the university held together even as a few people abuse the system and get ASU in major trouble with accreditors. Does anyone seriously believe those “at the top” at ASU are either lonely or successful? They throw lavish parties for themselves, wave at parades, and speak at fancy dinner events (mostly paid for by Title V funds). But are they successful given ASU's low graduation rate, downgraded credit, plummeting finances and academic probation? Whoever wrote that comment either isn't paying attention or is being paid to be inattentive.
February 2, 2017 at 11:45am Since this comment section seems to be all about taking free pot shots, I'll take one. Most of the mush mouthed dimwits posting here seem to caught in a state of arrested development. Right around junior high school. I'm sure Ed Crowther is shaking in his boots right now because his Facebook friends are deserting him! If you expect to get paid or get credit from ASU, you may be expected to work, study or come to class. It's just that simple. Show up. Make a difference. A positive difference. Maybe classes would be even easier if you'd just show up! Maybe your work life would be better if you tried to make a positive step instead of a litigious one. Seems the hardest working people at ASU are ones who get vilified for being so "powerful". The hardest working people at ASU seem to have power simply because they are willing to do some of the work no one else is willing to do. Those working to bring money into the school, to create programs, pay teachers, oh, I don't know - keep the institution open, are the ones you all keep making hurtful and small minded comments about. It's lonely at the top. Success makes you enemies. Hiring and firing makes you enemies. None of this is easy work and here at ASU, no good deed goes unpunished. I believe our website author will attest to this. I'd love to see some integrity in this comment section, but if potshots & freebies are what float your boats....have at it! Mob mentality will win.
January 31, 2017 at 11:48pm Just listened to Ali Rivera's podcast. She is a BRAVE girl!! I'm so glad she told her story. I FINALLY feel like someone understands what I have been experiencing since I have been a student at Adams. I'm so relieved that we have a Strong/out spoken advocate for students with learning disabilities.
January 31, 2017 at 11:11pm I took one of Dr. Crowther's class last semester. He can't teach. Didn't like his bizzare attitude which at times became cranky. I have to admit that I didn't learn much in his class. He gave me a C even despite my missing many days and failed the final exam. Sooo all my classmates registered in droves to sign up for his class because they knew it would be easy to pass his course! - Graduating senior ----Editor's Reply: As we stated with the comment on janitorial staff, we encourage you to contact us with more information. You may remain anonymous.
January 31, 2017 at 8:57pm 11 custodians on staff but yet custodial has 3 immediate supervisors and another above them. One would think with them being so short handed they'd have fewer supervisors and more custodians. The chain of command and Human Resources have always been aware of the short handedness year after year but they choose to go ahead and promote three from the field to sit behind a desk or drive around all day. ----Editor's Reply: We've read about this issue for some time and would like to learn more. Please contact us here and perhaps we can arrange an interview? You may remain anonymous.
January 31, 2017 at 4:35pm Maybe it's for all the non vampire bat species to see themselves that they cast a reflection unlike President McClure and the rest of her macabre ensemble of associates.
January 31, 2017 at 7:50am Great lawsuits begin here. And end here. Get yours before HLC closes the doors.
January 30, 2017 at 11:23pm An African American woman professor stood up for herself after receiving a "knife" in her back from Ed... shame on you, Ed. Courageous she was in not signing the evaluation Ed threw together. He was hit with a blazing bullet when she didn't sign it because Ed thought it would be routine where new faculty sign off on chair evaluation of their performance. No sir, not her. Ed became unglued at the actions taken by the African American woman professor. She filed an appeal with the IAC. I am told that no such committee existed that Novotny put one together with Christine Miller, Kim Kelso, and 3 other professors. Now, the African American woman professor submitted a binder of evidence with archived emails, documents, records of Ed. She was very prepared and Ed simply hated her for defending herself against contrived vicious sexist, racial, and religious attacks herald by he and his weed-smoking buddies. I learned that the IAC was a very questionable committee who failed to even read or thoroughly examine evidence submitted by the African American professor. She spoke her peace with dignity unwavering, unflinching despite the tide that railed against her. Simply, Ed didn't have a playbook for this one. She diplomatically outwitted him with pure brilliance. She is a an ultra spiritual professor whom never feared what Ed, Novotny, Loosbrock, Centeno, Goddard, Solis, and McClure were attempting to do to her. In the end, this African American woman professor schooled these corrupt clowns. That's why she was perceived as a huge threat to Ed. Ed was angry because she denied him into her inner circle. She was very selective and cautious of who she associated with here for obvious reasons. I also learn that this professor asked such profound questions of Novotny regarding the Appeals process that he had to consult with the AG office. A walking brain of policy, she knew the faculty handbook thoroughly. Whereas Ed misrepresented the handbook unable to cite correct sections of it when ask. I was deeply bothered that the IAC ruled against her when the facts were clear. But, of course, they were protecting Ed and in doing so, violated that professor's civil rights and due process. Ed and Novotny, the IAC will regret what they did to her. I am glad that she refused to be silent on this campus during her stay. Adams didn't deserve this African American woman professor because how I see it, this college will never get another intellectual, academically sound, brilliant teacher and professor. I hate Ed. Our friendship is over.
January 30, 2017 at 6:50pm January 30, 2017 at 10:01am, are you talking about the Goddard nepotism? The son has been here for several years, measuring drapes, etc. Do you know if a normal required faculty search was conducted? Who was on the committee? How many candidates were invited to campus? Sounds like more illegal activity going on under the direction of the alcoholic drunken chair.
January 30, 2017 at 6:38pm Highly-decorated, tenured faculty member Dr. Jeff Elison had his personal email critical of ASU's administration intercepted and read aloud by faculty senate president Dr. Ed Crowther - the double department chair taking huge kickbacks from the administration to do shoddy work - as grounds for Elison's denial of full professor and also his subsequent censure? Why does ASU always seem to pick on the wrong people: the ones willing to fight back? Adams State University - great lawsuits begin here!
January 30, 2017 at 1:01pm Just listened to the Jimmy Ditmar and Alexandra Rivera podcasts. "Nope. Nothing wrong going on here. Just business as usual." Marquez arbitrarily banning someone from campus is so typical. Had it been a current student, nothing would've happened because that would've been tuition dollars out the door. And unfortunately for current student Alexandra Rivera, her story is Adams State's typical "great story". Poorly advised within a broken advising structure and directly affected by the high turn over rate of faculty and staff. She seemed to have some supportive contacts but that's not enough when it's not at the institutional level. We tout ourselves for quality education at a small school but way too many students fall through the cracks for that label to be ethical or accurate.
January 30, 2017 at 10:01am Question? How does a visiting professor achieve assistant professor less than 5 years? Does not possess a Ph.d nor has applied for a Ph.d. But yet an African American women is released because she is unable to teach? Most likely due to the fact that the Sexist, alcoholic, misogynistic honey badger has his hands in the mixture.
January 30, 2017 at 9:30am I just listened to Ali Rivera's podcast. What a brave young woman! I truly hope she manages to finish her degree in her chosen field of study. And if she does that at Adams State I hope there is no retribution toward her by Beth Bonnstetter. All faculty should pay close attention to her message... but especially the administration. And Bonnstetter ought to be embarrassed. Good luck Ali!
January 30, 2017 at 7:42am The minute Ben Waddell left Adams, the target on Elison's back doubled in size. Might as well post Wanted signs around campus. President McClure, how much is the bounty that Crowther and Doell are trying to collect?
January 29, 2017 at 3:46pm Hell yes I'll stand with Dr. Elison. I loved his classes.
January 29, 2017 at 3:45pm Not surprising in the least Crowther would lump Chris Gilmer in with his attacks on Elison. Crowther is administration's soldier. He's a mercenary. He'll do anything for more money or more power. Of course Margaret would be by his side since either of them would love to have the VPAA position. Unfortunately for them, I'd bet they've risen as far as they are going to and it will be all downhill from here. That would be the best thing for ASU anyway.
January 29, 2017 at 9:27am I am upset by Jeff's plight, but far more upsetting is what senate's resolutions indicate about Chris Gilmer's situation. Obviously administration (Beverleee, Margaret, Ed) want to force Jeff to leave, and they've put plenty of time and effort into making sure it happens sooner rather than later, but their real target is Chris. Take a look at what differs between Jeff's drafted resolution and Ed's passed resolution (December). Ed ripped out all support for Chris: "Whereas we believe faculty own the curriculum; [who could get behind such a highly contentious statement?] Whereas Dr. Chris Gilmer is ASU’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, our chief academic officer; and [and this highly debatable statement?] Whereas Dr. Chris Gilmer has substantial experience with accreditation and was hired, in part, to lead ASU through this process; [and this tendentious statement?] now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the ASU Faculty Senate: 1. supports Dr. Chris Gilmer in leading ASU’s efforts to exceed HLC’s expectations, have the HLC probation lifted, and as part of those efforts, restructure Extended Studies;" Who would support such an outrageous plan? I'm guessing just about everyone on campus, other than Beverleee, Ed, and Margaret. That should scare the hell out of all of us, but senate's new resolution (January) is even more horrifying because of what they added, rather than just deleted. In the midst of seven whereas's admonishing Jeff, Crowther and Buser slipped in this little gem: "Whereas said document implicated ASU’s VPAA, who publicly denied and disclaimed any knowledge or complicity in the plans." Of course they don't flat out accuse him, but why mention it at all except to cast doubt? If administration claims they support Chris, then why would this line be added to a resolution that is all about Jeff? Maybe Beverleee's mirrors aren't solving her problems.
January 28, 2017 at 4:52pm
Who does Crowther thinks he is: "King of Teaching"? He has no merit when it comes to observing faculty teaching effectiveness when his own teaching is questionable at best. How in the world can that demonic infidel live with himself? As I look around me, I see a man (or sissy, or atheist,) who is void of a conscience because he doesn't seem to be bothered by his own corruption, lies, and criminal activity with those online courses. I am displeased by what happened to Dr. Elison as well as Dr. Nealy. Nothing is the same at Adams State anymore.
I vote to bring Nealy back and vote in support of Elison's promotion. I also vote to strip the tenure of professors who have not published academic scholarship, ("Star Wars" doesn't count), professors who give student athletes inflated grades, professors who lack standards in the classroom, professors who have swindled online students, and those professors who receive cannon balls for the sake of "anthropology", professors who do not hold a legitimate Ph.D., professors who bought their degrees online, just to name a few. What say you?
Alumina
January 28, 2017 at 11:05am I am a former student of Dr. Nealy and must respond in support. Dr. Nealy is an excellent professor whose teaching style I enjoyed. I learned a lot in her class. I love how she pushed me to think critically about the subject matter. I also love how she gave extensive feedback on writing assignments because none of my other professors took that much time to offer feedback. I also loved how she structured her tests that comprised of long essays which actually improved my writing skills. I loved the group research paper projects that challenged me to no end, but i simply enjoyed that endeavor. I really felt like a M.A. or Ph.D. student in Dr. Nealy's classes because that's how much confidence and expectations she had for me and other students. She knew we could rise to that high level of learning. Yeah, she lost me at times during lectures with her highly sophisticated vocabulary, but you know what, she would brake it down where a new born baby could understand it. The passion, commitment, and dedication Dr. Nealy exhibited in her teaching and student learning was evident. Her love for her students and helping me achieve really is what teaching is all about in my opinion. I loved her sense of humor and facial expressions really made the lectures fascinating and motivated me to want to become a professor someday. U rock Dr. Nealy! - Former student of Dr. Nealy
January 28, 2017 at 10:49am STANDING STRONG FOR JEFF ELISON! I support academic freedom, I support due process, I support free speech! I support ASU and its students! Share this message online, have a "courageous conversation" with your colleagues and friends.
January 28, 2017 at 10:28am Since my teaching has been questioned, as well as how my performance compares to Faculty Handbook criteria for promotion, here are the bare facts. Teaching: Composite average rating on evaluations has increased consistently from 2011 to present: 4.15 to 4.65 (most recent year). This steady increase is quantified by a statistically significant correlation of r = .82 between my year of service and the corresponding year-average on my evaluations. These evaluations are in spite of teaching difficult courses that many students fear: Statistics, Research Methods, and Testing and Assessment. With an average GPA of around 2.5, my evals are not the result of giving away grades. Scholarship: Presented 52 papers and posters at conferences (most with student coauthors; 7 since I joined ASU), 12 peer-reviewed journal articles (4 since I joined ASU), 3 invited book chapters (2 since I joined ASU), a book (Vertical Mind) that has sold over 4,000 copies, and another manuscript submitted. I have co-authors from the Netherlands, Italy, and Portugal. On ResearchGate, I was the most read author at ASU or in the Psychology Department every week over the 6 months leading up to my promotion application (3/22/16 – 9/12/16: ASU – 18 weeks; Department - 7 weeks). With a total of over 1500 “reads” during that time, the number of “reads” per week averaged 62, with up to 101 reads in a single week. Service: CRC, IRB, Faculty Senate and much more. Applying for promotion isn't about narcissism; it simply requires documenting one's performance. - Jeff Elison
January 28, 2017 at 10:04am Jeff's email to Senate mentions a document Matt Nehring was involved with to oppose Svaldi. Does anyone know the details? Who wrote it? Who signed it? Where was it presented? Too bad they weren't successful. We probably wouldn't be in our current situation with Extended Studies, HLC probation, and financial distress.
January 28, 2017 at 9:26am Right about now, I wonder what it must feel like for someone working in the US Federal government. The sense of unease, disorganization, fear of retaliation, budget cuts and hiring freezes, counter-intuitive and destructive policies, and a brash, incurious, narcissistic, impulsive, vindictive, pathological liar leading the entire organization. Actually, I know exactly what it must feel like because I worked at Adams State!
January 28, 2017 at 8:51am Elison is one of the best profs I've had. Whatever ASU management has against him it cant be about his teaching. And whatever you think you are doing, its effecting students. Demski canceled class because of "problems that were effecting the department" and Psych offices have been empty or doors closed. Just let Dr. Elison do what he does and does it better than most of you. Push him out the door and you'll be pushing students out to.
January 28, 2017 at 8:42am The 8:00pm comment hit the nail on the head. How far are we willing to go? Either to defend someone or to detract from actual facts. Will people continue to blame Danny for all of ASU's downfalls? Is Watching Adams to blame for our probation status and declining enrollments? Someone please answer! How far are we willing to go to have these "brave conversations" that we claim to be having? Faculty Senate may claim to have had a brave conversation when they decided to censure Dr. Elison when he wasn't even in the room. Really Brave! That example alone helps answer how far people are willing to go.
January 27, 2017 at 10:36pm As laughable as ever the "great" drunkard Crowther would say that about Dr. Nealy because it is absolutely false as well as a "scapegoat" for him. Didn't he mock her for having "too" many rules in the classroom? Isn't this the same liar who never stepped one foot into Dr. Nealy's office? Isn't this the same Crowther who mocked Dr. Nealy for being an introvert? So, what else did you expect him to say? Did you expect him to say anything positive about her? I learned from my buddy next door that Crowther never supported Dr. Nealy in anything she attempted to pursue here. He didn't even attend her panel event that was a great success, the very day after the event, he sends her a very negative email with "additional" "made-up" peer reviews written at his request. Crowther never congratulated Dr. Nealy for organizing such an awesome campus event... because maybe he never had such success. Now if Dr. Nealy's teaching had any weaknesses, and that's a big "if", well wasn't it Crowther's job as her mentor to help her? I guess not because he is the same one that hired her and witnessed her interview teaching presentation, right? So if he thought so then, why did he hire her? And why didn't he give her a chance to improve upon her teaching "if it didn't meet his standards"? I mean, if there's any truth to Crowther's statement, why didn't he help her instead of being a racist, misogynist pig? I take what Crowther says with a grain of salt. And by the way, Crowther can learn "how to teach" had he sat in on some of Dr. Nealy's lectures. Crowther is simply a born liar who puts other faculty down just to make himself look good. A retiring full professor!
January 27, 2017 at 8:00pm The other day I read an article in the Economist that discussed the United States' recent downgrade from a full democracy to a partial democracy. Many of the comments following the article talked about how unfortunate it is that our democratic norms have slipped. Others, however, and more than I would have expected, talked about how the article was mistaken. These individuals, like many others in recent months, chose to turn the attention of readers away from the declining quality of democratic governance and toward a semantical discussion about whether the US is a republic or a democracy. "We are a republic not a democracy," argued one of the commentators. Such comments distract attention away from the fact that individual rights and social equality are currently being infringed upon by the executive leader of the United States of America. Instead of focusing on the fact that Donald Trump threatens the very stability of the world, these individuals choose to emphasis rather petty distinctions between democracies and republics. They might as well say, “We really never valued democracy anyway.” As I read through this article and the subsequent comments I couldn't help but think about Adams State. Over the last several years, and especially since Dr. McClure arrived in 2015, a growing number of individuals on campus have decided to focus a great deal of time on issues that have very little to do with the stability of the institution's future. The year-long debacle with Danny Ledonne is one example. The recent focus on Dr. Elison's outspoken nature is another prime example. In Dr. Elison, Adams State has somebody who is willing to start tough conversations. He has spoken out on a number of issues, and sent emails that others might not agree with. All this aside, Dr. Elison has always acted within his constitutionally protected rights, as well as within the rights afforded to him by ASU’s faculty handbook. Despite this, in recent weeks a number of faculty members on campus have made it their business to try and get rid of Dr. Elison. "He is not good for our students and unfit to be in the classroom," they argue. Others claim that Elison doesn't have the institution's best interest in mind and therefore he must go. "He just wants to bring us down and he doesn't get our culture and what we're about. He must leave and if he doesn't we must get rid of him." The parallels between these types of comments and Mr. Trump’s poorly crafted tweets are uncanny. I know it’s difficult to distinguish the trees from the forest when one is in the thick of the woods but it truly baffles me how highly educated people fail to see these parallels. I suppose all of this reveals the limits of education as well as the tendency of fear to jade decision making. Regardless of any one individual's opinion of Dr. Ellison, the truth of the matter is the Adams State is facing a much bigger threat than any recalcitrant professor could ever present: probation and reaccreditation. Unlike Dr. Elison, the HLC may indeed bring down Adams State University. Given this, it is hard for me to understand why one of the individuals actually charged with addressing the HLC's concerns, Margaret Doell, has spent time in recent weeks touring campus with Dr. Crowther trying to round up support to get rid of Dr. Elison. This is very similar to Donald Trump's focus on ridding the nation of undocumented immigrants despite the fact that much more serious issues loom in the West Wing. It’s all smoke and mirrors, which is quite fitting given Dr. McClure’s recent proclivity to hang actual mirrors in the window’s of her home! Like many other pockets of the United States, Adams State currently exists in a space in which alternative facts are valued over actual facts. However, as ASU’s campus will come to find out soon enough, facts can only be denied for so long. Elison may be McClure's sacrificial goat of the hour but the HLC is in need of one of their own. In the end, there's an important lesson wrapped up in all this; namely, civil rights, human rights, and democracy in general, are not inalienable. Rather, they depend on the proactive attention of citizens everywhere. In this sense, the strength of such rights shouldn't be measured by the length one is willing to go to defend his or her own rights, but rather, how far one is going willing to go to defend a stranger's right to these same democratic imperatives. So ask yourself, how far would you be willing to go? Would you hang your neck out on the line for a colleague who has suffered an injustice? Your answer might tell you something about your own stability at ASU in the months to come.
January 27, 2017 at 3:44pm I have been off of Watching Adams for a while now. Just saw the story on the "mirrors in the windows". The Botox in President McClures face must be getting to her brain. How unprofessional. ASU is in need of new leadership.
January 27, 2017 at 10:02am Response to question from 1/26, 2:14. I attended Dr. Williams presentation at Adams State last week and afterward discussed with Dr. Crowther why he did not support Dr. Neely. His exact response was "because she can't teach" and "she isn't a good teacher." That was his answer. Truth or obfuscation, you can decide for yourself.
January 27, 2017 at 2:18am Crowther, despite portraying himself as the great civil rights proponent, is anti-Semitic. I heard him make racist anti-Jewish jokes against the former head of the Office of Equal Opportunity. Those who know him have heard his racist, sexist jokes on a daily basis. Karma baby. Your day is coming Crowther. You better hope your cellmate is bigger than Novotny........you will need more protection that that.
January 26, 2017 at 11:13pm If you want more information on just how abusive and dirty both Crowther and Novotny have been, scroll down and listen to the podcast with guest Stephen Roberds. How he was treated was just the beginning of how they went after Danny and then Jeff. And complicit in all of this is the HR dictator Tracy Rogers.
January 26, 2017 at 9:12pm Reading the resolution to support Gilmer, I can't imagine what our senators were thinking. They certainly weren't representing me or our students. Why don't they prioritize our success? They pass a resolution to punish Ellison, but they won't pass a resolution to fix the most pressing issue on the whole campus. Gilmer is the only one in administration who has a clue about how to lead us to success, what our students really need, what faculty really need. But let's ignore that. Don't address the real problem, McClure. As 9:54 pointed out, it's much better to act swiftly and decisively to screw over someone who actually cares, all in order to protect McClure who doesn't care. If you don't think she's halfway out the door by now, you are living in dreamland. Oh wait, most of you really are living in dreamland. And I'm living in a nightmare as I watch the institution in which I've invested my career go down the toilet of HLC non-accreditation. Thanks y'all, great job. Soon to be no jobs.
January 26, 2017 at 3:18pm Let me get this right. Crowther and other senators acted as judge, jury, and executioners without the defendant present, without ever talking to him, and without even notifying him he'd be on trial. In the same vein, Dr. Elison offered to talk to Arnold Salazar and his email implies Salazar never responded to the request. Nothing fishy here. Business as usual at ASU.
January 26, 2017 at 2:14pm I am not surprised by the bullying, intimidation, and retaliation of low-life ASU administrators here. McClure, Novotny, Crowther come to mind. Crowther is truly a vindictive, malicious, wicked spun of the Novotny's and McClure. Any of you who know how Crowther operates should know that he will and has reached the lowest forms of human behavior to cause harm, pain, and distress to good people here at ASU, which are few. But why does he get away with such egregious behavior? Why does he still have a job here? Why haven't someone put him in his rightful place: in hell. Given multiple violations of policy outlined in the faculty handbook he's committed, Crowther should have been fired years ago. And the funniest thing about this tragic toxic environment here at AS is that Crowther supposedly wrote some parts of the faculty handbook but doesn't remotely adhere to that which he has written. You know Crowther is as corrupt as any politician when he unfairly targeted the first African-American woman faculty ever hired here. A new faculty member and you go after her? For what reason did Crowther go after this brilliant professor? Well, let me tell you it is because she was highly principled, highly dignified, highly respected and respectful, highly admired, hard worker, meticulous, methodical, organized, policy-oriented, always prepared, accomplished scholar with numerous research publications, quiet, charming, nice, a non-drinker, a very graceful, with an infectious smile, and i must add, a very beautiful woman. Now i could go on and on...but you get my point. I say all this because there have been soooo many speculations as to why she wasn't retain and i needed to shed light on some of those attributes i mentioned about her that answers the speculator's inquiring mind. I am proud to have gotten to know her while she was here. I enjoyed our conversations about the issues plaguing the free world. She is an outstanding intellectual who I really miss here. Crowther and that mickey-mouse Retention committee have a lot to pay for after casting a unanimous vote(Crowther, Loosbrock, Goddard, Centeno, Solis) not to retain her. And there you have it!
January 26, 2017 at 1:13pm I hope Jeff will post his reply to the senate so those of us who support him and see the truth of what happened. I hope the ACLU and Chronicle of Higher Education are closely following this. As a retired Adams professor I can attest to everything that has been said about Crowther. He is a narcissistic back stabbing two-faced woman abusing alcoholic who has been enabled by too many administrations and individuals. He is, in realistic terms, an evil hypocritical man who along with his buddy Novotny belongs in prison being pimped out to lifers looking for sissy boys to abuse. ----Editor's Reply: This document has been published here.
January 26, 2017 at 9:54am Color me IMPRESSED! Here is faculty senate. A governing body that typically takes at least a month or TWO to take action on ANYTHING. And last week they managed to censure one of the most accomplished faculty members of ASU and voted on recommending his replacement in just ONE MEETING! Wow. It looks like efficiency is on the docket for this board for 2017. I’m assuming, of course, all the senators had already discussed this resolution with their departments so they would know how to vote. Or did they just vote assuming that they’re representing everyone in the department? Did senators and others in attendance have a chance the vet the resolution? Good questions for Dr. Crowther, senate president, and Dr. Busar and Dr. Schell (presenting senators) to answer. I wish I could say that Dr. Elison’s explanation e-mail was enlightening. But it’s not. It’s not because here we all sit, knowing that faculty senate’s actions as well as those of his promotion committee were clearly and blatantly retaliatory, and all we hear are crickets. Silence can be our only response because we ALL KNOW in the back of our minds that if we say anything “wrong”, we’ll be next, knowing that Jeff wasn’t the first and won’t be the last. How could we not? Faculty Senate performed a public hanging and Dr. Elison wasn’t even there to defend himself. Lack of shared governance, lack of transparency, lack of due process, lack of RESPECT & DECENCY, blatant retaliation, and personal views (personal emails) being used against someone professionally. ASU will be put on trial for all of these and so many other violations.
January 26, 2017 at 7:34am Oh my, this comments page! Surely ASU's administration must regret throwing Danny Ledonne out with the garbage because now he has featured all ASU's trash prominently on a website. And ASU has some truly stinky garbage! Someone wrote (December 14, 2016 at 10:51pm) that Watching Adams is "Alamosa’s very own telenovela" and I agree. It is so scandalous and shocking that people cannot turn away; everyone keeps tuning in to see what will happen next...
January 26, 2017 at 12:30am Google Beverlee J. McClure and see what comes up. Mostly bad publicity. HLC probation, but mostly a whole lot of articles about the ACLU lawsuit. How much good stuff shows up? Other than ASU propaganda, nothing positive for the school. She's a PR nightmare. Get her out of here before she does more damage.
January 25, 2017 at 11:55pm If "Crowther really put the wood to Elison" then it was rape pure and simple. Is watching rape something you enjoy? Jeff's epic 20-page reply to the other senators is quickly making the rounds. I talked to seven other staffers today who had read all or parts of it and the consensus was clear. Crowther and Buzer dreamed up their resolution as retaliation on behalf of McClure. Transparent and ineffective. Rather than putting the wood to Elison, they gave him a lite slap on the wrist and a whole shitload of evidence if he sues. Denial of promotion, repeated violations of policies, retaliation, his grounds for lawsuits are growing like weeds.
January 25, 2017 at 11:10pm 9News is going to do an investigation of our transparent campus! They ❤️ the mirrors in the window!
January 25, 2017 at 8:55pm If Adams State faculty are going to whinge about having to follow written policy (or far worse - elect not to follow it), the polices THEY authored to govern THEMSELVES - how can we ever expect them to uphold the spirit of their profession? Academic Freedom in Peril https://www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=6011 "As explained in the AAUP’s founding documents, widely accepted as defining the guiding values of the academic community, for scholars to do their jobs—seeking out new knowledge and serving the common good—they must be free to research and teach their subjects as they see fit, criticize the policies of their own institutions, and voice their views on matters of public concern without fear of retaliation or retribution."
January 25, 2017 at 3:08pm I feel like Al Pacino in Godfather Part III: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." I guess WatchingAdams is like the mafia! It didn't take long for this comment to show up in my email and pull me back in to respond: "Someone leaked Dr. Elison's promotion recommendation." Thanks for the heads-up. Why am I not surprised? I seem to have been given all sorts of special treatment during this process: 1. Margaret Doell informed my department co-chairs to "notify other tenured faculty they may review the folder and write letters regarding Jeff's promotion (these can be in supportive [sic] or against)" I asked if everyone gets that special "against" reminder regarding letters of recommendation. It certainly never appears in our Faculty Handbook. 2. I was told I was the ONLY candidate for promotion or tenure who was not informally notified of the committee's vote. Did any of you other candidates experience the several week wait that I had? 3. The chair of the full professor committee was told not to give me my Promotion Summary Report, in spite of the fact that the Handbook is clear as a bell on this point: "Promotion committee chair informs the candidate in writing of the committee’s recommendation and provides a copy of the Promotion Summary Report to the candidate." I was never told who gave those orders. However, it took the Attorney General to rule on this: "The Assistant Attorney General assigned to us has responded in a timely manner that our faculty handbook, on page 45, instructs the chair of the committee to share a copy of the Promotion Summary Report with the candidate. She indicates this is the policy we should follow." Imagine that, the AG recommends following policy. Sound advice from ASU's legal counsel. There's probably a lesson in that message that ASU should apply more often. - Jeff Elison
January 25, 2017 at 2:56pm Jeff Elison was not "censored." He was "censured" by the faculty senate for his devious behavior. Censuring is essentially a public reprimand. He should do the honorable thing and resign.
January 25, 2017 at 11:31am ... So ASU is violating its own Handbook in favor of petty office politics? I feel like I have heard that one before! Many of us watching Jeff Elison's case unfold hope that more people like him are willing to stand up and fight when they are bullied and pushed down. And for those of you cheering on the retaliation against him: just remember that you could be next. Elison wasn't the first and will not be the last. What started with adjuncts and staff has now moved to tenured faculty – so nobody is safe from this campus culture of intimidation and repression.
January 25, 2017 at 8:56am I too am curious about what brought about the censoring of Jeff Elison by the Faculty Senate. What is the low down on that?
January 25, 2017 at 8:08am Expecting the VPAA to step in and intervene in the “illegal bullying” of Elison is a “fool’s errand.” After not being promoted, being censored by the Faculty Senate, and most likely sanctioned by his own department, Elison is a liability akin to toxic sludge. And I am certain that the VPAA doesn’t want any of that on his shoes.
January 25, 2017 at 8:05am Someone leaked Dr. Elison's promotion recommendation, or non-recommendation. Knowing this place, it was strategic, maybe they plan to circulate it like his email. But its likely to backfire given a few of the comments lodge serious concerns about the committee's work. "I am concerned that some of my committee colleagues may have judged his application based of their own personal standards rather than using those outlined in the Handbook." "Based on all of this, plus the positive recommendation from the department co-chairs, I see a compelling case for promotion. Yet the consideration of the committee focused almost exclusively on Dr Elison’s involvement in campus politics over the past few weeks or months." And this one is really damning. Even a member who didn't want to support Elison felt he had to, "I reluctantly support Dr Ellison for promotion to professor because our Faculty handbook and the evaluation of faculty are flawed. I have voted based on the criteria of the faculty handbook trying to minimize my personal feeling" ... in spite of disagreeing with those criteria. I'd say the stage is set for Elison to have a field day with this if he chooses to.
January 25, 2017 at 8:01am Custodial dept is always understaffed most of the year, every year but yet they have four supervisors.
January 24, 2017 at 8:16pm Would anyone care to describe exactly what happened to Jeff in the faculty senate meeting? Bonus points for resisting the temptation to editorialize!
January 24, 2017 at 8:05pm An open note to Chris Gilmer: Many on campus look up to you and sing your praises for your early demonstration of integrity and transparency in commissioning the Mathieu report. Many now look to you to salvage ASU’s future, if it still has one. Many hope that you have by now caught on to the tragicomic farce that is ASU’s “leadership”, and that you now recognize the endless, ruthless bullying of those who dare to dissent for what it is: a clear violation of both federal and state statutes prohibiting harassment and a hostile work environment. Far too many good people have already been chased out and there’s always a fresh lawsuit lurking just around the corner. It has to stop. So we now look to you to stand up and Stand Strong against the open, nasty, and patently ILLEGAL bullying of Jeff Elison. But we also wonder if you yourself have become a target of the bullying – as seems likely to anyone who knows how ASU rolls - and whether this is impacting your ability and will to continue to stand up for integrity and transparency. But if you can’t, who can? If you won’t, who will? ASU inflicts great pain on those who stand on principle and values, and we been waiting a long time for someone with sufficient power and influence to finally break the cartel, to extract the boil. People are placing their faith in you to put a halt to the rampant intimidation tactics from Richardson Hall. ASU doesn’t have a fighting chance, otherwise. Heavy lies the crown, right?
January 24, 2017 at 5:45pm No, employees shouldn't be showing up to work if they're sick. If ASU had a better nursing program, maybe that would be more obvious.
January 24, 2017 at 2:19pm I agree that Elison might have a noble goal but he went about it in a very nefarious fashion and got caught. Sick or not he should have shown up, taken the medicine like a man, and gone on about his business.
January 24, 2017 at 10:55am As others have observed, the greatest mistake anyone can make it ASU is not being well-liked, particularly by administrators and the senior faculty who dutifully follow them. The many former and current employees that ASU vilifies are guilty of nothing except outspoken advocacy for a better institution. Elison is certainly no exception! Imagine how all of this petty infighting and backbiting looks to a prospective student or their parents. Who in the world would send their child to ASU given all the institutional problems that are defended and even rewarded while those who sound the alarms are punished and ridiculed? Who will ASU retaliate against next? Will it be you?
January 24, 2017 at 10:20am This was an easy one for Crowther. Elison got caught with his pants around his ankles.
January 24, 2017 at 9:58am Elison was home with the flu yesterday and today. They did this without him having a chance to speak for himself? Sounds like the PNG all over again. When will ASU learn? When will anyone care? Maybe when it happens to someone they like.
January 24, 2017 at 9:46am Of course Crowther will take every opportunity to publicly bully people less powerful than him, particularly when he can do so to ingratiate himself with the administration to whom he is so obviously aligned. There is no easier or safer way for him to suck up than to pick on those least able to defend themselves. This is, of course, exactly the opposite of what Martin Luther King, Jr would do!
January 24, 2017 at 9:43am Facilities Services is another department that needs to be looked into for cronyism, reallocation, huge turnaround and constantly being understaffed, etc.
January 24, 2017 at 9:38am Human boil or not, Crowther really put the wood to Elison at the Faculty Senate meeting.
January 24, 2017 at 9:05am I wonder what role HR, Budget, and Finance played in these salary increases? They had to be ok this if they were not complaining.
January 24, 2017 at 8:49am Word is that Elison was censored by the Faculty Senate last evening. He got caught with his pants down and got a good spanking from the Faculty Senate. It was well deserved.
January 23, 2017 at 10:58am Ed Crowther is a boil on the butt of humanity, and rumor all over campus is that the honey badger is about to get extracted.
January 23, 2017 at 9:00am To prison with Crowther, the Novotnys, Roybal, Hensley, and Reid..............................PRISON!
January 22, 2017 at 7:36pm No matter how you slice it, law or policy, Ellen Novotny making more than twice as much as all the other people teaching extended studies is unconscionable. When money at ASU is in such short supply, her extra should have been used for something better. Didn't it cost about $200k to bring faculty up to 72.5% of CUPA? Frank and Ellen probably bilked ASU for more than that over the years. Just in 2013-2014, Ellen made around $270K combined. If half of that was from being overpaid, that's $135K in just two years.
January 22, 2017 at 4:18pm Nepotism, what the Novotnys did, is illegal in some states and some organizations. In others, it's just against organizational policy. ASU's Trustee Handbook says: "Section 3.9: Supervision of Immediate Family - It shall be deemed to be a conflict of interest for an employee to serve in a direct supervisory capacity over an immediate family member or audit, verify, receive, or be entrusted with moneys received or handled by such family member. Immediate family member includes spouses, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, brothers and sisters." However, we all know the people at the top at ASU rarely get held accountable. Look at Walter Roybal. Why is he still allowed anywhere near Extended Studies? Why does he still have a job? Only those who speak up about problems are routinely punished at ASU.
January 22, 2017 at 12:51pm I agree with the comment that Novotny should be investigated. What he did should be against the law.
January 22, 2017 at 9:40am Re: the comment on January 21 @12:44 Racketeering comes to mind...
January 21, 2017 at 12:44pm Is Novotny being investigated by local, state, federal authorities? Certainly he violated some laws?
January 21, 2017 at 11:16am "Obesity can be caused by a variety of factors, including depression and certain medications. In these cases, an employer who discriminates against an employee based on weight can be in violation of federal employment laws. It is also important to point out that weight-based hiring restrictions can be linked to other forms of discrimination since BMI and body fat varies by age, sex and race. An employer could be perceived as having discriminatory hiring practices based on these factors in addition to weight, especially if one class was disproportionately affected by the company's policies." Apparently obesity can also be linked to poor teeth and plumbers according to McClure. I'm guessing the Nursing Department teaches our students not to mock their patients. I'm also guessing Business Management and Marketing recommend against mocking 10-30% of your employees and students. McClure: not a leader, not an educator, not a businesswoman, not respectful.
January 20, 2017 at 7:22pm Having worked with Armando Valdez before, the report that he added almost 70% to his salary - making $108k - from up to 13 job duties doesn't surprise me. He was extremely slow to respond to communications, couldn't be counted on for help most of the time, and frequently showed up with his job duties thrown-together at the last minute. School of Business faculty aren't superhuman. They are cutting lots of corners in their job in order to make 2-3 times what other faculty make at ASU. And finally, people are starting to notice and call them on it.
January 19, 2017 at 5:52pm Novotny and Crowther both belong in prison. McClure belongs in an asylum.
January 19, 2017 at 2:15pm As stated in the President’s end of semester laundry list holiday email to the campus in December, she and Walter Roybal will be presenting to Faculty Senate on Monday about Extended Studies. Since ASU hired VP Gilmer to oversee Extended Studies, why isn’t it he presenting about the division which he, presumably, oversees? Why hasn’t VP Gilmer been allowed to put forth action that this campus so very much desires and NEEDS in order to survive HLC? Is McClure THAT insecure, vindictive, and venomous that she is unable to step aside and give credit to where it’s due? Is she unable to put aside her own pride in order to do what is truly best for this institution? I am at a loss. After the Mathieu’s report there was hope that some decisive action will occur to right some previous wrongs. And yet, here we are, 4 months later, and only one month away from HLC and it “looks” like we’ve been sitting here twiddling our thumbs waiting for the axe to fall. What has been happening? What is the “higher level decision making” going on without Gilmer? Way to be transparent ASU! Way to put students first!
January 19, 2017 at 10:07am Wow! Novotny and wife had a real deal. Perhaps ASU should have banned Novotny and his wife from campus instead of Ledonne.
January 18, 2017 at 9:15pm Have people seen President McClure's "welcome back" video on YouTube? Please do, but not with coffee in your mouth or you might spit it all over your computer. It starts with her proudly announcing that "last year was a great year for the university" and the ridiculous propaganda just rolls out from there with any number of vapid talking points. She makes no mention of being put on academic probation by the HLC, being downgraded by Moody's, sued by the ACLU for civil rights violations, called out by FIRE and shamed in the Chronicle, audited for declining financials by the state of Colorado, exposed with fraudulent online coursework by the Mathieu report, and presiding over students and faculty leaving in unprecedented numbers. Question: is McClure pathologically delusional, a master of deceit, or both? Yeah, 2016 was a great year for ASU because they made it in the top 50 of 278 HSI's, even though they graduate among the lowest percentage of Hispanic students in the nation. Then there's mention of the Salazar Rio Grande Del Norte Center, a self-congratulatory PR stunt timed amid multiple controversies to distract and bury ASU's real problems... but also a poorly-curated and improperly-produced museum exhibit that upstaged and usurped the important work of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. McClure mentions that ASU will “continue to build on our academic excellence,” but doesn't mention the serious academic problems that has made the university's reputation and the value of an ASU degree anything but excellent. McClure's message continues in the tradition of denial and oblivious jingoism. It represents the empty rhetoric of a leader who doesn't have a clue how to get out of the many problems she has presided over and worsened. And fittingly, the lighting and camera make McClure look like a deer caught in headlights. So watch it a second time with the sound off for the real message of the video: this person is clueless and the university is going to get hit by a bus.
January 18, 2017 at 8:44pm We have now crossed over into the Twilight Zone, the higher education edition. In this episode, the most capable, accomplished, selfless, professors, those who devote themselves completely to serving students and bettering higher education will perversely be labeled as narcissists. Only the dwindling survivors of this warped universe, the few who still retain their intellect intact, know to look instead to the Marvel house – carefully avoiding the east side spell of mirrors, of course - to witness what a true narcissist looks and acts like. In this episode, the small-minded with no regard for constitutionally protected liberties will crow over someone being denied promotion because “he values free speech so much” (January 8, 2017 5:12pm). They will proudly – shockingly! - state that this denial of promotion was “punishment” (January 8, 2017 5:12pm), going so far as to explicitly claim that they “denied Elison his promotion” (January 8, 2017 8:48am), and meanly sneer that “what comes around goes around” (January 17, 2017 6:21pm). One is tempted to label such revolting expressions and claims of retribution as deeply unAmerican and antithetical to the principles of educational inquiry, but this doesn’t ring so true these days. Like our nation, ASU has become an alternate reality where up is down and down is up. Those stuck in the Twilight Zone look desperately to outside state and national leadership, hoping that someone out there is paying attention to the swirling drain of this sad, sad, little backwater of a campus held hostage by an “intellectually inbred, middle school mentality of cliques” (thanks to January 16, 2017 4:42pm for the apt expression). Adams State crossed over into the Twilight Zone some time ago, and we’re all stuck in its vortex. The first step out of the Twilight Zone is to recognize you’re in it, but this seems to be an insurmountable challenge for most. When surrounded by educational zombies, mimic them to survive, right? This eventually become your new normal, until one day you no longer recognize zombies for what they are - the intellectual undead. The second step is a tough choice: Take a stand, stand ones ground, and do what’s right, or set your sights on normalcy and run for the border. Good night, and good luck out there. ----Editor's Reply: I will confess to having an affinity for political science fiction that is becoming science fact.
January 18, 2017 at 7:51pm So, we have name-calling from all directions and amateur psychological diagnoses, and then there are facts. I wonder which HLC, Moody's, etc. will be concerned with. My bet is on the numbers. Mathieu report: "There is, indeed, a culture of questionable academic practice that appears to have been in place for many years; a culture that further compounded the actions of the OES such that, for many, it became standard operating procedure that was rarely questioned." And the culture lives on. Those who raise issues out of concern for ASU and our students are demonized. Those who reaped the benefits of "questionable academic practice" and those close to them defend the status quo. ASU is poised to fail, failing all our students. Whose fault? The numbers don't lie.
January 18, 2017 at 5:13pm An article from 11 years ago that's worth revisiting... Novotny assumes Interim Chief Academic Officer duties (01-20-2006) "I also believe that ASC has a strong administrative team that works well together in an environment where everyone feels free to express their opinion," Novotny said. "Only when all perspectives are considered can the best decision be made." ... "Novotny said he believes his personal challenges are balancing being a husband and father with the demands of the job and trying to differentiate what needs to be done from what could be done." Because what needed to be done in 2006 was a strategic campus plan to increase retention among students and employees, prioritize quality academic programs, remove parasitic administrators who were incompetent and/or ineffective, and cultivate a campus culture of empowered, motivated faculty and staff. But what could be done was going into debt with massive construction projects, creating an online degree mill for extra cash, prioritizing athletics programs and administrator pay, and cultivating a campus of fear and repression to scare off anyone who might "express their opinion" or to "consider their perspective." Guess which one Frank failed to differentiate?
January 18, 2017 at 4:40pm First, I would like to thank Watching Adams for analyzing the salary data. It is certainly eye opening. I was stunned to read that Frank Novotny's wife earned $141,750 in 2013-14 teaching Extended Studies courses and was paid twice the rate per student than other faculty teaching ES courses. This was while Novotny was the administrator ultimately in charge of Extended Studies. This was nepotism at its worst but I would go further and call it "criminal." Also the fact that Novotny resigned and ended up with a salary of $106, 608 in 2016 is deeply disturbing; his salary is almost $40 K more than the chair of his department. Novotny brings no value-added back to his department; he was a less than competent administrator and non-scholar. ASU and its students are simply not getting their money's worth in this deal. As the salary analysis shows, there are just too many "bad" deals being made by ASU.
January 18, 2017 at 1:18pm Is it any wonder that several ASU business faculty have lead the way when it comes to converting a public university into a private profit center for themselves? Or are we to believe the free market fantasy that Liz Thomas Hensley and Linda Reid are simply working 2.5 times more than everyone else on campus? I'm not so sure the HLC will be convinced.
January 18, 2017 at 12:48pm So Elison is not a narcissist; that is news to the rest of campus and especially to his colleagues in Psychology. Ask them; they know (However, don’t bother with Pipitone; he is Elison’s toady.).
January 18, 2017 at 9:15am There is no doubt that Novotny is an economic parasite on the carcass of Adams State. Instead of being “resigned,” he should have been terminated for allowing his wife to make an excessive amount of income in a program that he oversaw. It was pure and simple nepotism that was partly responsible for ASU’s academic probation. Also allowing administrators to be “resigned” and go back into the faculty ranks making most of their administrative salary is a poor business practice that should be ended. It is unfair to faculty, students, and taxpayers.
January 17, 2017 at 11:48pm With all the talk about "right sizing" and budget cuts at ASU, those high salaried faculty and administrators racking up extra paid services and coursework should be the first to get cut. But something tells me that won't be happening. Just think: while Frank Novotny was earning his reputation as "Dr. No" for refusing to fund programs, faculty lines, and other needed academic budget requests, his wife was making huge amounts teaching online and he was getting paid extra to do his job. His job, of course, included overseeing precisely the program area that his wife was making six figures to abuse until ASU was put onto probation. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.
January 17, 2017 at 10:00pm Loosbrock also resented Dr. Nealy because of her command of the English language and her "earned" Ph.D.. Crowther resented Dr. Nealy for many reasons especially because she is everything that he is not: A highly religious ideologue with fierce courage and academic integrity. Crowther is a coward at best and should never be in charge of the hiring process because he has cost the school more litigation fees than most. Crowther could not intimidate Dr. Nealy like he does with Saenz, Centeno, Goddard, Loosebrock, and Solis. It's really awful how my alma mater has gone down the drain. I attended the event a year ago that Dr. Nealy organized and I enjoyed it. Well organized event. Not sure why Loosbrock was on the panel...the presentation I least liked. But, now she is gone? But these ahumans are still at the college causing problems. What's happening to ASU? All the good professors are leaving or already gone. I blame Crowther for all ASU's problems. That bastard needs to go crawl under a rock. His day is coming real soon. And I'm certain he had something to do with Elison's full professor denial. A white male without any privileges!
January 17, 2017 at 8:12pm "the list of targets continue to grow, and the gripes pile up" as well they should. Would Crowther like to explain these line items? $30,000 for “Outreach Off Campus Faculty” $5,178 for “World Language Program Director" World Language? At least it's singular, "language", and not languages. $5,000 a year to "direct" one prof? That doesn't sound like a scam at all. Who is bringing down the university? People who are willing to talk about problems, like Waddell and Elison, or the scam artists like Crowther and the unscrupulous profs and adjuncts teaching 400, 500, 600 students? Waddell, Elison, and like-minded employees did not bring on ASU's probation, bad publicity, and dire financial straits. Crowther, Hensley, Reid, Longfellow, Coddington, Scott, the Novotny's, and others win that honor. Yes, when you pull back the curtain, the list grows and grows.
January 17, 2017 at 6:50pm I am a current student here at ASU and a former student of Dr. Nealy. I took Dr. Nealy's Black Radical Feminism class and her Intro to American Government course as well. I was extremely impressed with her passion and love of teaching which was exhibited in her love for students. She is an extremely brilliant professor, oratorically gifted, and a high professionalism I have not seen displayed by my other professors in McDaniel Hall. Dr. Nealy has high standards and she let everyone in the class know that. She is among a few professors here at ASU who didn't give grades or extra credit. What you earned in her class, you earned fairly through preparation, studying hard, and doing the work in her class. I appreciate this because my other professors dumb down to us like we are high school students. But Dr. Nealy motivated me and encouraged me to do my best because she had faith in me when I didn't believe in myself. I am simply proud that I enrolled in both her courses and earned a B. To me that's like an "A" because she is a very tough challenging professor. She cares and as she would say in class "tough love" is what you will experience in my classes. I was very saddened to learn that she left because honestly, Dr. Nealy was the best professor I have taken here at this school. And I miss her because she always went beyond the call of duty to help me and other students. She's very professional, very strict with rules and policy in her courses, but you know what, I liked this about Dr. Nealy because it showed that she wasn't like any of the other professors who don't have standards. Those professors allowed me to cheat on tests, come late to class, and eat in class. But, wow, not Dr. Nealy she was an entirely different professor with the highest standards. So, sure, I thought about dropping her class the first day because I just wasn't use to so many rules, high standards, or expectations. However, I stayed in the courses because Dr. Nealy to me is a real professor, a true intellectual, a true academic and educator and I admire her for that which changed my way of thinking. I want to end by saying that other professors in McDaniel were very jealous of Dr. Nealy because my classmates and I overheard conversations(won't reveal professor's names because i am currently enrolled in their boring class) from those professors "plotting" to get rid of her. One even called Dr. Nealy an "uppity colored" ... Yeah, I and my classmate were surprised and we went to tell Dr. Nealy, but it was too late. I will be transferring to another college soon because as a student of color, I don't support what ASU did to Dr. Nealy nor do I have any respect for those professors who called her that racist name. Wherever you are Dr. Nealy, I enjoyed your classes and thank you for motivating me to do better and believing in myself. I think you are a very unique high quality professor with high morals who I will always admire.
January 17, 2017 at 6:21pm Remember Elison, what comes around goes around and Karma can be a real bitch. - Gerri Swartz ----Editor's Reply: This user submitted a fake email address and their identity cannot be verified.
January 17, 2017 at 5:16pm "If you really love the San Luis Valley, don't criticize Adams State University." - does that sound like an abusive relationship, or what?
January 17, 2017 at 3:56pm Danny’s “Revenge Porn” Site Maybe Danny had good intentions when he started this site, but I don't think so. After being denied a tenure track job, he got pissed off and refused to accept that he was no longer employed at ASU, attending meetings he had no business attending. When people who did not know him looked into his background, and discovered that he had written his stupid Columbine RPG game, he was then designated as PNG. So now, under the guise of “great transparency begins here,” he is extracting his revenge. It seemed that at first, President McClure was the primary target, but the list of targets continues to grow, and the gripes pile up. This is nothing but a “revenge porn site.” Danny and his minions (all three or four of them) are obviously out to bring down the institution that he knows is crucial to the economic health of the valley he claims to love. What a guy. The most ridiculous thing I’ve seen posted here concerns Lisa Neely. Fault Crowther for hiring her in the first place, but not for his part in getting her out. He wanted to hire a woman of color. Anyone who had any dealings with her knows that she was a complete disaster. Most of the students who signed up for her courses dropped her classes immediately. Only a small handful of students liked her quirks enough to stay in her classes. The idea that Centeno was jealous about having another woman in the department, or that she was smarter than Crowther is total nonsense. I have no interest in getting Danny’s editorial response. Spare me, as I already know what you will say. This site should be shut down along with the other revenge porn sites. ----Editor's Reply: We do have an interest in publishing your criticism, even if you aren't interested in a response to it. While ASU banned Ledonne for unsubstantiated claims that it couldn't defend against the ACLU in court, any number of other universities have invited him as a guest speaker, presenter, and lecturer for the same body of work. Perhaps this says more about ASU than it does about Ledonne. While “revenge porn” is the invasion of privacy for prurient interests, the performance and policies of public universities are not. And while it is convenient to attempt to discount and marginalize inquiries into these policies, there remain serious structural problems with Adams State University that have been unaddressed for far too long and are now subject to the scrutiny of multiple outside agencies. If this were all the deranged ramblings of a few vengeful people, ASU would not be subject to a state performance audit, on academic probation from its accreditor, a lowering credit score from ratings agencies, declining enrollment, and high employee turnover. Watching Adams reports on these issues. Whatever one thinks of a particular comment on this reader-created page, perhaps the most ridiculous assertion is not about any individual statement but that a website should be shut down as “revenge porn” for discussing the performance and procedures of a public university. What university of serious academic standing espouses the ethos of banning people and websites for their ideas, however unpopular or controversial?
January 17, 2017 at 5:28am Working for ASU is like swimming with sharks. They eat their own.
January 17, 2017 at 1:16am I am a parent to an ASU nursing student that has elected to complete her nursing degree elsewhere due to a failing soon to be unaccredited nursing program! We have decided not to be part of a 41% pass rate nursing program. In this embarrassment of a nursing program we were faced with retaliation, race discrimination, unfairness, and intimidation beginning with a unprofessional nursing director, along with unprofessional nursing instructors. Melissa Milner, nursing director, has allowed nursing students to cheat, use drugs, and violate patients' HIPAA rights, along with many other violations. All these violations have been voiced with no repercussions! Shame on the students? NO! Shame on Melissa Milner for allowing this! Therefore, this is not a program we want to be a associated or even accredited from! Nursing instructors along with nursing students should be ashamed to be part of Melissa Milner boorish, unprofessional, and unethical direction as the nursing program director! Goodbye! ASU Nursing Program! With a Pass Rate of 41%!
January 16, 2017 at 7:47pm "Fall 2017, Gilmer gone, McClure still here." Right, the power of mirrors! The scariest part of this scenario is the message it would send to HLC. ASU fires the guy who took them seriously and ordered the Mathieu report, while keeping the sorceress who accused them of unfair treatment in her tantrum of a reply. We'd better all plan on finding new jobs.
January 16, 2017 at 4:42pm Professor Elison is the exact opposite of a narcissist. He is humble and the first to admit when he doesn't know something, supportive of his colleagues, and stands up for people less fortunate than him even when it wouldn't benefit him to do so. There's also no question that he is well published, exceptionally qualified, and highly regarded by his students. You know, the qualities that are supposed to matter in a performance review. But at ASU, none of that matters. It is an intellectually inbred, middle school mentality of cliques. If you don't fit in, and especially if you are willing to question authority structures, you will be beaten down and chased out. Just look at who rises to the top – the very people who have gotten ASU into serious academic and financial trouble. If Elison didn't get promoted, he should take it as a badge of honor and a compliment. Like so many others, maybe he will move to a better school with higher pay and a functional workplace. I wish him the best and I know many others at ASU who do, too.
January 16, 2017 at 1:07pm I'm going out on a very thin limb here and say that Gilmer will not be here at the start of next school year. It won't matter how popular he is, it won't matter what the faculity believes. Truth be told, your input means very little at the end of the day. This administration is going to do what they see fit. when it best serves them. Fall 2017, Gilmer gone, McClure still here.
January 16, 2017 at 1:05pm So Elison did not get promoted to professor. It certainly takes a real piece of work to be denied promotion due to a personality defect. However, Elison is the classic clinical definition of a narcissist. Perhaps it is time for him to pack up his shame scale (including the Polish translation) and move on down the road.
January 16, 2017 at 10:10am It's the really big stucco house that borders the McDanial Hall parking lot. Northeast corner of Second St. and Richardson Ave. No idea how it got it's name.
January 16, 2017 at 7:45am Is McClure's house really called the Marvel House? Why? Where is this place? We want to walk by and see the mirrors.
January 15, 2017 at 9:07am Trump mocks disabled reporters; McClure mocks people who struggle with their weight, the working class, and students. McClure lied about the State Police Watchlist and terrorism; Trump lies about, well, just about everything. McClure was clueless about the reality of the HLC's grounds for probation, or tried to cover them up; Trump is clueless about just about everything and routinely covers up his mistakes. McClure silences dissent with intimidation and humiliation; ditto Trump. This week the parallels continue: McClure used her Danny Ledonne folder as a prop in meetings with students and this week Trump played from the same game plan. Watching Adams had a good laugh over McClure's inept lying and manila theatrics, and sad coverage of her fat-suit and endangering accreditation. Now the press is enjoying Trump's manila props: Above the Law: REVEALED: What’s Really In Trump’s Stack Of Folders Huffington Post: I’m One Of Trump’s Manila Folders Boston Globe: What was in those folders at Donald Trump’s press conference? The Hill: Trump barred reporters from examining stacks of folders at press conference Both our presidents better realize this isn't a reality show and they aren't above the law.
January 15, 2017 at 8:49am Regarding the Doell-Crowther road tour, Ed's appeal was less than compelling. It would take a marketing genius to sell McClure-Doell over Gilmer.
January 14, 2017 at 9:29pm I'm pretty sure the answer to that last question is no. Well actually yes, McClure would replace Gilmer with Doell if she could get away with it. But she can't. To replace one of the most popular, competent administrators with one of the least popular, least competent while ASU is under HLC scrutiny would be career suicide and university homicide. She'll just have to settle for mirrors on her windows. The Doell-Crowther road tour to undermine Gilmer is just undermining McClure-Doell-Crowther. Bullies only get away with their game for so long. Picking on the wrong person is usually their downfall. Or when their bullying threatens everyone's jobs.
January 14, 2017 at 10:17am Re: January 13, 2017 at 12:57pm While the prospect of President McClure replacing Dr. Gilmer with golfing BFF Margaret Doell is disgusting, it would be entirely consistent with our new post-truth political reality in which facts no longer matter. Dr. Gilmer has demonstrated a commitment to academic integrity from the moment he arrived on the ASU campus. In contrast, and in addition to other legitimate criticisms, in numerous instances Margaret Doell has clearly demonstrated that she entirely lacks any semblance of academic integrity. Could ASU’s longstanding tradition of cronyism actually trump (pun intended) academic integrity in the VPAA’s office? Woe unto ASU!
January 13, 2017 at 1:13pm With apologies to the Eagles: Mirrors on the WINDOWS, The PATRON on ice And she said "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device" And in the master's chambers, They gathered for the feast They stab it with their steely knives, But they just can't kill the beast Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door I had to find the passage back To the place I was before "Relax, " said the night man, "We are programmed to receive. You can check-out any time you like, But you can never leave!"
January 13, 2017 at 12:57pm No, no, no, McClure doesn't have mirrors in her windows because she'd love to replace Gilmer with Doell, even at the risk of losing accreditation. The mirrors are her best solution to HLC accreditation so far. HLC is in Chicago. That's why she put all those mirrors on the east side of her house. Nothing crazy about it.
January 13, 2017 at 8:54am I saw the mirrors in the president's windows. Does Adams have a minor in Voodoo?
January 11, 2017 at 8:04am I think I know most of the business faculty. Who is an assoc/full prof without a doctorate?
January 10, 2017 at 11:11pm Re 8:04 pm comment: Seriously? I need to take a gander and view for myself of what is spoken of... if so, I shall photograph such a sight and send to our newspaper, the Valley Courier. Hmmmmm what ever does this mean? Has the witch gone mad, is she creating a spell? ----Editor's Reply: If someone contacts us with a link to a photo, we will publish it here for public review, but only if the photo is taken from a public location (such as a sidewalk).
January 10, 2017 at 11:07pm Dr. J Elison should ask why he was denied a promotion... Then ask why a handful of faculty ex. School of Business and Teacher Education as to why these professors gained associate/full profs without obtaining their PhD. Simple reason: because of Tomlin, Hensley and Crowther.
January 10, 2017 at 8:04pm Walk or drive by the Marvel House, President McClure's residence, and note the mirrors in every single window on the east side. No other sides, just the east side. What do mirrors in the windows mean? It could be to deflect wayward birds, but that's extremely unlikely given how low the first floor windows are and how close the house next door sits. Alternatively, a Google search reveals: "it works like a protective shield. like if someone is sending you negative energies through spell work or just wishing harm on you, supposedly the mirror makes it go back to them." Whose house is immediately next door to the east? Dr. Gilmer. I think we can draw two conclusions here: She really doesn't like Chris Gilmer and this is some bizarre passive-aggressive act against him. And she's losing her mind. Very scary. I hope the BoT is paying attention.
January 10, 2017 at 8:02am Inclusive excellence at its finest. ASU respects us as long as were not fat or working class. Great message from the President. You can re-phrase Streep to fit McClure. The parallels with Trump are bad. [Mocking] Someone [she] outranked in privilege, power and the capacity to fight back. And this *instinct* to humiliate, when it’s modeled by our President, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody’s life, because it kind of gives permission for other people to mock those who are overweight or working class. The President's disrespect invites disrespect from others on campus. And when the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose. Most profs seem to defend her but we students certainly lose when she acts like that.
January 9, 2017 at 11:18pm Re: January 9 @ 10:51 - Yes, we are all losing. Even McClure supporters are losing. They just don't get it... yet.
January 9, 2017 at 10:51pm “It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter. Someone he outranked in privilege, power and the capacity to fight back. It kind of broke my heart when I saw it. I still can’t get it out of my head because it wasn’t in a movie. It was real life.” Meryl Streep speaking about Trump And our most respected seat at ASU wears a fat suit! "And this instinct to humiliate, when it’s modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody’s life, because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing. Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose."
January 8, 2017 at 9:39pm At most universities, hard-working and dedicated faculty and staff - who care about institutional ethics and the well-being of their colleagues - are valued and retained. But not at ASU. Here, they are bullied, ridiculed, shunned, and pressured to leave or are simply kicked out. Then the faculty or staff frequently go on to more prestigious (and higher-paying) institutions elsewhere. ASU students pay attention and consequently, they are leaving ASU, as well. How many students left because Lisa Nealy isn't there for them, or Ben Waddell is no longer teaching in their department, or their favorite Art or English professor is gone, or their favorite librarian has left, or their department and degree plan begin to look like Swiss cheese? There are real numbers behind each of those questions. And they aren't good numbers. So the next time someone celebrates ASU's high turnover because it serves their vindictive, petty office politics, just remind them that it hurts the entire university when good employees go elsewhere. Especially given that many of ASU's worst employees are rewarded and rise to the top.
January 8, 2017 at 5:12pm Elison has nothing to complain about with denial of his promotion. But he probably will anyway. Quoting someone: "although his salary will be 11% lower than it would have been had be been promoted, at least Dr. Elison can rest easy at night knowing that he stood up for something that mattered." His punishment is even worse than 11% (or better I'd say). Based on CUPA for his department, his raise would have been over $10,000 per year, more like 20%. But since he values free speech so much I'm sure it was worth it to him. Whose eating crow now, Jeffie? As to his resting easy at night, I hope $10K, $20K, $30K is enough to keep him awake applying for jobs somewhere else. He should follow Waddell right out the door.
January 8, 2017 at 4:50pm Yes, and a toxic institution that bullies and retaliates against its dedicated faculty and staff who speak out against a culture of corruption and poor academic integrity... is in turn reprimanded by academic accreditors, free speech organizations, state auditors, and experiences ongoing enrollment decline coupled with financial downturn... triggering more lay-offs across campus and contributing to the low morale of the entire institution. Is this vindictive culture of "extermination" really helping ASU out? It sure doesn't seem like it.
January 8, 2017 at 8:48am From 2/13/16, If we are going to name names - let's call out Jeff Elison and Ben Waddell as being the sad, sad danny followers. Anyone else? These guys don't have a freak'n clue about the ramifications of this for their careers. Sure called it. We booted Ben out of here, denied Elison his promotion, and I bet he'll be gone soon too. WatchingAdams bozos are a bunch of vermin who at this rate will all soon be exterminated.
January 7, 2017 at 7:41am The President of Adams must stop bullying faculty & students! This unprofessional, unethical & corrupt behavior has already been exposed & will continue to be until this situation is resolved! Time for the president to be held accountable & to evolve into this century!
January 6, 2017 at 9:40pm Very interesting article about Closing Out a College. "Faculty members who had stayed with the institution even though they weren’t being paid said they kept working out of a sense of duty." "Some professors reported not being paid for months. Some said money deducted from their paychecks for health insurance and retirement accounts was not ending up in those accounts. Retirees reported insurance policies canceled because the college hadn’t paid for them." "Intermont could have survived. Things could have worked out otherwise, but we followed our leadership and it led to complete institutional failure. As a result, the school we love is coming to an end." Oh the blindness of blind faith.
January 6, 2017 at 4:54am Think it can't happen here? Does this ring familiar? Closing Out a College - Inside Higher Ed "The 130-year-old college in Southwestern Virginia had been on life support for years as financial troubles fueled accreditation issues..." "The idea of going out ugly is likely to spark discussion of Virginia Intermont. Financial troubles at the college were no secret in the years leading up to its closure. Such issues led to accreditation trouble, with the college seeking an injunction against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in 2013 in an attempt to stave off its accreditation being revoked. In 2014, the situation came to a head. The college was to lose its accreditation July 1 of that year. Plans to merge with Webber International University collapsed." I know some are placing their faith in the state to bail us out when all else fails. But being a public university does not mean we can avoid the same fate, certainly not in Colorado.
January 5, 2017 at 10:45am What must David Mazel be thinking about Adams right now? I wish the owner of this board would try to schedule a podcast with Lisa Nealy and learn what she thinks of her one year experience. And what does Kim Kelso think of Jeff Elison not getting full professor? I hope Jeff gets a good attorney and sues ASU into bankruptcy. This place needs to be destroyed. Too bad for the greater SLV community, but this toxic, vile, obscene institution of rampant cronyism must be destroyed. ----Editor's Reply: We would welcome the opportunity to record a podcast with any former student or employee with a story to share. Please use the Contact Us page to reach out with your contact information.
January 5, 2017 at 8:29am Speaking of the Faculty Handbook and faculty duties: "I solemnly (swear)(affirm) that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Colorado, and I will faithfully perform the duties of the position upon which I am about to enter." It is obvious from Senator Elison's statements that he believed he was performing this duty when he objected to President McClure banning a citizen from campus without due process. It's the ultimate irony that he would be punished for following the Handbook while no one else is held accountable when they fail to do so. The majority is always right, right? Great message for students: conform, go along with the crowd, don't speak up. It's the easiest way to get by in this world.
January 5, 2017 at 7:11am The concerned professor at Jan 4, 12:38pm has eloquently and thoroughly captured the whole of our situation and the essence of the choice before us all. Status quo is the surest path to disaster – for ASU, for Alamosa, for the entire region. Disaster is not some remote possibility. It stares us in the face right now. Each of us must decide for ourselves whether the seemingly safe but utterly deceiving status quo is our chosen path, whether our personal principles and sense of integrity will lead us to follow the numerous other capable individuals who have already left our community, or whether and when we’ve finally had enough and will take a stand against the stranglehold that ASU’s corrupt and ineffective leaders have had on us all for far too long. You can’t escape the choice before you. If you do nothing, you are opting in for disaster. You’ve made a selection, you’ve chosen your path, and you can’t then foist off blame for the inevitable consequences on others. All of us, through inaction, are collective owners of our unfolding disaster. I keep hoping that some singular event will finally topple our false sense of hope and wake us up to the need for action, for change, for real noise. Will Jeff Elison’s patently unfair denial of promotion, due to his brave and principled stand on constitutional issues, be that singular event? With all this town puts up with, I’m not optimistic. I was once optimistic, but it was beaten out of me. The choice before us is not an easy one. We truly love our community and don’t wish to leave. Or perhaps we can’t. We see from the example of others that standing up for what is right in a dysfunctional environment carries heavy consequences. Taking a stand may mean having to leave. Taking a stand may mean that the choice to leave will be made for you. But doing nothing? As our concerned professor says, how can you rest easy at night? You may have delayed personal disaster, but collective disaster is just around the bend. I believe a list was previously posted in this forum of state and national organizations to contact if you’ve finally had enough – would the editor be so kind as to post it again? ----Editor's Reply: We have posted some of the possible organizations to contact on the "Contact Other Agencies" section of the Contact ASU page.
January 4, 2017 at 2:48pm Crowther and Centeno have scammed many people into thinking they are so liberal, so progressive. Shameful. They are both as phony as a $3 dollar bill. Crowther resented Lisa Nealy because he truly does believe he is the first African American in the department. Ask students. He is that delusional. Despite his "public" self promotions as a defender of civil rights, this man is a flaming hypocrite made all the more dangerous by the power the institution for some reason continues to give him. Perhaps he is back to drinking? Centeno scams the university and taxpayers every year. Because of her bullying and playing the feminist-latina card, she and a handful of students are granted exhorbitant amounts of money for travel to far off countries supposedly for Model UN but commonly known as a sightseeing junket vacation. I invite any responsible investigative journalist to look at the disproportionate amount this club is awarded compared to other campus clubs. It is obscene that 5-6 individuals get this much taxpayer money at the expense of other clubs who actually do more, serve better, and involve higher numbers of students. And the new administration does nothing to stop this theft of public money! Oh, and what happened to that book publication Centeno was granted a sabbatical to write? As for Jeff Elison, all one needs to know is that Centeno and Loosbrock are full professors. Check Elison's vitae with both of their's - charlatans to the core! - Disgruntled Grinch Troll
January 4, 2017 at 12:38pm As a concerned professor and long-time resident of the area, I was extremely disappointed to hear of the outcome of Dr Elison's application for full professor. I do not work in his department but I have had the pleasure of working with him on several occasions on campus. My comments regarding his merit for promotion stem from this interaction as well as my general knowledge of his scholarship and teaching. Based on all objective criteria--teaching, scholarship, and university/community service--Jeff Elison's promotion folder for full professor is quite easily among the strongest folders ever submitted to a promotion committee at ASU. I say this without exaggeration. He is currently ASU's best published professor and consistently ranks among the university's best evaluated instructors. Students genuinely enjoy his classes and he is dedicated to their success. He has served on multiple campus committees in his time here, and although he occasionally speaks out on controversial subjects, as the Faculty Handbook reveals, he clearly has a right to do so. Dr. Elison fully embodies the role of a true professor in that he constantly pushes his students to improve and questions the status quo when he deems appropriate. In my opinion, that's what education is all about. If education were about holding the line and following orders our world would never progress. The whole purpose of an education is to question existing knowledge as a means of potentially contributing to the progress of society. How can we realistically expect our students to question the world they live in if we don’t allow our professors to do so? In this sense, the promotion committee’s decision to not grant Dr. Elison the title of full professor is a strike against free inquiry at ASU. The decision should be reversed and the committee members should be reminded of their duty to consider each candidate’s merit for promotion through a neutral lens in which they set aside personal differences with the candidates. The fact that Elison wasn't promoted to full professor is hardly an assessment of his character or merit. Rather, it is an unfortunately accurate evaluation of the state of affairs at ASU. Cronyism have long plagued ASU's campus, where leaders frequently hand out sinecures to their closest allies. However, McClure's leadership has promoted these types of practices to such a degree that the most effective scholars and teachers are simply fleeing ASU altogether. And those who haven't left, like Jeff Elison, are condemned for advocating for what is right and just. It's really uncanny how closely the rise of President McClure parallels the rise of President-elect Donald Trump. In this sense, ASU is an unfortunate thermometer for social conditions elsewhere in the country. Like the latter, McClure has silenced opposition, cultivated a climate of fear, and quite literally gone out of her way to vilify those who have questioned her authority. Like the US Constitution, the ASU Faculty Handbook clearly defends and encourages free speech. However, like US society in recent years, ASU’s campus is looking more and more like the security state that Orwell described in 1984. In his book Orwell wrote, “Big Brother is watching you.” The same could be said of ASU in 2017. They are watching, and if you don’t tow the line, you’ll be punished. Frankly, it's scary how quickly otherwise good people can be turned to the dark side. In my time at ASU I’ve watched seemingly genuine people turn a blind eye when they had an opportunity to speak up about injustices, unethical behavior, and corruption. This reminds me of another point Orwell made, which is that most humans will chose comfort and stability over freedom. One should expect this from the general population but it is surprising to see such highly educated people succumb to such basic principles of psychology. I suppose, in the end, it is a reminder of the limits of the human mind. For better or worse, we are bound to our tendency to conform to the group. It is a survival mechanism that may very well lead our civilization over the proverbial cliff. In the meantime, it appears to be leading ASU into its own dark precipice, and to be honest, I’m not very confident there is a road out. If indeed there is a path forward, it must begin now. The SLV community needs to stand up for what is right because it is quite clear that those on campus will not. And who can blame them? Anyone with an ounce of objectivity will see Dr. Elison's promotion outcome for what it is: A thinly veiled attack on free speech. But who would dare question administration after this? I would like to take a minute to remind administration, faculty, staff, and the broader SLV community, that the Faculty Handbook at ASU encourages its faculty to defend free speech and academic freedom. In fact, on page 6 it states that faculty shall, “Respect and defend the free inquiry of colleagues.” Then, on page 7, it goes on to state: “As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, Faculty have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom.” Free inquiry is the cornerstone of higher education, and at ASU, it is under fire. This may seem like an isolated event but it is important to remember that in many ways ASU is the bedrock of this community. If ASU falls, the SLV will follow suit. With this in mind, regardless of whether or not you care about academic freedom, it would be in your own best interest to start pressuring ASU’s leaders to turn things around because if they don’t, your own stability and wellbeing may very well be on the line. I know this seems like a bit of an exaggeration but people should know that the Higher Learning Commission will be visiting ASU in the fall and that as things currently sit, it is highly questionable whether or not they will reaccredit ASU. Failure to obtain accreditation would doom ASU but it would also have a massive impact on the SLV. I would ask local business owners to think about a world without ASU faculty, staff, and students. What would happen to the local housing market? To bankers and real estate agents? To stores and service providers? Take health care industry as an example. If ASU collapses, that means fewer patients, which means less demand for doctors, which means less demand for upscale homes, restaurants, and services. ASU’s collapse would trigger a severe economic crisis in the SLV, and while farming and ranching would obviously continue, the SLV community as a whole would suffer. I know nobody likes to envision the worst. In fact, as humans we are quite adept at downplaying doomsday scenarios but believe me, the state of affairs at ASU is as bad as it seems. This is not just another roadblock that ASU will somehow overcome. This is different. ASU has spent its way to the brink of financial ruin in recent years and student enrollment is falling, quickly. Public support isn’t what it used to be, in fact it’s gone from covering 70% of ASU’s annual bill in 1999 to covering only about 30% in 2016. If students keep leaving, and our current leadership keeps its blinders on, ASU will not be reaccredited in 2017, and everything I described above will happen. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which side of the line you want to stand on but if you choose to hunker down and pray for the best, know that you had an opportunity to turn things around, and you chose not to. And you alone will have to live with that. In this regard, although his salary will be 11% lower than it would have been had be been promoted, at least Dr. Elison can rest easy at night knowing that he stood up for something that mattered.
January 3, 2017 at 10:23pm Re: January 3,2017 @ 950 No you clearly don't get it. Like I said you look foolish. You attacked the "grinch" turned "troll"--anonymously--which in turns makes you a troll. Get it?!? Takes one to know one! Don't try to use the alt right or the heinousness of racism as your saving grace. That's just uglier than what you've already done. Editor's Reply: At this point, I'm going to respectfully request that we move on from discussing the merits or lack thereof in criticizing a particular faculty member. By now, I think everyone has a sense for these points of view and the comments here are becoming redundant.
January 3, 2017 at 10:20pm I've known Jeff for several years now. He's a great professor who loves his work, is dedicated to his students, is modest in his associations for professional gain, has an impressive track record of publications, is principled on academic integrity, speaks truth to power, and isn't willing to run with the inner circle of popular kids who currently run ASU (into the ground). For all these reasons, Jeff being denied full professorship shouldn't surprise anyone who understands how ASU works. At a healthy university, faculty like Jeff (and Ben Waddell) would be leaders to look up to rather than dissidents to be marginalized and shamed. Look who we have leading us instead - among them the very people who put ASU on academic probation and made it the laughing stock of higher ed. That tells you everything you need to know about ASU. "I start from the supposition that the world is topsy-turvy, that things are all wrong, that the wrong people are in jail and the wrong people are out of jail, that the wrong people are in power and the wrong people are out of power." - Howard Zinn, 1970
January 3, 2017 at 9:58pm I dropped off WatchingAdams awhile ago, but I was alerted to discussion of my promotion. Amazingly the comment was posted at 4:08, about 30 minutes before I received the Committee's Summary Report and almost an hour and a half before I got home and had a chance to read it. Who says WatchingAdams doesn't have its fingers on the pulse of ASU? Regarding my promotion and the report - no comment. Now I'll say goodbye (to WA) again. - Jeff Elison
January 3, 2017 at 9:50pm So if you call someone a troll because they are making nasty, personal remarks anonymously, apparently that makes you a troll. Bit like the alt-right claim that calling someone out as a racist makes you a racist. Okay, I get it.
January 3, 2017 at 8:56pm Re: December 31, 2016 @1020am comment. "Still trolling, huh?" If you read closely the various (3-6) anti-Centeno posts, it's quite clear that they were written by at least 2 different individuals if not 3. Simple language usage and levels of sarcasm make this quite clear. I'm pretty certain I could identify the individual who wrote the first two simply because of my relationship with this individual and knowing his/her speaking habits. It's not rocket science. Having said that, it's clear you have painted several individuals with a broad brush stroke that likely isn't fair. To suggest that anyone who has issues with a faculty member is simply "trolling" negates what those individuals were trying to communicate. Perhaps in their eyes AND EXPERIENCE Centeno IS the worst person at ASU. That's not your call to make. Nor does it negate the bad behavior of Novotny of which you speak. And speaking of calling people "troll", isn't that exactly what you are doing through your own anonymity? I guess it takes a troll to know a troll. And, please don't make a further fool of yourself by trying to attack me. You already look foolish enough. Happy New Year "troll"!
January 3, 2017 at 6:46pm Re: Jeff Ellison's alleged denial of promotion. If this is true it's probably because he didn't take the Liz Thomas route of finish your PhD AFTER you get tenure and then suck up thereafter. Suck up to athletes to be judged "presidential teacher". Suck up so you don't have to do ANY scholarship (and don't give us this bullshit about ASU being a teaching college. The faculty handbook does have some mention of scholarship...however lame). If this is true...could ASU have yet one more lawsuit on its hands? How many are there now?
January 3, 2017 at 4:08pm I just heard that Jeff Elison was denied a promotion to professor. Word is that he has a solid teaching and scholarship record. What is going on? What is the story?
January 3, 2017 at 12:19pm ASU's extended studies department is understaffed so much that they have unqualified people doing critical jobs. They are the focus of the accreditation people, so if stuff isnt done right it could bring down the entire college. The people in charge are either dumb or doing it on purpose.
January 2, 2017 at 10:56pm Happy New Year! Let me start by saying it's very refreshing that Crowther, Loosbrock, Centeno, are finally gaining their assigned seat in purgatory. And let's not forget good ole' Goddard and Mumper who stood by and watched these wicked devils vote to not retain the very first African-American faculty in that department. And my guess is that she represented what Crowther, Loosbrock, Centeno, Goddard, doesn't represent: superior moral character, brilliant, classically trained opera singer, excellent teacher, well-published, and a true feminist who spoke out against racial, gender, religious inequities that plague Adams College. She wasn't afraid to speak out and held one of the best panel discussions here last year. What a prolific speaker this African American is with such articulation of thought and expression. And her students were just motivated and inspired by the powerful lectures delivered. Crowther simply could not stand to be in this faculty presence because she eloquently read him like a book. This African American faculty knowledge on every subject matter was soooo threatening to Crowther, Loosbrock, especially Centeno that they didn't know how to engage this lady. I note all this to shed a bigger light on the underlying issue of how blatantly discriminatory these people are and that African American faculty cleverly addressed such ill behavior. I attended that panel discussion she organized and it was standing room only. This school has never organized anything of such magnitude. Her high standards, perfectionist, teaching our students on a much higher level than Crowther nor Centeno could ever do and this is why she was not rehired. Not to mention that Crowther did not attend that dynamic event..... so much for supporting the college first African-American faculty. Good job Crowther, good job.
January 2, 2016 at 12:05am An interview about the rise of made-up watch lists, loss of tenure protections, threats to academic freedom, and a campus climate hostile to dissent. Yes, sounds like Adams State to me! On Contact: A New McCarthyism with Ellen Schrecker "On this week’s episode of On Contact, Chris Hedges explores the rise of a new McCarthyism with Professor Ellen Schrecker, author of “Many are the Crimes: McCarthyism in America”. They examine the role of President Elect Donald Trump and the impact the suppression of dissent has had on higher education. RT Correspondent Anya Parampil looks at a few recent examples of targets of this new McCarthyism."
December 31, 2016 at 9:06pm In re: December 30, 2016 at 3:37pm comment and Dr. Loosbrock not having a doctorate. McClure stated no faculty will be tenured. A mention that if Dr. Crowther was on your side and had something to gain he'd use it. What about the faculty who were just granted full professor without having a doctorate in Crowther's departments???? How does this work for us faculty who work so damned hard.
December 31, 2016 at 3:16pm A line in the January 2017 New Yorker magazine that Drs McClure and Crowther might like to note before next looking in the mirror: "Power doesn't change who you are; it reveals who you are." ----Editor's Reply: I'm a fan of this variation - "No man is really changed by success. What happens is that success works on the man's personality like a truth drug, bringing him out of the closet and revealing what was always inside his head." — Albert Goldman, author
December 31, 2016 at 10:20am Still trolling, huh? There are so many things wrong with your December 30, 2016 at 3:37pm comment. WA's editor may correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this site was established to put a spotlight on abuses by those in power, by revealing factual information that the administration has kept from public view. Commentary about the dubious (to say the least!) behavior of some of ASU's top officers, based on those facts, is entirely legitimate. But airing personal animosity is not part of WA's brief. To call Centeno "about the worst person in ASU" is laughable. Really? Compared to Novotny, who lied and cheated to faculty senate? Compared to McClure, who throws tantrums, verbally abuses people and tries to destroy the reputations of those who stand in the way of her ambition? What about all those who "taught" hundreds of students on year online, bringing down the wrath of the HLC? They are less "worst" than Centeno? Get a grip! Your hate extends to denying her her background. Are you saying that she - and by extension, anyone - can't be Latina if they grew up in America? That you can only be Latina if you are an immigrant? Really?!? You also deny her position as a teacher because she is not a published academic. This is categorically not a research university - its niche is as a teaching institution. There are plenty of professors, teachers who are the backbone of this university, who have published little or nothing for years because all their time is taken up caring for students. It is obscene that you should be so dismissive of them. Again, you demonstrate your membership to the Cult of Like, which worships the idea that being popular is more important than competency. There are plenty of very competent professors who are not popular, just as there are professors who are very popular but not particularly competent. Who would you prefer to have teach your children? Again, I ask you to stop this hate speech and concentrate on demanding better performance from McClure and her disciples. It is only by this means that we may see the resurrection of ASU's reputation, an improvement in its financial security, and a more prosperous future. ----Editor's Reply: We maintain this page as an open forum that includes a broad array of perspectives (most choose to remain anonymous) and encourage readers to consider it as such. Our news and commentary articles are reflective of Watching Adams' design goals, however we recognize the comments page is by and for the readers themselves. To offer one observation: as public higher education in the United States more closely resembles a for-profit business model, there is almost inevitably a decline in collegiality among faculty (who begin to quite rationally see one another as competitors rather than colleagues). As faculty are encouraged to view themselves as "academic entrepreneurs" who "cash in" on the university model for their own private gain, there is often more financial incentive to practice the small-minded politics of division than to cultivate solidarity amongst the professoriate for the common good of the institution and its students. This is an unfortunate national trend that can certainly be observed at ASU.
December 30, 2016 at 3:37pm Although Ed Crowther might have some personal shortcomings, he certainly will do what he can for his students. Crowther has always encouraged students and helped them to grow academically. As far as the HAPPSS department, he is one of the biggest supporters of students and their endeavors. Maybe the phrase "Do as I say, not as I do" works for Crowther here. I am glad people are starting to talk about the other bad eggs in that department. Didn't Loosbrock lie about having his PhD for years before it was discovered he didn't have it? And now he is a full professor? I guess it pays to have Crowther as your friend, at least for the protection. Centeno is about the worst person at ASU. She is insecure about nearly everything and does not care much about others. She plays up her "latina" background, but she grew up in America, and only has family in Latin America. She has said she's from Venezuela so many times she probably believes it at this point. And how is she a real academic? She has never published and only cares about her Model UN group. What has she actually done besides use this group to finance her travels to say how cultured she is? How is she tenured and a full professor? Oh wait, she's a "minority" and single mother. I would bet she's the only full tenured that hasn't published anything. She's a joke. No wonder why students don't want to take her, because she will likely end up alienating students like she does with everyone else.
December 30, 2016 at 8:15am 12/27 writes: "Truly an amoral being." For awhile there, Crowther added repeated confessions of "I am a bad person" to his honey badger shtick. Obviously he was having some insight into his amoral behavior, his turning against his own principles. I always assumed he either wanted others to reassure him he was a swell guy or just wanted to beat others to the punch, rather than these being honestly remorseful confessions. We haven't heard these confessions recently, probably because he's gotten so much worse that it's better to simply hide behind his power. As someone said, Crowther is a smart guy and he's right once again, he really is bad.
December 27, 2016 at 6:49pm December 27, 2016 at 12:02pm has said it correctly---DO NOT EVER TRUST ED CROWTHER................He comes off as quite affable..........in fact he is a back stabber who will do and say whatever serves his interests regardless of the consequences for others. Truly an amoral being.
December 27, 2016 at 12:02pm One of the greatest problems holding back ASU is the Cult of Like. You get ahead here because you are deemed likable, not because of you competencies. I personally don't like Dr McClure - I find her arrogant and aloof, bad mannered and bad tempered - but if she were doing her job (improving enrollment, reversing student and faculty desertions, bringing in funds and improving ASU's public reputation), I would be a hundred-percent supporter. But despite her quarter-million package and two years at the helm, ASU is worse off than before. This is an issue of management competence and leadership failure. As a matter of logic, she should be replaced. Ed Crowther, on the other hand, is very likable. He has a wide group of friends to whom he is generous by all measures, he is humorous, musically talented, a competent administrator, and a good academic. His determination to remake himself physically should be much admired. I like him very much. We have shared much alcohol together. But I can't trust him. He lectures on the principles of civil rights, but has ignored principle when his colleagues express opinions that are at odds with own his ambition. He has supported McClure each time she has violated others' civil and constitutional rights. He supports institutional bullying. He has repeatedly undermined those who have attempted in good conscience to criticize poor performance. These traits are incompatible with his role as faculty senate president, whose job is to represent the interests of his fellow professors, not to represent his own, or McCLure's interests. Centeno is a classic victim of the Cult of Like. Regardless of her competency, her dedication to her students, her incredible work ethic, and her intelligence, she is being impugned simply because someone doesn't like her. Nothing else seems to count. ASU is full of likable, incompetent, complacent people. And those less likable but more competent are vilified. And here we are, one of the least favored, least respected, least innovative universities in the nation. Could there be any connection? To Centeno's detractor: What you are doing is egregious and cowardly. To derogate someone anonymously online simply because you don't like them makes you - not a Grinch - a Troll, the lowest of all cyber species. Please stop.
December 27, 2016 at 10:55am Re: Crowther's exceptional sexism...how many of you knew about these honey badgers....no doubt in my mind this is what he is referring to every time he says it. Crowther is a sickening misogynist! Meet the Honey Badgers, the Women Behind the Men's Rights Movement http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a15964/honey-badgers-mens-rights-movement/ A Fond Salute to “Honey Badgers,” the Ladies’ Auxiliary of Online Anti-Feminism http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2015/09/23/honey_badgers_misogyny_the_ladies_wing_of_online_anti_feminism.html
December 26, 2016 at 10:38pm How can you all be so negative about Crowther? He does, I mean gets paid for, the jobs of four faculty. Or more! He must be the chosen one. Who else could contribute so much to sucking up, while drinking, coaching, and exercising so much? When Admin needs a hatchet man, who you gonna call? Fairness-Busters Ed!
December 26, 2016 at 7:41pm Lisa Mari grades on weekends because she intentionally has no life. She likes no one and no one likes her except easily influenced female undergrads who she has indoctrinated to believe she is the picture of feminism. Truth is Lisa Mari is an enemy of other women. There is a long list of women she has abused, including faculty on the third floor. She purports to be a latina but is in fact Jewish and quite American born and raised. She once called a meeting of all Hispanic political science students and reamed them for 30 minutes for being a disappointment to their "people." She is intolerant of opposing viewpoints and is a secret admirer of Stalin. Well, actually, it is really not so secret. Her relationship of mutual exploitation with Crowther is quite amusing.
December 26, 2016 at 6:11pm Now, now...let's not start calling people names simply because they have a different view with which we disagree. The "grinch" never claimed Lisa Marie isn't a hard worker, rather s/he indicated that Lisa Marie isn't a nice person because she doesn't like others and others don't like her. And the "grinch" is correct about that as well as her own dislike of other women in the department. I think Lisa Marie has some internalized oppression issues...but that's another thread... But, you are spot on about Crowther. He's a worthless piece of crap. And likely his new fascination with the honey badger Lisa Marie has to do with that there are finally no other women with whom he can cavort...none would have his grossness.
December 25, 2016 at 9:33pm Listen, Grinch! Crowther is one of the big dogs at crotch height, where his sense of smell is greater than his sense of ethics. We all know that, and so he is fair game. But I take great exception to you slagging other professors who happen to be under his command. Centeno is a single mother who works incredibly hard and does ridiculously long hours to serve her students, with little support from her superiors. You will find her on Saturdays and Sundays grading student work when many of the big dogs are brown-nosing Bev. Centeno is the epitome of dedication. So back off! That Crowther might be buddying up to her is not a reflection on her character. Rather, it is he who is needy. Crowther is a social creature and now that his social capital has dissipated, he will impose himself on anyone who has the forbearance to listen to his tired old "honey badger" schtick.
December 25, 2016 at 3:42pm It is good to see that E. Crowther is finally beginning to be exposed for what he is-a narcissistic, power hungry, back stabbing, racist, anti-Semitic, cruel, selfish, insensitive drunkard. His lacky in the department Loos"er"brock is his chief cheerleader. Crowther is now tight buds with Centeno, who likes no one and is liked by no one, because Crowther fears one more sex harassment case and he is toast. He should be gone after the the way he treated that department's first and only African American faculty member. Was she not re-hired because of Crowther's racism or Centeno's refusal to allow any other female in the department? What a disgusting group of charlatans in that department.
December 25, 2016 at 12:18am On the twelfth day of Christmas, Dr. McClure gave to us: Twelve promised layoffs Eleven vague explanations Ten poor excuses Nine empty statements Eight percent lower enrollment Seven financial problems Six ethics violations Five total lies Four budget cuts Three sad semesters Two bad years and accusations that we're sexist!
December 24, 2016 at 11:43pm Merry Christmas, y'all. Happy Hanukkah. Seasons greetings. Happy holidays. Best wishes. Shalom. Salaam. Peace be with us all. Whatever! We have problems... let's work together to get them fixed.
December 24, 2016 at 1:48pm Or better late than never? We know that McClure is frozen in the spotlight of community scrutiny, and nothing substantive will get done until she leaves, but that doesn't mean the rest of us are also frozen. The board will eventually have to dispose of her one way or the other, and replace her with a pragmatic president who pulls in more students and stops the bleeding. In which case, having Degree Works up and running, even if not optimally, will be a tremendous boon.
December 23, 2016 at 6:01pm From the Degree Works website: "Ellucian Degree Works™ is a comprehensive academic advising, transfer articulation, and degree audit solution that aligns students, advisors, and institutions to a common goal: helping students graduate on time." So Degree Works is a tool to support retention and graduation of students. But you need to actually have students to retain for such a tool to be useful. ASU advisors were requesting it for years, along with the additional advising staff needed to use it effectively. Too little, too late.
December 23, 2016 at 1:57pm Yes, Karla Hardesty is a smart, hardworking and dedicated staffer. But I challenge her admirer (December 22, 2016 at 9:04am) on their claim that her colleagues are less than competent. In fact most of her colleagues are perfectly capable of doing their jobs, but they are stymied by their so-called leaders. When guaranteed tuition was introduced, the scheme was so riddled with exceptions, dispensations and caveats that it has become a quagmire for those having to implement it, thereby creating more work for already overworked staff, and also creating confusion for students. This is not the fault of staff. It is the direct result of poor-quality thinking by McClure et al, a limited imagination that prevented her from anticipating problems, and a propensity to blame those who are tasked with making a lousy idea work. It was a hospital pass. If the implementation of Degree Works fails, it will not be the fault of Hardesty and her colleagues - because almost all of them are smart, hardworking and dedicated. Rather, it will be another failure of leadership by those who take home pay packets twice or three times that of Hardesty and her crew members. Go Karla and Co! We are right behind you.
December 22, 2016 at 11:26pm I totally second that motion to nominate WA. Also, I agree that ASU isn't a university by any standards. So let the original label stand; "college".
December 22, 2016 at 2:40pm My experiences communicating with Beverlee McClure are similar to the hemp farmers in the article. She often uses "air quotes" to belittle people, never apologizes or comes across as empathetic, and frequently makes you feel unimportant. So ASU has a president who isn't good with public relations, doesn't really understand online education, hasn't raised the money she was hired to bring in, and ends up getting the university in bigger trouble whenever she opens her mouth. Why was she hired, again? I am trying to figure that one out.
December 22, 2016 at 9:12am From my vantage point, Watching Adams is truly a unique, outstanding, commendable example of citizen journalism. And it's right in our own backyard. I know not all WA readers will agree with this assessment but if you do, I just did a quick search and see that there are multiple awards for citizen journalism, including the CNN iReport Awards, the Bob Awards, the Paul de Armond Citizen Journalism Award, and others, I'm sure. WA may not be reporting from downtown Aleppo, but I'd argue that they are covering far more than just one small, rural public college with financial and administrative woes (and I use the word "college" pointedly - let's get real, it's not a university). WA is a case study of so many larger ills plaguing society today - the rise of an all-powerful elite, the decline of higher ed, rising attacks on constitutional freedoms, and more. Anyone else think WA should be nominated ? Let's join forces.
December 22, 2016 at 9:04am Regarding the 11.05pm commentary, it is worth noting that all other Colorado universities have successfully employed Degree Works. CAPP was a useful tool too, but like any tool, it is only as good as the people who use it. And that is the issue at ASU. We have elevated people to positions of power simply because their main talent is kissing ass, and not because they are good at their jobs. Btw, Karla Hardesty is a smart, hardworking and dedicated staffer as far as I can tell. The success or failure of the Degree Works implementation will depend not solely on her abilities but also those of her less-than-competent colleagues. For all of us, let's hope that the administration can get Degree Works running effectively as soon as possible before ASU frightens off more students by poor advisement and shambolic scheduling.
December 22, 2016 at 8:43am Woke up this morning to find yet another piece of fine reporting by Watching Adams: Local Hemp Farmers Excluded from SLV Hemp Symposium. Choked on my coffee over the final section. McClure LIED. Clearly. In writing. She was directly involved in the planning of the hemp symposium. Enough is enough. When will enough be enough for the BoT? After she's thoroughly destroyed ASU's remaining reputation in the valley and has chased away every last of our "On-campus Undergraduates"? Side note: love the unwarranted capitalizing, on our homepage no less. Also noting that McClure's response to the Rezolana Institute is incredibly rude and unprofessional. It opens with a desultory "Don't know who to respond to." She couldn't even muster up a full sentence. She puts "host" in air quotes for unfathomable reasons. And nowhere in her email reply can I detect any effort to apologize. Even if it was purely a matter of unintentional oversight - and it doesn't seem to be - a true leader would acknowledge it as an unfortunate misstep and make a sincere attempt to repair the relationship. Enough is enough.
December 21, 2016 at 11:05pm I had to chuckle and shake my head as I read the Valley Courier piece regarding the purchase of degree auditing software. Several years ago, the University invested in a software program called CAPP (Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning) to accomplish the very task the BOT is now willing to spend $152,000 on. CAPP was designed to track student progress towards timely completion of degree requirements, which includes auditing for in-progress, completed and transfer coursework with the ultimate goal in aiding the advisor and student. In fact, the ASU Registrar's Office employed at one time or another, a full-time staff member to institute this program. Valuable time, money and other resources were made available to get CAPP off the ground. So, in the end, what did ASU get for it? Does McClure and Hardesty really think the Degree Works software will be any better? Again, Hardesty finds herself at the helm of another trainwreck waiting to happen. McClure will be ill-advised to continue down this path with believing that Degree Works software will save the day. It did not work before, so why would it now?
December 21, 2016 at 9:56pm Yeah, I heard about the way Crowther mistreated that professor just because that jerk finally met someone who was smarter than he and used sophisticated language of expression that he couldn't even comprehend. Now of course, he wasn't gona have that type of highly intellectually grounded professor in his kingdom for long. ASU cannot survive these discriminatory internal problems.
December 21, 2016 at 9:38pm I could have told you that McClure is as clueless as a deer in headlights. And I'm certain her time here at ASU is coming to a squeaking hault..hell...probably hit like a dear in headlights who will not be rescued left in the middle of the highway. Wow, her lack of racial and gender sensitivity really is highly problematic. Talking with many students of color on campus has opened an entire can of kick-ass. These students are very smart and knows fake leadership when they see it McClure, Crowther, Novotny, Murphy, and the list goes on. But to my point, students, especially the few handful of African American students on this campus have complained about no diversity in faculty. One transfer student from Denver asked me why ASU fails to hire African American professors? I saw the disgust in his eyes but didn't really want to answer that question. Instead, I suggested he go talk with Ms. Clueless, Crowther, Novotny, who lied about an all inclusive faculty. Not sure if this bright student will get the truth from clueless McClure and if he doesn't, I told him my door would be opened to him. But in retrospect, I can't help but to feel a little guilty for not sharing with this student that before he enrolled, we were lucky to have hired an African American professor. "Hired" as in past tense because of my 21 years of teaching here, it was my first time ever witnessing ASU hiring any African American professors, especially one with such an extraordinary research publication/grant writing /teaching background. And Crowther was very intimidated and jealous of that professor. Oh, well, I'll be transparent with that student should he stop by my office again. McClure and Crowther should be ashamed of themselves for not retaining that professor with such brilliance! Oops...sorry, i was told by my buddy across the hall from me that it was Crowther's doing that pushed that professor out of ASU because of her perceived radicalism and "high standards " in the classroom. Way to go ASU...way to go.
December 21, 2016 at 6:59pm Where's the administration been this week??? Gilmer gone.... McClure absent..... Margo....???? Crowther???? Who's in charge????? O that's right.... no one!!!!! They are all gone..... so, LET'S GET RID OF EM ALL!!!! Dear Santa, Please remove these individuals from ASU... and give us people who are leaders and really care! Thank you, Me
December 21, 2016 at 6:55pm Re comment at 4:01 pm I believe McClure was indicating she wanted ASU to become a destination campus... offering up the land by the Rio Grande .... the one by Margo and Crowther's homesteads. These are our destination planners! Maybe they'll drown in the 3 ft. of water when the boats sink... no one will throw them life preservers.
December 21, 2016 at 6:52pm My understanding is that the Huron audit will be available in January. McClure's cheery rightsizing holiday message, though, gives us a pretty big clue as to its findings. Someone *really* needs to clue her in to the unspoken but widely understood "Don't use the holiday season to deliver negative news to employees" rule. And the importance of celebration at this time of year. Managing Through the Holidays https://howwelead.org/2010/12/12/managing-through-the-holidays/
December 21, 2016 at 4:01pm Re: comment at 1:54 It was during the state of Adams state address to faculty senate. McClure was presenting on some initial findings of the Huron Audit (where is that anyway??). The findings suggested that ASU utilize its space more efficiently (ie. our deserted SUB). She used the ASU Rio Grande access as an example of utilizing space and garnering revenue. It was a river access example, not necessarily rafting, but things like paddle boarding and maybe a coffee shop. Not a horrible idea but I think we need to be using our brain power and financial resources on more important things, like, oh I don't know getting our students to attend classes and pass them.
December 21, 2016 at 2:37pm AVP search? Let me guess. They will call it a failed search and appoint Crowther without faculty input. God help us all.
December 21, 2016 at 2:35pm Thanks to the 8:22am comment. You deliver more transparency and shared governance than administration. There was a search for a new AVP? No open forums? You have to be kidding me!
December 21, 2016 at 1:54pm I was told that Dr McClure recently told - was it faculty senate? - that she wanted to lease a plot of ASU land to a rafting company and then take a percentage of their profits. Is that true? I mean, really? Has she seen the Rio Grande at the end of Stadium Drive? You can roll your pants up and wade across it. Why would anyone want to raft it? Is she in La-la Land? Or was she joking? Did she also mention a real plan was for raising enrollment?
December 21, 2016 at 1:49pm ASU's future is dependent on reversing our appalling enrollment and retention rates. We already know, as predicted, that the guaranteed tuition gimmick is not working. So, what's Plan B? Start culling employees. Genius!! You can delete as many employees as you want, Bev, but it won't increase enrollment. Nor will it prevent undergraduate desertion. And you have no idea what to do about those two crucial factors, do you? Please stop pretending you know what you are doing, and just leave before you are pushed.
December 21, 2016 at 11:17am Just read this update in the Chieftain: Adams State University probation review visit moved back Has President McClure explained to anyone how and why she want from publicly stating that the HLC was unfairly targeting ASU as a “whipping boy” to then pleading with the HLC for more time to fix the many problems with Extended Studies? We know the answer. It's because Dr. Gilmer arrived and commissioned a real investigation, the conclusions of which were damning. But will McClure ever admit to these and many other mistakes, or will the blame always be on someone else, somewhere else, as the university incurs damage?
December 21, 2016 at 9:30am Everybody knows that the dice are loaded, Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed Everybody knows the war is over Everybody knows the good guys lost Everybody knows the fight is fixed The poor stay poor and the rich get rich That's how it goes Everybody knows that the boat is sinking Everybody knows that the captain lied Everybody's got this broken feeling...Everybody knows the deal is rotten... - Leonard Cohen 1934-2016, "Everybody Knows (1988)
December 21, 2016 at 8:50am In the interests of shared governance, can faculty have a say in who "right-sized"? No, of course not.
December 21, 2016 at 8:45am Another euphemism big business uses for "right-sizing" is "cutting the fat." But when the concept is applied to institutions that are already anorexic, then taking up the knife means cutting into muscle and bone. So the patient ends up lighter but dead. McClure may be a doctor but she is a business quack.
December 21, 2016 at 8:22am To the commenter curious about hiring a new AVP. Why YES! The search committee has wrapped up interviews and names have been put forward! What? You didn't know about this? Not invited to open forums? Were there any? Ask Crowther. He chaired the search committee. Another "great story" about "great transparency"!
December 20, 2016 at 8:59pm Comment said: "Right-sizing, letting go, retrenchment, career transition, decruitment - whatever euphemism you want to use to mean "you're fired". Exactly, these are euphemisms that are supposed to make losing your job more palatable. Companies used to say "your fired". Then some marketing / HR jerk came up with "laid off" because it sounds so nice to "lay down", unless it means your dead, as in fired. So, they got more creative and came up with "downsizing" because it sounds nothing like firing. And then the brightest of the slimiest came up with "right-sizing" because it just plain sounds like the moral high ground, as opposed to "we're firing you because we don't know how to keep this organization afloat." McClure should be right-sized to some less important job where she can't harm the lives of so many young students and well-meaning faculty and staff.
December 20, 2016 at 8:07pm So here we have another example of McClure's so-called business acumen. "Right-sizing" is the last resort of a business leader who doesn't know what else to do. Right-sizing, letting go, retrenchment, career transition, decruitment - whatever euphemism you want to use to mean "you're fired" - is the beginning of the end for an organization already weakened by poor management. Once you start culling those who provide an organization's products or services as a means of stemming losses, it is virtually impossible to reverse fortunes. It is the ultimate hit-and-hope, punt-and-pray tactic. This is proof that McClure has no plan for turning ASU around. If she had a better idea, surely she would tell us. But she has nothing left, except to delay and delay, while she desperately seeks another job before ASU goes bankrupt, both financially and morally. She will escape on the last lifeboat while the rest of us are left to sink. A true hero.
December 20, 2016 at 7:43pm Is ASU still in search of this such AVP? Hire in spring, let's hire someone to this position during this shit-storm! Who on campus is out of their mind to apply or accept this position? Why on earth would we hire and put someone here? Welcome to ASU, where great stories really begin! Vacancy Announcement Assistant Vice President for Graduate Studies, Research, and Sponsored Programs Non-Teaching Exempt Position # A3B003. (PDF here)
December 20, 2016 at 2:20pm Perhaps there would be fewer staff members laid off if a few administrators of dubious worth would take pay cuts.
December 20, 2016 at 9:18am Booking a commencement speaker relevant to your institution really shouldn't be that difficult. ASU continues to prove it doesn't know who it is or who it serves.
December 20, 2016 at 8:51am In her cheery Holiday Email, President McClure wrote: "I also discussed the need for us to "right size" our staff size to be compatible with our current enrollment." Those of us who will be "right sized" right out of our jobs should realize that enrollment is down partly due to McClure's failures, embarrassments, and that the financial pressure of dropping enrollment is magnified by guaranteed tuition. Due to guaranteed tuition, ASU is limited in its ability to respond to lower enrollment because we cannot increase tuition for 3/4ths of our students. If I remember correctly, that was Moody's point and a reason many institutions decided their similar programs were failures. Cuts are coming soon and again in July.
December 19, 2016 at 8:15pm I'm not sure marketing Guaranteed Tuition more widely is a good idea, anyway. It's a confusing jumble of exceptions and qualifying statements. Like, you'd think Guaranteed Tuition would most appeal to business students, right? But no, they're exempt because “differential tuition applies only to degree programs in Nursing and Business and is in addition to base tuition rates. Differential tuition rates are not guaranteed or included in the base tuition rate.” Guaranteed frustration. And just ASU announcing it would be offering Guaranteed Tuition prompted Moody's to downgrade ASU's credit rating because it diminished their ability to adjust revenue while facing ballooning debt. Maybe Guaranteed Tuition should be secret. Or it just be quietly phased out with Beverlee McClure.
December 19, 2016 at 8:00pm Am I missing something? McClure claims to be a business-person who will turn ASU around with her great ideas, we pay others to do marketing and web design, and we have professors that teach marketing, and this is the best we can do to market guaranteed tuition? From our home page: Guaranteed Tuition - No increase for up to four years - On-campus Undergraduates - Predictable costs - Generous tuition window: 12-credit rate for 12-20 credits Brilliant, "On-campus Undergraduates" will draw them from miles away. You're really hooking them with an ambiguous phrase that belongs in the fine print. Is the fact that we have "on-campus undergraduates" a selling point or is it a restriction? Well placed, appearing there above "predictable costs." Please fix this and please fix our enrollment crisis.
December 17, 2016 at 3:13pm Dear Danny Ledonne (owner, manager, designer, and gate-keeper of this site), Watching Adams has generated buzz but to what end? Thank you for the early posts of objective CUPA documentation and the like, but the goal of greater transparency with ASU has long since evaporated from this site. Check your heart. Check your motives. It seems that this has become some sort of resume building item for you as evidenced in your repeated posting of "Page Views". Does this equate to efficacy of your website and mission in your mind? You succeeded in creating a blog version of a car wreck. People are rubber-necking at side-show cherry picked carnage that you decide to post like your recent nursing program update. You provided not one shred of objective perspective on that situation. It's a fledgling program that has struggled greatly with continuity of leadership. The SLV is in great need of health care providers, but did your post show any concern for what the underlying factors might be? No. What sort of journalistic ethic is that? What sort of professional have you become? Has it been worth the cost on your life, this burn it down mindsight? Your personal angst and bent towards deriding ASU has consumed you to some bitter end. Please put an end to this anonymous dumping ground for anyone with an axe to grind. If you care for the welfare of the greater SLV community, and if you ever had an ounce of care for Adams State, you will end this experiment in exercising your demons. You are doing great damage to the SLV and Southern Colorado communities. You have sought to throw the baby out with the bath water. Please stop. ----Editor's Reply: Thank you for your civil and thoughtful comment. I think you are well-intentioned in your suggestions and I will respond with the same civility and sincerity. Watching Adams is not a fixed project with a single end goal. As stated from its creation, the site is designed to do what no other publication in the San Luis Valley has consistently done: cover the serious issues facing Adams State University. And we both know they are many. Some are relatively small, such as ASU allowing a double department chair to serve as faculty senate president (most university by-laws specifically forbid this and it is not recommended by the AAUP). Other issues are much larger, such as ongoing negative fiscal performance, declining enrollment, and academic probation. Watching Adams happened to come about in this maelstrom and here is where we find ourselves. The aforementioned issue of the ASU nursing program falls somewhere in the middle. Recall that last December, we published a podcast with Elaine Regan, former nursing faculty member, as she described being labeled a “trouble maker” for raising her concerns about serious design flaws with the program from its inception, as well as being pressured to pass students who weren't prepared to take the NCLEX-RN. Lo and behold, ongoing poor pass rates are the result. Watching Adams is attempting to connect the dots here, among other issues. We recognize the urgent need for healthcare providers in the San Luis Valley and have the resolve to point out that what Adams State is doing currently isn't working. This empty sentiment about how “everything is great at Adams State” is demonstrably false and worse yet, enables the kinds of problems that have gone unaddressed for years. It's really disappointing that, metaphorically speaking, various aspects of Adams State are on fire and burning to the ground. I realize that Watching Adams has pulled the fire alarm and it's ruining everyone's afternoon tea, but hopefully we can at least agree that these issues are serious and warrant our attention. Virtually nothing on ASU's own website, nor its press releases, communicate that whatsoever. The campus and more importantly, the broader public, deserves an independent and alternative source of information on these critical matters. And of course, people are free to disagree or not visit the site at all. To quote a truly great journalist in his day: "Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit." - Edward R. Murrow. And just in case one might construe otherwise, I certainly don't believe I am a great journalist. This is my amateur effort at doing something I believe some one ought to do and, once my employment at ASU ended, I recognized I had unique opportunities (and perhaps even responsibilities) to blow this whistle. Watching Adams is a side project from Emberwilde Productions, unpaid at that, because I am passionate about these issues and the many people I care about who I have witnessed silently suffering at ASU – past and present. If you haven't yet, I would encourage you to read “Why We Are Still Watching Adams,” which details the many issues we covered and stories we broke in the first 14 months of the site's existence. Only upon reflecting did I realize how much ground we've covered! And frankly by those standards, I would confess that Watching Adams has been slacking as of late. But once we've brought an issue to the forefront, we have let things develop and only update it when new data is available (such as subsequent enrollment numbers or new NCLEX-RN pass rate data). Regarding page views, there are two primary functions of updating the site every 25,000 views. The first is simply the clumsy function of not having a hit counter on the site; only the site administrator can see the fascinating daily deluge of data in terms of individual article views, visitor locations, hourly trends, etc. For example, one might be interested in knowing how many times people view Dr. McClure's contract for employment, how regularly salary data is downloaded, and how many other sites on the web refer to Watching Adams articles. It's quite a learning experience for me as the site admin. The second reason is to discredit the notion that Watching Adams has no readership, that no one pays attention to it, or that only a “handful of unhappy people” ever frequent the site. Clearly, the data does not support that hypothesis. As one reader comment quoted: "Boards of directors are like subatomic particles - they behave differently when they're observed." - Nell Minow. And that's really the point; Watching Adams cannot be ignored as a relevant source of discussion. Perhaps that's why it upsets some people so much that they want it taken down. And that's a familiar experience for me. Just to help you understand where I am coming from, for whatever it's worth: recall that I have a long history of taking on difficult and controversial subject matter. I created a videogame about the Columbine school shooting that was nationally vilified and yet also acclaimed and has gone on to become part of “the fabric of the history of videogames” (according to game industry leader Hal Halpin). I received hate mail and death threats the likes of which make the flack I receive for Watching Adams appear tame. Yet to this day, the game is still studied in game design courses worldwide, the documentary I produced on this experience premiered at AFI Fest in Los Angeles and is still widely viewed on major video platforms, and I regularly speak on college campuses about the design and reception of this challenging work. The documentary and videogame are still online, over a decade later. I was also among ten plaintiffs in a lawsuit to “Keep Polston Public” in 2013-2014. I'm sure many San Luis Valley residents remember this and some may still feel bitterly about it. At the time, it was highly controversial and generated acrimony and solidarity in equal measure. “Just stop, you're hurting the community” was a common criticism we received. After a long and difficult journey spanning the courts of law and public opinion, our plaintiff group was able to secure this gorgeous 38 acre riverfront property for continued public use, place the river walking trails in a public easement, and is now the home of the innovative agricultural project, The Rio Grande Farm Park – generating many new grant-funded and micro-enterprise opportunities. Whenever I walk onto the land, the very same place I went to elementary school in the early 1990's, I feel a deep sense of purpose and serenity about all that has come before and all that lies ahead. Taking the road less traveled is worthwhile. I don't pretend to get everything right and I'm sure that there are a multitude of mistakes I have made in my life (as I imagine anyone who is honest with themselves might conclude). I have corrected any number of grammatical errors in Watching Adams articles, I am the first to admit I am a perfectionist, and try my very best to verify the data I review and publish on the site. But I'm still fallible and maintain these channels of communication for anyone to “call me on my bullshit” - which I welcome. During my four years working at Adams State, I began to more keenly perceive any number of intractable problems that, when one attempted to address them head-on, experienced indifference or even repression for doing so. I wrote about this in an open letter to Dr. Chris Gilmer after the publication of the Mathieu Report. If and until ASU can welcome and embrace robust discourse – including and especially about the institution itself – there will be an urgent need and ongoing relevance to Watching Adams. This “anonymous dumping ground” is the result of a climate in which “the proper channels” have too often failed and many individuals do not feel comfortable, nor safe, speaking their mind in an in-person forum. I will note that you did not sign your comment, so perhaps you already implicitly understand this. I will say to you what many in the Campus Advocacy Group said during its fledgling, abortive efforts of 2014-2015: “work with me to make Watching Adams better!” If you believe this site isn't doing what it should, that it has lost its way or that “the goal of greater transparency with ASU has long since evaporated from this site,” - what can you do to make this site better? I am more than welcoming of ideas and am not a difficult person to get ahold of if you wish to contact me privately. I mean this with complete sincerity. And frankly, making Watching Adams the best it can be is every participant's responsibility. With very few exceptions, I have published every reader comment I receive and this forum is reflective of those who post on it – for better and for worse. You may sign your name, or not. You may use profanity, or not. You may take a mature and civil tack, or not. I am here to keep this line of communication open, for whatever Adams State related issues one wishes to discuss – including those I personally disagree with or don't find particularly compelling. And the day that ASU is in perfect form, populated only with happy students and employees, in compliance with all standards and regulations, and meeting or exceeding its benchmarks in higher education, this site could very well drift away into irrelevance because there is nothing more to discuss. But since we know that this is unlikely to happen anytime soon, I am committed to maintaining Watching Adams as the place for anyone to go to when they have a concern or question about the university that they don't feel comfortable raising on their own. Thanks again for the opportunity to discuss this in greater detail. Your feedback is appreciated.
December 17, 2016 at 12:52pm I have never seen a bigger bunch of lying bullies that I have at Adams State University. Your professors gang up of other professors, tell lies and isolate. Shame on all of you with the exception of a few good ones.
December 17, 2016 at 9:47am CIELO is a nice little sinecure for retiring professors, and they don't have to do anything much other than organize meetings for "people who identify as white" where they can eat, drink, feel bad about their white privilege and feel good about confessing their white privilege. And Title Five pays for all that. It's a great little gig because you don't have to prove efficacy. There are no tangible measures of success, no hard numbers that show all the bloviating and breast-beating amounts to any real improvement for students.
December 17, 2016 at 12:46am "I wasn't joking earlier, I'm completely serious. When will CIELO address the fact that the ASU president thought it was appropriate to dress in a fat suit with rotting teeth, ridiculing people who are overweight, cannot afford dentistry, and working a blue collar job like plumbing, and then uploading the photos to Facebook while writing “ain't I pretty?” This is ASU where few have the backbone to stand up to this sort of treatment. We are afraid to speak up for fear we won't graduate. We just let it ride and keep our mouths shut. Mock people who are over weight? Sure that's fine. People who are "below the president", like my family? Sure that's fine. There are no truly "courageous conversations" here, just a lot of posing. If you want to know about courageous conversations, then get in touch with us, your students with real challenges like families that don't support us, and kids, and jobs. Our president has no idea about our challenges and hasn't tried.
December 16, 2016 at 11:40pm I wasn't joking earlier, I'm completely serious. When will CIELO address the fact that the ASU president thought it was appropriate to dress in a fat suit with rotting teeth, ridiculing people who are overweight, cannot afford dentistry, and working a blue collar job like plumbing, and then uploading the photos to Facebook while writing “ain't I pretty?” This is patently offensive on multiple levels: body shaming and classism. On any other campus, this would have prompted the president to apologize and release a public statement expressing regret for their choices. This could be a teachable moment! Like someone else pointed out, this would certainly be unacceptable behavior for President Obama, the president of Harvard, Governor Hickenlooper, etc. But at Adams State, this issue gets swept under the rug and everyone pretends as if nothing happened. Even bringing it up generates allegations that you're against ASU. No, I want the president to behave like a thoughtful campus leader and a mature adult. That's not too much to ask of someone making over $200,000 annually plus benefits – billed to students and taxpayers. CIELO is “Community for Inclusive Excellence, Leadership & Opportunity.” Their website states their vision as: “CIELO leads and supports actions that transform ASU into a model for inclusive excellence by promoting equity, cultural responsiveness, diversity, and community engagement.” And it states their mission as: "Through reflection, self-assessment, and collective leadership, the CIELO advocates to eradicate structural barriers to equity and inclusion throughout our campus community.” Their web page lists their contact information: Carol Guerrero-Murphy, Emeritus Professor of English Title V Conexiones Activity Director and CIELO-Liaison for Diversity and Inclusion Porter Hall 144A - Suite 3060 719-587-8614 CIELO has brown bag luncheons every other week (including the day after Christmas, according to the website). They discuss “increasing our skill and knowledge about social justice issues.” So will Carol Guerrero-Murphy take a lead in facilitating this “courageous conversation” about fat-shaming and classism, since President McClure will not be? And if CIELO refuses to address a glaring, painful issue of inclusive excellence and social justice on its own campus, why should it exist?
December 16, 2016 at 5:17pm Reading some local news stories and subsequent comments, I find it disappointing and disheartening that speaking out about injustices or calling for change from influential (very well paid) leaders in our community is automatically equated with somebody being “ignorant”, “bashing”, and “negative”. If it comes from people within the institution, with firsthand knowledge, their experiences are trivialized and they are “biting the hand that feeds them.” Same thing tends to happen when you question what is happening in politics at a national level. There are many people that have justified complaints that are all being lumped together as whiny and vindictive with a personal agenda. I can reassure anybody keeping track – that is not the case. There are things happening that need to be investigated and discussed in an open and safe format. Judging from the comments I’ve read, we aren’t there yet and the fear of retribution is quite real. Most people don’t complain or LEAVE a place of employment they LOVE just because they are “out to destroy ASU”. We have seen good individuals (faculty and staff) depart ASU this academic year. I personally know that they love their jobs and their students. They leave because they realize staying in an environment of retaliation and intimidation is no longer healthy for them on a personal level. Every company, business, organization, and institution has problems. Ignoring them or attacking individuals that highlight these problems is counterproductive and ineffective. Like most things in life, in order to grow and prosper you have to acknowledge things that are detrimental to your success. To do so is healthy and necessary. Until we receive complete transparency on ALL issues, we will continue to spin our wheels and see quality faculty, staff, and students give up and leave our institution and our community. - Daisy Valdez
To the comment regarding CIELO, I find myself wondering the same thing. There was absolutely nothing inclusively excellent about the President's Halloween costume. In fact, if anything, it was the polar opposite of inclusive. To be honest, McClure's presence on campus has generate nothing but division and exclusion. Will there be a Standing Strong march for our friends and colleagues who happen to be overweight? I doubt it but there should be. And this is the problem with CIELO, it discusses all the hard topics except the ones right here on campus. The issues beyond our little bubble are important, and they should be discussed, but the very future of this university is on the verge of collapse. And yet, despite this, all I hear around campus are people talking about the fact that we have been in similar situations previously and one way or another we will prevail. I know it's frightening to wake up one day and realize the job you've always thought stable is no longer so, but you can only externalize the situation for so long, eventually you have to address the issue head one. Adams State is in trouble. The HLC means business. And we need to be discussing how to secure our future, because all of our jobs depend on it. Our children depend on it. Our families depend on it. Our students depend on it. The local economy depends on it. You can all keep blaming Danny for ASU's demise if you'd like but believe me, what ASU faces next fall is a much larger challenge than Danny Ledonne. Ironically, what Ledonne, McClure, and CIELO all have in common is that they all distract from the real issue, which is positioning ASU for reaccreditation. However, where they differ is in the fact that through December 15th, 2016, the most consistent efforts to address the actual issues affecting ASU's quality have come from Watching Adams, not McClure or CIELO. It's time to wake up people. Come hell or high water, the HLC is coming to town.
December 15, 2016 at 4:20pm Commenter at 3:15: That is an excellent question!
December 15, 2016 at 3:15pm Will CIELO be sponsoring a "Courageous Conversation" about why wearing a fat suit to a Halloween party and uploading the photos to Facebook is not presidential behavior?
December 15, 2016 at 1:23pm So you've got to write about how now the Salazar ranch barn is apparently now an event center!!!!!!! LOL, get em Danny!!
December 15, 2016 at 11:53am Ironically, this website only exists because ASU is so bad at communicating with its own people and the broader community. For example, Dr Tomlin apprised us of several students who had recently performed particularly well - instances of "great stories begin here" at ASU. But instead of being all over the front page of its own website, you have to go hunting through this tangled cyber-maze to find any mention of it. Same with serious issues. Instead of the Mattiau report on Extended Studies being in a prominent place, it was buried. I only found out about it through Watching Adams. I suspect WA would have died after the LeDonne court case, but then ASU began broadcasting blatant lies. The Valley Courier did not challenge ASU's mendacity, so the dying embers of WA were blown back to life. ASU only has itself to blame.
December 14, 2016 at 10:51pm Alamosa’s very own telenovela! This website amazes me! Everyone is talking about it, so I had to check this out! OMG! I think everyone really underestimated Danny Ledonne! Even the people that are against him are posting on his website, and by now more than a few of them are probably fans. That's really the success of this site. It’s become the unofficial news source from ASU. Those who love it read it, and those that hate it read it too! You don’t believe me? Just check out the stats. More than 125,000 views all time from 18,000 unique viewers. WOW! That’s a lot of repeat customers. The sad truth is that as a student you really have to be crazy to come and study at this University. Whether you like this site or not, it reveals what many have known for a long time, ASU has a lot of problems. Seems like there is a lot of infighting! Very sad! I am very concerned about the quality of what Adams State offers its students. The fact that administrators have been unable to resolve the division evident on Watching Adams and that faculty and staff are clearly at each others throats, well, if nothing else it is a signal that things are bad. Students need to remember they have the power. "Student Power": If you are paying for this "telenovela", don't waist you time and money! Go to a better University! Once students leave and tuition flows slow down administrators will be forced to start thinking about the real problems and focus on creating high quality education! I’ve heard that 70% of Adams State’s money comes from tuition and that only 30% comes from the government. If that’s true, students are the ones in control, they just don’t realize it! And if students begin to walk there won’t be time to keep fighting because the university won’t be able to fund itself. Uh, and they say Adams State is a Hispanic Serving Institution? WTF? Are you serious? I’m Hispanic and the only thing Hispanic about ASU is CASA and I’ve heard that they have to beg for money just to stay afloat. Has the president even been there? I saw her speak there once, for like 30 seconds, but I’m not sure she went in. But she must have stayed long enough to realize that the most Hispanic-serving building on campus is a HUD trailer! I mean, come on! Really? You’ve got to be kidding! And then there is the Spanish program that is run by ONE professor. What kind of Hispanic Serving Institution offers a Spanish degree with one professor? Or for that matter, any degree with one professor! As for the Halloween party, I am not from Alamosa and I know everyone can dress like they want for Halloween but really, she’s the President of a University! Would people tolerate the president of Harvard dressing up in a fat suit? Would they tolerate president Obama dressing up in a fat suit? What if Governor Hickenlooper dressed up in a fat suit? You know the answer! It was inappropriate! The fact that people hold McClure to a lesser standard reveals something important about ASU, people don’t respect it! They justify her actions because in their mind they go, ‘It’s just Adams State.” Come on people, if you really want to create great stories you have to be willing to hold yourself to the standards of great people! I just hope a few good people stand up at ASU before it’s too late! The writing is on the wall people. If you don’t see it by now then you must be blind! ---Editor's Reply: Thanks for your support! As of this post, Watching Adams has 143,446 views and 21,430 visitors. If you'd like to make a donation to support our work and to keep this site going strong, click on the PayPal button on the About Us page.
December 14, 2016 at 10:45pm Waah, waah, waah, what a bunch of crybabies. This site is a joke. You know what, if you are offended by a halloween costume, lose some weight. Jealous of the presidents hair and makeup, then earn more money. Didn't think her teeth were funny, then get a job or apply for obamacare and drain tax money from people who work for a living. Leaving? Good. Fight your fight or your weight problem somewhere else. I think president McClure should wear whatever she wants without answering to anybody. Especially whiners.
December 14, 2016 at 9:41pm Based on what I heard about Senate yesterday, meaning friction between McClure and Gilmer and a letter chastising (?) him and his being shut out of Extended Studies changes, it's no surprise she wore a fat suit to his Halloween party. What more could she do to insult him? Chastise was the word I heard, but does anyone know what she said? Was she there? That would be odd wouldn't it? I didn't think she normally went to senate meetings.
December 14, 2016 at 9:11pm I really appreciate the links posted in the 6:15 comment. Saying "hey, laugh at me because I'm pretending to be fat" reveals alot about this "leader". Reading those links helped me understand why I feel like I do, why she is so inappropraite.
December 14, 2016 at 9:08pm Hey Pres, I'm one of your obese students. How much time do you spend on your expensive treadmill? And how much money on your hair and makeup? Do you have a personal trainer? Have you ever seriously had to fight a weight problem. I'll be at another school next semester, far from you.
December 14, 2016 at 7:57pm This website is outstanding! The transparency accomplishments in such a short time should be commended. Mcclure MUST GO! We may need a Watching Alamosa County and Watching the City of Alamosa!
December 14, 2016 at 6:15pm This issue of Dr. McClure's Halloween costume isn't that complicated or nuanced. It might be okay to dress in a fat suit when you are in college, but not when you're a college president. This is fraternity/sorority behavior, not that of the public face of a public university. I might suggest some light reading for Dr. McClure over the holiday break. But don't expect an apology from her because she doesn't admit anything is her mistake. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire - "Are Fat Suits the New Blackface?" http://www.uwec.edu/WAGE/upload/AreFatSuitsTheNewBlackface.pdf from '7 Reasons Not To Buy A Fat Suit Costume This Halloween' this summary: "By wearing a fat suit — regardless of whether it's to dress like a specific character or not — the person sporting it is essentially saying they find fat people laughable. They're openly invalidating plus size individuals for what they look like, and turning somebody else's appearance into a joke. It's especially cruel when you consider that the person will likely encounter a fat person at a Halloween party or their local bar's holiday-themed night. And that fat person will probably feel pretty sh*t at the sight of their body type being ridiculed." https://www.bustle.com/articles/117069-7-reasons-not-to-buy-a-fat-suit-costume-this-halloween
December 14, 2016 at 2:42am Danny, In regards to facebook. You are not as clever or anonymous as you think you are. You slipped up on one. Good luck. ----Editor's Reply: There certainly hasn't been an attempt to be "clever or anonymous" in sharing Watching Adams content on Facebook. I was approached several weeks ago by the administrator of Antonito News because they appreciate the work we're doing. Subsequently, we arranged for Watching Adams articles to be published there. I actually have serious doubts about distributing content directly through Facebook (such as by creating a Watching Adams Facebook page) because many people with a critical view do not have the comfort of posting as a named source. Imagine how dangerous "liking" Watching Adams on Facebook would be - how many ASU administrators and other officials would use that list to form their own "watch lists" against ASU employees. Nonetheless, I view Facebook as a platform for sharing relevant information and appreciate the opportunity to partner with Antonito News in doing so. In the past few days alone, we've gotten over 4,000 site referrals to Watching Adams from Facebook - resulting in the highest levels of readership in 15 months of running this website! For myself, I am willing to speak out publicly and maintain this forum as an identified person because I have long believed that someone must. I often receive thanks for running Watching Adams by people who do not have the privilege to speak up for themselves, due to ongoing and documented acts of retaliation. As Colorado is an at-will employment state, many people are rightfully afraid to speak up and those who have often report being reprimanded for doing so (including for posts and comments on social media). Earlier today, I received this message from a current ASU employee: "Again, from everyone who doesn't have a voice right now, **thank you!!!!** We all understand it's not easy, but we greatly appreciate you and your efforts." Good luck to you, as well. Nice try. But the contradictions you and your "anonymous" page are spewing are increasingly showing the obvious. On Antonito News they or should I say you claim that Watching Adams approached the page because of the reach. Then they said there was no attempt to be biased and they never liked any of the content through facebook likes. Lies. Now you're on here saying they contacted you to arrange to publish your articles. So which one is it? I'll wait for one of your and Antonito News' detailed answers. Interesting as well how yes Antonito News has clicked like on things critical of ASU but once someone called it out your using your other page to promote Watching Adams it suddenly stopped. But guess which social media account has taken up the mantle and liked and commented....you guessed it....Danny Leddone's. Keep denying it but it is obvious you are one of the administrators if not the administrator. As for other potential administrators I wonder if public officials should be involved in something like that? ----Editor's Reply: Danny Ledonne is not nor ever has been an administrator of Antonito News. His comments are his own and he does not speak on behalf of Antonito News. The administrator of the Antonito News Facebook page first contacted Danny through his personal account in October 2016. He agreed to start publishing Watching Adams articles, beginning with the editorial "Field Notes from the Valley of Fear." Thanks to sponsorship from donors to Watching Adams, Antonito News has agreed to boost Facebook posts written by Watching Adams. They are disclosed as such. Danny Ledonne has "liked" and "followed" Antonito News on Facebook. In full disclosure, Danny Ledonne is the sole administrator of the following Facebook pages: Emberwilde Productions, Duck: a Duckumentary, and A Perilous Journey - all of which are related to his video production company. Nice try again. But more misinformation. No, the posts are not disclosed as such. Not until very recently that is. The only disclosure was them showing up on other profiles as paid advertisements. Once again not until you all got called out did you start writing "paid and sponsored for" at the end of the article. Their is definite partnership between the two entities which you Danny Ledonne just confirmed, and which Antonito News, has lied about. Also on my first post on here I didn't even mention Antonito News did I? Thanks for your own assumption though. It's great! ----Editor's Reply: both recent commentary articles written by Watching Adams and published on Antonito News state: "The [sic] is a sponsored post written & funded by Watching Adams." The previous Antonito News Facebook post about NCLEX pass rates was also sponsored but Antonito News did not state this at the time. That is their administrative decision, not ours. Given that Danny Ledonne does not share Watching Adams content on his personal Facebook page, this was the only reasonable assumption to make. However, Watching Adams articles have been shared on Facebook dozens of times so it is possible that other references are not within our purview to discuss. If you have further questions at this time, we would encourage you to contact us individually so this forum can be available for other topics.
December 13, 2016 at 12:22pm Beverlee McClure has been making costly mistakes almost since her arrival. Her conduct got the university sued by the ACLU, made a bad situation with the HLC worse, made ASU the laughing stock of mainstream and academic press, created lies and cover-ups from multiple academic and financial ethical violations, strained relations with community partners, polarized faculty and staff, condescended students, and worsened the university's enrollment every semester while giving raises to all her cronies in administration. If that doesn't count as doing something wrong, it's hard to imagine what aspect of the university is left for her to screw up. We should all focus on how to make improvements on our campus and help our students learn better. That starts with demanding accountable and effective leadership. Until the ship is steered in the right direction, no amount of rowing is going to get ASU out of dangerous waters.
December 13, 2016 at 11:41pm Could McClure be a better president? YES. Does she deserve ouster? Absolutely NOOOOO!!! She didn't do anything wrong. People pushing for vote of no confidence here are being emotional and completely out of touch with the reality. You guys need to clam down and stop escalating things. We all should be focusing on how to make improvements on our campus and help our students learn better. Think for the future of our students we are serving at ASU!!!!!
December 13, 2016 at 7:19pm It's not that people are turning "this into an entirely different problem than what originally existed" or that "rather than go after and try to fix the true issue, people are using this as an opportunity to further their own agendas and try to oust a leader that they do not care for." There is no one single issue at ASU. There is no one single problem. There is a RATS NEST of issues and problems that feed off each other in sick, twisted, parasitic symbiosis. We can't talk about any one problem without it connecting with three others. And this is the true tragedy of Adams State. There is no one person who bears all the responsibility, whose dismissal would magically fix things. McClure may go down - and well she should - but until fully HALF of administration and their nasty faculty lackeys also go, ASU will continue its slow but steady fade to black. If anyone ever really cleans house someday, the halls will echo with emptiness. It never should have gotten this far.
December 13, 2016 at 6:42pm December 13, 2016 at 5:55pm asks why no one in ES has been held accountable. I've wondered the same. In a healthy, functioning organization, responsibility ultimately resides with leadership and leadership is quickly held accountable when core mission or central values go awry. The fact that no one in ES has yet been held accountable is a crystal clear sign of a dysfunctional organization. As a friend recently and wryly noted, ASU is not a normal operating environment. An archived November 3, 2016 comment at 8:29pm touched on this issue: "Interesting question considering something I heard the other day... that Mr. Roybal is "not worried.” “He has enough dirt on others that is he is fired others will go down as well...and the administration doesn't want that. Gossip? Probably...but again one has to wonder why nobody has been accountable..." I don't care for gossip, but what else are people to do in such an abjectly abnormal operating environment? Oh, that's right - leave. And they are, in droves.
December 13, 2016 at 6:23pm I believe that is the previous commenter's point exactly. Why has nothing been done? Because instead people turned this into an entirely different problem than what originally existed, and now time and effort is spent on mudslinging instead of problem solving.
December 13, 2016 at 5:55pm The previous comment raises an obvious question: if there have been severe and systemic problems with Extended Studies for so long, why did McClure deny this in her March 2016 letter to the HLC and why wasn't there an external investigation until after Gilmer arrived? And why, why hasn't anyone been fired or otherwise disciplined for these actions? The inaction on such serious matters is a sign of McClure's deeply inadequate leadership.
December 13, 2016 at 5:01pm To the "Former ES employee with direct knowledge"... As an ES employee, I am pretty willing to bet that I know who you are and that you, your program and your shady dealings were part of the problem and part of the reason that HLC took a hard look at our department and programs. As far as your direct knowledge goes, is it truly direct knowledge, or something that a peer shared with you? Throwing someone else under the bus to make themselves look better? The continued resistance to integrating with the rest of the campus, the wish to stay as it's own entity, the "let's just turn a blind eye" mentality, the lack of willingness to address issues as they come up, as opposed to waiting for them to blow up, the continued lack of communication and half truths that are constantly told to employees...these are the reasons that this department may never realize it's full potential. This is a program and University that I wholeheartedly believe in. The fact of the matter is, this university is in the trouble that it is in, ie: being on probation, because of a few people who sat at the top, ignored issues, turned a blind eye, or just felt that they would never be caught or questioned. This entire thing has turned into a witch hunt against President McClure, and has completely overshadowed the fact that the people at the head of the department no only knew that they were doing wrong, knew what and when they were doing wrong, but for the sake of making money, showed absolutely no remorse for their actions. Why has this been completely forgotten? In any other institution, corporation or *any* business, for that matter, if issues like these had been discovered, these people would have lost their jobs immediately. They should count themselves lucky at this point. These employees' actions single-handedly put this university under it's current probationary status, but every one is happier to turn the issue into something else entirely. Just another reason that things may not get taken care of....rather than go after and try to fix the true issue, people are using this as an opportunity to further their own agendas and try to oust a leader that they do not care for. For this university to survive and actually thrive, focus needs to be shifted back to the real issues/problems. Being a pot stirrer for the sake of ruffling some feathers is completely counterproductive. Let's turn focus back to where it belongs and actually fix the situation. Should this university not make it, the students, faculty, administrative employees and eventually all of the valley, will feel the horrible impact.
December 13, 2016 at 3:11pm You know, some older ASU employees may wear adult diapers due to incontinence, not because they are babies who are easily offended. Or in the case of Ed Crowther, because they are so full of shit.
December 13, 2016 at 2:34pm I am no fan boy of this administration. With that said, if anyone is or was offended by McClure's Halloween costume is a thin skinned, political correct infant. They're are people running around this campus with safety pins on their shirts, ask one of them to help change your diaper.
December 13, 2016 at 1:10pm Sure, and while we are Facebook stalking people, also check out Beverlee and Margaret's trip to Las Vegas. Ask yourself: is their personal relationship having an adverse effect on their workplace conduct and performance? Given that McClure has put Margaret in charge of HLC accreditation despite being highly unqualified to do so, it seems the answer is yes. Anyone who was present for Margaret's painfully uncomfortable VPAA interview knows this is true. You may or may not have been offended by a silly Halloween party, but you should be deeply upset that McClure has placed personal loyalty far above the qualifications that everyone at ASU relies on for Adams State to remain open.
December 13, 2016 at 12:52pm Check out David creels facebook page to see his photos of that Halloween party. See how he and his husband Chris Gilmer were dressed. Look at McClure's page too. Get the true picture of the halloween party that David and Chris hosted. Nobody looks offended as far as I can tell
December 13, 2016 at 7:44am To the inebriant at 9:56, 12/12, normally one shouldn’t drink and text but in your case it’s entertainment.
December 12, 2016 at 11:37pm Mike, Should we have confidence in McClure's ability to take the HLC fiasco seriously? I don't think so. Margaret Doell hasn't a clue and Karla Hardesty is one part of the problem that remains of the old guard. Hardesty was directly responsible for some, if not most, policies, procedures and oversight within the Extended Studies independent study and distance degree programs while an employee of that department. These same policies are what the HLC took issue with so many years later. Now, ironically, Hardesty works hand in hand with McClure to try and save us from this mess. Tell me, how can we have confidence in that? Simply put, the University is screwed. -Former ES employee with direct knowledge
December 12, 2016 at 9:56pm I support you and this is the end resut. This site sickness me. ----Editor's Reply: We don't know who or what this is in reference to. Please get some rest and feel better soon! I know this site is run by Jeff and now Gilmore's husband. That is why it has become something it was never meant to be. Classified employees do not support this site. I do not support this site. ----Editor's Reply: This site is owned and operated by Danny Ledonne, its creator and sole person ever to have administrative access. As a matter of policy and with respect to all involved, Watching Adams does not confirm or deny affiliation with any individual at ASU. Gilmer's husband is now the editor. Push McClure out so you and Gilmore can move in. Gilmore has only stated it twice. That is why you brought all that furniture with you. Tell the truth, Gilmore came from a poor background, but you are a rich boy. Look at the vehicle you drive. I hear that you have a house cleaner and cook. You should be ashamed! Boundaries have been crossed. I hope you understand boundaries, but it is aperantly past your thought process. ----Editor's Reply: It may disappoint you to learn this, but Watching Adams contributors have no official organizational roles. Some write regularly, others infrequently, review drafts and documents, donate or in other ways support this website. We cannot confirm or deny any individual's involvement on this website, including your own. Much of what you have written is a personal grievance of which I am not aware, cannot speak to, and certainly is not relevant to the structure and functioning of this website. Get some rest and consider using a spellchecker. The Danny I know would never lower himself to this ----Editor's Reply: Although I am not sure what you are referencing as "this," Watching Adams is composed of many people who have different opinions and ideas (like any group of people). We collaborate but also respect one another's perspectives and our publication reflects that.
December 12, 2016 at 9:10pm Wow! 143 people 65% of the people at Adams State University wish to see Beverlee J. McClure pack up her cheap high heels, trashy 1990's couture, and mean girl persona and vacate Marvel House! Drink up, Bev, maybe Clovis will take you back as their President in the strip mall. Maybe not.
December 12, 2016 at 5:48pm Not sure if people are aware but President McClure has criticized and reprimanded staff at ASU for their civil Facebook posts on their personal pages. It's inappropriate to reprimand people for their actions when what you have done is much worse.
December 12, 2016 at 5:15pm As a business school professor, Dr Tomlin will attest that employees in any successful large organization will have key performance indicators included in their employee contracts. If Dr McClure's performance measures up favorably with her contract's KPIs, then surely the critics should shut their mouths. She is no doubt proud of her achievements so far, so I am sure she would have no hesitation in making public her annual review results. Right?
December 12, 2016 at 4:58pm
The banality of Mike Tomlin's questions reveals a shallow understanding of why so many people are losing confidence in Dr McClure's ability continue at ASU's helm.
"Do we have confidence in her ability to appoint top level executives such as [....] Chris Gilmer?" It's an open secret that McClure did not want to appoint Gilmer, that she preferred Margaret, but knew there would be a quiet riot if Margaret was selected. It was the unanimity of faculty senate that forced McClure to appoint Gilmer, not McClure's acumen. It is an open secret that she is now trying to side-line him and put Margaret in charge.
"Do we not have confidence in her ability to build relationships with community leaders...?" No we don't. If you talk to city counselors, you will discover an alarming proportion find her imperious, arrogant, a poor listener and disengaged. Go talk to them yourself. Suspend your prejudice for a couple of hours, earn their trust, and hear what they say.
"Do you have confidence that her team will be able to pull off a nice graduation on Saturday?" Is that a serious question? If she can't do that, she isn't qualified to run a kindergarten.
What's really funny is that I presume Mike considers his questions sensible while questions about McClure's performance "...are thin and have no credibility."
To quote an earlier commentator who succinctly enumerated McClure's poor standing, "we have seen no improvement in recruitment, retention, graduation, financial status, credit rating, staff and student morale, public reputation, or regulator and funder relationships." And of course we can add to that, that she is a documented liar and a fear monger. All of these claims are backed up by facts and figures, all in the public arena. But I guess like Trump, let's not have facts and figures get in the way of the truth.
By contrast, Dr Tomlin can't produce any documents that support his notion that we should continue to have confidence in Dr MClure.
December 12, 2016 at 4:29pm Dr Tomlin says that some contributors to this site show disrespect for some board members and "derision of seniority and rank." Whether that is legitimate depends on whether you think respect is earned or bestowed. Should we suspend critical thinking and rational analysis and doff our caps when ASU's lords and ladies pass? Do we believe that their status proves they are inherently better than the rest of us, despite their actions, just as being crowned king was once thought to be an expression of God's favor? American exceptionalism is built on the idea that people are judged by what they do. Respect is earned. The Founding Fathers were explicit in their condemnation for people who have power simply because of their breeding or their class or the office conferred upon them by even more powerful people. If one takes into consideration all of Dr McClure's activities since her appointment, one must come to the conclusion, based on her list of achievements and her failures, that she has overall performed poorly. The level of respect she has garnered is earned.
December 12, 2016 at 4:15pm We'll see how many of the commentators on this site will fall for Mr. Tomlins trap to distract from the real issues at hand. I'll bet that some will not be able to resist and address his latest reflection on what should be done or not done at ASU. Let Mike say what Mike says and for the rest of us, stay the course. Anyone else given a thought that maybe Mike's long reflections are heartily encouraged and calculated by top administration.
December 12, 2016 at 4:12pm With the continued talks of trust, professionalism, and whether or not people have been acting ethical, people need to look at others instead of just the president. Whether or not she stays at a function is her call--not anyone else's. We all had the freedom to attend and leave when we wanted. And because people are questioning this is simply juvenile. Why are you stooping so low to be this picky about something this trivial? As I stated in the first sentence, look past the president at others who claim to have such "clean" records and possibly have not done anything wrong--I am looking at you, Carol Smith. Even though you do not work here anymore, let's see if you have lived up to the high ethical standards you keep others at. You conducted yourself in a unprofessional manner, trying to champion causes to secure you and your husband (who lack the degree and teaching ability to teach). You knew you were leaving ASU for a while. Although you have the right, you took a very long vacation at an inopportune time. You cut people off at the knees from time to time. You took a job in Idaho, while still working for ASU and your long vacation, only to really be there for a few days, before leaving to go to the Colorado School of Mines. I hope people will question your ethical leadership capabilities. As much as you think you are strong, you created your own demise at ASU. You were just waiting until you could fully blame your leaving on someone else. Then you left Idaho high and dry after a few days. If I were at Mines, I would question your abilities. The funny irony in all of this is that you created your own demise. I am thankful that you and all the others who are so opposed to ASU have left/are leaving.
December 12, 2016 at 4:07pm Intriguing, don' t you think, that two out of three of Mikes' questions on a possible no-confidence vote against McClure are about himself? Why do you think anyone really cares about your scholarship or your color or your gender when considering such a question? It does raise another question though, and that is of your own narcissism.
December 12, 2016 at 3:58pm Perhaps Tomlin would do well to reread the comment on December 11, 2016 @ 5:10: "To all those who have voted against holding a "no confidence" referendum, I have a question. What are you so scared of? If you really think that she is the bees knees, that she has proved her worth and that her practices and policies have been effective at lifting ASU's prospects, then surely such a vote would be a slam dunk. If she wins, her opponents lose all legitimacy. Dissent ended with the click of fingers, just like that. But of course you are pretty certain that she would lose. And that's why you are desperate to ward off a vote." Yes, Mike, What are you afraid of?
December 12, 2016 at 2:24pm Should there be a no confidence vote? That is serious water to step into. First, what is your credibility to ask the question? The strength of this site has ranged from the size of my CUPA, the scholarship I have engaged in, and that I am a white (I am not) male (I am). So based upon that evidence you think you should call for a vote of no confidence for our President? But wait, there's more. Your bona fides continue with snappy observations of when the president did or did not leave the Christmas party. You have also written at length about her Halloween costume evidently at a party. Really? And all of the feigned offense - yep there's evidence of the need for a vote. Then you call out senior faculty - Professors Alvarez, Crowther, Loosbrock, Reid, Schell, and others. You signal to the BOT your disrespect and in fact have chronicled on this site your derision of seniority and rank. You show that you resent the best of our faculty for the dedicated and voluminous work they do, work that many of you are simply not good enough, or ambitious enough to do. So there is more evidence that we should vote on our confidence in the president. And then we have to ask confidence to do what? A vote of confidence is not like a "like" on social media. Do we not have confidence in her ability to appoint top level executives such as Curt Cary and Chris Gilmore? Do we not have confidence in her ability to build relationships with community leaders - City Council, Chamber, etc? Do we not have confidence that her team will be able to pull off a nice graduation on Saturday? Do you not have confidence that your December paycheck will be cashable? What are you not confident in that is the work of the president? You see, you have to have reasons for asking the question. Yours are thin, and have no credibility. There's another problem too. Once we go to the no-confidence vote, regardless of the outcome, we will have opened the genie lamp. Next the BOT will be toying with opening the tenure question, and considering post-tenure review. They could put a freeze on promotions that just might "frost" some of you wannabees who don't respect the rank you aspire to. No, these votes are not games for children to play and there generally is blow-back. A wise faculty and a wise faculty senate will reject the call out-of-hand. And then those who do the work can return to the very serious work we have ahead of us, the president and her team doing theirs, and others of us doing ours. That would be a good Christmas present for the entire university community. Michael Tomlin Professor Management
December 12, 2016 at 1:41pm This occurrence at Adams State reminds me very much of what happened on Halloween at the Univ. of Louisville where the President and his minions wore stereotypical Mexican costumes and an apology was made via the Wash. Post! - so tasteless and infantile, definitely insulting! College president apologizes for wearing stereotypical Mexican costume for Halloween party https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/10/30/college-president-wore-stereotypical-mexican-costume-for-halloween
December 12, 2016 at 10:55am "You want a safe space? Move to Boulder," says Commenter December 11, 2016 at 9:51pm. This of course is an admission that ASU is not a safe place, despite McClure's proclamation to the contrary. And instead of working towards making ASU safe again, our commentator supports Mcclure's answer to every problem.... If you don't like it, then just get the hell outa here. Sad.
December 11, 2016 at 10:51pm SO IS President McClure LYING AND WRITING ONLY TO HER FACEBOOK COMMUNITY? She posted this on her Facebook page? Did she deliver this OR WRITE/SEND THIS MESSAGE TO THE ASU EMPLOYEES? ?? OR DID ONLY SELECT I'VE PEOPLE GET THIS MESSAGE AT ASU??? WHAT'S THE TRUTH??? ----Editor's Reply: This commentator then copied/pasted the full text of this message as originally published by ASU and on Dr. McClure's personal Facebook page, which was later republished by other news outlets. We aren't going to publish the full text here in the interest of space considerations but encourage readers to consider it and also the commentary we published in response. Also, a friendly reminder that CAPSLOCK IS LIKE YELLING AT PEOPLE ONLINE and is strongly discouraged.
December 11, 2016 at 10:48pm Have you noticed that no one is able to directly and specifically defend any of the dozens of serious issues Adams State has incurred, particularly the serious errors in judgment and poor leadership skills of President McClure? Instead, the response is to attempt to silence people, write off their motives for raising the issue at all, or assert that they don't need to address these serious problems because they don't like the people raising them? It's also a response almost exclusively to the San Luis Valley area – a crude and shameful form of tribalism that prevents honest and open efforts for change. That's why “outsiders” who arrive on the scene (like Dr. Gilmer) must be instantly demonized and their efforts to assess the scope of the problems (like the Mathieu report) must be curtailed, blocked, or transferred (by President McClure) to the leadership-approved cronies (like Margaret Doell). This is because Beverlee McClure's conduct is indefensible. It is indefensible by academic practice, by financial and ethical guidelines, in federal court, and in the realm of human decency. So before you attempt to discredit the many substantive arguments that have been made about the case for a vote of “no confidence” in McClure, ask yourself if you have genuine intellectual ground to stand upon or if your brazen words are spoken from atop quicksand that is sinking, sinking fast.
December 11, 2016 at 9:51pm Stop the witch hunt because the feelings of a teacher, Danny whatever his name is, were hurt. Life is hard and you don't always get your way. You want a safe space? Move to Boulder. Want your job back? Be a good teacher. The valley relies on this school and it is not only for Hispanics. The white kids get degrees there too. ----Editor's Reply: It was, of course, President McClure who proclaimed in her post-election campus message that ASU is a “safe space.” Our commentary asserts that while that is indeed a worthwhile goal in some sense, the campus is far from a safe space for many who work there. And sadly, an embarrassing number of good teachers have left and continue to leave ASU. It is precisely because the SLV deserves the best institution Adams State can be that we are calling out its deficiencies and offering solutions to address immediate and systemic issues, even as many on campus have experienced retaliation for attempting to do so within the proper channels as defined by the university's dysfunctional shared governance model.
December 11, 2016 at 9:50pm Regarding the Mathieu report, someone asked: "Where's the transparency, and what's happening now that the 'listening period' is done?" I believe Bev and Margo are blocking any action to make Dr. Gilmer look bad and to cover their mistakes in claiming it was all fixed, the HLC was just being unfair, etc. They want Margaret to head this effort, a disaster in the making.
December 11, 2016 at 8:37pm Following the release of the Mathieu Report, Dr. Gilmer requested feedback from campus. While the Mathieu Report was published, or referenced in numerous venues, the feedback - some of which refuted or reframed the report's findings - was not, even though some of it was intended to be public, or could be considered public record. Where's the transparency, and what's happening now that the 'listening period' is done? ----Editor's Reply: We would be happy to post any additional documents as they become available and can request documents through open records requests, but only final releases and not "work product" that is not yet published.
December 11, 2016 at 8:30pm You might consider adding a method here that enables the sending of attachments. Some things are too large to be effectively put in the comment space. ----Editor's Reply: For a variety of web interface and security reasons, we aren't able to allow for attachments to be uploaded to the comments page unless they can be processed as linked images or other already-online content. If you have additional information to share, please provide a contact email address and we can follow up with you privately.
December 11, 2016 at 8:15pm The letter referenced appears to be a personal attack on the President. Who initiated the letter and was the document actually signed by faculty? I have sincere concerns about anyone attacking another when its unwarranted, but my daughter attends the school as a bi-racial student and has never experienced any of this the writer documents. Additionally, my bride graduated from ASU in 1984 and supports the school 100% and.........she is 100% Hispanic. The problem with the Internet is that there are no consequences for those pushing bad information and/or those with ill-will in their heart. I hope this letter is simply BS. Supporter of ASU David R. Osborn ----Editor's Reply: This Watching Adams commentary about intimidation at ASU was drafted by our staff, a group of current and former ASU employees with a commitment to public accountability at ASU and with an interest in presenting divergent views from the administration's official narrative. As the article demonstrates, virtually every claim is linked to primary sources and/or represents the direct experiences of our staff of writers and researchers. This commentary is an analysis of the workplace conduct of the university's president, who is a public official. This does not represent a “personal attack” but rather a critique of Dr. McClure's decisions in office.
December 11, 2016 at 5:10pm To all those who have voted against holding a "no confidence" referendum, I have a question. What are you so scared of? If you really think that she is the bees knees, that she has proved her worth and that her practices and policies have been effective at lifting ASU's prospects, then surely such a vote would be a slam dunk. If she wins, her opponents lose all legitimacy. Dissent ended with the click of fingers, just like that. But of course you are pretty certain that she would lose. And that's why you are desperate to ward off a vote.
December 11, 2016 at 2:41pm Richard, I respect your courage, putting your name to your opinion. I confess that I have less mettle than you. And I detect that you are genuine in your belief. You're right, Dr McClure did inherit a real mess, and she does have the responsibility to correct past mistakes. She may have made some hard decisions but it's arguable that she did not make enough of them. Richardson and the BoT is still filled with the people who resided over the implementation and maintenance of those mistakes. If Dr McClure leaves, then indeed we will go backwards, to what is effectively Svaldi's administration. These are the people who allowed ASU's performance to deteriorate to the point where HLC had to intervene. She has certainly not done enough to sluice out the old and tired, nor has she done enough to usher in new blood and innovative thinkers. In fact, judging by the commentators below, she is actively trying to bury them. And in the meantime, we have seen no improvement in recruitment, retention, graduation, financial status, credit rating, staff and student morale, public reputation, or regulator and funder relationships. She has not exhibited any talent in any of these areas. So it would seem that she - and Svaldi's old sidekicks - need to go. If not, you're right, we could lose our university in Alamosa.
December 11, 2016 at 10:12am Regarding the poll results, wow, Bev and Margaret must be really busy running from computer to computer this morning! Thirty-two new votes in less than 2 hours. If anyone else is voting no, I'm guessing there is a lot they don't know about president McClure. The vote-of-no-confidence question closely parallels another question: do you want ASU to succeed? Vote no if that's how you really feel.
December 11, 2016 at 9:13am I have watch first hand when she took over at Adams. She has had to make some very hard decisions and came into a real mess at the college. Many problems that were allowed to exist with the previous administration she has the responsibility to correct. She deserves our respect for making hard choices and why would we want it to change back to what we had before in the previous administration. In that case we might and could loose the College in Alamosa. This is exactly why we're on probation now. - Richard Clark
December 11, 2016 at 8:43am Thank you, Ben, for having the courage to say what so many of us feel. Sixteen months ago when the hiring committe was split in the hiring of Beverlee MCClure, far from a unanimous decision, and with large opposition from many vocal tenured faculty, it was a time of great disapointment accross campus. Now, after so much time has passed, we hope the BOT have seen enough from her hypocrisy, intimidation, harrassment, bullying, and elitist behavior to ask for her resignation before the HLC give up on us, before Dr. Gilmer gives up on us, before the students, faculty, and staff turn away from us! It's time for others to be courageous and stand up for what is right.
December 11, 2016 at 12:43am Why are some faculty still have their jobs, knowingly corrupting ASU? It's not only McClure, but her inner circle are truly amoral ahumans such as Crowther, Lubrock, Alverez, and many others over there in McDaniel. These thieves should have been fired long time ago. Their salaries are higher than anyone of us here in the Art department. I am desperately seeking a way out of ASU because this institution is not what McClure portrayed it to be "diverse". A truck load of old white males and gays does not represent diversity here at ASU. And for the record McClure, you lack full understanding of what it means to be a "feminist". So, stop parading around the campus attempting to be something you are not!
December 10, 2016 at 11:21pm Thank you, Ben Waddell. I only hope the faculty senate can convince the BoT to rid the mean girl, McClure! Remove Margo from the ES reorganization! And save our HSI and accreditation! 2017 may be looking up!
December 10, 2016 at 8:13pm At ASU if you align yourself with your values and beliefs, and if they don’t align with the administration’s values and beliefs, you find yourself between a rock and a hard place. ASU is an HSI, and yet, anyone who actually commits to serving Hispanic students in practice is viewed with caution. Worse, if you genuinely commit yourself to challenging the status quo, you will be let go. Someone on this forum once wrote that your salary depends on where your ambition and talent meet. At ASU, that is hardly true. There are individuals on this campus that work day and night and have done so for years. Still, their pay is dismal compared to those who get in close with the President. I’d love to know what the total compensation packages look like for those individuals that run in McClure’s cadre. Beez? Doell? Alvarez? Crowther? At ASU your salary depends on your willingness to sell your morals down stream. Period. That’s it. There’s nothing more to it. As Dr. Crowther once said, “If you want to change something son, get in close with the president.” Given this, it’s likely not surprising that he’s also been quoted saying, “I reek of establishment.” And that, in the end, is why Dr. Gilmer represents such a threat to McClure. Dr. Gilmer is a genuine intellectual who is academically grounded and understands how to move ASU forward. However, his confidence and preparation represents a threat to the establishment. And unless the faculty and staff are willing to stand up, ASU is doomed. This is our moment. We must respond. The BoT meets on Friday, and there is still time to let them know who we stand with. If you care about your job, you need to communicate with them. Write them. Call them. Knock on their doors. Let them know who you stand with. Your job depends on it, and more importantly, our students’ education depends on it. - Benjamin James Waddell ----Editor's Reply: We have obtained itemized compensation data for these and other employees from fiscal years 2013-2016 and will be publishing this data when it has been prepared for release.
December 10, 2016 at 6:16pm Well, Dr. Gilmer certainly has never been called "the worst woman in America" by a nonprofit, written a pornographic autobiography, been sued for calling a faculty member a terrorist and lost, led a statewide organization in a deficit financial model, promoted a culture of fear and intimidation, or jeopardized a university's accreditation! And why are we assuming he even wants to lead this institution? I suspect he came here to do the job for which he was hired. It seems to me we should focus on Dr. McClure's "leading" us and what has become a long day's journey into night.
December 10, 2016 at 5:59pm JUST LIKE TRUMP? No qualifications necessary... Chris gilmer touted as ASUs next great hope was executive director of Alcon state university's expansion campus for only ONE year before coming to ASU. And he left University of Alaska SE in a bind to do it. How does this make him qualified to lead an institution?
December 10, 2016 at 4:51pm McClure has no commitment to our students or the San Luis Valley. She just wants to hide her mistakes long enough to get out of here. Once she's gone she won't look back and she won't care if hiding her mistakes cost ASU accreditation. Please, someone hire her away before she does any more damage.
December 10, 2016 at 4:46pm False advertising about iOpia? The article says: "reviews at Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, where it gets no fewer than 5 out of 5 stars." But it does get fewer: 3 stars in the only Amazon review and there are no reviews on Barnes and Noble. Huh, more BS?
December 10, 2016 at 3:22pm 50 SHADES OF DISGRACEFUL: While President of Adams State University, Dr. Beverlee Mclure, sits high above everyone on her pedestal in Richardson Hall acting as a role model for our young, impressionable students, her pornographic novel sends a message parents should take notice of. It was written under a pen name, B. Jeffries, and is by all accounts just a poorly written narcissist's failed attempt at fame, but reads more like an autobiogrophy. Dr. McClure defends her distasteful book called, iOpia and the reason she cowardly used a fake name as saying, "...I didn't want it to tarnish my brand." Well, what about your presidency? What about the legacy of Adams State? What about the reputation of our community, faculty, staff, students? And this, ladies and gentlemen, is your leader! Whipped cream, anyone? https://www.abqjournal.com/540797/whipped-cream-anyone.html
December 10, 2016 at 3:07pm Here's the thing about narcissistic people, particularly incompetent ones: they fear self-confident, competent people. Everything you have observed about the contrast between Beverlee McClure and Chris Gilmer could be boiled down to those dynamics. When I met Beverlee McClure in the summer of 2015, she seemed friendly and outgoing. But like many other people at ASU, I had my “McClure Moment” that revealed someone who is extremely superficial, uses the appearance of kindness as a means to an end, and quickly, viciously turns on anyone (and eventually, everyone) because she is deeply insecure in herself. She loathes honest and secure people, cannot accept criticism, cannot admit fault, and cannot embrace her own shortcomings. These are all flaws that must be externalized, lashing out at those who would raise areas to be improved – in herself and in her university. Conversely, getting to know Chris Gilmer has been the complete opposite experience for me. He is observant, careful and yet thoughtful, kind and yet assertive. He has shown himself to be someone who is deeply honest and sincere about identifying challenges and tackling them, about admitting mistakes and correcting them. He has genuine courage and a steady hand in his ways, a natural leader but also a reliable colleague. Chris has been a welcome breath of fresh air and many of us intuitively sense that from our time with him. And this is why we've arrived at the current collision. We have in McClure someone who feels threatened by genuine competence and views it as a threat to her absolute authority, her air of infallibility, and her command of unquestioning loyalty from her inner circle. And we have in Gilmer someone who sees the best in people and wants shared success for ASU and for Alamosa. If McClure were an effective leader, she would recognize the great good that Gilmer can bring us, but instead she sees him as undermining her authoritarian rule over ASU and appears to be obstructing his good faith efforts to improve the campus at such a critical juncture. But that's just my impression, I could be wrong.
December 10, 2016 at 1:58pm Well, we haven't had any real leadership at ASU for years, just drifting along, blundering here and there, so even if Gilmer isn't the perfect administrator, he would be vastly better than McClure and her coven. Given his fantastic track record since arriving, his openness and honesty, and his dedication to transparency and shared governance, he is indeed a very good, if not perfect, fit for the presidency. But all that is moot. Right now, he isn't even allowed to do his job let alone lead. He has been purposely shunted into a siding by McClure because his popularity offends McClure, who is loathed by a substantial proportion of even her own "cabinet". Instead of elevating people with talent and drive, our president is trying to bury them. She wants to bury Gilmer, just like Svaldi buried Mumper. A long and pathetic tradition to which the BoT has turned a blind eye for years.
December 10, 2016 at 1:50pm With regard to Chris Gilmer, someone asked "Is this the kind of leader ASU needs?" Yes! Absolutely! Would people prefer the man who ordered the Mathieu report, a report that gives us a fighting chance of accreditation or the narcissist who kept telling us everything was fixed? You can follow her if you want, but it could mean the end of ASU, our jobs, our students' educations, and the health of the SLV. Chris has tremendous support all across campus. Go ahead attack. It will just result in backlash.
December 10, 2016 at 12:18pm If you have heard Dr. Gilmer speak even once, you know the depth of his love for his late mother. She did not get to go to college, but she made sure he did, and reared him to be a voice for those who are sometimes voiceless. I believe she died after a long and painful battle with Cancer in May of that year, and I am pretty sure his world fell apart. Maybe he wasn't quite ready to lead a university two months after such a loss. I believe it is notable, however, that he wrote and got funded a 4 million dollar grant for that campus which provided a level of resources sufficient to change many lives in the small town of Sitka, Alaska. I have not heard Dr. Gilmer asking to lead this university. I think maybe he just wants his hands untied to do the job he was hired to do.
December 10, 2016 at 11:49am LEFT THEM HANGING: Gilmer accepted University of Alaska SE position in February of 2015. Turned it down four months later in July - ONE WEEK before start date. Is this the kind of leader ASU needs? University of Alaska Southeast director won’t take job https://www.ktva.com/university-of-alaska-southeast-director-wont-take-job-685/ Sitka Campus Director Says He’s Not Coming http://sitkasentinel.com/7/2012-05-10-22-08-10/local-news/8849-sitka-campus-director-says-he-s-not-coming
December 10, 2016 at 1:05am Well, it took me a while, but I just finished reading the recent commentary. How can anyone logically and rationally argue against any of these points? These aren't opinions folks! This is an accurate compilation of factual instances of lying (as&f meetings, faculty Senate meetings, valley courier), misleading ( valley courier again and again), deliberate misrepresentation (hlc, finances), and fostering a hostile work environment (pfff pick one) on the part of President McClure. I have yet to read any rebuttal against anything written in this commentary. All I see are the same "if you don't like it leave", "move on Danny", "just get back to work", "you're just negative and trying to tear down the University", "if McClure were a man you wouldn't be saying this".... The list of empty, superficial, and distracting rebuttals goes on. We can continue nit picking at CUPA data and whose publication list is longer than the other, but the larger institutionalized issues wil persist. As one commentator mentioned: our students are voting with their feet - without them we are all nothing. So by continuing to tell critics to leave if they don't like it- you're sending the same message to our students. Current leadership is Not cutting it, McClure is Not cutting it. Not only do we deserve a strong leadership team, we have a right to demand one.
December 9, 2016 at 3:37pm Total agreement with December 9, 2016 at 3:10pm. The Board should "fire fast" starting with the disgraceful "Mean Girl" Beverlee McClure and hire a president who will clean house and put some real accountability into place - someone like Dr. Chris Gilmer who is willing to give an honest and hard look at what needs fixing around ASU (such as commissioning and releasing the investigation of Extended Studies). All I want for Christmas is a vote of "no confidence" in President McClure.
December 9, 2016 at 3:10pm Tomlin is correct. ASU does fail to "fire fast." Think of all the people whose knowing complacency or egregious conduct ended up putting ASU on academic probation, who have been responsible for its ill-advised Guaranteed Tuition policy, its reckless spending, its terrible PR integrity, its bloated athletics budgets, its excessive administrative salaries, its violations of academic integrity and breaches of conflict of interest and nepotism. Have any of those people been fired? No. Instead, people who have tried to raise these very issues are bullied, shunned, and humiliated to the point of their resignation, or even banned from campus without due process. For too long, ASU has been keeping all the rotten eggs in the basket and tossing all the good ones onto the sidewalk. And it's not an accident.
December 9, 2016 at 10:53am So much for staying on the high road...
December 9, 2016 at 10:39am It's hard to tell but I am sensing that my call for us to work together and fix the leaks at Adams and paddle together for re-accreditation has raised the ire of some of you. But your comments following that post of mine do clarify for the BOT the work to be done. President McClure and the 30% must not only work hard on recruitment and retention, and fixing the ship for re-accreditation, but must also manage the clear "bozo explosion" of the 20% as referenced previously on this site. "Bozo explosions" happen in organizations that fail to "fire fast," referencing the same Harvard Business study. That failure allows the 20% to fester and work against the organization. They gain courage from each other with anonymous attacks on those who do the work. They compare their positions and salaries with others more ambitious and able than themselves and commiserate within their 20%'er group. Here at Adams the 20%'ers seem to think I am the way to their increased salary and heightened self-esteem. So of course - attack Mike. A note to readers, my "biographer" who writes on this site has not been officially approved by my publicist, so don't consider the writings official or accurate. Regarding the researcher who spends time looking for my publications, please come by my office, I have them compiled for you. And yes, they include international, national and regional refereed publications, trade publications, soft publications, online and print newspaper columns, and political cartoons. I am happy to share and visit about them. It is interesting you mention the binder. Yes, a training company employed me to develop a training program for school principals. I did so and the training manual is in 3-ring binder format. It was adopted by school districts in 13 states and widely used. I taught (the binder) at the National Instructional Leadership Academy as a consultant for years. The binder and curriculum are now years out of date and no longer readily available, but I have one and would be pleased to demonstrate it to you. Just let me know when that is convenient. Mike ----Editor's Reply: I might suggest that your comments would be more persuasive, and you would receive fewer of the insults you keep referencing, if you didn't characterize those with contrary views as "a bozo explosion." To effectively call for maturity and civility may require leading by example. Editor, Thanks for your comment and suggestions. Please note that I do not write to persuade the 20%. I write to reassure the 30% who are on board and working hard to achieve Adam's stated goals, and who support their university and employer. Note too that "bozo explosion" is not my term, hence the quotation marks. It is attributed to Guy Kawasaki, best-selling author, speaker and former Silicon Valley tech wonk. The quote came from research authored by Greg McKeown and published in the Harvard Business Review. It often is used as an indictment of management practices for hiring fast and firing slow - which allows the "bozo explosion" conditions to occur. Better management would hire more slowly and deliberately, and fire at the first sign of contributing to such conditions. I merely applied the term where it seems an obvious fit - those who would publicly trash their university during its time of need. MT ----Editor's Reply: Many people here agree that the ASU administration is guilty of "firing slow" but likely disagree with you about who should be removed from their duties. And if you are willing to quote someone else in making your own argument, you must be prepared to own that language rather than deflecting it as someone else's. That is an attempt at shirking responsibility for your own choice of language (because no one forced you to invoke the term "bozo explosion").
December 9, 2016 at 8:21am Someone wrote: "I wouldn't be surprised if Mike considers bloviating on Watching Adams about how fantastic he is to be a form of 'university service.'" No, no, no, look at his vita, his posts here are scholarship. A search of the ASU library databases shows 34 entries for Tomlin and they are all "commentary" pieces published in the Idaho Business Review. And if you want a laugh, read one of them. High standards. Grammar like this. Deep ideas like his wife reads a Nook, but he reads paper books, therefore, online education is great. He claims to have hundreds of publications, including several books. So, if you want another laugh, try finding them. One ring-bound book on Amazon with one used copy available. A smashing success. The final laugh is what apparently counts for scholarship in ASU's School of Business. Their ethics with regard to scholarship match their teaching ethics. If someone is willing to "buy" it or accept it, then it counts. Quality doesn't. On several occasions, Mike has regaled us with tales of his early days of writing through the night by candlelight at his R-1 institution. Maybe the fact that none of those writings can be found is why he is no longer there. Mike, care to point us to a peer-reviewed article you published or a book that was released by an actual publisher?
December 8, 2016 at 6:29pm I would like to thank the editor (December 8, 2016 at 5:24pm) for reminding everyone that this website is most productively utilized to shed light on institutional issues that need to be addressed. Engaging in individualized insults, justified or not, is tantamount to Trumpist cyber-bullying, damages the credibility of this website, and is counterproductive. We should be better than this - even if our leadership is not. Let’s stay on the high road.
December 8, 2016 at 6:12pm Whispers spread from one corner of campus to the next and all the way to the Pacific Northwest of a major rift erupting between President McClure and Vice President Gilmer, not surprising since in her world no good deed ever seems to go unpunished. I wonder how long it will take for Dr. Gilmer to be labeled a terrorist and to be banned from campus. There is, after all, a precedent. This is a significant moment contributing to the future of Adams State University. Listen carefully to what is being said, and render your own judgments based on what you have observed to be the character of these two individuals.
December 8, 2016 at 5:24pm The reason Tomlin "gives bullies passes" is because he IS one...ever since the day his worthless ass arrived. ----Editor's Reply: And on that note, this is probably enough insults directed at one person in one day. My hope is that we can get back to focusing on relevant issues facing Adams State University.
December 8, 2016 at 5:18pm Obviously Mike is smoking on the job. (Is he allowed to do that, Dr McClure?) His reality is truly bent out of shape. You might think of cutting down a bit, Mike, cos, like, dude, you sound, uh, totally sick, man.
December 8, 2016 at 5:12pm Somewhere back in this stream, Mike mentioned that he used to be in business. Hardly surprising that he no longer is, given his refusal to acknowledge that unless an organization - and the people who run it - is honest with itself, it is doomed to fail. A shame that ASU hired such a failure. No wonder he defends his boss so abjectly.... no one else would have him.
December 8, 2016 at 4:56pm Sounds like you are drunk in the Kool-aid, Mike. Since when do students, faculty, staff, and community NOT mind the business of the President? Turning our heads in the other direction, ignoring corruption, pretending high heels move mountains is just plain reckless. Stop giving bullies (Trump, McClure) passes for intimidation, narcissism, conceit, arrogance, and harassment. It is disrespectful and offensive to the gay kid who was put in a trash can in high school or the latina woman abused by bullies with different names but the same makeup. Get your head out of your ass, man!
December 8, 2016 at 4:48pm My diagnosis: Mike Tomlin has a self-promoting addiction problem and this website is his cry for help. Recall that he started posting here back in August (by name, anyway) to play the victim card as being “bullied” because there was a passing reference to discussing pay at ASU as being “gauche.” Mike confessed to being a failed humorist and appointed himself as the white knight of the School of Business, charging in to defend the honor of his castle... The same one that largely put ASU on academic probation, I might add. It appears that Mike then went on to post anonymously again and again for awhile, insisting that there is no problem with teaching hundreds of students online while still teaching a full course load on campus. When shown that it was a problem according to the HLC and the Mathieu report, Mike went back to identifying himself by name and calling for everyone to stop talking about salaries, their discontent with the president, problems with graduation rates and college rankings, or basically any other topic critical of ASU. In turn, this invites others to criticize Mike's idea that ASU shouldn't be criticized (it's a form of “soiling your nest”). Which prompts Mike to return many times more to qualify that it's okay to criticize ASU as long as it's done his way. Talk about “not taking 'no' for an answer!” I wouldn't be surprised if Mike considers bloviating on Watching Adams about how fantastic he is to be a form of “university service.” Maybe Mike Tomlin would approve of comments celebrating himself and the School of Business, but he very well could take exception to that, as well, because they weren't written by him. But try as Mike might to insist that everyone should stop visiting this website because he believes Watching Adams is “not successful in generating ideas and good discussion,” Mike continues posting here, multiple times per day, in what appears to be a desperate act of professional masturbation. He has thrown himself so far behind ASU's moribund trajectory that he cannot distinguish between mediocre performance and greatness. Mike cannot stop promoting himself here, even as he insists everyone should forget about “some part-timer who taught here two years ago” - the same person who continues to give him this very platform on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. This could be another form of “soiling your own nest.” Ledonne wasn't the first person to be run off campus, nor has he been the last. Mike is willfully avoiding connecting the dots because it paints an ugly picture of a regime he defends and enables. Ask yourself: how much better would Mike be at his own job if he wasn't obsessed with defending his ego online? How much better would the School of Business be if Mike wasn't committed to defending its outrageous online teaching practices and the unethical conduct of the faculty he supervised while serving as chair? Maybe it's time for Mike to start taking his own advice: get back to work – including nights and weekends – so he might finally earn the absurd amount of money he makes as a disgraced former chair.
December 8, 2016 at 4:11pm Just when I get caught up and go over my quota new comments pop up. I want to respond to Dec. 8 @ 1:44pm. I think your comments are very heartfelt and I appreciate them. I would offer some different perspectives for you to consider. First, never assume that you know others' financial situations. It is common to be wrong, but regardless, viewing your position through the finances of others is a losing game. Your money is important to you. My money is important to me. Those are the rules that matter. I understand that you are worried, but 75 years ago yesterday over 1100 Americans who were worried "for their life" lost it. You are worried for your job, career and to be able to take care of your family. I get that and respect that. What I don't understand is how you are responding to do those things. I fear too that our university is in trouble - my response is not to deny it but to double down on my advisement to keep students here, teach well, maintain my professional contacts so I can tout the positives of Adams every day to someone, trying to help with our reputation. All of us pulling together to show HLC we are tight. We had some procedural issues and they are being fixed. But at our core we have good faculty, a robust curriculum, staff that keeps the train running day and night, that is the message we should be sharing. Humility, confidence, competence. What would HLC's observation be of us here? You're still focused on some part-timer who taught here two years ago, what time was it when the president left a party, how big your CUPA is. All of these things will be insignificant if the ship sinks. Perhaps we should concentrate on fixing leaks and paddling together. That's my position. Regarding your fears, if you think we're going to fail, then put your house on the market, spiff up your resume/CV, and protect your family by moving to a more stable position. It's what we do. And consider, while some of you are tearing us down we are soon to be interviewing people who want to come here for their dream job. Three new business faculty - such an exciting time! The problem at Adams is that we have had what the Harvard Business Review right in front of me that I am using for a reference for an article calls "a bozo explosion" on the staff. People are freaking out when should just be working. Day in and day out what the President does is simply irrelevant to most of us. Last night she and I had a short visit at the table, but that was the first conversation we've had in many weeks. She doesn't micromanage my job (thank you) and I don't micromanage hers. If we all do our jobs, and well, we more likely will be okay. Just a thought. Mike
December 8, 2016 at 3:50pm Dear Santa, I have been very naughty this year so I guess I will only get bad gifts. Here are a few really bad gifts if you come down my chimney at Marvel House. 1. Several copies of iOpia by B. Jeffries for re-gifting to future graduates of ASU and to pass out at next year's faculty holiday Christmas party. 2. Knock-off rhinestone boots, one can never have enough. 3. A puppet of my very own, preferably with no experience in distance learning or accreditation so she can head up the HLC re-accreditation at ASU. I will name her Margaret! 4. The manual, How to Be A University President for Dummies. I don't need it for myself because I am perfect. It's for a friend, yeah, for a friend. 5. Last but not least, please bring me some donations for the University. It's been over a year now, and I suck at fundraising. The BOT will be so pleased, I bet. Yours Truly, Bev ----Editor's Reply: This comment is intended as satire and not to be construed as having been written by Dr. Beverlee McClure.
December 8, 2016 at 2:44pm In light of many comments and pleas regarding the possibility of the Board of Trustees removing President McClure, it may be worth observing that the Board of Trustees taking action to remove a president is not without precedent in recent history. In 2005, after his serving only a single year, the Board of Trustees removed President Richard Wueste (hired in 2004) and appointed David Svaldi Interim President. However, and importantly, this action was apparently not the result of a campus-wide perception of President Wueste’s pervasive arrogance, authoritarian management, and being consistently unreceptive to input. Neither was this due to an implicit campus-wide vote of no confidence by academic units, faculty, or staff. Rather the BOT action was primarily the result of the perceptions and dissatisfactions of the administration and the BOT. It would therefore appear likely that, so long as this culture continues at ASU and the BOT continues to praise and support President McClure, dissatisfactions, proposals, and pleas of faculty, staff, and/or students will continue to be irrelevant to consideration by the BOT. It would be naïve not to realize that the BOT considers itself to represent the apex of authoritarian management, in spite of being comprised of individuals having little or no experience in higher education. Therefore, in their view decisions and directives are unidirectional - the BOT dictates and the campus obeys. The BOT has historically been arrogantly dismissive of input or suggestions from the campus regarding what actions they might be well advised to take. In this culture, shit flows downhill.
December 8, 2016 at 2:02pm Mike, you haven't so much fallen behind, as fallen in line. In lock step with a leader taking us nowhere.
December 8, 2016 at 1:59pm At lunchtime today, a colleague and I were discussing ASU's difficulties, and she said something that floored me. When I said I was disappointed with McClure's failure to increase enrollment, she said, "Well, she's doing her best, and we should stop interfering." I don't think she is alone thinking this way. Maybe its our small-town thinking, our not wanting to offend others we might meet in the street. I'm not sure. But we are living in a global economy and while once our student catchment was just the valley, it is now statewide or country-wide or even international-wide. Potential students are voting with their feet. They are going elsewhere and not here. So excusing McClure's "best" as good enough for little ol' ASU, for the little ol' Alamosa, is NOT good enough. If her "best" is this poor, she has to go. We need someone with a better "best"
December 8, 2016 at 1:44pm Mike, I AM worried for my life. If we lose accreditation, what does that mean for my job? Does that mean ASU might be closed? Will some sort of liquidator take over and start closing departments down?Will we be taken over by a more competent university and reduced to some sort of outreach program? If I lose my job as a result of such a "rescue package" how am I going to pay my mortgage? If the university is downsized, with so many others possibly having to sell up and get out, will that not depress the local realty market and drop prices so I lose more money? If ASU loses its status, how will that affect students? Will ASU's reputation take another hit so that graduation from Adams would be worth as much as a diploma from Trump University? You might be okay, Mike. With your big fat salary, presumably you have paid off your mortgage. You don't have kids at home so your outgoings are low compared to most families, and anyway you are close to retirement so you'll soon have even more cash to play with. It is clear that your attitude is; "I'm all right, so the rest of you should stop complaining, and continue being docile and pliable." Btw, which tune do you fiddle as ASU burns?
December 8, 2016 at 12:41pm Oh my, I see I fell behind... Last night was way fun! Good food, a drink or two and we laughed and laughed. It was great to see people that I don't regularly see around campus. Thank you RH and BOT for the party. I appreciated it. We had 10 faculty and spouses at the School of Business table and enjoyed getting the group together. We all noted too that President McClure took the time to come table-by-table and visit. She was at our table twice over the evening and we all chatted and joked. Regarding some of you who supervised our president last night, please understand the 3 rules for business owners or CEOs at their Christmas party.: 1: Go to the party. 2. Mingle a bit and visit. 3. Leave early so the employees don't feel like you are watching them. It seems Beverlee understands and played it exactly as we might teach it in a management class. When the big boss leaves early it also allows employees to meet and visit with VPs and other administrators without scrutiny. But also when she comes and goes is not our business anymore than when we come and go is hers. Do you want to be called out for coming late, or leaving early, or having that 3rd (no no) drink? Some of you would do well to take care of your lives, not worry about who left without telling you - losing your BFF in the dark of night, people sold off to slavery over the weekend and you didn't know about it. Good grief! Live your lives and leave others to live theirs. I think we have about 350 employees at Adams so an average flux for an organization our size would be about 14-15 positions at any given moment. People come and people go. Sometimes we lose good ones and sometimes we celebrate when one goes. That is simply organizational life. Regarding December 6 @ 3:31pm who wrote: "We need - desperately need - employees with the courage to say that the empress has no clothes. Le Donne is not a terrorist. McClure and Salazar are documented liars." So in response, we are involved in multiple faculty searches and none of the job descriptions include duties of de-cloaking our president. We have approved interview questions and they will center on applicants' fit at Adams and the contributions they will make carrying out the work of the university. And, why are we still focused on Danny? I knew Danny and thought he was a nice man. He wasn't recommended for the job. It appears Adams botched whatever transpired after that and our insurance carrier settled. Hmmm, settled. The issue is settled. Let's move on. And then the post said: "And one last thing. Tax payers pay our salaries. Our loyalty is to them and their children, not to those who warm seats in Richardson." Okay, I'm not sure about seat warmers in Richardson. I know I was invited a few weeks back for a chair massage, but I am no longer a chair so I didn't qualify. I'm not certain who gets their seats warmed but I hope it is not just the chairs... Mike
December 8, 2016 at 8:26am Beverly McClure is NOT a businesswoman. And never has been. On Dec 7, 2016 at 9:10pm, a commentator noted in passing that "McClure may be a businesswoman...." but it is a myth perpetuated by McClure herself, yet another fiction concocted to disguise her incompetence. She has never been a businesswoman. She has always been a salaried employee, just like everyone at ASU. She was president of a small community college (salaried) before becoming a cabinet secretary for the New Mexico governor (salaried). She then became CEO of the Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico for nearly eight years, (again, salaried). Perhaps it was wishful thinking that ASU's board of trustees convinced themselves that she had business savvy. But did they not know that she ran the Association in deficit for many of those years while at the same time repeatedly increasing her own salary? Sound familiar? She doesn't have the business acumen to even be a shoe-shine (despite her experience at trying to polish turds.)
December 8, 2016 at 8:18am There have been some pretty harsh comments here about the Board of Trustees, and while I don't agree with many of them, I do believe the BoT has not been involved sufficiently. There have been just too many mistakes and too many bad administrators at ASU under their watch. I think this is an extraordinary time for the BoT to reverse that trend. They could make a strong statement and win a lot of support by firing McClure, a move that would probably be met with approval by HLC.
December 8, 2016 at 7:55am You (9:31pm) were not the only one to notice that President McClure didn't have the time to mingle with mere employees last night. Several people commented about it to me. She took off very early with Margaret in tow, as usual.
December 7, 2016 at 11:44pm I am attending ASU. ASU states they are an HSI. Please explain that to me. Because all I see is discrimination, sexism, racism, bullying and microaggression!!! President Mccure states she has an open door policy. ... I spoke to the snooty woman for maybe 1 minute, she made me feel lower than low. Was it because I am an undocumented female, who looks or dresses nothing like her? Was i not worthy of her attention? Remember, you need me along with my siblings and relatives to attend. Remember this is an HSI..... Hispanic Serving Institution. ... NOT YOUR HETEROSEXUAL SIGNING INCOMPETENCIES... Without Gilmer, you are nothing! We see thru your fakeness and racism. We saw how you cringed each time Dr. Gilmer was praised for his Think Tank. We watch you... we watch your body language. .. we see how your face reacts to people of color and minorities, especially us females. Gilmer is way more transparent and diverse than you will ever think to be. Maybe Mccure you will have a cure!!! Because Mclure, you have no clue. My family and friends will not continue to attend ASU.... 7 of us are transferring in spring 2017 to a University who cares for there students and more of us to leave..... My sense along with others, you are trying to put locks on the doors, board up the windows and shut ASU down. Mcclue, you don't get. .. this community. ... our culture.. you could care less about progression. ... If I can ask for one thing for Christmas, please leave ASU before you shut us down. Don't be a grinch...please give us this one gift! Then we can all state, great stories really reside here! !!!! And we can have great things to talk about! !! Happy Holidays , Freshman student trying to succeed in this undeserved rural community.
December 7, 2016 at 11:28pm I'm coming over for coffee! ----Editor's Reply: I have no idea what this is in reference to. I'm only publishing this comment in the hopes that someone else finds more meaning to it than I do; I don't even drink coffee.
December 7, 2016 at 9:31pm As an at-will employee I've never risked commenting on this site but after tonight I can't hold back. I see the day to day leadership on this campus and I can no longer avoid the obvious, ASU is doomed if it continues down the current path. Did anyone else notice that McClure barely attended the annual staff and faculty party? She entered, hung by the door with Margaret for a few minutes, and left, with Margo, of course. Meanwhile, Gilmer rocked the show. I can't help but see tonight as a sign of things to come. McClure may be the president but Dr. Gilmer is the only one capable of leading ASU through HLC and into the future. I hope others see the light because the very future of ASU depends on the next several weeks.
December 7, 2016 at 9:10pm I appreciate the information about the HLC's perspective in the 12/5 10:30 post, but this isn't about President McClure "eating crow", this is about survival of ASU. If ASU fails, our students and the San Luis Valley economy suffer. If she can't handle the challenge professionally, then the Board of Trustees needs to step in and fix the situation. We hired an extraordinarily competent leader in Chris Gilmer, let him do his job. McClure may be a businesswoman, but Gilmer understands higher education. The same commentator expressed the opinion that McClure is not a leader. No, she is not, but perhaps Arnold Salazar and the rest of the board can step up and demonstrate the leadership that we need. I believe they care about our students and the San Luis Valley.
December 6, 2016 at 11:05pm Who else has recently left? We know Ben Waddell is leaving for another opportunity, but did someone just recently leave to who ever is referenced as that person's BFF?
December 6, 2016 at 5:22pm Dear Santa, Please bring that vote of no confidence! I've been such a good girl, head down, no complaining or whining.
December 6, 2016 at 4:56pm I applaud Mike for attempting to improve ASU's parlous state. God knows we need people with fresh ideas. He is not alone. Many others have tried again and again to offer ideas. A case in point was the Campus Advocacy Group, which suggested upgrading our anti-neoptism policy. It also offered a plan to improve employee retention, and pushed for more administrative transparency and better governance. The result? Members were accused of - in Mike Tomlin's words - bitching, whining and moaning. Again, to quote Mike, CAG's ideas "may or may not have been good suggestions - but they were honest." Unfortunately, they were not taken that way. Not long after, the sandbagging started. Karen Lemke, an outspoken advocate for supporting student extra-help programs, got the boot. Danny Le Donne was accused by McClure of being a terrorist and banned from campus. Another member faced ostracism within her office, was bullied by her boss to a point were she was frequently reduced to tears. (A personal grievance complaint against her boss was dismissed out of hand.) And our library director was subjected to two years of intimidation before being made to walk the plank. (She is now at Colorado's elite School of Mines with double her ASU salary.) There are numerous people who have offered creative solutions to problems that everyone could see needed fixing. But the administration assumes that any suggestion for improvement is intrinsically - and personally - critical. And their response is draconian. Mike, that was your big mistake. You offered some fresh new ideas. Ironically, you now support McClure's Luddite regime.
December 6, 2016 at 3:31pm Oh Mike, if you read the comment again, You'll find it says that the success of our few outstanding students is due to their own talent, skills and grit. why do you consider that an insult? Kudos to them, and shame on you for insinuating that ASU was somehow a primary driver of their performance. It is you who diminish their success. Let me make a few things clear. I do not work for "the boss." I work for my students. I don't insult my boss. I criticize her for patently lying, and for providing no clear benefit to ASU despite her huge pay check. If she and you take that as an insult, then that's your prerogative. If she was a little less thin-skinned and a little more competent, she wouldn't have been "sideswiped" by a tiny problem like Le Donne, nor would she have magnified our problems with HLC. Regarding the Gallup study, I notice that its categories are pathetically simplistic. (By the way, it's worth noting that Gallup was notoriously unsuccessful at predicting the triumph of Trump, so I'm not sure you can call it a reputable research house anymore.) It renders university employees into only three categories, as if we are bees in a hive. It's laughable that Gallup assumes those actively committed to doing a good job are also not critical of their universities. Or conversely, if one is critical, by definition you are a "discontent and work against the mission, goals etc of their employer." This is indeed the Manichean view held by ASU's administration - and you, Mike. No criticism = good employee. Criticism = bad employee. If Penn State's "good" employees had been more critical of Jerry Sandusky's locker room lechery, Penn State's reputation - and many of its employees - would not have been so degraded. We need - desperately need - employees with the courage to say that the empress has no clothes. Le Donne is not a terrorist. McClure and Salazar are documented liars. All our statistics show that ASU' situation has been worsening for some time, and the current administration and board of trustees seem incapable of changing course. Now Mike, is there anything in the last three sentences that is not true? And one last thing. Tax payers pay our salaries. Our loyalty is to them and their children, not to those who warm seats in Richardson.
December 6, 2016 at 9:48am Your apparent strategy: 1. Argue with Mike 2. Insult your boss 3. Insult two of our outstanding students by calling them insignificant. 4. Expect a pay raise. I will watch closely to see how this works for you. However a fair question was asked of me on December 4 @ 3:24pm. "So Mike, have you got any suggestions to make ASU better? No, I didn't think so." I am confused as to how I was supposed to answer between the two sentences. Perhaps here will suffice. I applied for the position of president of Adams State and wrote multiple pages in my application of how I would work to improve our university. I was afforded two engaging telephone interviews with the search firm. Obviously my candidacy did not continue as we hired Beverlee McClure, but don't wonder if I have suggestions or not. I crafted them and put them front and center into a job application, and stood behind them. What did you do besides bitch, whine and moan? They may or may not have been good suggestions - but they were honest. My first step would have been to spend a lot of informal time with staff and faculty. I am an organizational guy and I think we have organizational needs. I knew then we had trust and self-worth issues. They needed to be attended to. I have no insight into President McClure's initial plans but she ran headlong in the "Danny" affair then into the Extended Studies issue. She likely was sideswiped by both as she was just getting her feet under her coming in from the outside not knowing how needy our workforce was/is. That is when we as employees needed to step up the most and show leadership. Some did, many did not. In organizational studies we know the research on work groups, and as recent as 2014 a major study from Gallup, reported in the Harvard Business Review reinforced the sad news. * 30% of employees are actively committed to doing a good job. * 50% of employees merely put in their time. *20% of employees act out their discontent and work against the mission, goals, etc. of their employer. Those numbers are likely consistent here. Hopefully we have more than 30% who are carrying the major load but I am not certain. I am certain that management (in all organizations) knows this - so don't ever wonder why some are rewarded and some are not. Want to be a player? Join the 30% and make it bigger. We do get paid to carry out the work of our employer after all, not to work against it. Mike
December 6, 2016 at 1:45am Are you brain dead Mike? Or, are you that poorly equipped to empathize with my loosing my BFF??? Wow, instead of holding administration accountable for what may have been their doing in forcing my BFF out, you squarely turned a blind eye to the real problem here at ASU; dishonest administration from the bottom up.
December 5, 2016 at 10:30pm Wow, I had not seen this until the 8:18 post pointed me to our website: https://www.adams.edu/hlc/hlc-letter-to-asu-11-17-16.pdf "President McClure, I am appreciative of your acceptance that there indeed is, and was, a genuine issue at Adams State University related to distance learning. I certainly encourage that when you have concerns or reactions to HLC Board actions in the future, you will feel to contact me directly. It is always useful to have productive direct communication versus other alternatives." Nice job, Bev! How does it feel to eat crow? A true leader... you are not!
December 5, 2016 at 9:09pm "Another quick great story, our (School of Business) senior faculty member Dr. Linda Reid, was honored last year as Business Teacher of the Year, by the MPBEA and has been nominated for a national award this year." Clearly the MPBEA did not know about her unethical course loads. Who nominated her this year? You or someone else from the department? Perhaps the awarding body should be contacted about our probation being the result of her great contributions, combined with a swell administration.
December 5, 2016 at 9:05pm As the commentator at 4:22 pointed out, it's easy for Mike and others to delude ourselves. Mike: by what metric do we have "the strongest program in the State of Colorado"? Oh, I see. You are restricting this to Agribusiness Management. Are there rankings for that? Is this the same program the BoT considered canning? When I look at top-ranked business programs, I don't see ASU. http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-best-undergrad-business-schools/ 114 programs, 3 or 4 from Colorado, but not us. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/adams-state-college-1345 - Not even on the list. Even if you take into account cost to get "best value" we aren't there: http://www.valuecolleges.com/rankings/best-value-undergraduate-business-schools/ What about agribusiness? http://colleges.startclass.com/d/o/Agribusiness_-_Agricultural-Business-Operations - CSU is on their list, we are not. No program in Colorado is listed. http://study.com/articles/Top_Universities_with_Agribusiness_Degree_Programs_List_of_Schools.html Yes, we all have some great students and many of us do our best for them. Some students are so good, they are bound to succeed wherever they go, due to ASU or in spite of ASU.
December 5, 2016 at 8:18pm President McClure, are we getting coal in our stockings again this year? While Margaret Doell runs the HLC reaccreditation process, what's she getting in her stocking? Is it the same big stipend Frank Novotny got added onto the top of his whopping salary when he was overseeing the HLC review? Perhaps she should be returned to her tenured professor of art position to paint in solitude all day since she has an overall campus likability of zero, with the exception of Presidential favors. I know the HLC would be happy. And speaking of HLC, it's great we got an extension, but I wonder exactly how did that come to be? Was it your idea, Dr. McClure? And is it true you have so angered and antagonized the president of HLC that the primary concern we should have about getting off probation is that she is disgusted in your careless obstruction with the process being that you are a blatant narcissist and quite frankly can't stand you? Don't most presidents accept accreditation decisions demurely and work to correct the problems rather than calling out the accreditor in a temper tantrum for the higher education world to see unfold right before their watchful eyes? Is that a not-so-veiled threat in the HLC president's letter to you posted on the ASU website? Paraphrase: accept that your university did wrong, fix the problems, and don't attack HLC in public again if you know what's good for the university. Where are the diplomats when we need them? Then there is the problem that caused us to go on probation in the first place--Extended Studies. How is it that it took more than a year or longer as President for you to even address HLC's most pressing concern? Wait. That was the new VPAA Dr. Gilmer who addressed it, wasn't it, only a month or two after he got here. As the campus waits to see what is coming for Extended Studies, I wonder why we have seen no big decisions after so much time has passed. My guess is because you have reined in your new VPAA Dr. Gilmer and won't give him the authority to do whatever he thinks should be done, because of ego, of course. From what I hear on campus, even the folks in Extended Studies who questioned the Mathieu Report's findings are starting to trust him to make a decision that is fair to all, so maybe it doesn't serve your purposes for folks on both sides to trust our new academic leader. I bet it is because he is a man, you are a woman, and blah, blah, blah...you have beaten that dead horse enough. Male chauvinism cannot be your default every single time you fail. I have always heard a president's main job is raising the profile of the university and raising money. Have I missed all the major contributions and donors you have attracted? I know I haven't gotten my raise. I know we got the Salazar Center lately which is great, but honestly, that family is so committed to the university that anybody could have brought in that donation in their sleep. We knew when you were hired that you didn't have a faculty background or much likability, but there was at least a slight hope you had political and fundraising skills. Nope! Then there's all the old stuff that really we got for Christmas last year and I guess will get again, like calling Danny a terrorist and informing the campus of decisions after they have already been made without us being consulted. I guess we won't get transparency or shared governance again this year in our stocking. In fact, the only grand act of transparency I have seen this year has been Dr. Gilmer's brave release of the Mathieu Report. Like what it says or not, he promised to share its contents with the campus, and he did. Maybe he did all this while you were on the golf course with Margaret or drinking your Patron on ice. I have one gift in mind I think the campus should give you this year, a vote of no confidence by the faculty senate and the other groups on campus so that hopefully the board of trustees might be able to hear loud and clear since they haven't been able to hear our voices so far. It takes time to raise salaries, rebuild morale, change a culture of fear and oppression, and I'll admit a lot of those problems were here before you came. Still, you have had time to at least make a start. Instead you have made our problems worse. We won't get this all fixed for Christmas, but at least we could get some hope. We need a new leader for the new year. Out with the old, in with the new.
December 5, 2016 at 4:22pm So Mike, students graduating from ASU is a great story? Isn't that what is supposed to happen as a matter of course? If you look at the numbers, you will find that our graduation rate is the worst in the state. Is that a great story? It is true that students and faculty win prizes and go on to greater things. But the question is of course; is it because of ASU or despite it? Don't get me wrong. I am not denigrating the efforts of hard working students or hard working faculty who do exceptionally well. Quite the contrary. It is a measure of their personal skills, talents and grit that they do so well in an environment so "unexcellent." It is also true that some of our students go on to better universities, but many go there before they graduate from here. They transfer because they don't want to have "ASU" on their diploma. Guess who told me that? A student. And take another guess..... She's enrolling at CSU next semester. All universities have their "great stories" but if we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that the frequency of our "great stories" compared to others is low. Rather than the norm, they are the exceptions, and that is sad. If we continue to use hyperbole like "great" and "excellent" when what we mean is "okay" or "quite good" then we debase the language, fool ourselves and encourage mediocrity. Perhaps my standards are simply higher than yours.
December 5, 2016 at 1:01pm Re: Tomlin's n of 2 students-- hardly significant-- quantitatively or qualitatively. Now when you have an n of 2 (or more) faculty in one department participating in activities that have clearly jeopardized HLC...well now we have some significance.
December 5, 2016 at 10:29am December 4, 2016 at 9:29pm "Oh for godsake, Mike. Tell me of one “great story” produced by ASU in the last five years. " Thank you for the request, I am pleased to. One of the exciting things about working regularly with prospective students is telling them and their families the great stories. This one is about a young man I had as a freshman student - Intro to Business, and then as a sophomore - Business Communications. He is a local student, from a modest farming background. He did well in class. Then he continued to do well as an Agribusiness Management major under the tutelage of our excellent faculty. Last year he went to state contest in Denver and took first place, beating students from schools such as CSU. Then off to Nationals and finished in the top four, a great honor for him and our program, faculty, and university. This student was accepted at DU Law, where he is this year and was asked to serve as a water law editor for the Law Review. Another great and distinct honor! The story continues. This year our Agribusiness Management students again went to state contest in Denver and one of our young women took first place! We also placed other students in the top tier. Some will be off to Nationals! Understand that I do not teach in our Agribusiness Management program, but our faculty have quietly created the strongest program in the State of Colorado. This means all faculty - these students take their science classes in Porter Hall and Communications classes in McDaniel, then they learn their major content here in the School of Business. Like all great stories here it is an ASU - wide effort. We should all be proud. Another quick great story, our (School of Business) senior faculty member Dr. Linda Reid, was honored last year as Business Teacher of the Year, by the MPBEA and has been nominated for a national award this year. Kudos to Linda for all of her hard work. Yet another great story. Want some more great stories, ask the faculty and staff who actually do the work. Ask Yusri Zaro about his banking and finance graduates coming from poor families and now serving in well paying jobs in the finance industry. Ask our accounting faculty about their recent graduates working in prestigious accounting firms and organizations. And ask the good faculty of other departments for their great stories. Great stories? We've gottem! Mike
December 5, 2016 at 7:58am Last night, someone wrote: pay... "isn't even determined by competence at the job or basic compliance with state and federal education guidelines." Actually, there appears to be a relationship, it's just an inverse relationship. Those who are willing to ignore or violate state and federal guidelines, and ethical guidelines, are paid more: McClure, both Novotnys, Roybal, Mansheim, Schlaufman, Crowther, Reed, Hensley, Coddington, Longfellow. Those who simply do our jobs well and ethically get paid less, period.
December 4, 2016 at 10:15pm Dr. Mike, "working inspired" by "writing scared" is hardly the prescription for a happy workplace. ASU is the kind of place whereby people conceal their fear and desperation as they look for a way out - one in which only the truest of BFF's even know their colleague is trying to escape with career intact. But at least be honest that, like the rest of the world, ASU doesn't pay people based on how effectively they do their jobs. Some of the most effective faculty I ever met at ASU have been adjuncts, paid less per course and with absolutely no benefits package (in America, virtually alone in the developed world, health insurance is a "benefit" that only some people get). Adjuncts have a passion for teaching, often beloved by their students. They often have terminal degrees and an impressive amount of professional and life experiences to share in the classroom... yet they are paid less and are more likely to "write scared" than any tenured professor. And like many schools, ASU's academic model is increasingly relying on adjuncts and full time instructors to do the heavy lifting on campus and online. Pay at ASU isn't determined by passion for the job or by measurable student outcomes. It isn't determined by the governor's office or legislatures. Evidently, it isn't even determined by competence at the job or basic compliance with state and federal education guidelines. Pay at ASU is determined by how closely-aligned one is to Richardson Hall. A cursory review of compensation data reveals this as plain as day.
December 4, 2016 at 9:52pm Mike Tomlin says he believes "teachers of all sorts should be paid more." But then he blames the State for not providing enough to "cash strapped school districts or small colleges." Not entirely true, like most of Mike's missives. The State allocates a lump sum, and the administration decides who gets paid what. And Mike, you know that, so don't pretend otherwise. The only reason some teachers are paid poorly is because the administration makes arbitrary decisions based on...... What?! What benchmark did administrators use to make their decision? We certainly know it wasn't CUPA. Does Mike Tomlin work twice as long and hard as those who are paid half his rate? Is he three times smarter than those who get paid only a third of his salary? Is he prodigiously creative, or outstandingly gifted? Is he simply a superior human being? No! Quite the contrary. He is paid way more than others, not because he is inherently worth more, but because someone in administration decided to pay him more. (Perhaps his work as McClure's surrogate explains his penthouse salary.) If Mike genuinely thinks teachers should get paid more, then perhaps he would volunteer a pay cut so that others might get their fair share. But that's not going to happen, is it Mike?
December 4, 2016 at 9:29pm Oh for godsake, Mike. Tell me of one “great story” produced by ASU in the last five years. And please, don’t regurgitate the cross country team’s success. Yes, they have done well, but this is not a sports club - it’s supposed to be an institution of higher learning. If we look at the numbers across the board, there are no great stories, and very few good ones. Overwhelmingly, the story of ASU is that of mediocrity, complacency, incompetence and low morale, controlled by an administration with no vision - and that is why the HLC is coming down on our necks. Yeah, remember them? Generally, the results at ASU, compared to all other universities in Colorado, are pretty lackluster. That’s a fact, Mike. The numbers tell us that it is so. And no fiction is going to change those facts. How about we get down to reality, honestly admit that we can do a whole lot better and make some positive changes rather than pretending that everything’s just peachy? So Mike, have you got any suggestions to make ASU better? No, I didn't think so.
December 4, 2016 at 3:24pm Dear Dec. 4th at 12:45, Here's a tip - if your BFF left without telling you then he was not your BFF. Tip two, if his advisees are coming to his door and you don't know what to tell them, simply put a sign on his door that says "Professor 'Jones' has left the university" and to see you next door for advisement assistance. Then visit with your chair or departmental admin regarding advisee transition, however your department handles it. Dear Dec. 3rd at 4:14, Hmmmm, so I have been milking the system for years? I have been at Adams for 4 years and 5 months. I accepted without negotiation the salary I was offered. I was inspired then (2012) by the "Great Stories" potential of Adams and I remain inspired today. Regarding "milking," I entered the civilian workforce as a public school teacher in 1976, for a salary of $9,600. Completing my masters degree milked it up to $11,200, after 3 years. I worked a part-time job in summers and remained active in the Army Reserve to supplement my income. I think teachers of all sorts should be paid more. But those arguments belong in the state legislature not in cash strapped school districts or small colleges. As a young university professor (42), I learned the phrase "writing scared" very quickly. I was at a research university and teaching mattered but so did publication. I "wrote scared" for five years, every night and every weekend, and earned tenure and ultimately promotion to full professor. Then I concentrated on taking care of my family's finances and developed a consulting practice to do just that. It also complimented my teaching and my scholarship. I was inspired by three people: 1. Bob Codner - a high school math teacher in Evanston, Wyoming. He soon tired of working for little pay, yet loved teaching and was known for innovative math lessons. He created a home business and traveled to conferences selling his math lessons and strategies. He soon developed an international business and wrote the book "From Teacher to Tycoon." The high school kids loved to see his limo roll up in the mornings and he chided them about the importance and value of math. I met Bob numerous times doing consulting work in his district. 2. Alan Dershowitz - Harvard law faculty who was a member of the O.J. Simpson defense team. Dershowitz taught at Harvard Law, had a radio show, wrote books, speaks widely on Jewish issues, and likely never knew what his Harvard salary was (or his CUPA) because it would have been insignificant compared to his other earnings. 3. Name unknown - a Japanese public school teacher I read about years ago. He earned the equivalent to $60K U.S. for his teaching, and about $400K annually for his tutoring. As the readers know Japan's school systems are competitive and parents hire tutors to help their kids qualify for the best. They pay the best the most and he was the best. When interviewed he said "My teaching job allows me to do that which I most love, and my tutoring work allows me to take care of my family in the manner I wish." Wow. Nuff said. I'll simply offer that working inspired is a far happier place than working jealous. Let's all advocate for and commit to increasing revenue at Adams, so that increased salaries can follow. I'll say again, listing the salaries or calling out on this website those who are productive will not raise the salaries of others. Nor will arguing with Mike raise your salary :-) Michael Tomlin
December 4, 2016 at 12:47am Imagine sitting at your office computer on the campus and working overtime with duties of preparing weekly class lecturers, designing course syllabi, advising students, grading term papers, attending department and campus wide meetings, and you suddenly discover that your new colleague next door over is gone! You become bitterly enraged at administration, especially your department chair for not being transparent about the new colleague who left our department. ASU cannot afford to reject talented new faculty who stands for integrity over "bullying", integrity over "corruption", integrity over "liars", integrity over "whiteness" and integrity over "cowardness". I am hurt that my new bff has gone without one word mentioning it from my department chair. I am now left with holding the bag of explaining to students why my colleague departed ASU. I don't know what to tell them when they go to his office and see someone else's name there. ASU sucks!
December 3, 2016 at 4:14pm If I had known, when I was offered my position, that many members of the administration (including faculty leaders) had many times my income, I would not have signed on. But I was lied to. I was told by my interviewer that ASU could not pay me more than offered because the university was financially strapped and that everyone was in the same boat - working hard for students despite the low salaries "because everyone is committed to helping our young people." I thought that was a great sentiment, and I wanted to work for a university where that was the dominant ethic. Because of that, I was willing to take the hit. But now we find that are not in the same boat. The likes of Tomlin, Crowther and Novotny among others have been milking the system for years, living high on the hog while the truly dedicated teachers among us are grovelling for gruel. Mike Tomlin thinks that because I signed on for what was offered, I should shut up and shove off. Or I should somehow work more than my average 12 hours a day and go moonlighting. I am by no means the only one who signed on after being led to believe - or blatantly lied to - that we shared ASU’s financial constraints. And we can see by the number of professors “signing off” that once they have discovered that they have been made fools of, they do as Tomlin suggests and walk. I am actively looking for ways out of here. I am prepared to put my all - blood, guts and grit - into a university that truly lives by its values, but I will no longer work for a place where Tomlin and Co jeer at those who work just as hard as them - if not more so - and get two-thirds less.
December 3, 2016 at 2:56pm As do I. So glad Dr. Gilmer joined ASU. From what I can tell, he has the full support of faculty. I haven't heard a negative comment yet.
December 3, 2016 at 12:06pm I concur with the December 2, 2016 at 3:03 pm post, wholeheartedly.
December 3, 2016 at 8:17am The painful truth at ASU is that doing your job won't earn you an extra cent, if you see your job as being a great teacher, doing scholarship (even with students), and fulfilling the usual service expectations. The things that *will* increase your pay are mostly things that will detract from the quality of your teaching: special assignments (some of them complete boondoggles), sucking up to administration, being administration, and teaching overloads. These are the same outrageous overloads that negatively impacted ASU's reputation (i.e., HLC probation, Mathieu Report, Confessions of a Fixer). No one has ever gotten a bonus or pay raise for *teaching*, which shows exactly how much it is valued. Sure you have to be adequate to be promoted to associate and full professor and those come with raises. Maybe a few people each year used to get a little money for the President's Teaching Award (or whatever), but that went away as well. Nevertheless, there is no merit raise for being a great teacher. As Jeff pointed out in Senate, there is no compensation for going above and beyond as a teacher: service learning, undergraduate research, etc. High-Impact Practices (HIPs) are being promoted, but will they be compensated? Not likely. Either work them into your "normal light teaching load" or suck it up and do them for free. ASU is nothing without faculty, but that's rarely recognized. Instead, administrators pull in much higher salaries in terms of CUPA, and then pad those salaries with many special projects. If you think I'm joking, consider: - Ed Crowther: paid over $5000 for being our World Languages Program Director. Yes, that's right, WORLD LANGUAGES because it takes him hundreds of hours to oversee the work of ONE member of his department? - Frank Novotny: paid over $16,000 in 2015 and 2016 to direct the HLC reaccrediting process. Isn't that his job? And we can all see what a great job he did by the Mathieu Report. - Bill Schlaufman: paid $88,000 as our Controller with time to spare to make another $77,000 teaching online! Sounds like two jobs for a total of $165,000 in a single year. - Liz Hensley: paid over $27,000 to be the Business MBA Program Director, while teaching ridiculous loads on and off campus. - Many chairs (and Hensley) get paid $3000-$6000 to manage their Distance Degree Programs, clearly a heavy burden. So, when Tomlin writes, "It could be that your 'little CUPA' isn't getting bigger for a reason, " he's correct for many of us. It's because we are doing our jobs, jobs that are not valued at ASU.
December 2, 2016 at 3:03pm The overall morale on the campus of Adams State University has grown by leaps and bounds since Dr. Chris Gilmer began his position as Vice President of Academic Affairs. He has cultivated a climate of transparency, equity, cultural duversity, integrity, and listening that has been absent since the mean girls took over Richardson Hall. Dr. Gilmer's leadership is refreshing, to say the least. In only five short months, he has made promising changes at Adams State University, and continues to do so every day. Ask yourself what positive changes Dr. McClure has made in over a year! Yeah, I hear crickets chirping. My only hope is that she might pattern herself after a true, genuine leader like Dr. Chris Gilmer. Cheers to the holiday season, and I, along with the other faculty, staff, and students, toast the future of ASU with a natural-born leader (finally) in Richardson.
December 2, 2016 at 11:31am It has been an interesting year on this site and as it winds down I have reviewed and taken some notes. It is my observation that many contributors here claim to want two things: 1) higher salaries, and 2) to "reform" ASU. Let's look at their strategies. First, higher salaries (in fairness we all want higher salaries), but here is the strategy being used: Step 1. Insult their employer as a loser place to work. Step 2. Insult those who do more work - teach extra classes, consult, speak, run a business., etc - and thus make more money than they. Step 3. Argue with Mike. Step 4. Insult the new crosswalk at the School of Business for making money "everything." Step 5. Argue with Mike. Step 6. Post Mike's salary on this site. Step 7. Argue with Mike. Step 8. Call out Mike for having too large a "CUPA." And post a different salary for Mike on this site. Step 9. Argue with Mike. Step 10. Criticize Mike for being white and male. Step 10. Lather, rinse, repeat. Hopefully at the end of the year readers will receive an update on the salary increases gained by these strategies. Now, for institutional reform. Let's look at their plan. 1. Insult our Trustees and demand resignations. 2. Insult Adams State as a loser organization. 3. Insult the School of Business for understanding business. 4. Argue with Mike. 5. Insult those who administered and taught additional classes as they were asked, and who generated precious revenue for ASU. 6. Argue with Mike. 7. Demonstrate their solidarity by organizing an invisible march. 8. Hide in embarrassment. 9. Blame every career move that people make in leaving Adams on "fear." 10. Argue with Mike. 11. Insult the Nursing Department. 12. Argue with Mike I think that brings us up to date. Again, I am curious to see how well "reform" goes under pressure of the above plan. But even with the compelling strategies outlined above, there are a couple of clarifications that may help the reformers. First, I believe there are positions on campus that are underfunded. I will stand with my colleagues and Faculty Senate and work for higher salaries. But I also understand the concept of "revenue first." Before more money can be paid out more money must come in. The President is working to that end on many fronts, in addition to attempting to increase enrollment, an area where we can all help. Secondly, I do criticize administration when I believe they have erred. I believe we have moved too slow with promised changes regarding Extended Studies. I voiced that directly to an RH exec in a meeting. We should be faster. On the other hand I believe some credence should be given to the comprehensive rebuttal offered to the "Mathieu Report," a document that for some reason has not made it to this site. I am not silent and do not always support the direction of my organization or administration. When I disagree on a matter of importance I tell them. I also tell them when they make decisions that I believe are good. But I do NOT believe that publicly soiling your own nest is a good way to gain changes or reforms. And after all is said and done it is your nest that remains soiled. Let's hope the new year inspires some new strategies. Michael Tomlin
December 1, 2016 at 10:30pm Regarding the December 1, 2016 at 9:06am post: “Did ASU administration consider this when they started their Nursing Program? Did they anticipate this would be a problem for an institution that grossly underpays its faculty and has serious retention problems? Or did they simply act without thinking things through?” You would have to ask Frank Novotny. Establishment of the Nursing program was his big accomplishment. What a big surprise that it is such a poorly performing program.
December 1, 2016 at 9:31pm Tomlin writes: "I am also male, but then only a sexist person would make that an issue." I think this one wins the prize. So anyone who questions sexism or racism or ageism, etc. is sexist, racist, ageist, etc? No wonder you were fired (at least) once and demoted here at ASU. As others have pointed out, we have to give McClure credit for doing the right thing in your case.
December 1, 2016 at 9:23pm Arguments? Indeed. Tomlin's comments sound more like the preachings of a fundamentalist religion than critical thinking. Praise the status quo, don't question authority, all is well. Have faith sinner! Blind faith. Religion? Or marketing himself?
December 1, 2016 at 9:12pm
Mike Tomlin knows or should know that CUPA is a reference to national peer group averages of per-position compensation, not one's individual salary ("your CUPA"). Most of his previous comment is incoherent because he consistently misapplies the term.
But Tomlin is correct: ASU has been putting "revenue first" - ahead of academic integrity, excellence in online scholarship, financial planning, ethical use of grant funds, and valuing its workforce. For many years, nobody seemed to care about any of those pesky details so long as the dollars kept rolling in.
So ASU has been great at streamlining its programs to bring in revenue. Per the Mathieu report: “The conclusion drawn from these observations is that there was often greater interest in remuneration rather than quality teaching and the maintenance of academic standards among many of the faculty teaching online courses for OES.”
ASU has indeed put "revenue first" - with the consequences of very poor graduation and retention rates, high staff turnover, low morale, and the tenure of insufferable suck-ups who bloviate, bully, and belittle anyone who would call for pay equity and administrative accountability.
December 1, 2016 at 7:07pm Mia CUPA oh my! I make more money every time I look at this site. Amazing. I guess I should go to HR and ask for what you guys print. I know it is a fool's errand to debate with a racist, sexist person, but it amuses me. I am not white. White is not a race nor an ethnicity. White is a color. I am a U.S. native born citizen, who's bloodline is 88% Brit, and the rest Scotch-Irish with some Scandinavian. I am proud of my culture and heritage as I assume most readers are of theirs. But so what? That doesn't increase "little CUPA's" money and that seems to be the issue. I am also male, but then only a sexist person would make that an issue. I am also tall. But what "little CUPA" doesn't understand is that if I donated my salary back next year it would not create a pay raise for them. Pay doesn't work that way. You cannot make your CUPA bigger by diminishing others. You won't make your CUPA bigger by trashing our Nursing program either. It is interesting that the students who failed their exams sat in the same classes as those who passed, had the same faculty, experienced the same clinical experience. Hmmmm. Yes, we need to strengthen our program but how do you critics do that by insulting it and tearing it down? Your "little CUPA" syndrome is showing. I may not know a lot but I do know that "revenue first" is a rule for any organization. I have lunch every week with many of our donors and they are very proud of our university. What picture do you paint? My wife and I have contributed to the university and its scholarship funds. We are pleased to be able to do so. I also promote the university in the business community, regularly with student prospects and their parents, and anytime I get the opportunity. What picture do you paint? It could be that your "little CUPA" isn't getting bigger for a reason. And it is not because I am male, tall, and of Brit heritage. Michael Tomlin
December 1, 2016 at 6:53pm What an interesting series of incorrect assumptions and spurious arguments Mike makes: motives, happiness, jealousy, and why would anyone care about salaries? Perhaps to investigate injustice, discrimination, nepotisim, cronyism... How else would widespread discrimination against women in the workplace have been exposed? It was one way that the unethical course / student loads of ASU professors were discovered, unethical behavior that resulted in probation by HLC. And then there's Ellen Novotny. Why did she get paid so much more per student than everyone else teaching for OES? Finally, for now, let's not forget that ASU administrators have been giving themselves raises for years that kept them at inordinate CUPA levels in comparison to faculty. Given ASU's history of shady management, I just know we will hear about more of these examples in the near future.
December 1, 2016 at 1:45pm Throwback Thursday - that time ASU Nursing program had a near-perfect NCLEX-RN pass rate. Oh wait, it was the competition. "Regis University’s Accelerated and CHOICE Nursing Programs Celebrate Nearly Perfect Licensure Test Pass Rates" (June 2014) http://www.regis.edu/News-Events-Media/News/2014/May/Accelerated%20Nurse%20NCLEX.aspx
December 1, 2016 at 10:32am Michael Tomlin, making over $94,000 last year as a full time faculty member, wonders aloud as to why anyone would care about their own compensation on a campus where many faculty make half that. He wants to scold people for even researching the peer group average of their position. He seems to believe that equal pay for equal work is a form of "jealousy" and everyone should be excited simply to have a job even if they are being exploited. People are only paid what they're worth, after all, so it's self-evident that Tomlin should be making more than most ASU faculty. And as such, he doesn't care about CUPA data (and neither should anyone else) because he is doing just fine, thank you. Tomlin seems to exemplify the white male worker who makes the rest of white male workers look bad. Apparently, Tomlin is also a business professor who is publicly stating that he wouldn't research similar compensation data relative to his own. I'm just going to leave it there.
December 1, 2016 at 9:49am Dear CUPA Watcher, (Nov. 27 at 8:23pm) Wow, I never knew my CUPA was so much bigger than yours. But really – big whoopa CUPA loofa – who cares, other than you? So many numbers and dollars and percentages, and what do they get you? I actually didn’t know what CUPA was but quick research shows it is an HR group of just over 50% of bachelors granting colleges and universities that maintains data on average salaries. I take it from your post that our salaries at Adams are below average. I would have guessed that. What I would not have done was research others’ salaries and compare them with mine or with CUPA data. I suspect there is value in our HR Department tracking these numbers but I cannot imagine the benefit of me doing it, or you. We applied for jobs, we were excited to accept the job and salary. The salary is higher than it was when we came. The story kind of ends there… Whatever does it say about a person and their self-worth when they spend their time looking at and measuring someone else’s CUPA, and then jealously comparing it with their own? I will wager that if I had signed a contract for your CUPA, and you had signed one for mine, that I would still be happy, and you would not. I wish you well but I think you are measuring the wrong things for your happiness. A gentle suggestion would be to focus on your work (not your CUPA), your service, your contributions to Adams and the community, and your family. If you need more revenue then go generate it. I don't know much but I have learned that life is mostly a do-it-to-yourself program. Michael Tomlin
December 1, 2016 at 9:06am Just a small selection of articles on a common theme: Nursing Faculty Shortage: The Nursing Faculty Shortage: A Crisis for Health Care http://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2006/04/the-nursing-faculty-shortage.html Nursing Faculty Shortage http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage Five Factors Contributing to the Nursing Faculty Shortage http://online.stmary.edu/msn/resources/five-factors-contributing-nursing-faculty-shortage A Continuing Challenge: The Shortage of Educationally Prepared Nursing Faculty http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursing/workforce/NursingShortage/Resources/ShortageofEducationalFaculty.html Nursing Schools Face Faculty Shortages https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/07/22/nursing-schools-face-faculty-shortages Did ASU administration consider this when they started their Nursing Program? Did they anticipate this would be a problem for an institution that grossly underpays its faculty and has serious retention problems? Or did they simply act without thinking things through? If any department at ASU can justify paying its faculty more, it's Nursing. The program needs to be saved or euthanized, but something needs to be done ASAP.
November 30, 2016 at 10:32pm Aaron Miltenberger is throwing a Trumpesque tantrum. He's made a mistake but instead of apologizing, he's beating up someone else for it. Apparently he has lodged a personal grievance complaint, not against one of his bosses, but against one of his own subordinates. Aaron had recently made an ass of himself by inviting people "who identify as white" to a meeting of like-minded people under the guise of "inclusive excellence", thereby outraging a swathe of staff and students. One of his own staff pointed out his email to others, but instead of saying, "Oops, I boobooed", or, "Sorry about that, I made a mistake", he's doubling down. He's not denying the contents. No. Instead, he's on a mission to whack a person who simply passed on his already-widely distributed email to others. A for Aaron, B for Bully, C for CIELO, D for..... DOH!!
November 30, 2016 at 7:36am Ben Waddell accepted a position in Nicaragua. Not sure who else.
November 30, 2016 at 6:37am When it comes to more employees leaving, as usual, there will be some quiet discussion, people find out through social media, passing comments in the hallways, or just the realization that someone else isn't around at the beginning of next semester. It has always been curious to me that there is such fanfare about new hires... but when people leave, it's like some private family dysfunction that nobody talks about - especially if they left because the culture at ASU is so hostile and repressive. Most people just want to move on and try not to think about what it was like at ASU.
November 29, 2016 at 5:58pm RE: November 28 10:15pm. Who is leaving now?
November 28, 2016 at 10:15pm It appears that more good employees are leaving Adams State soon. President McClure recently tried to assure the campus that it was a "safe space" but it certainly doesn't feel that way to many people who work there.
November 28, 2016 at 9:52am New ASU press release suggestion: "ASU Nursing Program in great position to improve, going nowhere but up!"
November 27, 2016 at 10:47pm Just because you make things seem like a secret doesn't mean they are, and just because you think your exposing people, you are not. ----Editor's Reply: This is actually a worthwhile distinction to be made. In a free society, there is a great amount of information that is hidden in plain sight - not because the data is necessarily secret but that it is never retrieved, made publicly available, distributed or analyzed. Many Watching Adams stories aren't about "exposing" secrets or people but simply connecting the dots and raising buried information for public review. And while much is known internally in the halls of Richardson, local press outlets have generally demonstrated no interest or ability in delivering such information to the broader public. So our work is as much a matter of audience as of content.
November 27, 2016 at 8:23pm Now, now, let's be civil. I too am thankful. I'm thankful that Mike is thankful. He shows such grace in dealing with the adversity of being paid $90,000 for several years before being demoted to merely $80,616 and 87.4% of CUPA. I'm sure that makes many of us who get paid about half that, earning 72.5% of CUPA, feel even more grateful. And like Mike: "A little pay raise every few years is appreciated." However, some of us have been here a lot longer and went years being below 72.5% of CUPA and seeing very few "little pay raises" in that entire time. Those facts point to the weakness of Mike's "how can you whine when you signed a contract" argument. Most of us expected our salaries to keep up with inflation, not fall farther and farther behind. We made a commitment when we accepted our positions here, while at the same time expecting a commitment from ASU - reasonable concern about retention. Almost all of us had other expectations, like a competent and ethical administration, not one that would run ASU into dire financial straits while running our reputation into the ground with its OES practices. Yes I'm grateful, grateful my spouse has a job that pays better than mine.
November 27, 2016 at 7:48pm Sure Tomlin you are thankful for being an embarrassment to humanity. This is why you lack the ability to get hired anywhere else but ASU! And for that I am thankful because your corrupt behavior would infect other institutions of higher learning. Go lick yourself for being a good dog!
November 27, 2016 at 11:57am Dear "I've been at this hell hole for 25 years," (Nov. 22, at 11:24 pm). I appreciate your persistence. Keep studying and you may yet graduate! ***** Our National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving has passed and as I review this site not many prayerful or thankful messages have been posted. I will offer one. Of course I am thankful to be born in a great country and for my family and many friends. I have been blessed. But beyond that I am thankful to work at a cool university in a great location and within a great community. I am not certain how some of you arrived at ASU but I actually sought my employment here. I applied and interviewed twice and then moved 1,100 miles to be a part of this unique school in the San Luis Valley. I am thankful to have my little office in the School of Business and colleagues who everyday we discuss the price of oil and gold, the workings of Bitcoin, and the influences on the stock market of our current election. I get paid to discuss that which I really enjoy and I am thankful for that. Then - I get to do the same with college students, I teach nearly 200 every week in my four classes this semester, helping prepare and motivate them for careers in business. I am thankful for such an opportunity and responsibility. Additionally I am trusted to serve the university with committee work and represent it with local government and the business community. I'm not certain how my work world could be better and I am thankful daily for that . I have great colleagues, faculty and staff in every building on campus and I enjoy and appreciate them greatly and for that I am thankful. And every month the university pays me a salary, actually more than what I agreed to when I came here. How sweet is that! A little pay raise every few years is appreciated. In addition to that they contribute money to a retirement fund and buy health insurance for me. I am thankful for all of these things. Life at Adams is good and for that I am thankful. Michael Tomlin Professor of Management School of Business
November 26, 2016 at 8:04am Someone wrote: "Would these nursing percentages be passing grades in ANY course?" No, absolutely not. Think about what this means for these students. They've paid for 4+ years of college, done a ton of work over 4 years, earned their Nursing degrees, but can't get jobs as real nurses because they aren't real nurses until they pass the NCLEX. When you have 5-10% of your students who can't pass, that's probably their fault; if 90% passed why didn't they? But ASU's is a completely different story. When 40%, 50%, 60% fail, you have to ask what's wrong with the program. It's about like Trump University; sure we'll take your money in return for something sub-par. When you take money from so many students, you have an ethical obligation to offer a program of reasonable quality, allowing a reasonable expectation that they'll be able to pass the NCLEX and qualify for jobs.
November 25, 2016 at 5:13pm I really doubt Shawn jumped, more like she had to walk the plank. She had no idea how to run that program. I doubt anyone at ASU will have the resources to recruit a sufficient number of sufficiently qualified nursing faculty.
November 25, 2016 at 12:45pm Would these nursing percentages be passing grades in ANY course?
November 25, 2016 at 11:45am The NCLEX pass rates are horrifying. They are the lowest in the state for both the current year and the aggregate pass rate. I feel so bad for these students who attended, hoping to get a quality nursing education. I feel bad for their patients (assuming they ever pass their exams). What is likely to happen now? Aren't they already on probation status? Looks like Shawn Elliot jumped ship in time to save herself. No doubt she's sleeping well--no conscience to bother her.
November 24, 2016 at 11:38pm Take a look at the 2016 NCLEX pass rate for Adams State on the Colorado Nursing Board website, ASU's pass rate is 40.7%, 11 of 27 students passed the licensing exam.
November 24, 2016 at 2:48pm Danny, you are absolutely correct. My reference was for the commentor who suggested "mind your own business". And that's why I love this website because of it's clarity and authentic nature.
November 23, 2016 at 12:30pm I didn't post the "defensive" response and I'm not being defensive now. I have plenty of issues with administration and I've had dirt tossed my direction, but I truly believe there is no "dirt" in Kim's case. My brother is in the same line of work as Kim's husband, working for the same folks, and my brother's reaction was: "good for him, great gig, beautiful place to work." Kim and her husband were both very excited about his opportunity and the chance to move back to California. - Jeff Elison ----Editor's Reply: To my observation, the accusation of being "defensive" was directed at the 11/22 at 1:24pm comment about "mind your own business", referencing the 11/20 at 11:03pm inquiry into the circumstances of Dr. Kelso's departure. I don't believe the 11/22 at 11:24pm comment asking "why are you so defensive?" was in reference to Jeff Elison's 11/21 at 9:32pm comment.
November 22, 2016 at 11:24pm Why are you so defensive about the question raised regarding Kim Kelso??? Kelso is my business and will continue to inquire about the real reason she left no matter how it makes you feel. Obviously there must be "dirt" surrounding her departure given your apparent paranoid response. I've been at this hell hole for 25 years and have directly witnessed "dirt" being thrown at talented faculty and staff who ultimately leave the institution or forced out!
November 22, 2016 at 1:24pm This is what I hate most about this site, from the comment on Nov 20th, asking if Kim Kelso resigned or was forced out. Mind your own business! You comment seems to want to spark another attack against ASU that is unfounded. I am glad that Jeff cleared this up, but her leaving is no one's business. If she was forced out, then it would have been known, but she left because a wonderful opportunity came up. Kim Kelso has always been a wonderful professor and a great colleague and department chair. If she was forced out, there would have been some noise on campus. Being there there was no noise, just mind your own business and stop trying to build a straw man just to knock it down with attacking ASU. And don't act like you wouldn't have done this; you were fishing for dirt to say how many more people have left this place. And on a related note about minding your own business. Danny, Carol, and others: Why do you even care still? You don't live here anymore? Isn't it time to move and and stop being a nuisance to ASU? ----Editor's Reply: Posing a question and receiving a response with more information is exactly what an open forum is for - for those who choose to use it. And the simplest solution to websites one doesn't like is not to visit them. ASU is a public university whose role in the San Luis Valley is of considerable importance. It is also one example in a larger story about the future of higher education in the United States. There are many reasons one should care about the policies and practices of a school such as Adams State, particularly given the lack of critical journalistic analysis that would otherwise exist in the town of Alamosa. To give one recent example, if not for Watching Adams, it is highly unlikely that the story of the Salazar ranch payment would have been made public. Public education and its transparent governance are of broader interest.
November 21, 2016 at 9:32pm I want to dispel any rumors: Dr. Kim Kelso was a wonderful chair. She was not forced out. Her husband found a fantastic career opportunity. I know she felt mixed emotions about leaving ASU, but my impression is that the decision was clear for Kim. I believe her last day was somewhere around August 1st, not May. - Jeff Elison
November 20, 2016 at 11:40pm I'm not sure about this, if you can prove it, or if you want to publish, and you may already possibly know information about it but in reference to the Valley Courier not wanting to print your op ed. I think when your case first came out there was a newly hired reporter for the Courier. That reporter wrote the story in a way that wasn't biased against you or in favor of ASU. He quickly disappeared from being the staff writer very shortly thereafter. That might be something else for you to try to look into. These small town papers, and I would argue around here specifically and possibly only the Courier need to be held accountable. I don't know who wrote the "rag" comment but if it was a reader and not you then just show's an appalling misunderstanding by the Courier publisher, or an excuse. ----Editor's Reply: This is in reference to Valley Courier Refused to Publish Critical Op-Ed, Other Publications Did and three articles written by David Gilbert, former staff writer at the Valley Courier, in November 2015 (found on the Press page). To the best of our knowledge, Gilbert left the Valley Courier to pursue better-paying endeavors with another employer in the Denver area. The October 18, 2016 "rag" comment was not written by Watching Adams publisher Danny Ledonne; those are signed with "Editor's Reply" or "Editor's Note." Given that the Valley Courier has close financial ties with Adams State University, it is not particularly surprising that its coverage of the university has been largely uncritical and often dutifully reprints ASU press releases, even with serious errors, without due diligence in journalism. Disappointing but not surprising.
November 20, 2016 at 11:03pm Is the data accurate on Kim Kelso leaving ASU in May? There appears to be some confusion on whether she resigned or was forced out??? ----Editor's Reply: Dr. Kelso is no longer listed in the ASU employee directory and isn't listed as teaching any courses at ASU in the fall 2016 course catalog. However, she is still listed on the Psychology department's faculty page, likely because that page is infrequently updated. Anyone with more information on this topic is encouraged to post a comment here. For a tenured faculty member to be "forced out" would require a formalized process of being stripped of tenure, which also includes an appeals process. This would be highly unlikely in Dr. Kelso's case.
November 20, 2016 at 4:23pm Mike Tomlin's parents taught him, "don't speak ill of people you take money from." Presumably that is why he refuses to be critical of an administration that is by all metrics stuck in quick sand. The lesson seems to be that if you are critical of your employer, you should leave in silence rather than tell them what is wrong. That seems to be a pretty poor character lesson. Does that mean you can only morally justify criticizing an organization once you have left it? Conversely, if you are unable to leave because of financial or family commitments but you think the organization is being run into the ground, it seems Mike's parents would advocate remaining silent even as ASU sinks up to its neck. What a good little loyalist, going down without a murmur. It is clear that Mike's views neatly fit the administration's policy of " shut up and conform, or out yourself so that we may hound you."
November 20, 2016 at 10:31am November 17, 2016 at 6:40pm What is a "twit"? In reference to Tomlin's post about twitter. Genius! Answer: Among those who do not tweet we jokingly use other words to describe the act. Chirp and twit are among the most popular, twerp and tweak are also sometimes used. It is simply just fun. Twitter deniers, as if we don’t really believe it’s there. A non-tweeter conversation might look like this: Did you see the chirp Trump sent out? Chirp? What’s a chirp? You know, from Twitter, that messaging thing with the hashbrown? Those are potatoes! You mean hashtack. It’s called a hashtack because it generally is an attack. Oh, okay. Anyway, it’s a twerp not a chirp when you’re using Twitter. Then what’s a twit? A twit is an anonymous, humorless person who insults people online. Yeah, they could be a twerp too. Michael Tomlin
November 17, 2016 at 6:40pm What is a "twit"? In reference to Tomlin's post about twitter. Genius!
November 17, 2016 at 4:35pm The 3:45 comment from November 13 requires one rebuttal - speaking or writing openly in our country, under the First Amendment is neither heroic, nor an act of valor. If you want to see or hear about those things join us for our annual Veterans Day luncheon hosted each year by the ASU Veterans student organization. Last Friday was a nice luncheon, great sharing of comments and experiences and rubbing of common elbows with those who know valor and heroism. Free speech on the other hand is like a muscle, if you don't use it you will find that it atrophies. It was certainly heroic when Dr. Martin Luther King marched and spoke, and he paid the ultimate price. But his acts made it easier for the next and the next. I was 18 when he was killed, and remain inspired by his words and actions, along with those of Robert F. Kennedy. I saw them both on TV every night and then they were gone. Regarding the recent election few honestly predicted the result. I am a political junkie and campaign consultant and I didn't call it. Some interesting statistics are that Mr. Trump out-flew, out-rallied, out-crowd-sized, out-speeched, and out-evented Ms. Clinton. The media ignored that. He also under-spent her by 50%. The day of the election and election night Twitter broke in his favor 51-49%. The Twitter chatter is interesting since many older Americans don't twit (me for instance), and many blue collar workers don't either. There was his margin, on top of the 51-49 which lead to 35 states for him and 15 states for Ms. Clinton. An Electoral rout. It is also interesting the choices rank and file voters made in the "rust belt" states. Blue collar working class people had to choose between a union friendly pro-labor Democrat, and a NYC Billionaire...and they chose Mr. Trump. I believe that two campaign statements made the ultimate difference: HRC: "Every morning I will wake up in the White House and try to figure out how to make your lives better." DJT: "I will bring jobs back and make America great again." Those were the issues many people voted, which brings us back to the comments on this site from 3:45 on November 13th - yes we should listen and care about those we disagree with. I'm not sure however that Trustee Salazar, President McClure and I are exactly in the same "echo chamber" and I am pretty sure we split our votes in at least two directions. And my comments do reflect my view of the world, a view taught to me by my parents and my public school teachers, and learned over 66 years. One view - don't speak ill of people you take money from. That is a matter of character. If you can no longer work for them then so bet it. But to take their money and trash them anonymously is lower than whatever you might think them guilty of. That view is not designed to gain me favor with Richardson Hall. There is no favor I want or need, and none they will offer. It is simply a guiding principle for maintaining satisfaction and fulfillment in my employment. If doing the opposite of that is working for you and you are content with your position in your life and employment, then good for you. But somehow it seems on this site that such is not the case. Michael Tomlin Professor of Management
November 13, 2016 at 3:45pm I care what Mike Tomlin thinks, and so should you. There is almost nothing Mike says that I agree with, but I applaud his valor in speaking his mind and putting his name to his WA contributions (thought that's not so heroic given that his views no doubt endear him to McClure.) I think he is genuine in what he believes. If we have learned anything from this abysmal election, it surely is to listen to those whose views are different to our own. If we had done so, instead of insulating ourselves in echo chambers with the like-minded, we might have seen Trump's victory coming. Mike's comments are instructive. They tell us how he - and I am sure many of his colleagues in ASU's upper reaches - view the world, and shows why they can't possibly understand opposition to McClure's regime. Yes, he and McClure and Salazar are in their own echo chamber, unable to really hear what we are saying, perplexed by the hubbub. And that may ultimately lead to their downfall.
November 11, 2016 at 6:37pm While everyone understands Tomlin's narcissistic fascination of fancying himself a "king”, we also recognize that he has far too many warts to be the institution's "knight in shining armor”. Of course, Dr. McClure sees this as well--hence his being sent back to the faculty. And, frankly, none of the rest of us care what he thinks, either.
November 10, 2016 at 11:24am Historically, the university was run by the faculty…” Yes, it is a spot-on statement and post from November 8, at 2:28pm. Professors used to rule, and full professors were kings. We can argue if that was good or not, but the evolution of society has majorly changed our universities and with it the professorate. And one by one we have shot ourselves in the foot one toe at a time I first entered academic life as a university instructor in 1983 and have witnessed much of the change as I have been in and out of the “Academy” since. I will offer a few observations that I believe have led to faculty’s reduced role and influence on campuses. These will be brief so understand each point could benefit from a more thorough fleshing out. • The tech explosion – professional workers stopped wearing neckties, and Bill Gates famously told Microsoft employees to “call me Bill.” The familiarization movement invaded much of the professional workplace. • University professors began to call each other by their first names. This especially changed the classics – Literature, Philosophy, etc., as rather than “Dr. Poobah” it became Jane or Jim to other faculty. • Familiarization in language lead to the decline of importance of faculty rank. Today promotions in rank are mostly about a pay raise. Lecturers, instructors and assistant professors would never have challenged full professors in years back, nor called them Jane or Jim. Deans were cautious about challenging full professors. • The internet – what professors once uniquely and solely knew is now available online. Assuredly the “understanding” of the material still lies with faculty, but content that was once mysterious is now there for all. We lost our mystique. • Social justice – Faculty once concerned themselves with Shakespeare, physics experiments, economic theories and historical interpretations. Today faculty invest their time in gender issues, salary disparities, and race. Understand these issues have long been engaged by faculty in their corresponding academic departments – economists would study salary but accountants would not spend their time in gender issues, while sociology and psychology might. • Faculty were fiercely protective of their academic content, and out of respect never challenged that of other departments. • Faculty would never question their own faculty governance, or allow challenges to questions such as retention decisions. • Faculty were especially protective of their faculty line spots and rank, and guarded them closely. Today, much of the above has simply evolved past us. Some of it is probably good. The professorate was historically male dominated and sexist. Some strides have been made. But some of our declining influence is our fault. We don’t make rank important or special, and thus it is neither. We don’t guard our faculty line spots to those of us who are most special but rather look to broaden the base of faculty to masters degreed staff professionals. We don’t respect our own self-government such as our colleagues’ retention decisions, nor guard their academic areas as our own. Rather, we challenge and insult other department’s curriculum or practices not understanding that by doing so we hurt our own. The part of the university we used to run was the academic part. We owned curriculum and programs, and Academy-wide we have lost much of that to “so-called” accrediting agencies and “rubrics.” We probably didn’t have much choice. But it was never the role of faculty to “reform” or (actually) run the institution, that was the work of “clerks” and administrative functionaries. Faculty operated at a far higher level and ruled their unique and special roost. It is today less unique, and we have made it less special. We have “taught” administration to view us more as a “teachers’ union.” We challenge them on things that are beneath us. We give them lists of “concerns” like we are children and it is our Christmas wish list. The professorate seldom (historically) involved itself with central administrative policies because they didn’t matter to us. The university president went to the state capitol to get the money, and we controlled academics. Today, we want to use faculty senate to address every social ill and to micromanage policy and in return have lost control of academics. When and where do we meet regularly as faculty for the purpose of intellectual academic discussion? We have faculty lectures and noon lectures and those are good and important. But in days of old after a faculty lecture those of us there would have opened wine and discussed the issue into the wee hours of the morning. We have time-slotted and “corporatized” those events today and not to our betterment. It is unlikely we will gain much back, but a start would be to govern closely that which is by right ours – academics. We could climb back up on our academic roost and work to regain mutual respect, and rebuild the value of rank and titles and re-strengthen what it means to be a professor. That is there for us. But is not if we use our time and effort trying to broaden our influence domain and continue to lose it as we do. The United States’ foreign policy is a good (bad) example. I hope the reader(s) find these comments useful. Michael Tomlin Professor of Business
November 8, 2016 at 2:28pm Historically, the university was run by the faculty and thus all such reforms came from within the professoriate. Only in recent decades has an increasingly bloated class of administrators abrogated, sometimes forcefully, the responsibilities of faculty to manage the institution. The current role that faculty play in the governance of Adams State is mere tokenism and increasingly timid suggestions about reform. It has also become apparent that faculty who wish to have a significant role in university governance must speak and behave like the very administrators against whom they are supposed to be providing a check. Those who have the most influence tend to support administrative positions much more often than the faculty they are supposed to represent. We already know who comes to mind here...
November 7, 2016 at 5:02pm I see that there is going to be a town hall on November 15th at ASU. This would certainly be a good time to ask about any number of major problems at Adams State that are being created or overseen by the current administration and board of trustees. These include: unconscionable ongoing salary inequities, wasteful spending of grant monies, disregard for free speech and due process, high levels of employee turnover, declining enrollment, financial mismanagement, academic probation due to violations of online coursework standards, the fiscally-unwise decision to choose Guaranteed Tuition, inadequate performance of accredited programs such as Nursing, abuses of authority and retaliatory workplace conduct, unethical transactions and nepotism... just to name a few.
November 7, 2016 at 1:15pm Actually there are many ways to get paid more at ASU, as an earlier comment mentioned: "special project payments, fee-for-service arrangements, and of course the dozens of fly-by-night online courses." Of course, many of these have been exercised in ethically dubious or academically compromised ways, but that hasn't seemed to bother the administration or board whatsoever, even when outside accreditors and audits indicate otherwise.
November 7, 2016 at 11:11am Mike Tomlin hits the nail on the head: “Add value to your work with someone who can pay more for it. My bet…. It won’t be here, ever, for any of us.” Yes, that’s right folks. Add value to your work here, but you won’t get paid for it, so go somewhere else. If he represents how our leadership truly thinks, then no wonder so much talent has left, and will continue to leave. And no wonder we are left with the rest, Mike Tomlin included.
November 7, 2016 at 7:20am There was talk on this website last week about CIELO and whiteness. Then, as if to assure us that white male privilege is still alive and well, Mike Tomlin saunters in and demonstrates exactly what it looks like. Surely it is easy to decry anonymity when you are a tenured full professor spouting congratulatory, establishment views. Notice also how convinced he is that his perception of the on-campus reality must be the only valid one. Speaking of which, Tomlin is either unaware or unwilling to admit that many good faculty and staff have left ASU in recent years – either being forced out, pressured to resign, or simply because they see the sordid state of financial and academic affairs and recognize their careers are better spent elsewhere. Many disillusioned students are leaving for similar reasons. Respectfully, I have no interest in having coffee with such a person - particularly after how the Judge Kuenhold report describes the Business Department as a "good old boys network" while he was chair. That he is no longer chair and instead insists on posting here in such a manner strongly suggests that he may be compensating for previous transgressions.
November 6, 2016 at 11:39am Oh my! My comments must have caused a panic meeting of the Suckers Anonymous executive team... I know it's a fool's errand but it amuses me so I will respond to a couple of your comments. Be advised that you are not required to read what follows. Don't get suckered into it and regret it later. This is on you. Hmmm, I see I am "a disciple of neoliberalism, an economic ideology that insists you are worth the money your boss pays you, and that’s all. He believes that the market’s “invisible hand” infallibly determines your value. " Then the anonymous writer continues with a Wikipedia lecture on economics. Too funny. I am not an economist, not a neoliberalist, and I don't even play one on TV. But I did get a good nights sleep in a Holiday Inn Express...LOL It is like accusing me of being Lutheran (I am not), or a Libertarian (I am not), and then writing Wikipedia lectures about Lutherans or Libertarians. Who suckered you into doing that? I do have two basic laws of economics that I believe in and practice. 1) Do not spend more than you have. 2) If you desire more income then provide more value to someone who can pay more for it. I do not believe that the market determines "your value." The market does set some basic values - engineers earn more than teachers - but my bedrock belief is that YOU determine your value, and then you employ your ambition and talent (and a little luck) to close the gap between your earnings and your self-ascribed value. Then one of you wrote: "Many have resigned themselves to focus on their own career goals rather than trying to reform the institution." That is very good news. Many of us came into the professorate with career goals of being good teachers, able scholars, and engaging communities with service. Actually that is likely what our/your job descriptions call for. So it is what we should be doing. What we get paid to do. Where on your job description does it tell you to "reform the institution?" Who suckered you into that role? Is your name Beverlee McClure? She was hired to reform the institution and is working to do that. She's done some well and made some mistakes. Okay. But if you want to "reform" then lead the movement. Calling people neoliberals hardly reforms. Hiding behind your pathetic anonymity hardly reforms. But I know, you are fearful, in a climate of fear and some of you are "victims" and I recall reading that some of you are grieving. Then you don't have the grit to be reformers. Give it up. Go home and hide and cry. Leave it to men and women who show up for demonstrations, rallies or walks, who sign their names. Or of course you could do the work you get paid for, the work you were hired for, the work your hiring committee believed you could do. That's a thought. And I saw your comments of "see what happens to people who speak out at ASU." Yes, generally nothing. I can list faculty member after faculty member who I have seen take a stand on one position or another, and they are still happily in their jobs and doing their work. Myself included. You write how slow universities move, and I agree. I could not believe how long it took to get the ill-conceived faculty status issue for librarians off the board. We wasted so much time and effort and a decision should have been made immediately - no, we don't have a library science degree or academic department so we're not going to grant faculty status to staff professionals and lower the average salaries of all faculty, dilute the strength or our doctoral core, or otherwise be suckered into a plain bad decision. Yes we moved too slow, and it will likely raise its head again. But the Academy moves slow. And you wrote: "Yes, we are “suckers”, Mike, because we were suckered. And we have every right to be pissed off." I agree with you there. Poor backwoods hill folk suckered and slickered by fast talking Richardson Hall elites with college degrees. Oh, wait. Some of you have college degrees too. You were suckered? Then suck it up and accept it. It happens. Be pissed off at yourself. Want to make up for lost ground? Add value to your work with someone who can pay more for it. My bet...it won't be here, ever, for any of us. If you are still grieving, I recently read that the University of Florida is offering free counseling for students who could not handle the messages of many Halloween costumes. Maybe our counseling professionals will hold some de-suckering therapy sessions for you. Maybe help you recover some of your self-respect, so that you can stand on your own comments, use your name when you write and show the courage to help ASU move forward, not just call names and insult people on this site. My offer still stands on the coffee. We can visit and I'll buy. Michael Tomlin Professor of Management (not an economist, not a neoliberal, not grieving, and not been suckered)
November 5, 2016 at 5:36pm "Many have resigned themselves to focus on their own career goals rather than trying to reform the institution." Truth. Many have also just resigned, period. Both are tragic.
November 5, 2016 at 4:48pm I think the point that Three Reasons Why Service at Adams State is for Suckers makes is a much more narrow one. Dr. Tomlin defends university service in a broad way that almost everyone would agree with, at least in spirit. Yes, there are important aspects to the professoriate supporting their communities and that's fantastic. But what the commentary article argues is that ASU's campus culture is hostile towards anyone who – even in the sincere effort for university service – tries to think outside the box, bring a critical lens to their committee work, or offer up ideas that make administrators or the Board of Trustees uncomfortable. Most people are cautious enough to see what happens to people who speak out at ASU and many have resigned themselves to focus on their own career goals rather than trying to reform the institution – whose problems are now being made obvious and apparently intractable from the mandate to Drink the ASU Kool Aid. That's the issue I see as being problematic at ASU, not the notion of service generally.
November 5, 2016 at 11:11am Mike Tomlin is a disciple of neoliberalism, an economic ideology that insists you are worth the money your boss pays you, and that’s all. He believes that the market’s “invisible hand” infallibly determines your value. The invisible hand metaphor arises from a fleeting mention of it by Adam Smith in “The Wealth of Nations” published in 1776, and it is clear that most enthusiasts for this ectoplasmic appendage have not actually read the thing themselves. If they had, they would also note that the hand is not entirely independent, but relies on the periodic guidance of men of high standing with a sense of altruism and community benevolence. Indeed, the invisible hand has been working its magic at ASU, guided by our administrators sans altruism to pickpocket faculty and staff. They get more, we get less. Part of the neoliberal agenda is to screw down wages while at the same time demand productivity. We see this theme nakedly in Mike’s plea to be happy. You deserve what we pay you (because that’s all you are worth), you can make more money only if you work longer hours, and we want you to do a whole lot of service work for free. He lists seven things that will prove to him that you are sufficiently supplicant. Of course, to follow his prescription for being a good little professor is that you will have no time to yourself, no time for your family, no time for your own intellectual pursuits, no time for research and professional development, no time to really bond with students and to be a great teacher, and most importantly, no time to cause problems for the administration. Yes the perfect neoliberal panacea, right here at ASU. Ironically, the real “Road to Serfdom.”
November 5, 2016 at 9:52am Dear Mike Tomlin, A respectful response to your respectful response: Yours is a beautifully crafted excuse for the con job that was visited upon us by stealth, but now having been revealed, has rightly outraged its victims. After the 2008 crash and the subsequent cut in education funding, ASU’s fortunes slipped, like so many other institutions. We rallied to the call that we should pull together, make sacrifices for the greater good, for the benefit of our students and the sustainability of our venerable institution. Professors and staff were told for years that the university was virtually destitute and could not even afford cost of living adjustments let alone raises even for outstanding performance. And we went along with it passively because we didn’t know better. That’s because ASU’s state of affairs has been hidden from view. Unbeknownst to us, those very administrators who pleaded ASU’s penury were packing their pockets with more and more money. Salary hikes, special project payments, fee-for-service arrangements, and of course the dozens of fly-by-night online courses they taught - a travesty that brought down the wrath of the HLC and plunged ASU into existential peril. We thought we were helping the university when our leaders were helping themselves. Yes, we are “suckers”, Mike, because we were suckered. And we have every right to be pissed off.
November 4, 2016 at 3:54pm A respectful response to Three Reasons Why Service at Adams State is for Suckers Dear faculty colleague(s), Thank you for a well written column on service and your disillusionment with it. I will accept your perceptions and experiences as you wrote them, and write this response to hopefully bring some different perspectives and opportunities to you and other colleagues. Yes, teaching, research and service are indeed the pillars of the Academy that makes up higher education around the world. We are a unique fraternity (no sexism intended) as professors and it is one of the best professions in the world. I have taught in public schools, worked in and out of private industry, owned my own business, and earned my tenure and rank at a research (R1) institution, the University of Idaho. My experiences there, eight years at the University of Wyoming, and now five years at Adams are markedly different than yours with regard to service. Service at Adams State University is not for “suckers” but rather is part and parcel of our professorship and helps define us as professionals. Before I explain, let me address your concerns over “bureaucracy, low pay, and negative office politics.” First, when you join a bureaucracy it should not surprise you to find it as such. I served years in the Army…believe me, Adams is not a bureaucracy. I have served at two larger universities and in a state system of K-12 education….Adams is not a bureaucracy. We could be better, leaner, faster, as can most institutions, but please don’t fret that it takes time to accomplish things. The Academy is not a tech start-up, it is a glacier and its administration tend to be glacier pilots. Don’t let this spoil your great gig as a professor here or anywhere else. Regarding “low pay,” if it is lower than the contract you agreed to and that you signed then I suggest you see a labor attorney. If they are paying you what you agreed to in the contract that you signed…then by definition your pay is fine. However, if you desire more pay then generate it. We have unique jobs where we can write books, give speeches, consult, create inventions and patents, with no limit on our income potential and do it all as a faculty member. Wow! It is a great gig, unlike most others. Be appreciative and if you have talent and ambition then generate the income you wish for yourself and your family. You mentioned “negative office politics.” I understand, and with some humor note that no one ever complains about positive office politics. Go figure. The key to office politics is to accept that it occurs whenever more than one employee is assigned to an office. The key to your sanity is to offer the solutions you can, appropriately respectful to your academic rank and that of others, and don’t participate nor contribute to the negativity. Be too busy providing good teaching and advisement to your students, conducting your research, providing good service, and enhancing your income. Now, regarding service. You seem to have intertwined service with shared governance and committee work. These are not one and the same. I will agree that at a small school with small departments and sometimes short on senior faculty the committee needs and assignments can be substantial. On the other hand, our research requirements are not as hefty as they might be at a larger or R1 institution so those balance. I have been at both. But true service is so much larger than campus committee assignments. Yes, you need to establish yourself on those and hopefully provide leadership. And of course all service begins with excellent student advisement. But just as an example, in the School of Business, our “Service” rubric for retention and evaluation lists the following as some of the ways to accomplish the service requirement: (In no particular order) • Significant work on departmental and university committees. • Coordination, advisement and/or supervision of student organizations, clubs, or student activities. • Significant participation and/or leadership in institutionally sponsored student support activities. • Contributions as an officer of local, regional, national, or international professional organizations. • Development and organization of special projects, including academic institutes or workshops related to the discipline. • Discipline related service to P-12 education. • Service on boards, commissions, councils, or other similar groups. Those are some, not all, in our rubric. These are accomplished with participation and leadership in Student Scholar Days, our free income tax service to the community, representing the university and School of Business with Chamber of Commerce, SLV marketing boards and organizations, economic development groups, Valley Initiative Partners, serving on school boards, credit union boards, rec boards, etc. For each discipline there are community, regional and state groups where your service is needed and for which should be counted on your CV and in consideration of retention, tenure, and promotion. A faculty member can easily immerse themselves in their students, scholarship, and service and never notice the bureaucracy. Never notice the politics because they do their work, contribute where they can, and enjoy a great job in a great career in a great region and at a really good little school. How cool is that? It is unfortunate that you were not (with respect) mentored better into your professorship. I am thankful every day for the senior faculty member who helped ease me through my “baby assistant professor” years at UI. Understand that at many larger universities senior faculty don’t want to hear much from assistant professors… But we are (mostly) not that way. So my offer is that I will meet with anyone, help discuss or provide ideas on quality service, the service of professional academics (not suckers) and help you gain a good grasp on this all important pillar of your job. I will buy the coffee. Just call me, stop by my office, or send me an email. Service at Adams is not for suckers, it is what productive, committed, professional academics engage in every day – not as an extension of their work but as part and parcel of the work itself. I wish for you better days ahead in your professorship! Michael Tomlin Professor of Management School of Business
November 4, 2016 at 1:14pm "Boards of directors are like subatomic particles - they behave differently when they're observed." - Nell Minow
November 3, 2016 at 10:45pm Yesterday, the editor mentioned that Arnold Salazar's ranch "has applied for a Special Use Permit that would allow them to permanently operate as a "Private Recreation Club or Lodge" . Their first hearing will be before the Alamosa Planning Commission on November 9, 2016. Their second hearing is before the Board of County Commissioners on December 14, 2016. The hearings are open to the public if you are interested in attending." If people are upset about this, we should consider attending these hearings and should also contact these representatives to voice our concerns about Arnold Salazar's ethical violations by profiting from property for an ASU event while serving as Board Chair (and with his sister managing the Title V funds). Tell them you want your concerns to be treated confidentially. Alamosa Planning Commission: http://cityofalamosa.org/departments/boards-commissions/planning-commission-board/ Alamosa County Commissioners: http://www.alamosacounty.org/commissioner-home/8-departments/commissioners/22-commissioners
November 3, 2016 at 8:29pm So many issues have come to light that the majority of the community would be woefully unaware were it not for Watching Adams. Some issues would likely be in the light but one has to wonder the level of awareness that would exist if not for WA. And one must applaud WA's attempt at helping ASU achieve true transparency. One must also applaud Dr. Gilmer's (futile?) attempts to investigate and bring to light the obvious corrupt practices by Svaldi, Novotnys, Roybal, Phillips and others through OES and off the backs of legitimate employees. So one MUST pose the question AGAIN---when will anyone be held accountable? Interesting question considering something I heard the other day... that Mr. Roybal is "not worried.” “He has enough dirt on others that is he is fired others will go down as well...and the administration doesn't want that." Gossip? Probably...but again one has to wonder why nobody has been accountable... The truth? Likely!
November 3, 2016 at 2:31pm People in positions of power, like BOT Chair Salazar, are only held accountable if they are made to - it doesn't happen on its own. Here are some resources for anyone to petition their grievances, which should be treated confidentially. So if you are unhappy with how public officials are behaving, file a complaint: Colorado Governor’s Office: https://www.colorado.gov/governor/contact Colorado Dept. of Higher Education: http://highered.colorado.gov/dhe/contact.html Higher Learning Commission: https://www.hlcommission.org/HLC-Institutions/complaints.html US Dept. of Education, Title V: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/idueshsi/contacts.html Salazar says this website is just to "blab and blog" and that "he doesn't care." He has even characterized these comments as "cyberbullying." So no more whining. If you remain silent about something you believe is wrong, you are complicit in it. If you want things to change, it's time to file a complaint and tell your colleagues to do the same.
November 3, 2016 at 7:42am Now with 32 votes, 91% think Salazar acted unethically and it's clear from ASU's guidelines that he did. So what will happen? Nothing. This is ASU; this is the SLV. Another problem swept under the rug. That's the great thing about power, you are rarely held accountable. The same standards just do not apply. Sickening. Hey Arnold, why don't you donate your $12,700 to students?
November 2, 2016 at 6:53pm "You have declared all beardless white heterosexual males as being misogynistic-racists-homophobes by birth. Thanks!" Ummmm...Matt Nehring doesn't have a beard...nor does Robert Kirk, Kevin Daniel, Chris Olance, Ben Waddell, Jeremy Yeats, Brian Zulegar, Bill Lipke, James Doyle, shall we go on? No. Not all white men fit this description. But if you're feeling guilty then perhaps a little self reflection is in order. Shall we reserve a spot for you at this year's Equity Institute?
November 2, 2016 at 11:40am ----Editor's Note: A comment posted on November 1, 2016 at 4:00am asked about the zoning of the Salazar ranch, so we inquired with Alamosa County's Land Use Administrator. Here is the response we received: The property in question is allowed to conduct special events with a Temporary Use Permit which has been obtained for all events meeting the threshold requirements for a "special event". Furthermore, the facility has applied for a Special Use Permit that would allow them to permanently operate as a "Private Recreation Club or Lodge" . Their first hearing will be before the Alamosa Planning Commission on November 9, 2016. Their second hearing is before the Board of County Commissioners on December 14, 2016. The hearings are open to the public if you are interested in attending. Sincerely, Rachel Baird, Land Use Administrator
November 2, 2016 at 11:03am It appears that Adams State “University” (a dubious distinction) is more engaged in social programming than it is interested in engaging in academic programming. The social justice warriors have staged a successful coup in enforcing anti white male heterosexual culture. You have declared all beardless white heterosexual males as being misogynistic-racists-homophobes by birth. Thanks! Cielo is Adams’ “Ministry of Love”. Where anyone who “…identifies as white and is interested in understanding privilege and bias” can be “cured” of their thought-crime. Aaron you have successfully embodied Orwell’s O’Brien as chief deprogrammer. Carol Guerro Murphy you should be ashamed of yourself for entertaining this decidedly fascistic behavioral adjustment programming session. Adams would do better to focus on academics instead of social programming. I wish to attend a university and not a center of deprogramming.
November 2, 2016 at 10:22am Aaron, if you really want to challenge your notion of your whiteness and your privilege, then you need to invite a few more people than just “anyone who identifies as white.” Instead of cloistering yourself with a bunch of other Aarons, how about getting together with a few people of color to tell you what it is like to be on the receiving end of white privilege? Or would that be too uncomfortable for you?
November 1, 2016 at 8:07pm Two annotations to my 10/23 comment: 1. My comment was a very heartfelt reaction to someone else's post, based on my professional history. My experience at huge, successful companies (Intel, Hewlett-Packard) has been very different from my experience at small regional universities. Nevertheless, it would be remiss of me not to mention the great work Chris Gilmer is doing. I've been thoroughly impressed. I think his attitude exemplifies the type of culture described in the original post: "build trust and eliminate fear" and "problems can be lifted up, discussed and fixed to drive real improvement". I really hope that's our future. 2. I certainly did not have in mind the fact that the very next day WatchingAdams would report on ASU paying Arnold Salazar for use of his facilities. So, I was not referring to that particular bit of news, no matter how disturbing it may or may not be. - Jeff Elison
November 1, 2016 at 7:53pm I see in the current poll there are currently 26 people who say Salazar certainly violated ethical guidelines and 2 who say possibly. That's over 90%. But there are no "real" problems at ASU; it's just 5 or 6 complainers. Right, back to work, insert head in... sand or wherever. ----Editor's Reply: We only allow one vote per IP address to try and limit repeat voting as much as possible for an anonymous online poll. The results aren't intended to be scientifically valid but at least generate discussion and reflection as well as encourage reader participation in our publications.
November 1, 2016 at 4:19pm “This group is open to anyone who identifies as white and is interested in understanding privilege and bias." Holy crap Batman. Anyone who is white or has the balls to identify as white would be stupid and on a death wish to enter that den of witches. It would be like the German Nazi concentration camp guard saying "Come over here, come over here to this house that is warm. Come inside, see it is nice and warm. You stay here where it is warm and I will go." Snowflakes are bullies when they are in packs.
November 1, 2016 at 3:46pm Mr Miltenberger, what about the rest of us? Or is Cielo now practicing Exclusive Excellence? Only the right kind of people need apply, right?
November 1, 2016 at 8:43am From Three Reasons Why Service at Adams State is for Suckers: "doing so at ASU raises institutional alarms and instantly subjects any faculty or staff member to ongoing harassment, shunning, bullying, and a generally hostile workplace. " This hits very hard because I have had the privilege of going through this for years now. Mcclure recently said in a staff meeting that the campus does, "arbitrary things to weed people out", which is probably a big part for her plan to "not" fire people. It'll be through attrition. Make them miserable until they quit. Of course I'm staying anonymous because of the university's track record of blatant retaliation and the common practice of sweeping it under the rug while covering for eachother. Remember to document.
November 1, 2016 at 7:39am Aaron Miltenberger just sent out an invitation for “anyone who identifies as white” to attend a Cielo session. In full, he says: “This group is open to anyone who identifies as white and is interested in understanding privilege and bias.” Look in mirror, dude, and think before you hit Send.
November 1, 2016 at 4:00am Just wondering... Arnold Salazar's land is zoned rural, not commercial. Despite being unethical, I wonder if he is flaunting the county land use/zoning regulations? Does anyone know? Also, with an expenditure of that size, is there no requirement to put it out to bid? As this a recurring event, there should have been ample time to get competitive bids. Surely one of the hotel venues in town could have charged much less.
October 31, 2016 at 9:35am Larga vida a las hembras de la familia e Chicanas en el poder! (Long live the women of Chicano families in power!) - rough translation ----Editor's Reply: Watching Adams believes that everyone should be held to high ethical standards regardless of gender, ethnicity, or other demographic factors. Power should only be long lived if it is used responsibly.
October 31, 2016 at 7:43am Did Arnold Salazar violate ethics? Huh? How is this even a question. It's black and white: ASU Purchasing Manual, under Code of Ethics: "Refrain from any private or professional activity that would create a conflict between personal interests and the interests of Adams State University." End of story. Period. I hope this gets investigated at appropriate levels, state, federal, Title V.
October 28, 2016 at 7:08am Like Jeff, the John Dyer quote resonates. Unlike Jeff, I and other individuals don’t have the courage to identify ourselves. This in itself speaks to which of the two described cultures currently prevails at Adams State. “Trust, leadership, and teamwork” - it’s not rocket science, right? But the culture has to be genuine to its core, not just a gauzy veneer. Many seem to be placing their faith in the new VPAA to introduce a new era of trust, caring, and collective action. But ask yourself a few questions: 1. Who does the new VPAA hang out with? The exclusive clubbiness of ASU’s administrative “elite” continues unabated. How can our culture change if the power structure hasn’t? 2. Why do these same clubby individuals continue to enjoy fancy multiday off-site retreats to talk and eat and talk endlessly in an exclusive environment about - of all things - inclusivity and diversity? 3. Why has there been no removal of program heads yet following the Mathieu report? The scathing report came out over a month ago. At what other organization would administrators not be held immediately, individually accountable for the “egregious, diverse, and arguably unethical nature of the findings”? Is the answer possibly that those administrators know too much about unethical practices of other administrators, so the system just protects and preserves itself as systems tend to do? Some found the Mathieu report admirable for its unvarnished candor. But perhaps Gilmer is simply astute enough to know that getting off probation cannot happen without at least a solid appearance of a mea culpa. 4. Why do good people continue to flee? Who’s next to leave? Who will be left in another year or two but the clubhouse members? So discouraging. Higher education should foster diversity of opinion, but ASU forces out all independent thought. 5. Why is Adams State being discussed in an upcoming 60 Minutes piece? I am guessing it’s probably not a fluff piece? There are plenty more questions to pose. Some may say these questions are part of the problem (“complainers”) rather than the solution, but as Jeff notes from his corporate experience, “hiding problems was unproductive and completely counter to our mission.” To requote the John Dyer quote: "In a culture built on trust, problems can be lifted up, discussed and fixed to drive real improvement." The “complainers” are only trying to identify and discuss problems; the fact that they pay a heavy price for it is proof of which culture is in solid control at ASU. When you’ve spent years building up an institutional culture of fear that is “all about fire-fighting, back stabbing and finger pointing”, you can’t begin to even think about constructing a new culture of “trust, leadership and teamwork” until you first expose the current culture for what it is and identify its maintainers for who they are. I for one don’t yet see anyone with the character and will to stand up and do so for the rest of us who can’t.
October 27, 2016 at 11:49am The Salazar ranch scandal confirms what many of us have long suspected: Title V and similar monies are treated as "slush funds" to be burned through in capricious, even unethical ways. After all, nobody has gotten caught before. The standard operating procedure at Adams State is mutually-assured corruption - with everyone in on the take or intimidated into silence. Sometimes, it's hard to know which whistle to blow first around here.
October 27, 2016 at 7:11am Looking at the list of 10 names in the last message is eye-opening, enough for a chain gang. Arnold may be the leader of the chain gang, but please don't forget the biggest criminal of them all: Bill Mansheim. Oh to see this bunch breaking rocks in the hot sun in their orange jumpsuits! ASU: Great Corruption Begins Here.
October 26, 2016 at 7:32pm The more watchingadams digs the more corruption that seems to be found. And, yet, nobody has ever been held accountable--Frank Novotny, Ellen Novotny, Dave Svaldi, Walter Ruybal, Judy Phillips, Ed Crowther, Liz Thomas, Linda Reed, Bill Schlaufman, etc. And NOW Board Chair Salazar. Can this place become anymore laughable, unbelievable, sickening?
October 25, 2016 at 6:02pm Not to worry. I'm sure Arnold Salazar will announce that "not one dime" of the Title V Funds went to him. Remember, people can "blab and blog," he doesn't care!
October 25, 2016 at 3:35pm I just don't know why anyone would be the least suspicious about having the retreat at Arnold's place for a mere 2k a day. After all Arnold is Lillian's brother, might as well keep this shit in the family. Hell, I have a barn, kitties, dogs, horses and I'd even turn the garden hose on so there is plenty to drink. I'd do all that for a cool 1k a day and save Adams a bunch of money.
October 25, 2016 at 2:47pm Hats off to Mr. Ledonne for exposing the University leadership for what it truly is. Salazar should be ashamed of himself and resign immediately.
October 24, 2016 at 10:16pm So let me get this straight: ASU Board President Arnold Salazar is lining his pockets with Title V funds? Is there no other SLV ranch available for a retreat at two grand per day? Any hotels with conference centers around Alamosa? Sounds like business as usual at ASU. I wonder if the Feds know how these funds are being spent. Paying off your own Board president probably isn't what they meant by "Hispanic Serving Institution" - more like "Self-Serving Institution."
October 23, 2016 at 8:03pm That last comment certainly hits home. "In a culture built on trust, problems can be lifted up, discussed and fixed to drive real improvement." I worked as a software engineer at Intel and Hewlett-Packard for 16 years. The focus of our jobs was to find problems and fix them before they went out the door. Having customers or outsiders find your problems was a disaster. So, hiding problems was unproductive and completely counter to our mission. The real tension was with schedules (time-to-market), not stepping on people's toes. Everything was discussed by the team. In fact, larger projects consisted of two teams: those writing the software and those trying their hardest to break it every single day. Can you imagine that level of scrutiny in higher education? And we pulled it off without animosity, nothing more than a little friendly competitiveness. Different worlds. -Jeff Elison
October 23, 2016 at 2:34am "Business leaders must constantly look for ways to build trust and eliminate fear if they want to see improvement and teamwork thrive. In a culture built on fear, employees will try to interpret every comment and gesture in order to guess what the leaders really want. In a culture built on trust, problems can be lifted up, discussed and fixed to drive real improvement. I have worked in both environments, and the ones built on fear were all about fire-fighting, back stabbing and finger pointing. The ones built on trust, leadership and teamwork not only accomplished significant improvement and customer satisfaction (with revenues and profits far greater than any cost-cutting initiative) but were also great places to thrive as an employee." - John Dyer, Industry Week
October 20, 2016 at 8:47pm I believe, the “Valley Courier Headline: ASU Financials Looking Positive” is appropriately called, putting lipstick on a pig. Perhaps instead of the grizzly bear being the ASU mascot, it should be replaced with Porky Pig. Go Pigglies! “In their styes with all their backing They don't care what goes on around In their eyes there's something lacking What they need's a damn good whacking”, George Harrison
October 18, 2016 at 8:23pm Valley Courier Headline: ASU Financials Looking Positive Reality Headline: Valley Courier a joke, a rag, run by editors devoid of ethics Reality Headline: True journalism is dead Byline: Julie Waechter Taxpayers already pay Julie to write this crap. I'm not about to buy the Valley Courier and pay Julie twice. Financials must be just great when enrollment is down for the fifth straight year. Who needs students when you can market your land? And "rightsize" your way out of failure.
October 18, 2016 at 1:48pm ASU will be on 60 Minutes? Excellent. I can already imagine how that will go... Steve Kroft: So according to multiple investigations, Adams State was engaging in egregious practices with its online program. The Office of Extended Studies allowed hundreds of students to be taught in online courses – even by faculty already teaching full time on campus. There were minimal instructor interactions as required by the US Department of Education and these courses were treated as open enrollment even though they were semester based. About 72% of students were allowed to take an Incomplete. And this was known and approved by the administration for years and years. So you've now been placed on academic probation by your accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission. How do you respond? President McClure: That sanction was politically motivated because Adams State has been targeted as the HLC's the whipping boy. Those problems had already been addressed and it was only a few sections online. Steve Kroft: But according to this investigation by Dr. Mathieu, many courses he randomly audited failed to meet the standards necessary for semester-based courses and it became clear that the OES was focused on the remuneration of faculty and the university over delivering quality education online. President McClure: See, that's just more “negativity” at ASU from a few unhappy people who are holding us back. We are an excellent university and if people would just stop harassing and terrorizing me, we could focus on being even better. This is only happening because I'm the first female president and there are so many sexist male colleagues out there trying to bring down this institution, which serves so many first generation and Hispanic students. Also, we recently won a case against the ACLU in which the judge ruled in favor of Adams State. Steve Kroft: Uh, thank you for your time today. President McClure: Nailed it! Go Grizzlies!
October 18, 2016 at 10:52am Adams State will be on 60 Minutes regarding the issues with Extended Studies. Not sure when. ----Editor's Reply: This comment has been verified as coming from a source with firsthand knowledge of this information.
October 17, 2016 at 8:16am Okay Arnold, time for some backbone and some tough decisions. Despite McClure’s promises to turn ASU around, we now find that things are actually getting worse every semester. Latest figures show that 60 fewer students will “Begin Great Stories” at ASU. That’s a 3.1 per cent decline. That’s a loss of about $1.6 million in revenue. That’s a disaster! And where are you and McClure? You are wrapped in each other’s arms at the bow of the Titanic, as McClure coos, “I’m flying” while you nibble her ear. No Arnold, you’re falling. Are you waiting until we hit the ocean floor before you do anything? Do you have some romantic notion of going down with your ship? Wake up, Arnold!! This is not a movie! Please, do us a favor. Jump ship now. And take your captain with you.
October 12, 2016 at 5:56pm I went to see Danny's presentation about Peru and photographing landscapes last night. It was excellent! Thanks to the Art Department for hosting. It was great to see Danny back on ASU's campus doing what he loves to do, helping and teaching others. However, it was depressing when it made me think how ASU likes to chase away talent. And I never felt threatened, except for that photo of the crazy monkey. I'm guessing others felt safe judging by the good attendance. Props to faculty for showing up. Thanks Danny! You will be missed around here.
October 9, 2016 at 1:34pm I voted for Liz Hensley for city council, but I certainly won't do it again. Given her lack of professional ethics in teaching outrageous loads and showing favoritism to athletes, I don't want her representing my interests in Alamosa. Yes Liz, athletes SHOULD attend classes - and earn their grades just like everyone else.
October 7, 2016 at 11:14am Dr. Gilmer is the best thing that has ever happened to Adams State University! He is a visionary who inspires us as students. I passed him in the halls yesterday and he didn't nod or simply address me vaguely with a hurried greeting, no, instead he stopped, asked my name, my major, and genuinely expressed concern for my day. Others can learn a thing or two from the kindness Dr. Gilmer shows to staff, faculty, and especially the students. He doesn't just wear the ASU sweatshirt, he doesn't just sit above us all in an office in Richardson Hall, and he doesn't just walk past us on campus. He wears the hopes, dreams, and future of each student in his heart. His door is always open. He is not just our VP, he is our best advocate, who just happens to know who I am, and for that I am proud to be an Adams State University student. - Angela
October 7, 2016 at 7:28am Want to understand why there’s been such a flight of faculty at Adams? This article has a few suggestions: “The factors that Maslach and Leiter say cause burnout — an overloaded schedule, lack of control, insufficient reward, breakdown of community, absence of fairness, and conflicting values — are characteristics of workplaces, not individuals. Some of those factors certainly shaped my experience. Academic culture fosters burnout when it encourages overwork, promotes a model of professors as isolated entrepreneurs, and offers little recognition for good teaching or mentoring. The persistent financial stress on colleges and universities only exacerbates the problem, because, as Maslach and Leiter put it, "individual employees become the ‘shock absorbers’ for organizational strains," including financial ones. The response to faculty burnout should, therefore, not be to shrug and say that academic work is a labor of love, and some people just aren’t cut out for it. Instead, the response should be to find ways to give these highly skilled workers the rest, respect, and reward they need to stay healthy and effective. Institutions cause burnout, and only a whole effort of an institution can deal with it. A good start would be for colleges and universities to support and reward the things they say they value — like, for example, teaching. That would be more useful than drafting another strategic plan that will be ignored a year later.” There you have it - institutions cause burnout, not individuals. Until ASU recognizes and abandons the "If you don't like it, leave" mentality, the gushing drain of talent will only continue. Anyone else out there feeling like an ASU “shock absorber”?
October 2, 2016 at 8:39pm Mike Tomlin speaks both anonymously and not. Be very careful of this chameleon. He has an agenda and is not to be trusted. Tomlin is the very epitome of everything wrong at ASU. He is anonymous in his posts when the administration would not like what he has to say and yet signs his name when he thinks it will behoove him. He is a snake. A worthless fence sitter. And he is a man with an agenda that would be far more harmful to ASU than anything McClure or Salazar could ever do. That is the simple truth.
October 2, 2016 at 6:55pm And also like Donald Trump, I think McClure should be "graded on a curve" as a leader; she should be praised for showing "restraint" in not immediately condemning Dr. Mathieu for issuing the OES report as a "political statement" and using ASU as his "whipping boy" as she did with the HLC. Recall that McClure also proclaimed that ASU would prevail in the ACLU lawsuit just hours after being sued and before her lawyers even looked at the case. That didn't go so well for her, either. So perhaps silence from Richardson Hall is a good sign for a change given that their usual response is an impulsive, embarrassing blunder.
October 2, 2016 at 6:34pm Just like Donald Trump, it seems that Beverly McClure and Arnold Salazar are using a surrogate to do their talking. Both have been conspicuously silent since the damning OES report, and instead, the demoted former chair of the Business School is mansplaining in their stead. Mike Tomlin speaks because his leaders are conspicuously silent; he shows courage when his bosses show appalling pusillanimity, blatant dereliction of responsibility, a total failure of leadership.
October 1, 2016 at 10:49am A comment on September 29, 2016 at 7:54pm was left by someone claiming to be from a former employee of Extended Studies. This reminded me that what ASU needs in order to be truly reformed are people on the inside with information about institutional wrong-doing. Here is a good article about the importance of whistleblowers in the banking industry, not unlike higher education: Policing the Banks Is an Inside Job "Studies like the National Business Ethics Survey consistently show that a significant percentage of employees are aware of wrongdoing in the workplace. In the case of Wells Fargo, several employees raised concerns about these troubling practices within the bank and suffered retaliation for doing so. Unfortunately, these employees had little incentive and no way of safely alerting regulators without risking their careers. Unlike other financial police, banking regulators either have no whistle-blower programs that provide incentives and protections for individuals to break their silence about wrongdoing they witness, or these regulators have little-known programs with comically small awards."
October 1, 2016 at 10:01am I for one am not so sanguine with the notion of Gilmer being the white knight on horseback saving ASU from those misguided evildoers intent on dismembering our fine upstanding institution. Gilmer preempted more bad news by delivering it himself. That was a very smart move. It pre desensitizes negative revelations from other outside sources yet to be revealed. In spite of Gilmer’s wise actions, is clear to me, and others, he has entered the inner circle of the cabal and will protect all of those in that circle. McClure will never bear any guilt or be challenged in any way for her misdeeds and ineptitudes. Neither will Margaret have to fall on her sword for her abuses or others also ensconced within that upper echelon. Instead, the whistleblowers will consistently bear the brunt of blame and ridicule for pointing out that their house is on fire. The rot and stench comes from the very top. This includes the BOT as MANY, MANY others have remarked in this forum previously. But in spite of outside institutional authorities levying sanctions and penalties you will have deniers such as Tomlin declaring that the assessments made by the HLC, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the AAUP, the ACLU, the Colorado Office of the State Auditor, and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), etc, et al., are utterly baseless and ultimately unfair. These denials and actions or rather inactions will not save the institution from its systemic rot.
October 1, 2016 at 8:15am I don't mind stealing bread From the mouths of decadence But I can't feed on the powerless When my cup's already overfilled, yeah But it's on the table, the fire's cooking And they're farming babies while slaves are all working Blood is on the table and their mouths are choking But I'm going hungry - Chris Cornell
September 30, 2016 at 9:38pm From Tomlin's link: “it became painfully evident with the recent closure of Corinthian Colleges and ITT Tech, which were both still accredited at bankruptcy, that the failure of our quality assurance system hurts students and costs the government billions of dollars.” And where is ASU headed if the school doesn't get its shit together? ASU students should be thankful for what the HLC and Gilmer are doing.
September 30, 2016 at 10:50am The HLC should also consider that ASU was recently sued by the ACLU and is being reviewed by the CO State Auditor for many years of operating losses. The latter is of particular significance given the profit-driven excesses of its Extended Studies program.
September 30, 2016 at 10:17am Good find, Dr. Tomlin! The Washington Monthly article referenced in the previous link discusses efforts to reform accreditation for universities by strengthening the expectations involved and holding institutions accountable: "Accrediting agencies are supposed to make sure students get a good education and ensure colleges aren’t cheating students while sucking down taxpayer money,” Warren said in a statement to Politico. “But right now the accreditation system is broken.” The Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act (AREAA) would address some of those issues by strengthening accreditation standards, and requiring accrediting agencies to be more responsive to allegations of wrongdoing. Under the act, the Department of Education would be empowered to require that accreditors to consider a variety of student success metrics — including “retention rate, graduation and payment rate, transfer rate, student earnings after graduation, and job placement rates” — when determining eligibility. The Department is currently prohibited from setting such standards. Accreditors would also be required to more quickly respond when colleges they’ve certified come under federal or state investigation or face lawsuits of “fraud or abuse, deceptive practices, or material harm to students enrolled.” ... This all sounds very good! Imagine if the HLC also reviewed ASU's 21% graduation rate (which is among the lowest nationally) as well as the abnormally high number of students who drop out or transfer, there might be some accountability around ASU. And "allegations of wrongdoing?" There are certainly many of those at ASU... but according to the administration, they never do anything wrong! But it certainly seems like Adams State is too often "cheating students while sucking down taxpayer money."
September 30, 2016 at 8:40am To the editor, This link regards current efforts for national accreditation reform. Offered without comment or opinion. Thank you. Dr. Michael Tomlin Professor of Business
September 29, 2016 at 7:54pm As a former employee of ES, the independent investigator's findings come as no surprise. The grade mill practice has been occurring since the mid-nineties, at least. One of the biggest culprits was Dr. Koos (Jacoba) Daley. I see she is still at it. I encourage the HLC to do further investigation, which will reveal further damning information.
September 29, 2016 at 4:45pm Write to the HLC or Dr. Mathieu and ask your hypothetical "if" because I think many people would want to know. In talking to faculty who have taught online at ASU and other institutions, they have told me that ASU's interface and interactive components are minimal to non-existent. I've also talked with faculty who acknowledge that their online teaching isn't nearly as engaging or high quality as their on-campus teaching. I think that online environments can instill false confidence - in an instructor and in an institution - about how well they are able to teach. That's why external evaluation is valuable and necessary, not "bullying" or unwarranted. ----Editor's Note: in the interest of moving this topic along, we are going to limit further discussion on "online classroom sizes vs. quality" unless commentators introduce new information about the data, not analogies, hypothetical or rhetorical questions.
September 29, 2016 at 4:24pm Oh, oh, you may not have noticed it was meant as a hypothetical, hence the "if." I apologize for interrupting your grieving cycle.
September 29, 2016 at 3:58pm If I taught 1,000,000 students online, earned $225,000,000, and assured the institution that the rigor, engagement, and standards were high and assured the HLC that by all metrics quality was high and the HLC should accept that, would you believe me? For those of us who teach, there is a point at which we know within our profession what realistic limits are. At some point, surely everyone has a bullshit detector. For many, reviewing those course overloads - like teaching 15 courses at once or teaching 615 students at a time - raised serious alarms. This isn't X-Men and we aren't superhuman. Higher education is a bit of an honor system. We hire some of the most specialized and advance labor force with extensive credentials. As such, we expect them to comport themselves with the utmost academic integrity. That didn't happen with ASU Extended Studies, according to interviews, random audits and detailed quantitative and qualitative data. Faculty have been misrepresenting or outright violating US Dept. of Education standards for online accreditation, most notably financial aid and instructor contact criteria. ASU as an institution has been clearly dishonored in the public eye as a result. Remember, this was only flagged as an issue because "Mr. White" had been perpetrating academic fraud for student athletes by taking advantage of ASU's lax security and totally unacceptable open enrollment policies. Then the investigations began, now the results are coming out, and they aren't pretty. Moreover, an independent expert looked at the same situation in more detail and reached identical - if not more severe - conclusions about ASU's "egregious" and "dysfunctional" Extended Studies program. This isn't some abstraction about the human limits of mass-producing individualized education. This is a set of circumstances in which ASU was cleary in the wrong in flagrant, knowing, ongoing ways. "Fraud" is a word that easily applies.
September 29, 2016 at 3:19pm Some agreement. I had heard we are 1-18 faculty/student ratio, but no quibble there. We still have faculty teaching 50's in a room but if the quality is there that may not be a problem. So there is no number, fair enough. Let's all agree that quality is paramount and if quality was lacking then shame on us and let's fix it. However, "if" one faculty taught 1,000 students online, earned $225,000, and rigor was high, engagement was high, standards were high, and by all metrics quality was high, then HLC was accept that, and we would applaud our colleague rather than tearing them down. Right?
September 29, 2016 at 1:58pm The Mathieu report makes any number of recommendations to improve ASU's online program and related departments in preparation for the HLC's comprehensive review. Not overloading faculty with hundreds of students at a university that advertises small class size would be a worthwhile practice for individualized education and branding consistency. ASU's average on-campus student – teacher ratio is 15:1 according to National Center for Education Statistics.
September 29, 2016 at 1:32pm The question of class sizes alone is too simple for the complex situation it seeks to answer. When a driver is drunk, they perform poorly behind the wheel. They are a bad driver not because of the specific number of drinks that they had – which has many variables - but because they are drunk. Asking the officer how many beers they are allowed to have before they drive fails to recognize what the real problem is. When ASU was put on probation, it was because their online program failed to deliver quality standards in education. Standards were violated not because of the specific number of students in online coursework – which has many variables – but because quality standards were not met. Asking the HLC how many students they are allowed to have in one class fails to recognize what the real problem is. Please read the multiple reports available, contact the HLC with further questions or request that Dr. Gilmer do so on your behalf.
September 29, 2016 at 12:45pm Watching this is becoming funny. Someones asks for the current temperature and they get a lecture on the history and philosophy of climatology. The questions seem fairly simple. Shouldn't we have the same online course and student limits as CSU Pueblo, Mesa, or Western? What is the HLC limit? How does HLC view on-campus class sizes for a 4 x 4 faculty of 200 students per year, 400 students per year (we have those), or 600 students per year (we may not have those?)? Is there a limit, or not? Of course we want to be in financial aid compliance. Let's do it today. Not even a question. Someone needs to publish the limits so people who organize and plan those classes know them. And the limits should be the same as other similar colleges. Or, are we on "holistic" probation rather than "By God" probation? Will we lose our "holistic" accreditation or will we lose our "By God" accreditation? I believe the answer is clear. Please don't give another grievous lecture on grieving or quote the report which we've read. Numbers please. They either exist or they do not, for both on-campus and online. And if nobody knows that is fine too. I sure don't.
September 29, 2016 at 10:12am Large class size is only one of the issues with Extended Studies, and probably not the most egregious one. ASU has allowed open enrollment while other universities do not, making it an easy mark for anyone wanting to abuse the system. From the OES audit report: "The continued use of Open Enrollment courses has additionally encouraged abuse of academic integrity, student engagement, and the maintenance of academic standards. OES staff and the Registrar frequently noted the ability of students to enroll in an independent study course very close to the end of the semester in order to meet athletic eligibility requirements and other needs. ASU staff reported that ASU’s open enrollment policies have attracted students from other institutions who need the open enrollment access to credit-bearing, degree program eligible courses for similar reasons, but academic policy at their own home institution prevented such abuse. It is clear that the academic reputation of ASU among peer institutions has been compromised via open enrollment." This practice has also violated federal financial aid requirements: "since the introduction of online courses and the regulatory changes to financial aid-relevant fixed- term starts and endings as well as the need to track and report federal Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria has occurred. Additionally, fixed term starts are necessary to report Last Day of Attendance of aid-receiving students in order for the institution to avoid having to pay back distributed federal grant aid awarded to students who did not complete one or more courses where aid has been applied. At ASU, the continued use of Open Enrollment courses has frustrated attempts to remain in compliance with federal financial aid regulations."
September 29, 2016 at 9:31am The HLC investigators and Dr. Mathieu evaluated how the university was handling these class sizes and student interactions and found them lacking in significant ways, numerically and qualitatively. If you haven't yet, I would encourage you to read the report and share your thoughts or questions with Dr. Gilmer as he has requested. Large research institutions generally supplement lecture hall coursework with smaller break-out sections supported by graduate assistants, who are also paid. The same is true for grading since one faculty member cannot effectively grade hundreds of essays or research papers in a few days time. This is not the practice at Adams State, on campus or online. Given that anyone can openly enroll in a Massive Open Online Course for free, what student pay for in an online course for credit is the instructor's individualized attention. HLC investigators who reviewed ASU's online coursework found that these interactions were insufficient for US Department of Education guidelines. The design for good education generally influences the design of an educational space and not the other way around. Course caps are not set by room size because ASU was incapable of designing larger rooms but rather the design of ASU's educational model influenced the size of the rooms in which classes are taught. If the intent was simply to have the most students in one place, ASU could hold all classes at Rex Stadium.
September 29, 2016 at 7:52am Thanks for the long lecture at 9:53 pm. It didn't answer any of the questions many of us have. Of course quality and numbers can be related. While small classes can be badly taught and large classes can be well-taught I will still bet on smaller. And yes, Adams of course needs to be accredited. Some of you continue to lecture on non-issues that none are disputing, but then I guess you are professors... What about campus professors who teach 4 sections of 50 students each semester? That is 400 students per year, compared to some who teach 200 (or less) per year? The question remains: What are the allowable numbers from HLC? Not what our classrooms will seat - 24, 36, etc. And should our numbers be different than those of CSU Pueblo? Has HLC ever noticed that large universities often teach 300-500 in lecture halls and the students never meet the professor? Just wondering.
September 28, 2016 at 9:53pm Quality and numbers are related. Many students are attracted to colleges with smaller class sizes, including Adams, because it gives them individualized attention. This is especially true for students who require more personalized instruction because they have remedial educational needs, are first generation, or are non-traditional – all of which are more common at Adams State than the national norm. When faculty can teach smaller class sizes, each student gets more overall attention. It's axiomatic that a professor can be more detail-oriented with the needs of a dozen students than a hundred students or five hundred students. This is true in-person and online. This is true around the world. Studies of best practices in educational outcomes show what most of us already sense is true: for every level of education, a small student-teacher ratio means more engagement, retention, and higher performance. The HLC likely knows this and recognizes that for schools to retain quality, they also need to be mindful of class sizes. ASU hasn't been doing this very well, evidently, and probation is the result. Here's the bigger problem. A monetizing of higher education means that quality is always the first to go in favor of profit margins, particularly by those who never really understood what quality education looked like to begin with. It's not a coincidence that with large online class sizes, more students have complained in evaluations about limited contact with their instructors and that instructors often haven't structured courses with firm due dates and sufficient contact hours. These factors create a feedback loop that certainly increases institutional revenue in the short term but at the expense of quality pedagogy overall. If there is truly such skepticism of the notion that quality education means being held to national standards of academic excellence, why hasn't a group of faculty and administrators publicly made a case for why accreditation isn't necessary for ASU? If there is such a predominant mentality that this remote university has a monopoly on best practices for higher education and requires no outside supervision, why not go in alone in the “free market” of for-profit education? Surely most faculty in the School of Business thinks this approach is superior, anyway.
September 28, 2016 at 9:52pm You people are pathetic. You heard two people say they were bullied by Ed? I hope you laughed at them. Ed's old and has a bad back. However he is a stellar academic and a campus leader. Maybe these people feel bullied by others who do the work and are successful. Quick, someone get them into one of the grieving stages... Really, were these adults?
September 28, 2016 at 9:29pm Quality is one thing and numbers are something else. Aren't enrollment caps on Banner often set based upon room size? If you have 24 seat classrooms you enter 24 as the cap. How many faculty get to cap at 24 in a 50 seat classroom? That would break the budget hiring all of the adjuncts needed to reduce by half so many classes. Is that the new rule for face-to-face? I don't believe it. And please don't tell us that HLC reached an absolute number for online enrollment caps based upon our campus classroom seat availability. That would not be holistic study but rather half-ass-tic. Nor should HLC be determining class size for Adams. A good online class is a good online at CU, Adams, or Stanford. What is the HLC numbers they want us to meet? That should not be a hard question and should not be a different number than for any other college.
September 28, 2016 at 9:09pm I will second that comment about Crowther and the esteem he holds for himself. I've heard several of his colleagues refer to him as a bully. That certainly fits what I've seen. I don't think there needs to be a lot of tension between administration and faculty (for example Dr. Gilmer's fine approach), but Crowther maintains and creates it by being "the least faculty-oriented faculty member," always willing to defend administration's poorest decisions.
September 28, 2016 at 5:46pm The comment today at 4:52 refers to Ed Crowther as an "esteemed colleague." They must be a very talented creative writing professor. I had regard for the man once, until I experienced firsthand how he treats colleagues, particularly those who are vulnerable and need help. I have since talked to many faculty and staff on campus who view Crowther as the least faculty-oriented faculty member, quick to throw any fellow professor under the bus to impress administration or just make himself feel better. The only esteem I sense around Crowther is self-esteem, not the esteem of his colleagues.
September 28, 2016 at 5:15pm The question has been asked, "What specific number, quota, limit, amount, count (etc.) did our faculty violate?" Turns out that there is a specific number. Did anyone here bother to actually read the HLC Advisory report? It clearly states on page 9-10 exactly what people have been asking here. I strongly suspect that the person who asked this doesn't actually want the answer though, they just want to continue to play the victim for ASU. But anyway, here it is: "Given this information, the Team attempted to contrast full-time and adjunct on-campus vs. Extended Studies adjunct teaching workloads. A regular FT campus-based faculty teaching load is 12 cr. hrs. for the fall and spring semesters. Review of Fall 2015 courses listed in the Banner enrollment system showed enrollment caps of 24 students in all lower level English courses and caps of 36 for Math 104 and 42 for Math 106. Thus, full-time on-campus English faculty could teach approximately 192 students per year, and math faculty could teach a maximum of either 288 (Math 104) or 336 (Math106) students per year in these lower level courses. These numbers contrast sharply with the much larger volumes seen in Extended Studies open enrollment sections." And more on page 11 that speaks to the poor quality of these Extended Studies courses: "Team reviews of over 60 Extended Studies courses found that some OSB (online semester-based) courses had no set due dates for assignments and allowed or encouraged students to treat the semester based courses as self-paced courses. This finding was substantiated by instructors and students during on-site interviews, and Team members found instructor comments to this effect within the reviewed courses including but not limited to the quote below in which an instructor explicitly states the self-paced nature of the semester-based course in the syllabus: “Essentially, though, this is a self-paced course which you may complete in as few as six weeks from your date of registration.” Coupled with the above observations, the Team noted no visible student-instructor interaction in numerous semester-based courses. This finding calls the classification of these courses into question in relation to the ASU and federal policy definitions. Similarly, the lack of any noticeable instructional or interactional differences between several courses taught both as OE (open enrollment) and OSB courses suggests that instructors are likely using the same instructional methods and materials for both courses with no discernible modifications evident that allow for interaction in the semester-based course sections." There you have it from the HLC. Their investigation, just like Dr. Mathieu's found Extended Studies is VIOLATING ASU'S OWN ENROLLMENT CAPS and also VIOLATING FEDERAL POLICY DEFINITIONS for student-instructor interactions in online coursework. Before you accuse the HLC of "bullying," you might want to do some research and get your facts straight. That's something they must not teach very often at Adams State.
September 28, 2016 at 4:52pm There's no denial of anyone I know that we are on probation and that it is a serious situation that will require serious leadership. Okay. We all knew that on day one of probation. We knew that before we knew we were supposed to be grieving about something. We knew that before people insulted thematic cross walks. We knew that before people used "rat assed bastard" insults to esteemed colleagues. But the question was asked: "What specific number, quota, limit, amount, count (etc.) did our faculty violate? " And the answer that was given is: "...there is no specific number..." Does that not worry some of you academics? It should scare the hell out of you that no number exists and yet we accept punishment for violating a standard that was not there. Given the same (OES, classes, credits, loads, etc.) situation at Michigan or Ohio State this would never happen. I support OES changes and reforms, limits, etc., but HLC clearly did use us as their whipping boy. I appreciate President McClure making that clear to them. The adults among us who are not grieving will do the clean-up, but we will also make our feelings very clear to HLC, and to our "colleagues" on campus who insult those who did the work they were asked to do.
September 28, 2016 at 3:47pm Someone is a little thick in failing to understand the stages of grieving analogy. I think the point is that many academic offenders (and their defenders) appear to be drowning in denial.
September 28, 2016 at 2:25pm To use that sports analogy: how many times can a player fumble before they are pulled from the game? What about personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct? What about when the coach is caught running illegal plays or making illegal substitutions? What about when the team owners ignore and even endorse these practices? Does anyone ever get pulled from the game around ASU? Or just the referrees who blow the whistle?
September 28, 2016 at 2:03pm Oh, there's definitely grief here..." I guess that is good to know, along with the rest, but it is sad. I am not certain how we would know someone is grieving or is angry or is depressed because their employer got sanctioned. This is certainly not something you would tell coworkers. And if you did they would likely look at you with less respect and wonder if you are up to the task. We have indeed become very weak and weak-kneed people. It is why we cannot control our city streets and why we cannot defeat ISIS. A five-step grieving plan? What did people do before the plan? Was there no grieving? No. Better men and better women grieved and then moved on. Grieving because your organization got sanctioned? However do you deal with the pain? Wah, wah, wah! Some of you are wanted back in middle school for an appointment with your counselor. When you are prepared to become men and women come back and join us at Adams. I don't teach OES classes so I didn't create the problem. Neither did many of you. But one player fumbles and the whole team can lose. That is life in the adult lane, although many learn of it in little league. Clearly some of you have not. I guess you can move to step one, it awaits you. But ultimately we will not grieve our way to recovery and out of HLC sanctions. We will not anger our way out. We will not depression our way out. We will not five-step our way out. We simply do the work, and it is better if we stick tight together while doing it. Pointing fingers at coaches who made bad calls or players who fumbled has not been shown to work. Pointing at crosswalks and others' salaries does not keep us tight together. The president we have is the president we will have next year. The faculty who some believe "fumbled" are the same faculty we will have next year. You and they will serve on committees and/or senate together. I am in about half of our buildings everyday and I have not met the grievers and criers so I am confident we have enough people committed to ASU to do the work and move us forward. The rest of you, step one or your middle school counselor awaits.
September 28, 2016 at 1:30pm Yeah, but that's the problem, isn't it? McClure doesn't lean in. She leans ON.
September 28, 2016 at 11:29am Oh, there's definitely grief here because ASU lost something important as an institution, called "credibility," when it was put on probation. The responses are on full display here and on campus - some anger, some denial, some depression, a bit of bargaining, and hopefully also acceptance. Your analogy is broken so let me fix it or you. ASU Extended Studies is initially stopped for stolen vehicle registration (Confessions of a Fixer), then the officer (HLC) concludes that the vehicle is found to be out of compliance for safe operations due to multiple design failures and operator errors, the driver (McClure) yells at the officer for being singled out for profiling but the officer rolls their eyes and writes the driver a warning, so the irate driver's spouse (Gilmer) gets a mechanic's second opinion (Mathieu) who concludes the vehicle is totally dangerous to drive and wonders why the driver kept it on the road with motor oil gushing across the highway, steam rising from under the hood, and the "check engine" light blinking for the past several years. Yet the driver insisted on telling the entire family (ASU community) that the vehicle was fine and it's perfectly normal for all those things to be happening! A warning from the HLC officer was awfully generous given that the driver and car manufacturer should be in jail.
September 28, 2016 at 5:59am Good God we are doomed. Not Adams but America. Five stages of grief? Thanks for the introductory lesson but who's grieving? What a bunch of sissypants, male and female. Grieving over a sanction? They happen, you fix them and move on. We used to be a stronger people, now we are lectured about how to grieve because the inspectors came to town. Here is a more apt analogy than those offered: You are stopped for speeding. You ask the officer what the speed limit is and she says it's not that easy. There is no posted speed limit. They use a holistic study approach to determine speed. But you were traveling with the traffic. It doesn't matter, you should have known and although you were driving safely they will take away your license. So speed limits are not like some Excel Spreadsheet number that can simply be posted on highway signs, but dealing with grief is, in five easy steps. What is this country coming to? No one denies we need to reform OES. No one is complaining about posting speed (course/student) limits. We simply support Adams first and want our leaders, President McClure to "lean in" and not bend over throughout this process. A little bit of support for her and her team would help rather than the constant "we suck" hater approach that has been employed so far.
September 27, 2016 at 9:45pm In this OES controversy, there's plenty of accountability to be shared by faculty, staff, administrators and board members alike who knew about and abused online coursework for institutional and personal profits. College professors and administrators are supposed to be role models for students and experts in their field. The multiple findings of compliance violations by many people within ASU demonstrates that this isn't about any one person's wrong-doing but a workplace that permitted academic fraud. So who is going to be held accountable and when? ASU put three people on administrative leave during the investigation but assured everyone that they did nothing wrong. So now we see that there was broad and systemic wrong-doing, yet Novotny, Roybal, and Phillips still have their jobs. McClure is still president, Salazar is still board chair. How is it possible for this much dysfunction to exist and yet no one is responsible for it? It's awfully convenient to blame people like Svaldi and Mansheim who skipped town before the proverbial shit hit the fan.
September 27, 2016 at 8:17pm Those arguing that someone can teach 7 on-campus courses plus hundreds of online students in a semester and do it well are delusional, as is their claim: "Only a bullying agency like accreditors could get away with this." It's like saying "I'm fine to drive when my blood-alcohol is .15." You may think so, but you are wrong. Just as your blood-alcohol induced impairments put others at risk, your outrageous load negatively affects students. Dr. Mathieu documented this by sampling live classes and witnessing minimal interaction, as well as complaints about minimal interaction in evaluations, and outrageous incomplete rates. To refer to accreditors, who are looking out for students, as bullies is like calling the cop who pulls you over a bully. The analogy continues: you pulling this crap is like driving a huge bus full of people. You are putting all of us sober passengers at risk. When the bus crashes and we lose accreditation, ASU closes. So get over yourself and think about something other than your bank account for a change, like your students and colleagues and quality and ethics.
September 27, 2016 at 3:59pm Keep kicking sand in the face of the HLC. That's a winning strategy. It seems to be working really well for Adams at the moment.
September 27, 2016 at 2:55pm Right. So the honest truth is that our faculty violated no rule, exceeded no limit, broke no regulation and yet they are called out and blamed here for events. Walter Roybal is not a faculty member, he is a bureaucrat who manages work flow. There are only two names that should appear on these pages, Svaldi and Novotny. They could/should have kept the university in compliance. It was their jobs to monitor and understand the non-published holistic criteria of HLC, which is not something to be understood or overseen by every adjunct instructor or professor. ----Editor's Reply: The Higher Learning Commission found that “the University is out of compliance with Criterion Two, Core Component 2.A, 'the institution operates with integrity in its financial, academic, personnel, and auxiliary functions; it establishes and follows policies and processes for fair and ethical behavior on the part of its governing board, administration, faculty, and staff.'” The HLC's purpose is not to assign wrongdoing to individual employees of the university as its role as an accrediting body reviews compliance on an institution-wide basis. As the Mathieu report confirms, the university administration knowingly allowed these online course overloads and insufficient student contact activities to take place. They did so until the Chronicle article “Confessions of a Fixer” brought attention to security verification issues, prompting an HLC review, subsequent sanction, and further findings of compliance violations by an independent audit. According to the metadata on the file, the hr-report.pdf "Extended Studies Faculty Enrollment 2013-2015" was prepared by Judy Philips, Assistant VP for OES Operations on January 21st 2016. We have presented this file for a broader understanding of the HLC's findings and the OES audit with regard to course overloads. If you believe names or information herein appear to be in error, you should contact Judy Philips. However, violations of compliance include many individuals involved and the findings available reflect that. Individuals such as Walter Roybal and William Schlaufman appear here because they taught coursework for Extended Studies, which is the scope and purpose of this document. One can observe an ongoing theme of “it's not my fault” at ASU even as a variety of fiscal, academic, legal and public relations problems plague the university and negatively affect the experience of students, staff, faculty, and administrators. Further, efforts to blame someone else do not exactly persuade accreditors, auditors, or ratings boards. The claim that “our faculty violated no rule, exceeded no limit, broke no regulation and yet they are called out and blamed here for events” is certainly a view you are entitled to hold. Others clearly disagree and this forum is available for everyone's consideration. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross proposed the now widely-accepted theory that grief is processed in five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. We imagine that many ASU employees are in various stages at this point and your ongoing commentary today exemplifies the stage of denial. We hope that the institution as a whole moves into the stage of acceptance in order to improve the university's standing and academic performance.
September 27, 2016 at 2:25pm I guess I'll ask again. What specific number, quota, limit, amount, count (etc.) did our faculty violate? How did they get overrides or otherwise ignore the HLC or ASU course, section or student count limits? How many students are our faculty allowed to have in a face-to-face class on campus? ----Editor's Reply: You may wish to contact the HLC directly using this link or consult with Dr. Chris Gilmer, Vice President of Academic Affairs. The short answer is that there is no specific number because accreditation is not a linear equation that can fit onto an Excel spreadheet. It is a comprehensive and qualitative assessment of a university's adherence to academic standards in delivering education.
September 27, 2016 at 1:46pm Right. So they took a hocus pocus approach and our faculty violated nothing. Only a bullying agency like accreditors could get away with this. It is time to expose them. ----Editor's Reply: Right. So then ASU sought out a second opinion with an external auditor having extensive credentials in distance education. Dr. Mathieu's report reached similar findings, though even more critical of ASU given increased attention to detail: "The investigation revealed a great deal of information, practices, and anomalies in the administration of the OES that, together, indicated very serious deficiencies and behaviors that more than verified the findings of the HLC Advisory Team visit in 2015. The egregious, diverse, and arguably unethical nature of many of the findings run counter to HLC criteria for reaffirmation of accreditation to the degree that the accreditor felt it was necessary to move directly to an institutional status of probation. Due to the seriousness of the original findings, particularly in a state higher education institution that is part of a state higher education system, it was apparently felt by HLC that violations warranted a very stern warning. From what was learned in the current investigation, the sanction imposed seems justified." There will always be a psychology of denial to protect a culture of corruption, particularly among the most guilty parties involved. If you consider a comprehensive evaluation standard as a "hocus pocus" approach and that imposing consequences for violations to be "a bullying agency," you are free to make such an effort to, um, "expose" the Higher Learning Commission. You may not want to identify your affiliations with ASU while the university is being reviewed for accreditation, unless you also believe that ASU would be better off without accreditation. The HLC should be informed of this conspiratorial attitude during its comprehensive visit to evaluate the university's accreditation in April 2017. In your zealous crusade against academic standard-bearers that impede profiteering off college students, you may also consider that the U.S. Department of Education is also actively conspiring against Adams State University and "exposing" them, as well.
September 27, 2016 at 12:33pm What is the exact limit HLC had imposed that these faculty violated? ----Editor's Reply: The HLC took a holistic approach in their assessment. They considered class sizes, amount of faculty-student interactions, due dates, online credit hour assignments, course sequencing, standards for full time teaching loads, and ASU’s own Hybrid and Online Course Credit Hour Assignment for Undergraduate Courses policy. The HLC concluded, "there is not sufficient faculty-staff interaction for these courses to be classified as distance education courses under the U.S. Department of Education’s Electronic Code of Federal Regulations."
September 27, 2016 at 11:42am "Teaching an online course the first time can take up to 40 percent more time than teaching a face-to-face course. Subsequent offerings take less time, but on average teaching a course online will take as much time as teaching face-to-face." - Source: "Myths and Realities of Teaching Online" - U. Illinois - Urbana/Champaign
September 27, 2016 at 11:26am This is not about jealousy. This is about favoritism, nepotism and fraud.
September 27, 2016 at 11:25am The OES audit noted major pay disparities between online and on-campus faculty. When a workplace is filled with pay inequality and institutional privilege, calling for equity means that some people will perceive it as "jealousy." At ASU, the people who benefit from unfair systems want to maintain them and discredit those who call for fairness. Improving quality education online means being able to focus individual attention on students, which is simply not possible with huge class sizes. It is ironic because ASU advertises a personal connection with professors in small classes on campus yet does the complete opposite online. If we know that individual attention is what produces quality education on campus, why would the institution allow for a completely different set of values in Extended Studies? Oh wait, we already know the answer and it is painted on the new crosswalk to the School of Business.
September 27, 2016 at 11:11am Then let's focus on improving the quality and not who made how much money or who taught how many sections. If they taught for free 90% of the comments on these pages would not apply - the trolls have made it about their jealously, other people's money, and dislike for productive people. Improve quality checks and standards and let that determine who can teach what and how many. If it is determined that a particular professor can meet high quality standards and effectively teach 60, 600 or 1,600 students why would we care? What is the exact limit HLC had imposed that these faculty violated?
September 27, 2016 at 10:56am Ellen Novotny for 2013-2014 had 303 Extended Studies online students. If you multiply 250, the fee OES instructors receive per ES student, by 303 (the number of students), the result is 75,750. This is the total fee that Ms. Novotny should have received for her “service” to Adams. INSTEAD, she received $141,750. For 2014-2015 she had 180 students. She should have made $45,000. INSTEAD, she raked in $127,575. Shouldn’t the fact that Ms. Novotny is the wife of former VPAA for Adams? Why else would she receive such a sweet heart deal while the majority of the faculty at Adams are so far under CUPA standards?
September 27, 2016 at 10:36am Yes, it is possible to mass produce the minimal level of instruction for an online course to 600 students with enough keyboard and mouse clicks. But this does not make a quality educational experience and the HLC knows it, even if some in the ASU School of Business don't. The purpose of an accrediting body is to ensure that academic standards are maintained and quality assurance is provided to students enrolling in coursework at that institution. ASU has failed to maintain those standards in the Office of Extended Studies as faculty disregarded quality instruction in exchange for higher pay while the administration managed and oversaw the entire operation, attempting to assure everyone that nothing was wrong. Yet indeed many people knew or should have known that Extended Studies was engaging in blatant wrongdoing. Imagine if this practice were allowed to continue unchecked and Adams State persisted in cutting corners for higher revenue. There is apparently no end to greed at the expense of a quality education for students. "Great swindles begin here." It is a very good thing that the Chronicle of Higher Education uncovered the abuse that the HLC investigated and sanctioned ASU when it did!
September 27, 2016 at 7:37am It is my suspicion that the picture is not an ASU professor teaching hundreds of online students. Somebody lied. If it is, much of the technology is wasted and one good motivated professor with a computer could do it. It is interesting how many of you are sounding like a cross between Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton - very low energy, not the stamina to get real work done. The Bistro Rialto has one location, Buffalo Wild Wings has 800. The difference is one person and their motivation. The car will never replace the horse. ATM's will never be more reliable than a vending machine and people will not use them. Denver won't be 3-0 with a baby quarterback. One professor cannot teach 600 students. We hear it all the time. Jeb or Hillary cannot, and I believe that those of you who say it cannot be done can't do it. Fair enough, people should know their limitations.
September 26, 2016 at 9:40pm
September 26, 2016 at 9:32pm This weekend I had the unpleasant experience of having a long talk with two professors, one from an exclusive private college and one from a for-profit online "university." Both ends of the spectrum, right? By the end of the conversation, it was clear that Adams represented the low end when it came to our OES. Of course the prof from the rich private school was appalled by the whole conversation. Much more hurtful was the perspective from the for-profit prof. She expressed doubts about what she was doing and the quality of the education they were providing. She justified it by saying she needed to feed her kids. However, it became clear that their academic, professional, and ethical standards were well above what has been going on in OES. It was one thing for the CC prof to be appalled by ASU, but it really hit home when the for-profit prof was appalled. Corruption is the only word to describe the status quo at ASU.
September 26, 2016 at 8:26pm I checked in to see what was new on WA and to let recent writers know they should save their neoliberal bullshit arguments for the HLC. It's not us you need to convince. HLC holds the cards. And then I read this hilarious statement "Maybe it's time to ask President McClure to stand up for us and push back against the bullying of our "accrediting" agency." How ironic. Made my night. Still can't stop laughing. Yeah, sic McClure on them. After all, she told everyone (including parents) that we had no problems. Unfortunately, HLC, Mathieu, and Gilmer aren't stupid enough to believe that. There's a difference between being a "business person" and an "academic." A few people here may be both, but the folks rationalizing low academic quality are neither in the long run. Just deluded.
September 26, 2016 at 6:41pm To the person who made the comment on 9/26/16 at 9:37 a.m. You simply don’t get it. Please, I IMPLORE YOU, do the math. It’s simply NOT HUMANLY POSSIBLE to teach the sections (at least not effectively) that some of these professors received compensation for. PERIOD. Even working 16 hours a day for 6-7 days a week. It. Is. Not. Possible. Add to that outside commitments (City Council, attending most sporting events) and the possibility of providing quality COLLEGE-LEVEL education to over 600 students is unattainable. THAT IS AN ISSUE. Students receive poor instruction, which they pay for AGAIN later when they take a class from someone who is not teaching 600 STUDENTS! If all they take are classes from these instructors, the degree isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on and they find that out very quickly when they try to get a job with their unaccredited online degree from ASU. But maybe that’s all part of the plan. They can re-take classes they failed after getting inadequate instruction the first time around (cha-ching), they are unemployable because ASU is unaccredited so we admit them into the MBA program (cha-ching-cha-ching) and when it’s all said and done – we’ve taken a student for over $50,000 with nothing to show for it! Makes you proud to be a GRIZZLY! This isn’t about additional income from the sale of books, completing taxes, or other NON-ASU related supplemental income. This is about lining your pockets with ASU money for work that isn’t humanly possible to complete – no matter how productive you are. This is about greed and fraud. This is about answering to students that paid for access to an instructor and did not receive what they paid for. We are an institution of higher education and we are held to higher standards than most – as well we should be. The Office of Extended Studies is the equivalent of a sweatshop. One professor teaching over 600 students! Don’t wash that garment! It’s going to fall apart – just like your online ASU degree.
September 26, 2016 at 6:22pm "Sissified tenureland"...well there's a real intellectual talking. Listen, Mr. Hensley, there aren't enough hours in the week for your wifey to get everything done that she's paid (or volunteers)to do. She reads her council packets when? 8-5 Monday thru Friday--when she's being paid by the state? Guess what? That's falsification of time records--or--FRAUD! She teaches her overloads when? 8-5 Monday thru Friday? Guess what? FRAUD!! Overload means after regular hours. And with all of her overloads and extracurricular activities, there is NO WAY IN HELL that Liz Thomas Hensley is putting in the time required to meet the FTE much less do it effectively. It is physically impossible! And the OES investigation report SAYS SO. Liz is directly responsible--along with a few others--for our probation. And yet the business faculty and their spouses are just too ignorant to get it! Wow! What ARE those students learning?
September 26, 2016 at 4:34pm And that rat-ass bastard Crowther is allowed to teach online courses and yet he criticized my colleague over there in the music department for wanting to teach "online". No wonder Crowther cannot be trusted. Hell, he too busy stabbing faculty in the back! Shame, shame, shame.
September 26, 2016 at 1:35pm If I told you that my factory could build a car in 2 hours while most factories took 18 hours, would you really want to buy it and drive it off the lot? And when regulators found major problems in the manufacturing process, would you call their findings “bullying?” If an online course is designed and monitored correctly, it wouldn't be possible to teach hundreds of students on top of a full time course load because it would require contact hours and interactions sufficient to satisfy academic standards. ASU's online program does not do that. That's why it's on academic probation – shoddy work that is misleading students and employers into believing an online degree from ASU is worth something when it's probably no longer worth the paper it's printed on after this whole scandal. The suggestion that President McClure “push back against the bullying of our "accrediting" agency” was on full display in her March 2016 response, claiming victimhood for the university as a “whipping boy” who has “obviously been chosen by the HLC to make some sort of political statement.” How has that worked out? The university is still on probation and has become the laughing stock of academic press. And now McClure looks completely out of her depth since the OES audit revealed severe dysfunction. But maybe this whole accreditation thing isn't necessary. Maybe ASU should just forego federal financial aid eligibility and try to run as an unaccredited, for-profit institution like Trump University.
September 26, 2016 at 1:06pm How do you intend to police faculty who teach similar amounts for other universities? So I can teach online for CU, CSU, BYU, and UP, but not for Adams? Seems like a double standard. Maybe it's time to ask President McClure to stand up for us and push back against the bullying of our "accrediting" agency. These should be decisions we make as faculty, not that bureaucrats make.
September 26, 2016 at 12:42pm There is no question that the ASU administration designed and oversaw the systemic abuses in Extended Studies and the OES report confirms this. But no on-campus employee was forced to teach online coursework; they did so to supplement their incomes and the administration had no problem taking two-thirds of the revenue for the institution - even when full-time faculty "taught" hundreds more students online. The administration doesn't even seem to understand or acknowledge that this was wrong.
September 26, 2016 at 10:10am If management abused the overtime policy don't blame the employees who did the work they were asked to do.
September 26, 2016 at 10:03am To the people defending these egregious course overload practices, particularly in the School of Business, does the HLC sanction or OES audit report give you any pause whatsoever? Have you so internalized this culture of corruption that you cannot even recognize it as being wrong? Has your self-serving economic philosophy clouded your sense of ethical responsibility? This rationalization of clear wrongdoing is the pathology of someone who believes in a "me" society rather than a "we" society. There are many people at Adams State and in the broader community who see the practices of Extended Studies and shake their head in disgust. Yet what is remarkable are those who not only defend but actively embrace the notion that education should be mass-produced for the highest profit even at the expense of academic integrity. Ironically, in the quest for being "the most productive," those who have abused Extended Studies are now placing everyone's productivity and livelihood at ASU in harm's way. That is not a fringe view but the factual findings of the HLC and Mathieu report.
September 26, 2016 at 9:37am So now the least productive employees of Adams are picking a fight with the most productive. Only in your sissified tenureland could this happen. Want to know how "Liz" is serving as a City Council member? Go to a meeting. See if she attends (yes she does). See if she has read her packet and is knowledgeable on the issues (she is). The same is true for the other boards and commissions she serves on. Linda Reid? This year she won a national teaching award, co-chaired the department without a reduced teaching load, and continued to provide services to the incarcerated to help them better themselves. Some of you complainers who call these professors out and "expose" their good work and contributions could not carry their bags. To paraphrase, people who say it cannot be done should get out of the way of people doing it. Some people work 16 hours a day 6-7 days a week and some people teach their 12 hours and go play in the outdoors or chase around with another man's wife. Or both. It's all about choices. What should be investigated is those of you who do the least and want the most. You make the loudest case to the Board of Trustees against pay raises. They all work for a living and know the difference between those who produce and those who complain and call out their "colleagues" for their superb efforts. On the other hand it is probably better that some of you work your twelve hour weeks and let others shoulder the load. You simply don't have what it takes to understand or do a real job of work.
September 26, 2016 at 7:52am This post from last night embodies irony: "I am reading comments posted here for the first time today. I hope if those participating in commentary are faculty, that you are putting as much effort into preparing for class and educating our students as you are in preparing your posts and researching matters." The people who are pissed aren't the ones teaching 500 students or 12 courses in a single semester. I'm guessing most faculty who are concerned about these unethical practices are the ones who don't want to lose their jobs. And the ones who teach something like a standard 4-4 load, so they can have time to interact with students 1-on-1, do research (their own and with students), publish (their own and with students), serve on committees (within ASU and beyond), review peer manuscripts for journals, sit on editorial boards, organize conferences, take students to conferences, and on and on. In other words, things academics are supposed to do, many of them with no additional compensation. So, it they take a little time to wake the &*$% up and try to improve things at ASU, I think you should excuse them.
September 26, 2016 at 7:46am To whoever is defending the pay of the scoundrels who taught unrealistic loads, get real. And read this: "Evidence of the negative impact of extreme course load to the quality of online teaching was found through random investigator access to “live” and recently completed online courses of faculty with the largest course load and consequent compensation. In the majority of observations, these was virtually no evidence of student engagement by the faculty in terms of student discussions, regular course announcements, assignment feedback, or answering student email. The majority of courses appeared to be virtually self-taught although this was not the intention when the courses were designed and likely did not match the expectations of students given the information they received in OES promotional materials. Some random checks on student evaluations of faculty in this category confirmed these observations in many cases as they noted the lack of access or availability of their instructor. They also often noted the low degree of difficulty in the course" - OES Audit Report Maybe those issues of poor quality aren't taken seriously in the Business building, but they are by HLC.
September 25, 2016 at 11:42pm As if Liz Hensley weren't busy enough teaching 615 students in 31 courses in a single year, she also had free time left over to run for office and serve as member of Alamosa's City Council. Given her highly questionable academic practices at ASU, one can only wonder how well she is serving the city of Alamosa.
September 25, 2016 at 11:29pm Elizabeth Thomas Hensley: Fall 2015: 218 students, 10 sections, 10 courses Spring 2016: 207 students, 8 sections, 8 courses Summer 2016: 39 students, 5 sections, 5 courses Online: 151 students, 35 sections, 8 courses Total: 615 students, 58 sections, 31 courses This crap just boggles the mind. Ten courses in a single semester, plus 8 online courses is just like the OES audit says, some profs are teaching 4X a normal load. Gosh, they sure do deserve all that money for working so hard! Isn't she the professor referred to in the Kuenhold report for giving away grades to athletes? Clearly, there is nothing unethical going on in the School of Business. Just a whole bunch of really hardworking professors dedicated to the best interests of their students / their own bank accounts.
September 25, 2016 at 10:50pm Let me get this right. Ed Crowther chairs two departments, is a faculty senator, and spends countless hours sucking up to administration. Therefore, he gets course releases and only teaches a very small number of students in one course per semester, one night a week. That enables him to deliver quality online education to: 182 students, in 49 sections, of 8 courses for something like an additional $41,000 per year (assuming he doesn't get the special Ellen Novotny rate). Maybe he doesn't need those course releases. Or maybe he's just a thief.
September 25, 2016 at 10:49pm I am reading comments posted here for the first time today. I hope if those participating in commentary are faculty, that you are putting as much effort into preparing for class and educating our students as you are in preparing your posts and researching matters. Let's get back to the reason we are at Adams State University, to provide a quality educational experience for our students. ----Editor's Reply: The entire point of this discussion is the obvious and urgent conclusion that ASU is very often not providing quality educational experiences to its Extended Studies students. That's not our opinion, that's the HLC's evaluation and confirmed by the Mathieu audit. This comment is a variation of the "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" command by the Wizard of Oz. Clearly, shared governance at ASU is either non-existent or so dysfunctional that it failed to address this calamity before it got so out of hand that the university ended up on academic probation and sustained negative press, further devaluing academic credibility of the institution. Perhaps it's time that ASU employees, students, and regulators pay more attention to the functions of the university, not less.
September 25, 2016 at 10:46pm Yes, some ASU Faculty are teaching on campus full-time and another full-time equivalent (or more) online. But it's not just faculty in on this "egregious" Extended Studies operation. Here's another example. Bill Schlaufman, ASU's Controller in Accounting, is a full time administrator making $85,008. Yet in 2014-2015, he also taught 35 Sections of 5 Courses with a total of 329 students. Assuming the $225/student rate mentioned previously, that's an additional $74,025 for $chlaufman, totaling $159,033! So are these people double-dipping during their day jobs, cutting corners to teach huge student loads on nights and weekends, or both? This kind of behavior casts doubts on academic integrity and performing the basic functions of administrators during their regular duties.
September 25, 2016 at 10:38pm I haven't had time to study the Extended Studies Enrollment file posted here, but let's not forget that many of these folks are supposed to be teaching a full load on campus IN ADDITION to these outrageous numbers of students/sections/courses. For example, someone posted: "Linda Reid: 259 students in 53 sections of an astounding 15 courses!" But she is full-time on-campus, so add in more students, more sections: Fall, 2015: 163 students, 7 sections, 6 courses! Spring, 2016: 154 students, 6 sections, 6 courses! Summer, 2016: 24 students, 3 sections, 3 courses in 3 weeks! Total: 600 students, 69 sections, 30 courses in one year! Super-woman. Students should start a class-action lawsuit. Hey Linda & Frank & Others, thanks for putting all our jobs at risk, as well as the reputation of ASU and our students' degrees.
September 25, 2016 at 8:46am "Uniformed" vs "uninformed" - let's not quibble about an obvious typo, likely due to autocorrect.
September 24, 2016 at 10:30pm
As I recall from any number of campus-wide conversations, presentations and Faculty Senate meetings, the issue of faculty status for librarians has much more to do with bringing ASU into academic norms ("uniformed" standards, if you like) for the state of Colorado than related to issues of faculty salaries. But on that matter, according to the 2015 compensation committee's findings, the CUPA data shows that most faculty are underpaid at ASU and that librarians and other staff positions are, also. Well, except for all those administrative positions over 100% of CUPA and the former administrators now making way more than anyone else in their departments, including their own chairs. But sure, restoring faculty status for librarians at ASU (as was the case until the late 1980's), being a strongly-endorsed practice by the American Association of University Professors, would bring more tenured faculty back onto a campus amidst the "adjunctification" of higher education.
September 24, 2016 at 8:27pm A strange day on these pages. Why a commenter would call out someone for being "uniformed" is very strange. Some of us value our police and our military. But how would you tell simply by a comment if a person is uniformed or not? Must be some psycho-socio analysis. Then the apple and orange comment. Of course different retirement and investment plans operate under different rules with different payouts. All the more important to ensure you take maximum advantage of the one you are in. Who is going to call PERA on Monday and inform them that some ASU employees are trying to improve their benefit by working more? And aren't you the same crowd that supported lowering the average faculty salaries by bringing librarians into the faculty fold? Maybe you wanted the librarians to be "uniformed," or something, but somehow we missed your point on that.
September 24, 2016 at 7:07pm Re: the difference between defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. The scariest part is that it's likely a business faculty member as ASU who doesn't know the difference. I'm curious...would our business grads be able to pass a graduation exam if one were required? Probably not.
September 24, 2016 at 4:20pm Apparently the author of the September 24, 2016 at 12:17pm post is “uniformed.” PERA is a defined benefit plan whereas Fidelity, TIAA-CREF and VALIC are defined contribution plans. Apples and oranges.
September 24, 2016 at 3:53pm Re: Scooby Doo, it's unfortunate, but until the administration actually does something, they have gotten away with it. Fraud, deceit, theft and all. It's so sad for the rest of us who work diligently to make this a great campus to have a few undermine our work so badly.
September 24, 2016 at 3:36pm No wonder there has been such antagonism and hostility to this website. It's like an episode of Scooby-Doo: "And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for Watching Adams!"
September 24, 2016 at 3:01pm According to the September 24, 2016 at 12:17pm post “Whose profit do we all work for? Generally it is our own. We work for personal profit.” Of course we all work for personal profit. This is not in dispute, notwithstanding the invective “It was a stupid comment from an uninformed person who resents those who work to improve their lives.” This same post asserts “If the people who taught the classes did the work then they did not exploit anything.” This is true - IF and only IF “the people who taught the classes did the work.” The “work” requires providing a legitimate educational experience that does not compromise academic or institutional integrity. Conversely, instructors having outrageous enrollments that clearly preclude academic integrity, simply because it was permitted (or even encouraged) by the administration, certainly constitutes exploitation of an unsavory opportunity to maximize personal profit at the expense of the institution. Dr. Mathieu’s audit of Extended Studies clearly indicated that the enrollment numbers in courses of some instructors has been at the expense of institutional integrity/accreditation, stating: “The leadership of the OES and the Office of the former VPAA did little to correct what should have been obvious issues and problems that would soon seriously impact the University’s reputation and led to an HLC sanction of probation that threatens the accreditation of the University by the regional accreditor.” Dr. Mathieu’s report continues: “The ability of individual faculty to take advantage of additional compensation activities through OES appears egregious” and “The conclusion drawn from these observations is that there was often greater interest in remuneration rather than quality teaching and the maintenance of academic standards among many of the faculty teaching online courses.”
September 24, 2016 at 2:51pm According to someone here, online faculty get paid $225 / student, meaning the person who made over $176K in one year taught 784 students. Now we see that was Jill Coddington teaching Math and Business courses. Great work, good calculations! For actual numbers for all instructors, see: http://adams.edu/extended_studies/img/hr-report.pdf Looks like it was merely 703 students that year. Quality education delivered to 703 students - online - in 21 sections of 4 courses. The next year, Jill taught only 489 students in 30 sections of 6 courses. Linda Reid: 259 students in 53 sections of an astounding 15 courses! Benjamin Longfellow: 569 and 606 students in 21 and 23 sections Kristen Scott: 531 and 542 students. Ellen Novotny "only" taught 303, so why did she make the big bucks of $141,750? That works out to $467 / student. Must be the benefits of being married to the VPAA. Transparency does indeed start at Watching Adams!
September 24, 2016 at 2:17pm I suspect Tomlin was aware and understood the ramifications of the OES audit when he wrote his silly post, which included: "Your fixation on others people's earnings exposes your character more than it exposes anything wrong. It looks like some people did a lot of work and for that they were paid a modest amount of money. So what? The only potential scandal is if Svaldi and Novotny conspired to feather their nests through their spouses work. But those who did the work should not be vilified by you losers who do not. Salary is always determined at the intersection of talent and ambition." "So what?!" This is just a smokescreen to cover up the unethical practices of the School of Business. Don't look at what they've been doing when you should focus on Svaldi and Novotny... Sure. Someone posted here that a Business prof was teaching 9 credits in this year's 3-week May session, equivalent to a 45-credit semester load! And that was after McClure assured us "everything was fixed." Right, no reason to look at Business. They just ignored probation. Other people have addressed the ridiculous nature of Tomlin's post, so I'll just add this point. Salary is NOT "always determined at the intersection of talent and ambition"; sometimes it is determined by who you know and unethical practices. Some of those unethical practices were identified in the report: "The ability of individual faculty to take advantage of additional compensation activities through OES appears egregious and to have been facilitated by “rolling over” course teaching and other activities to the same individuals year after year within OES as the list of names of faculty at the top of the highest levels of compensation appears to be relatively stable year to year." "Review of the Human Resources area of the University website appears to reveal a lack of complete information regarding faculty and staff positions available at the University, particularly regarding adjunct faculty openings." "Solicitation of candidate information contributing to a perpetually robust pool of available adjunct faculty has apparently not been done in recent memory. Human Resources and the OES reported a dwindling pool of adjunct faculty as a partial explanation for faculty course overloads." Their greed went beyond teaching too many students to be able to deliver quality education; their greed extended to unethical hiring practices. The rich get richer and the poor get... to teach ethically. "So what?" So, we lose our accreditation and gain a whole lot of deserved bad press. Deserved by the bad apples, not the rest of us. We don't deserve to lose our jobs due to the greed of a few (few dozen?). Then again, maybe Tomlin didn't understand the ramifications of the OES audit report. With all its talk about ethics and academic standards, it must have been outside his experience.
HSeptember 24, 2016 at 2:01pm You know, if Adams State were a private, for-profit institution these disparities in pay may not matter so much. But Adams State is a public institution, entrusted by the taxpayers to fulfill a common good: the education of students. These business school economic arguments about maximizing personal profits are part of what is ruining education in the United States. ASU has been behaving like a corporate degree mill, intent on maximizing private revenue and compromising on quality education. And if Adams State weren't on academic probation for violations of compliance with common standards of online class size, contact hours, and degree qualifications, the quality of ASU's online instruction may not be such an issue. But it clearly IS an issue which has now jeopardized ASU's accreditation and diminished value of a degree from the institution. Every hard-working student and professor on campus has it worse off because the online program was designed and exploited for private profits. So imputing false motives of "resentment" or "inadequacy" upon those who bring this matter up simply distracts from the real issue. I highly doubt Dr. Mathieu cited structural problems so deep that he recommended closing down Extended Studies because he has resentment or feels inadequate toward ASU online instructors making triple what faculty make on campus. Get real.
September 24, 2016 at 12:17pm The 10:32 poster keeps referring to greedy exploiting for personal profit. That defines their views but not those who did the work. Whose profit do we all work for? Generally it is our own. We work for personal profit. If the people who taught the classes did the work then they did not exploit anything. They simply did more work for more pay. Regarding PERA, the point was made that if you earn more money and pay more into PERA then you will get more back from your investment. Duh... That's not just PERA. Would the commentor be equally unhappy if these "greedy exploiters" were not in PERA, but rather Fidelity, or TIAA-CREF, or VALIC? It was a stupid comment from an uninformed person who resents those who work to improve their lives. If these people did something wrong then report them to PERA, and get laughed at. Or just keep calling them out, insulting them here, to make up for your own inadequacies.
September 24, 2016 at 10:32am It is worth pointing out that for some of the most egregious exploiters of Extended Studies income, shameless profiteering in the short term is not their primary, and most offensive, motivation. For those individuals identified in the September 23, 2016 at 11:34pm post (E. Novotny, L. Reid, E. Crowther, V. Svaldi) who are vested in the public retirement system (PERA) their greed extends into the indefinite future by maximizing Extended Studies income to grossly increase their highest average salary (HAS) that, in turn, determines the annual benefit paid to them upon their retirement. Thus, their greatest and greediest motivation is to grossly inflate the PERA retirement income they will receive - for the rest of their lives! Obviously, paying grossly inflated benefits will ultimately have an adverse effect on the ability of PERA to remain solvent, and therefore potentially on the benefits paid to other PERA members. However, it is doubtful that this is of any concern to these individuals. As observed in a previous post (September 24, 2016 at 7:30am) “The only potential scandal is if Svaldi and Novotny conspired to feather their nests through their spouses work.” Given that the approval of both the former VPAA and former President were required, this clearly applies in both cases. As argued in this same post, “It looks like some people did a lot of work and for that they were paid a modest amount of money. So what?” Indeed, income generated by extracurricular professional activity should be applauded and not vilified - so long as the activity in question is neutral with respect to any potential effect on the institution. However, the concerns being expressed here are in the specific context of greedily exploiting Extended Studies at ASU for personal profit at the obvious expense of academic/institutional integrity and, as it turns out, institutional credibility/accreditation.
September 24, 2016 at 10:16am The previous comment fails to understand or simply isn't aware of the recent Office of Extended Studies audit. This is a major scandal which goes way beyond individual salaries. The OES audit cares about major pay equity issues between some online instructors and standard $50k faculty contracts on campus, noting "there was often greater interest in remuneration rather than quality teaching and the maintenance of academic standards among many of the faculty teaching online courses for OES.” The HLC cares about complying with academic standards such as reasonable class sizes and teaching loads that demonstrate sufficient student contact for accredited programs. The Chronicle of Higher Education cares about a president who goes around saying nothing is wrong and the university is being unfairly targeted as a "whipping boy" when documented evidence of widespread and systemic problems exists to the contrary. And everyone who teaches or is enrolled at Adams State should care about an "egregious" and "dysfunctional" Extended Studies program whose longstanding abuse was designed and officiated at the highest levels of administration and now jeopardizes the university's accreditation while damaging its credibility. Some people care about quality higher education, academic integrity, and accountability from public officials. But some people only care about money and the pure fantasy that it necessarily flows to the most noble and gifted individuals. Maybe they should apply to be the new CEO of Wells Fargo.
September 24, 2016 at 7:30am Wow, this really is a witch hunt. Why do you care how much money other people make if they did the work? Your loser envy is shouting loud. It's a good thing Adams does not have an Engineering or Law school or some of you would be suicidal. Their salaries would be higher than any of yours and they often double or triple their salaries with professional work outside the university. Do you care if a professor owns a farm or ranch and makes $100K there? Do you care if an English prof writes a best selling novel and earns a $100K? Do you care if a science professor registers patents and sells them to ag or pharm companies for $100K? Do you care if an accounting professor picks up a $100K for tax, trust or estate work? Do you care if a counseling professor develops a self-help program and sells a $100K in dvds? Do you care if a political science professor earns $100K advising campaigns during an election year? Do you care if a computer science faculty sells a software program they wrote for $5mil? God help you if you ever take a job at a large university where these things are commonplace and in fact small change. Of course you will never get that job... Your fixation on others people's earnings exposes your character more than it exposes anything wrong. It looks like some people did a lot of work and for that they were paid a modest amount of money. So what? The only potential scandal is if Svaldi and Novotny conspired to feather their nests through their spouses work. But those who did the work should not be vilified by you losers who do not. Salary is always determined at the intersection of talent and ambition. If you want more money simply look internally at those two things, not externally at those who have both.
September 23, 2016 at 11:34pm
Very interesting data. Excellent work Danny on finally getting it and sharing--cause ya know--it is public record.
What I now would like to see are salary data in the 50k-99k range--not just for adjuncts but also tenure/tenure-track ASU faculty. Yes 100k+ is egregious...but think about the potential for a FT faculty member earning more though OES and overloads than their base.
Perhaps another open records request is actual annual earnings of the worst alleged culprits--Linda Reed, Liz Thomas, Ed Crowther, Ellen Novotny, Virginia Svaldi, others ("super-human business faculty" as outlined by a previous commentator). Oh! And let's request those salary data not just from OES but from all university coffers. Let's get a holistic look at the accused, campus-wide. I suspect, there's more eye opening information that would make one absolutely nauseous!
One question for Ellen Novotny: how do you show your face on campus without being absolutely embarrassed? What a worthless piece of work you are. Tsk tsk!
September 23, 2016 at 3:53pm Are these culprits E. Novotny, Aldrich, etc. going to be held accountable for their greed and corruption?
September 23, 2016 at 2:55pm ----Editor's Note: The names of faculty making over $100,000 annually through Extended Studies has now been published here.
September 23, 2016 at 9:38am Follow the money trail and you will find the corruption. As tacky as the dollar sign crosswalks are, they certainly are fitting.
September 23, 2016 at 9:28am Under the leadership of Svaldi, McClure and Salazar, Adams State University has been failing the taxpayers of Colorado for years, putting everyone's job at risk and taking advantage of distance education students. People should contact the Colorado Governor's Office and Higher Learning Commission directly. McClure and Salazar should be compelled to testify under oath before the State Legislature about knowingly egregious practices and subsequent efforts to cover up institutional dysfunction with a culture of intimidation at Adams State.
September 23, 2016 at 9:05am Looks like the Assistant Vice Presidents of Extended Studies were rewarded well for being really bad at their jobs and putting the University at risk: Year VP Academics VP Operations Raise 14-15 $66,636 $78,204 0% 15-16 $75,360 $83,148 13.1% and 6.0% 16-17 $76,872 $84,816 2% It looks like Walter got a 13% raise in the year following the Confessions of a Fixer article. Great work team. Rather than fix things, ASU just rewards those who maintain the broken status quo. It is sickening to go to the Extended Studies page and see a link for "Academic Integrity at ASU": "1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty." That certainly describes Roybal, Novotny, Doell, McClure, and Salazar.
September 23, 2016 at 9:02am The School of Business needs to be independently investigated.
September 23, 2016 at 8:41am Per a previous post: "...half the School of Business..." A quick review of Extended Studies web page reveals no less than 44 Business courses offered, the majority of which are either print-based or open enrollment. Business faculty must be superhuman instructors!
September 23, 2016 at 12:49am "Mumper, Crowther, Timothy Goddard and a host..." Wow! What an uninformed individual you are! One for certain has never taught through OES, a second highly unlikely given what he does and what he teaches. The third probably belongs in this basket. But I think my biggest concern is your righteousness that is sooooo uninformed and frankly distracting for those who ARE guilty of theft--Novotnys, Svaldis, half the school of business. Do us all a favor and actually do an open records request. Maybe you will learn something. SMH!
September 22, 2016 at 10:31pm Mumper, Crowther, Timothy Goddard, and a host of other faculty are part of the "8" OES. If not, further probing shoud be conducted to uncover just who are these "8" robbers that got away with a massive "burglary" Madoff scheme. Madoff was convicted and found guilty of intentionally swindling millions of dolloars from investors, especially the most vulnerable population, senior citizens. And why should ASU blink to such criminal behavior without any punishment handed down? Jail time is appropriate!
September 22, 2016 at 8:43pm STOP THE BUS!!! If you look at the "Extended Studies Faculty Making Over $100K" file, notice that the Position number is identical for all entries / all years (OFNC01). Unless I'm mistaken, that means these all refer to one person! I just looked at the salary data for past years and the position numbers appear to be unique. I looked at my own contract, and again, it is unique within those files each year. So, it appears that ONE PERSON made: 2013: $266,175 2014: $303,975 2015: $395,550 Either I'm correct or OES was making up their own procedures. Either way, Administration has some explaining to do. Some folks need to be fired. Some folks should probably go to jail.
September 22, 2016 at 5:43pm Previous post: "Dr. Novotny and ultimately by former President Svaldi (the buck stops here)." I thought Sheila Trice Bell, the consultant that was brought in to talk about shared governance, said the buck ultimately stops with the Board. Salazar and his gang are culpable. Get rid of all of them, McClure first.
September 22, 2016 at 3:16pm At $225 per student (for 3.0 credit hours) the individual who was paid $176,400 would have to have a whopping 784 students!
September 22, 2016 at 2:13pm One can calculate how many students ES instructors were teaching per year by dividing by $225, which is what instructors receive as remuneration per student. For example, in order to earn $100,000 teaching online at ASU one would need to teach 444 students in an academic year. Now, any full-time instructor at ASU would tell you that it is impossible to provide 444 students with the same quality of instruction that is expected of teachers in the classroom. That aside, here’s an arguably more important question. Why didn’t ES farm out these high-enrolled classes to adjunct instructors like they do with so many others? Every time ES advertises an adjunct position for online classes they get several dozen applications back. So, they easily could have spread out these high student loads over several professors had they wanted to. But they didn’t, which reveals their real intent. They just wanted to take home bigger paychecks, and for many years, they did. In doing so they short changed students, many of whom likely went into debt to take their bogus classes, and just as importantly, they drew the university’s accreditation into question. If anyone is to blame for ASU’s current debacle it’s the individuals who supported ES’ diploma mill year after year without saying a word.
September 22, 2016 at 9:54am The report of the recent audit of Extended Studies by Dr. David Mathieu identified issues that cast serious adverse implications on academic, and by extension, institutional integrity stating that “often greater interest in remuneration rather than quality teaching and the maintenance of academic standards among many of the faculty teaching online courses.” The report continues “The ability of individual faculty to take advantage of additional compensation activities through OES appears egregious and to have been facilitated by “rolling over” course teaching and other activities to the same individuals year after year within OES as the list of names of faculty at the top of the highest levels of compensation appears to be relatively stable year to year.” According to salary documents posted on this site, four individuals were paid more than $100,00 per year by Extended Studies. These individuals, all part-time or adjunct instructors, were paid between $124,425 and $176,400, for an average of a whopping $142,537/year - or nominally three times the average starting salary of a full time Assistant Professor with a terminal degree! At $300/student this equates to nearly 500 students per year for each of these instructors. While there are many excellent faculty at Adams State, who among them would dare to suggest that they were able to insure any reasonable semblance of academic integrity with this enrollment in the distance delivery environment? A previous post (September 21, 2016 at 9:05pm) asks “Who are these people?” By their own unwise admission/gloating, one of these prime offenders is the former VPAA’s wife Ellen, who delivered labor-intensive English courses. And who, within the administration, would ultimately approve this blatant greed at the expense of institutional integrity and, as it turns out, institutional credibility/accreditation? The former VPAA, Mr. Big Shot himself, Frank Novotny. Beyond the obvious dereliction and self-serving corruption that this demonstrates, is this not the very definition of nepotism? All the while Novotny quietly, and with Svaldi’s acquiescence, engineered for himself a contract guarantee that insured an outrageous salary should he “decide” to “resign” his administrative position and return to faculty status. Clearly there are others, both regular faculty and adjunct instructors, who are equally culpable in having greedily exploited Extended Studies for personal profit at the ultimate expense of the institution. This shameful conduct was approved, in his capacity as senior academic officer, by Dr. Novotny and ultimately by former President Svaldi (the buck stops here). Some might consider this blatant and egregious compromise of academic and institutional integrity as an acceptable price in order to exploit a revenue stream as it would be known in the vernacular - whoring. Nevertheless, much like the CEOs on Wall Street that engineered through their own despicable greed the financial calamity of 2007/2008, rather than being prosecuted for his conduct Novotny was rewarded with an outrageous Golden Parachute. President McClure indeed deserves due credit for quickly recognizing the bullying incompetence and corruption of Dr. Novotny and the obvious administrative incompetence of Dr. Mumper and taking appropriate action. Similarly, Dr. Gilmer should be applauded for immediately recognizing the shocking abuses of Extended Studies and ordering an external audit by a nationally recognized expert in distance delivery. Nevertheless, let us not be too quick to condemn those who will criticize persistent aspects of the culture at ASU that have resulted from years of unacceptable conduct by the previous administration.
September 22, 2016 at 9:45am Why has our new president Beverlee McClure, a.k.a. Mother Theresa, been continuing and concealing these fraudulent online classes where a single instructor can have a class in excess of 400 to 600 students? It appears that the university has been using this cash cow to supplement the poor cash flow due to the persistent drop in enrollment and retention. It should be clear to most, there is no real learning or student/teacher interaction when the instructor has to administer to hundreds of students in a class. To describe this practice as amoral and unethical would be an understatement. The students who unknowingly signed up for these courses were cheated out of an education experience. They were sold a bill of goods, taken in by hucksters and were most certainly not being educated by educators. If our Mother Theresa, aka Berverlee McClure was aware of these practices, she would certainly be complicit in this fraud perpetrated on the students the university purports to “serve”. Last I checked fraud has a statute or two on the law books against this practice with significant penalties. After a year of her “leadership”, she no longer can use her standby argument of this was done well before she became president. I hope the university continues to pay it’s rising insurance premiums. I’m sure the premium rates have risen due to the Ledonne debacle. Mother Theresa and her gang will most likely need that costly insurance in the days to come.
September 21, 2016 at 9:05pm So now we see from salary documents that at least eight faculty, mostly part time and temporary, made over $100,000 "teaching" Extended Studies coursework in recent fiscal years. One made $176,400 - which would take most ASU full time faculty 3-4 years to make... and jeopardizing ASU's academic standing in the process. Who are these people? When will the full information behind the recent audit be made public? The administration has gone curiously silent lately.
September 21, 2016 at 12:02am Carol took the library to a higher level.
September 20, 2016 at 7:09pm It puzzles me that anyone would celebrate the recent absence of the Colorado Association of Libraries president as their Library Director, one who brought so much positive change and a commitment to ASU students above all. More turnover and bullying. It's telling of ASU's toxic culture that is openly hostile to anyone willing to stand up for what they believe in (Carol, Danny, Jeff, Ben, Meagan, etc.). What a miserable place to work or consider working.
September 20, 2016 at 2:20pm People should read the recent AlterNet article that mentions ASU and Ledonne's experiences. It makes a strong case for why the poor treatment of adjuncts harms academic freedom and the quality of education overall.
September 20, 2016 at 9:35am Apparently Ding Dong Dora hasn’t been in the Neilsen Library in the past 3 years to see the transformation from a plain vanilla collection of books to a vibrant center of student, faculty and community engagement. Perhaps you missed the Library hosting Wes Moore and the many other authors hosted at the library. You certainly missed when Dolores Huerta skyped in during the week long Caesar Chavez week celebration at the library. How about the seed library? You certainly were not present at all of the student outreach hosted at the library. I could go on but what’s the point? The Neilsen Library has never been better. It’s a shame and a loss for Adams. I feel sorry for you Ding Dong Dora that you can’t see the difference. I will certainly feel the difference.
September 20, 2016 at 9:09am The Groucho clip hits the nail on the head. I didn't post it, but I took it to mean defending the status quo and opposing anything that might rock the boat. Crowther's mission is to defend administration at all costs - even if it means letting the ship sink.
September 20, 2016 at 8:58am Ding, dong, the witch is dead! I wonder if Nielsen Library will ever be the same again, hopefully better. Perhaps, one of those ripples Mother Teresa mentioned? #standingstrongforchange
September 20, 2016 at 8:04am Groucho and company do a dramatization of Ed Crowther and the Faculty Senate at ASU. ----Editor's Reply: Always a comical clip - is this in reference to Faculty Senate opposing pay inequities or something else?
September 19, 2016 at 2:46pm Okay, Mother Teresa, here’s a simple game called Reality Check. Get a sheet of paper. Draw a line down the center. On top of the left column, write McClure’s Groundbreaking Changes. Above the right column, write McClure’s Teeth-breaking Changes. Now, the supplementary rule to this game is that entries into the Groundbreaking Changes column must have a positive outcome, because obviously there is no point in having groundbreaking change unless there is a positive outcome, right? Conversely, if changes have had a negative impact, then they must be recorded in the right column. So if you would be so kind, please fill out the columns and let's know how you get on. Oh, by the way, please don’t include the hiring of Gilmer in the Groundbreaking column. We’ve already covered that; McClure had virtually no choice. And don’t put down “initiating the OES inquiry” because Gilmer did that. And don’t bother putting down “Guaranteed Tuition” because if the intention was to boost enrollment, or to improve ASU’s financial position, or to return to our former credit rating, then it has been a flop. While unflagging belief in the Almighty may have qualified Mother Teresa for sainthood, we might need a little more than blind faith in McClure and her disciples for ASU’s transfiguration.
September 19, 2016 at 11:06am That's nice. But I don't share the same cheery-eyed optimism given the circumstances. Ask yourself: "if Beverlee McClure took office in July 2015, why was it over a year before an external audit of Extended Studies took place?" And why would she send a letter to the HLC in March 2016 claiming the issues have all been addressed and academic probation was an unwarranted political statement? How would she know this without a full review, which only took place five months later? Instead, her previous actions make everyone at ASU look foolish because she expressed totally counter-factual statements to ASU's own accreditor, and in a confrontational and brash manner. This is not leadership, this is bullying and ego. McClure shoots from the hip, then inserts ASU's wounded foot into her mouth. So yes, McClure has been "casting stones" alright, but the ripples haven't been very good for anyone at ASU. In one year, she managed to get ASU sued by the ACLU over "terrorism," "Colorado police watch list," and other lies, generated negative PR in academic and popular press outlets on multiple scandals, approved a poorly-considered Guaranteed Tuition plan that lowered ASU's credit rating with Moody's, presided over further salary inequities that have now prompted Faculty Senate to plead with the administration to change course, and tried to bluff her way with the HLC until it became clear she was making fraudulent claims about the Extended Studies office having no major problems. Instead of quoting Mother Teresa, it might be time to read "The Emperor's New Clothes."
September 19, 2016 at 9:33am "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." Mother Teresa Dr. Beverlee McClure and the administration at Adams State University should be commended, applauded, even celebrated, for the positive changes taking place under their watch. We are all "watching Adams". We are watching new leaders like Dr. McClure and Dr. Gilmer breathe life into an institution of higher learning with optimism, courage, integrity, and innovation. The old ideals of the university have held ASU back, and with change in many departments already ongoing, along with more and more groundbreaking change to come...these powerful, mindful leaders will continue to ensure that great stories begin here. Instead of focusing on what a few see as negative, I prefer to focus on the thrilling new future of my ASU! #standingstrong
September 19, 2016 at 9:22am No, the report is GOOD news. It clearly spells out what has been wrong with the place for a long time, and charts a way to fix those issues. That's a POSITIVE thing. Let's have the parade when the mess has been cleaned up.
September 18, 2016 at 10:45am More bad news. Time for another "Standing Strong and Proud" parade.
September 17, 2016 at 5:30pm Quoting large swaths of the audit with bolded typeface and no "emphasis added"? Rookie mistake... ----Editor's Reply: With such exacting taste in font formatting, you should be writing for us! We have revised the article to include "emphasis added" per your suggestion, thank you!
September 16, 2016 at 2:17pm Amen to that last "don't praise McClure" comment! Check out the Paw Print issues that are laying around. The whole story on p. 2 is about why students don't have to worry about accreditation. McClure and especially Margaret Doell go on and on minimizing the problems... just one little part of one little criterion. Just one more thin mint for a bloated administration! More lies and cover ups.
September 16, 2016 at 12:58pm McClure had virtually no choice but to hire Chris Gilmer, regardless of how she felt about him. Frank Novotny, as we all know, did not resign as VPAA for health reasons - after all, he is still working at ASU full time - but he leapt before being pushed. He was facing a vote of no-confidence by the Faculty Senate, and McClure knew that if he remained, she would lose more support among professors. The finalists for Frank’s replacement were Chris Gilmer and Margaret Doell. During the candidate meetings, Gilmer shone. Not one of my colleagues had a negative thing to say about him. Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - I spoke to after his presentations thought he was by far the best candidate. Margaret, having stood alongside Frank and assumed - rightly or wrongly - to be party to his nefarious ways, was tarred with the same brush. She never in the running. There was near-universal suspicion that she would simply follow in Frank’s cloddish footsteps. If Margaret was hired over Chris, McClure would have faced a faculty uprising. And she knew it. Having been ignominiously faced down Le Donne, she could not afford another confrontation. So, McClure indeed does not deserve praise for hiring Gilmer. If the Board of Trustees had any sense, it would fire McClure and replace her with Gilmer.
September 16, 2016 at 10:02am Oh, I wouldn't give McClure any praise for the OES audit, though I'm sure she will claim it was her great leadership. Recall that for six months now, she's been telling the campus, community, and HLC that academic probation was unwarranted, that ASU was a political target and a whipping boy, and demanding ASU be removed from probation. This OES investigation found the complete opposite. If you read the report, including faculty members making huge sums and outright ignoring academic standards as well as completely made up interdisciplinary degrees, probation seems too kind. The HLC could very well have revoked ASU's accreditation on the spot! Yet McClure released statements and even a video insisting that everything was fine and academic probation was no big deal. Credit where it is due - and Dr. Chris Gilmer deserves all of it.
September 16, 2016 at 9:39am Dr Beverly McClure should be commended for hiring Chris Gilmer. Without his insight, his without-fear-or-favor scrutiny, his loyalty to ASU rather than to the vested interests within, we would not have had such an honest and open report on our university's real situation. It is a breath of fresh air. Hopefully we can now start growing a culture of openness and honesty that will not only prevent corrupt practices in the future, but will stimulate a much more progressive, creative, inclusive and transparent institution that will attract more students and faculty, and encourage them to stay.
September 16, 2016 at 9:29am Speaking of the departed Bill Mansheim, I have heard a rumor that there is a financial audit taking place. Does anyone know anything about this? Is the rumor true? And if so, when do we hear the results? ----Editor's Reply: See ASU Audits Reveal Deteriorating Financial Conditions for more detail on this. The State Auditor's final report is due in January 2017 for presentation to the Colorado State Legislative Audit Committee hearing.
September 16, 2016 at 1:08am Adjuncts earning more than 150k per year. So WHO would Walter, Frank and Dave allow and look the other way to "earn" (more like steal) that much money per year...hmmm...Ellen Novotny? Virginia Svaldi? And HOW MUCH more than 150k per year did these anonymous adjuncts "earn/steal"? Was it 10k? 20k? More? Must have been quite a sum that the actual range wasn't even reported in the cleaned, public report. Regardless of who it was, a president and VPAA allowing anybody to profit like this and effectively hide it (by not requiring proper reporting via banner) should be indicted. It's sorta like racketeering...
September 16, 2016 at 12:10am And where was Adams State's chief money man, Bill Mansheim, during all this flagrant profiteering in Extended Studies? Repeatedly assuring everyone at campus roundtables that these parlor tricks were keeping the ASU coffers full and the payroll flush with funds. Recall that it was a "we know what's best, don't ask questions" tone after the Chronicle article. And much like Svaldi, Mansheim has fled the scene of the crime and left the rest of us to foot the bill instead of footing the Bill.
September 15, 2016 at 10:52pm Anyone: What are the yearly revenues, expenditures, profit pertaining to the Office of Extended Studies (OES)? What is the percentage of OES budget when compared to ASU's budget? What is the yearly total OES payroll cost?
September 15, 2016 at 10:42pm Seems like criminal behavior on the part of both Novotny's. Wasn't her name just listed among our new employees in the English Department? Oh great. They should both be fired for putting the entire university at risk.
September 15, 2016 at 10:40pm From the report: "The egregious, diverse, and arguably unethical nature of many of the findings run counter to HLC criteria for reaffirmation of accreditation to the degree that the accreditor felt it was necessary to move directly to an institutional status of probation. Due to the seriousness of the original findings, particularly in a state higher education institution that is part of a state higher education system, it was apparently felt by HLC that violations warranted a very stern warning. From what was learned in the current investigation, the sanction imposed seems justified." Contrast that to McClure's petulant response to the HLC. Now we have evidence she was out of line and digging us a deeper hole. Was she clueless or lying again? Either way, she is incompetent as a leader. She and so many others kept saying "we've fixed everything. Everything is fine now. Students don't worry." More bullshit. Thank god for Gilmer. Thank you for requesting this audit!
September 15, 2016 at 10:19pm ASU Admin: (courtesy of KC Green)
September 15, 2016 at 7:23pm The report is compelling. We knew Svaldi was incompetent. Few liked Novotny but I was convinced he was competent and keeping us in compliance academically. It is clear he was not. I never cared about his girlfriend, and I don't care how much money others make if they do the work. But he put us at risk and should have known better. Now Dr. McClure needs to move quickly and accept the findings of the report, fire Novotny and others and reorganize OES as recommended. She does get credit for demoting Novotny and hiring a new VPAA well, it seems. Admin also gets credit for commissioning the report. Now they can show some leadership with action.
September 15, 2016 at 4:05pm Well, well, well! Seems Frankie boy has finally been caught with his hand in the cookie jar! If I had three guesses and the first two didn't count, I'd say that one of those adjuncts making more than $150,000 per year is his wifey ELLEN! Shame on the two of you! I hope Ellen is immediately relieved of her duties and Frank is stripped of tenure and fired! Fitting for the years of nepotism, bullying, and general incompetence!
September 15, 2016 at 3:48pm I encourage everyone to read the 11 page report summarizing the external audit of ASU Extended Studies. It is blistering and reveals just how badly the entire Office of Extended Studies has been managed for years and recommends shutting it down entirely because it is apparently beyond saving. The report found broad organizational dysfunction, a blatant disregard for academic integrity, egregious uses of incomplete grades, the obscene personal enrichment of faculty teaching in OES over the quality of the programs, a lack of understanding or oversight of these courses, incomplete position data on the HR website, and graduate programs that are running without proper institutional certification. This has been going on for many years under the Svaldi administration and it's clear that many, many people knew what was going on and did nothing to fix it, all while collecting paychecks and telling everyone that things at ASU were fantastic. The report concludes: "The investigation revealed a great deal of information, practices, and anomalies in the administration of the OES that, together, indicated very serious deficiencies and behaviors that more than verified the findings of the HLC Advisory Team visit in 2015. The egregious, diverse, and arguably unethical nature of many of the findings run counter to HLC criteria for reaffirmation of accreditation to the degree that the accreditor felt it was necessary to move directly to an institutional status of probation. Due to the seriousness of the original findings, particularly in a state higher education institution that is part of a state higher education system, it was apparently felt by HLC that violations warranted a very stern warning. From what was learned in the current investigation, the sanction imposed seems justified. Although the locus of concern was the OES and its leadership, it is clear that the questionable practices of the OES were directly and indirectly supported by the former senior University administration as well as a variety of organizationally questionable practices of many kinds in other academic areas of the campus. There is, indeed, a culture of questionable academic practice that appears to have been in place for many years; a culture that further compounded the actions of the OES such that, for many, it became standard operating procedure that was rarely questioned. The recommendations presented in this report are many and most amount to huge tasks that are much easier to suggest than they are to accomplish. This is understood and the size and nature of the tasks is appreciated. The recommendations themselves do not remedy all of the campus issues, but their launch will necessarily bring about changes in these other areas. It is strongly felt that the institutional and service area aspirations of the new executive, academic, and financial administration clearly require attention to the matters listed in the findings. Having met the new senior administration as well as experiencing the sincerity of their supporting staff, the institution is in very capable hands and prepared to bring about rapid positive change to the University, a situation that will also be appreciated by the HLC 2017 site visit team as well as the HLC leadership." I find the last sentence to be highly questionable given that President McClure has repeatedly insulted the HLC and told them that there's nothing wrong at ASU. This report clearly states otherwise.
September 15, 2016 at 1:56pm When I look at this website for acts of "bullying," what I see are people being verbally abusive and resorting to name-calling to those who maintain and publish on this website. If they don't like it so much, why do they keep coming here?
September 15, 2016 at 12:45pm The comment from September 14, 2016 at 2:39PM is laughable. It is apparent that you do not know Dr. Novotny very well. I worked with him for 9 years as the Administrative Assistant III/Program Assistant II in the Office of Academic Affairs and have great respect for Dr. Novotny. He would never "fire" someone because they hired me. The real people in the "know" know exactly why I left the Office of Academic Affairs and I left on good terms. - Dodie Day
September 15, 2016 at 12:36pm I have been recently informed of this website and I find it pretty unfair. First, Dr. Tomlin seems to be the only one who has written something of value and not attacked others. I don't know about his past jobs but we learn in class that if you go into management you will likely butt heads and probably be fired a time or two in your career. We learn that is leadership. Probably like this website, it is unfair but goes with the territory of those who lead the college. We recently learned in an ethics lesson from class and from our textbook the "Actions Associated with Bullies." Bullies spread rumors to damage others, they use emails and websites to demean others, they insult, they discredit others. Those are just a few but they seem to be a lot of what I read on this website. Many of you are the bullies. I would leave my name but i am truly afraid of my professor in McDaniel who will hurt my grade if I do. ----Editor's Reply: From the outset, the purpose of Watching Adams has been to highlight and examine many issues of inequity on the ASU campus – from the poor treatment of adjunct faculty, the low salaries for all faculty, the administration's disregard for due process and free speech, reckless financial mismanagement, violations of academic integrity, prioritization of athletics over academics, treating college students like children, and a campus culture of retaliation and intimidation. When a campus is run this way, even to call out such inequity can appear to be “bullying” when in fact it is a dis-empowered group's way of calling attention to the transgressions of authority figures. Many people writing anonymously here, who have also reached out to us personally with gratitude for maintaining this forum for discussion, do so because they have a very rational basis for not speaking out more publicly given their status as “at will” employees and the many previous ASU critics who have been censured or reprimanded for making their grievances public. The mere fact that the founder of this website was banned from campus without due process for almost a year over patently false claims, resulting in a lawsuit from the ACLU, is self-evident proof of the repressive campus culture at Adams State - officiated from the very top down.
September 15, 2016 at 7:33am "Most of us in the knowing circles on campus..." It sounds like you are either a pitifully misinformed Tomlin supporter or Tomlin himself trying to deflect the real reason for his termination as chair. It doesn't require a rocket scientist to go back to the judge's report and the excerpt re: good old boy mentality and treatment of women. Then all you have to do is watch his behavior.
September 14, 2016 at 5:05pm Certainly factual that Tomlin was fired from his position as superintendent of Garden Valley Schools in Idaho. Several of the newspaper reports mentioned bullying his employees. Thus, as he wrote here: his actions brought him to where he is today. I guess the hiring committee didn't care or saw bullying as an asset.
September 14, 2016 at 2:39pm Most of us in the knowing circles on campus know that Dr. Tomlin was fired as chair because he hired Dr. Novotny's secretary away from him. One came right after the other and there's been too much talk from people who might know, and it would be exactly like Novotny to do it. Another good reason he's gone.
September 14, 2016 at 1:26pm Dr. Tomlin did not mention or explain why he is no longer the Chair. Nor is he under any obligation to do so. Yes, it may have very well been as a result of the Kuenhold report or it may have been something totally unrelated. I do agree that there, and still is, a "good ole boy club" management style. In my opinion it was Horrible during the Svaldi era and Tomlin could have been part of or was instructed to give special treatment towards the student athletes. It's an obvious fact, per the Kuenhold Report, that the School of Business showed favoritism towards the student athletes. We all know for a fact that the Svaldi administration favored athletics. I don't even know Dr. Tomlin, wouldn't know him if I ran in to him, nor am I a fan of this Administration. Just saying that some of your comments are factual and some are pure speculation.
September 14, 2016 at 11:05am Speaking of censorship, who tore down all the posters for the Standing Strong March? No wonder students didn't show up - they were denied the opportunity to hear about it on campus. Yes, insults are petty. But notice how Dr. Tomlin did not explain why he is no longer chair of the School of Business? Could it have anything to do with the findings of the Kuenhold report from last year? From page 92: "The Business School was also mentioned to me by a number of people in both flattering and unflattering ways. Several members of the faculty suggested the Department caters to student athletes. A student suggested that student athletes were favored in class and given breaks, particularly by one professor... Finally, the Department was cited by a number of campus individuals as a bastion of a “good old boy” mentality with several thirdparty and one firstparty examples given to me... I recommend both internal discussions within the Business school around the allegations of perceived preferences and gender issues as well as continuing review of these by the administration.I did not interview or survey all the employees or students and so I look at what I was told and observed and conclude that more thorough review is prudent. Any department receiving the kind of criticisms voiced to me should take a hard look at how people perceive it and why, and act to change things that are causing these perceptions." Coming from a retired judge, this is hardly the endorsement of business ethics. Clearly the McClure administration did take a hard look at the School of Business and did something about Dr. Tomlin's leadership in the department.
September 14, 2016 at 11:47am I am glad that the editors of this site do not censor any comments that fall within the lawful guidelines. We are seeing way to many instances of that censorship in the media today, and it is done in the name of political correctness. It's quite alright to censor this person because "I" deem his speech to be hateful. Bull manure! I for one appreciated Mr. Tomlin's comments and clarification on the $$$ crosswalk. I also think the commentator about Mr. Tomlin's ethics does nothing to sustain good, constructive discussion on this site. Mr. Tomlin, you did the correct thing to come back on and refute the commentator's accusations.
September 14, 2016 at 10:12am To the Editor, The writer at 8:18pm makes my point about this site. I will agree that it is an unfortunate point, but the site will fail to become a vehicle for open dialogue for the obvious reason shown by this commentor. Anonymous attacks keep many people from making serious comments. I made such comments yesterday, providing good faith insight on a topic, and today you allow the posting of a simple insult. If the commentor was accurate then he or she violated both HR law and ethical standards by divulging my private HR packet contents. They are not correct so it becomes a discussion of libel, necessitating your decision (either way) to post or not. Regardless, shouts of "liar, " or "unethical" etc provide no thoughtful dialogue. And of course when it is anonymous it hits the lowest standard. Each such comment sets back other serious persons considering a contribution to the site. On another note, it is clear the commentor has no understanding of basic human psychology or self-determining behavior or they would know that no one "finds himself" somewhere. We are where we are due to decisions we have made in life. So it is with me and I am very comfortable with that. I am not insulted by the commentor since you can only be insulted by those you respect, others are just cowardly jerks shouting names. If they wish to discuss the issue with me my office and phone number are easily found. You may print this or not. You may remove the libelous assertion or not. Either way the hope for honest and open dialogue on the page is damaged. I wish your site could be more. Dr. Michael Tomlin Professor of Business Management ----Editor's Reply: Thank you for your response. As anyone who peruses these comments can see, insults are acceptable as long as they do not clearly violate libel laws. We may find such comments tasteless and a fair number of people have been repeatedly insulted on this site including Ledonne, who evidently has provided a platform for others to berate him over and over. Nonetheless, we maintain an absolute commitment to free expression whenever possible. We also and especially believe that when someone is insulted, they deserve an opportunity to respond. If President Beverlee McClure, Board Chair Arnold Salazar, or anyone else wishes to comment here and sign their name as such, they may do so. Similarly, whomever has criticized Dr. Michael Tomlin may choose to sign their name as such if they wish. Watching Adams isn't here to suppress speech nor to compel it. To those who “wish this site could be more,” we are always open for suggestions, for your own thoughts and ideas, and for the open discourse that we believe every university campus needs. Watching Adams exists outside the official purview or influence of Adams State University in an effort to provide independent coverage and conversations. Anyone is welcome to join in these conversations and the quality of their contributions is reflective of their own authorship.
September 13, 2016 at 8:18pm Dr. Tomlin has no business preaching about ethics. It's understood by many, that this very topic is the reason why he no longer finds himself as chair of the School of Business. The audacity of some people.
September 13, 2016 at 11:28am I like the $$$ crosswalk. I know lots of ASU students who have loads of student debt, sometimes with no degree, and ASU even sends their unpaid bills to collections agencies when they aren't able to pay. By overspending on capital construction projects and administrator salaries, ASU is showing how they believe in walking all over students tuition dollars.
September 13, 2016 at 9:53am I can answer your questions. 1) which faculty? The School of Business faculty. About a year ago the Alamosa City Public Works Director called me and pitched the idea. They were working with the Music Department about their crosswalk too. The dollar signs were discussed, as was stock ticker symbols. I took the idea to a School of Business faculty meeting and we discussed it. We considered international currency symbols - Euro, Yen, etc., but overall we all liked the idea and communicated that to the Public Works Director. 2) Which administrators? The School of Business department Chairs, and I believe it then went to VP Kurt Cary as he is VP of Administration. You don't recall discussion? It may be that you are not invited to all School of Business faculty meetings. Please contact our Chair and see if you can attend. It may be that you are not invited to all Alamosa Public Works staff meetings, again, contact the director if you want to attend. You may have overlooked City Council meetings where they are briefed on projects. It is "outmoded." No, it is increasingly contemporary and appearing in cities like Seattle and NYC. Kudo's to little Alamosa for having some fun. Regarding your lecture to us about business ethics, know that last Friday the School of Business faculty held a half-day work session and the teaching of ethics was reinforced. Our standard is that all business faculty infuse ethics into each and every business class. We also have several stand alone and content specific ethics classes. I regret that you were not invited to our work session, but we don't know who to invite since you hide behind your anonymity when you insult and criticize our department and faculty. I am proud of our crosswalks that lead into the School of Business and proud of our students, graduates, and alums as they head out into the world of business knowing that profit when ethically earned is the fuel that sustains our economy and secures our way of life. Dr. Michael Tomlin Professor of Business Management ----Editor's Reply: Though Dr. Tomlin had previously declared, "Just as Mark's site was not successful in generating ideas and good discussion, neither is this one nor will it be," we are pleased to see that he of all people is showing us that Watching Adams' comments page can be a useful way to discuss and clarify any number of issues for broader public consideration. For that we thank you!
September 13, 2016 at 8:52am Wow! "Yawn" is a genius. What wit! What repartee! Such incisive analysis. And moral courage too. Which elementary school do you go to, sonny?
September 13, 2016 at 8:02am Yesterday's comment about "weapons" and the ASU Student Handbook said: "Steppin on Peoples rights is what we do best!" Yes, it sure is. The same Handbook contains a revised Persona Non Grata policy. Unfortunately, administration didn't feel it was necessary to revise it to be in line with the U.S. Constitution. Just as they banned Ledonne without a hearing, the revised policy makes no mention of a hearing before imposition of a PNG. Wake up folks. This is asking for another lawsuit. McClure and Salazar already swamped us with bad press and wasted tons of money and hours on their anti-Danny crusade. Now they've reaffirmed their disregard for civil rights in writing. "Due process" has meant nothing at ASU for years and these two power-mongers continue that tradition of bullying.
September 13, 2016 at 12:40am A few pointers on awareness and self-awareness for the Yawner: • "Yawn": Your vitriol belies and nullifies your opening yawn. First they (pretend) to ignore you. • “Ledummy”: An infantile and pathetic case of attacking the messenger when the message cannot be addressed. Then they (try to) laugh at you. • “Move on down the road!”: Then they (try to) fight you. • “Nobody liked you”: The last time I checked, higher education wasn’t a popularity contest. “Always stand on principle….even if you stand alone.” – John Adams • The “dummies” you reference aren’t following the “narcissistic rhetoric” of any individual. They are upholding the Constitution of the United States of America. Read it. • You think you are defending ASU, but you are actually the one damaging it. Such immature rants reflect a complete lack of understanding of the value and purpose of higher education, and reflect poorly on the institution. “It is the education which gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgments, a truth in developing them, an eloquence in expressing them, and a force in urging them. It teaches him to see things as they are, to go right to the point, to disentangle a skein of thought, to detect what is sophistical, and to discard what is irrelevant.” – John Henry Newman
September 12, 2016 at 11:57pm The $$$ crosswalk is crass, reductionist, and outmoded. A wholesale focus on the almighty dollar is what led to the global financial crisis and economic meltdown. Progressive business programs today emphasize corporate ethics, environmental sustainability, and socially responsible leadership. There is no universally recognized symbol for these values, unfortunately. But it doesn’t mean we should splash the lowest common denominator in business all over the asphalt. “The City of Alamosa proposed the idea over a year ago and faculty and administration have worked to make it so. Many of us are proud of it.” Which faculty? Which administrators? I don’t recall any campus or community discussion.
September 12, 2016 at 4:35pm Bravo to the author of the 7:56am comment about Arnold Salazar's metamorphosis! When I noticed the posters for Moral Compass today, I wondered if it was starring Salazar and McClure. The poster asks: "Will they find the way back if theirs is broken?" The answer is obviously no. They learned nothing from the ACLU lawsuit. They couldn't even bring themselves to acknowledge a single mistake, much less apologize to students and employees. Instead, they issued more lies and expressed confusion at why people were upset. They are leaders without a moral compass, which makes them no leaders at all. Please replace these fakes with leaders that students can emulate (without violating others' civil rights).
September 12, 2016 at 4:08pm I have recently just reviewed the Adams State Student Handbook for 2016-2020 and came across the section addressing firearms, fireworks, sharp instruments etc. and have some real concerns about Adams Admin overstepping their authority once again. The section I'm referring to is on page 8, number 17 . I love how they contradict themselves within the same policy and then say they don't have a policy on concealed carry. That's because the State of Colorado already has a policy on concealed firearms ASU administration. It's called 100% legal on any State University or College. Being a new student, avid outdoors man and hunter I've read about the problems this school is going through and now I read this. Steppin on Peoples rights is what we do best!
September 12, 2016 at 12:26am Five years ago, when ASU had money, there were ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new facilities and renovations. Now that ASU is out of money and those construction bills are due, they throw marches for being put on academic probation and ribbon-cutting ceremonies for fancy crosswalks. Its a dog and pony show but only with enough money for mutts and runts.
September 12, 2016 at 10:15am Yawn. You getting tired yet, Ledummy, and all the dummies who follow your narcissistic rhetoric? You worked at ASU, nobody liked you, your contract was not renewed...move on down the road! You are brilliant, a brilliant disaster who thrives on negativity, pessimism, and selfish revenge. We are growing very tired of your arrogance, ridiculous claims, and repetitious child's play at unwarranted, invalid, asinine allegations towards ASU. I repeat, please go away now. We are so over your pompous ass. Bye, Felicia! ----Editor's Reply: Petulant invective would make anybody’s Monday! Takes me back to middle school. But the many problems ASU faces, as documented by any number of press outlets and public documents, are by no means a creation of any one individual. Notice how the responses to such criticism of a public institution are belligerent insults at anyone who would raise these issues, rather than the issues themselves? This is the hallmark of an organization in deep cultural trouble.
September 12, 2016 at 7:56am Arnold Salazar was once part of the local Chicano movement, Americans who in the ‘60s and ‘70s stood up against institutional racism, and for the right to free speech and the right to assemble. Many of his colleagues were arrested for protesting on campus against Adams State College administrative overreach and disregard for Hispanic students’ constitutional rights. Once a tough, vocal, dedicated advocate of American ideals, Arnold is no longer the defender of those ideals-as-practice. Now the stereotype of a small-town patriarch, he has become The Man, the very thing that he fought against in his youth. If, as a Chicano student, he could have peered through the looking glass to his future, what would he have thought of himself? Arnold has followed Winston Churchill’s prescribed arc to maturity: “If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart; if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain.” He has position, power, property, and political prominence. He has used his brain - and family influence - to get all these things for his benefit. But Arnold seems to have interpreted Churchill’s adage to mean swapping one for the other - heart for brains - that you must lose your heart to gain a brain. He now supports a documented liar, Beverlee McClure, as ASU’s president. He himself now lies, insisting that LeDonne “didn’t get a dime” from the ACLU settlement. He stood by while McClure threw someone under the bus who he’d known and worked alongside in the community for years. And he says he “can’t understand” those outraged by these deceptions and betrayals. Of course, self-actualized adults don’t replace heart with brain but incorporate both. They don’t throw out altruism, empathy and moral principle for self-interest at the expense of others. But Arnold has. Prefiguring Lord Acton’s famous quote about absolute power corrupting absolutely, our second president, John Adams, said a century earlier: “Because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.” While Arnold has indeed risen in station, his standards have not. Every morning as he stands in front of the mirror, as he stretches taut the folds of his face ready for the razor, does he meet the youthful eyes of his former self? Can he hold that gaze and say honestly that he has been true to himself?
September 11, 2016 at 9:48pm When it comes to parades and ribbon-cutting, Adams State certainly knows how to put on a show for the locals. So long as nobody looks at their declining financials, or their violations of academic compliance, or their low graduation rates, or their underpaid staff, or their students in debt and without degrees, or their low national rankings, or their high employee turnover, it's easy to see why ASU is a great place to be. Just don't discuss any of those things and there's high esteem and mutual respect. Simple as that. You know things are getting bad when there's so much empty fanfare for two cross walks. Maybe it's time to pay more attention to what's happening inside the buildings themselves.
September 11, 2016 at 9:24pm Dear "just saw the dollar signs." Did you also see the piano keys crosswalk to Leon Memorial and the Music Department? The dollar signs cross to the School of Business. The City of Alamosa proposed the idea over a year ago and faculty and administration have worked to make it so. Many of us are proud of it. Were you also "watching Adams" last Thursday for the ribbon cutting at 3rd and Richardson? Did you hear the Mayor and our President speak, the VP of our Trustees, our student body president? So many people there who support our city, our community, and our university. There is mutual respect among all, and Adams is held in very high esteem. This is really a good place to work and to be.
September 10, 2016 at 12:10pm I just saw the dollar signs painted on the street in the crosswalk on Richardson Ave! WTF? Trashy. Are they supposed to call attention to all the money that ASU has been bleeding the last few years? More great marketing.
September 9, 2016 at 10:24pm On average, how long does it take for Adams Admin to get the minutes for the Board of Trustees meeting posted? ----Editor's Reply: We have repeatedly had to remind ASU HR to update their meeting minutes for various organizational bodies. In general the BOT only updates their meeting minutes once approved at the following meeting. In this case, that is after October 28th, 2016. We find both speed and transparency lacking within ASU's administration.
September 9, 2016 at 8:12am "A deficiency of honesty and transparency," really? You don't need to post that here anonymously when Arnold Salazar, Mr. Truth and Transparency, complained about people using WatchingAdams rather than having open conversations. Gosh, I wonder why anyone would hesitate to talk to him or McClure directly? Arnold is so out of touch with reality. He needs a big mirror. And to be relieved of his "duties." I vote for CSU-Alamosa. Get rid of the bad apples: McClure and the BoT included.
September 8, 2016 at 8:36pm It's bad enough that ASU has been running a large debt for years and years while paying embarrassingly high salaries to the people chiefly responsible for doing so. It's worse still that these poor decisions have been largely kept out of the public eye for just as long. The students and taxpayers pay for this university and the administration has been far from honest with these stakeholders about the dire straights the institution is in. Trust and respect require honesty and transparency, ASU having a deficiency of both.
September 8, 2016 at 7:48am "For FY 2012-13, Adams reflects depreciation of $6.4 million and interest expense on its capital debt of $3.4 million. These two components represent about 18 percent of Adam’s total operating and non-operating expenditures of $54.1 million for the year." Eighteen percent! Severely over-leveraged! How could Salazar and the rest of the trustees let this happen, especially post-2008 housing crash? Did they learn nothing? Even the report says ASU should not have been allowed to continue borrowing money and issuing bonds. I'm sending another letter to the governor.
September 7, 2016 at 6:22pm I for one have no regard for all the minions and bureaucrats of this world who get up in the morning and spend the day compromising whatever conscience they might have for a paycheck. ASU has more than a few of these people, to be sure. How do people look themselves in the mirror when they dutifully serve known bullies, liars, and sycophants? How cheaply one's integrity can be purchased these days. And some people are so poor, all they have is money.
September 7, 2016 at 6:03pm I didn't attend the BoT meeting, so I have no idea what Beth Robison intended with her statements, beyond what has been reported. Nevertheless, the person who defended her got at least three things right: 1) Beth IS a nice, competent person. 2) The Constitution and freedom of speech should be taken seriously and defended, even -- or especially -- when that speech represents dissent. 3) "Beth’s comments ... proudly reported by Julie Waechter, President McClure’s official, state-paid press officer." Sure hit #3 on the nose: PAID, MCCLURE's state servant, PR. What do PR folks get PAID to do? Make shit smell pretty. I don't blame Julie, she's just doing her job and McClure hasn't given her much to work with, just lots of feces to deodorize. Just in the last 6 months, Julie has authored these gems: - "Bring it on! McClure is happy about the ACLU lawsuit because it will allow her to share all the dirt on Ledonne." What, there was no dirt, she was just bluffing? - "Moody's down-rating is really a good thing for ASU." Who are you kidding?! - "ASU won... judge decided in ASU's favor." Now Julie and Bev sound just plain insane, total break from reality. What next? "ASU closes its doors due to financial mismanagement. Entire SLV celebrates the BoT's latest success!"
September 7, 2016 at 2:39pm Having stood idly by while for years ASU’s financial wheels ground down to the axles, Arnold Salazar and his board of trustees then hired a new president with her own dubious record in money matters. No doubt the board, itself without business sense, was highly attracted to presidency-candidate Beverley McClure’s ambition to march on Denver and somehow shake the coinage out of state government pockets. But did they not research her background, to check her credibility? A quick web search finds Adjunct Nation journalist P. D. Lesko revealing that Dr McClure, while head of the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry (ACI), lost money for the organization over several years. According to Lesko, “Between 2009 and 2012, under McClure’s leadership ACI’s revenue decreased from a high of $537,600 in 2010 to $485,945 in 2012. “Tax records also show that between 2009 and 2012, the ACI ran a negative fund balance: the association’s liabilities exceeded its available assets. “In 2009, when ACI brought in $515,121 in gross revenue, McClure’s organization lost money overall ($12,072), and the ACI’s liabilities exceeded its assets by $177,146.” These are not great amounts of money, but for ASU employees who assumed that her connections to a business advocacy organization and state purse-holders meant she was adept at raising money, Lesko’s revelations are disturbing. If the leader of a business lobby can’t demonstrate how to at least balance the books, why should we have faith that she can do any better in a much larger and more troubled organization? Lesko inadvertently exposes a spending trend we see recurring at ASU. “In 2012 the bulk ($304,633) of the member organization’s $485,945 in gross revenue went to pay salaries, including McClure’s $168,661 compensation package.” McClure is now on a package close to a quarter million dollars, her supporters in Administration have received significantly greater increases in salary than for other employee sectors, and the faithful like Frank Novotny get to keep grossly inflated incomes despite relegation to the ranks. But it is unreasonable to put the blame at McClure’s feet alone. Ultimately, this is another example of Arnold Salazar’s and the trustees’ ineptitude. If the market truly rewards talent and punishes the inept, they must go.
September 7, 2016 at 9:55pm From this week's Associated Press headlines: The for-profit college chain ITT Technical Institute is shutting down all 130 of its U.S. campuses, saying Tuesday it can't survive recent sanctions by the U.S. Department of Education... ITT Educational Services CEO Kevin Modany told reporters on a conference call Tuesday that ITT was the victim of a "regulatory assault" and never had the chance to defend itself. "For what appears to be political reasons, there seemed to be an outcome in mind that was going to be forced here," Modany said. From the March 2016 Chronicle of Higher Education: The president of Adams State University lashed out this week at the institution’s accrediting agency after the agency’s recent decision to put the university on probation. The president, Beverlee J. McClure, said in an open letter to the Higher Learning Commission that the Colorado institution was "left feeling like HLC’s whipping boy, with none of the benefits of HLC membership." ... But Ms. McClure, who began her tenure as president in July, said in her letter that the accreditor’s decision "seems like a calculated move to undermine the university." "We have obviously been chosen by the HLC to make some sort of political statement," Ms. McClure wrote. I see some similarities in how these two leaders respond to scrutiny for poor institutional performance: blame everyone else, play the victim, and hatch some conspiracy about why this is happening to them! McClure and Modany must come from the same school of whiny leadership, and that's not a good thing for ITT Tech or ASU.
September 7, 2016 at 9:41am Not sure how it is possible to “score below zero” , but according to the 2014 State of Colorado Joint Budget Committee, ASU (and Western State) did it. “A more in-depth analysis of these institutions for the period from FY 2008-09 to FY 2012-13 indicates that both institutions are highly leveraged and financially at risk.” Arnold Salazar was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010, and then promoted to chairman of the board in 2013, his term expiring in 2017. He has participated in, then presided over, an extended period of financial mismanagement. He has been privvy to all the ledgers, all the strategic plans, all the discussions, and at no point did he raise the alarm. In the business world, shareholders would have dumped him and other long-standing members of the board long ago. But because ASU’s finances are opaque, because shareholders - tax payers - have been kept in the dark, this slow motion slide to “below zero” has remained hidden, and Salazar’s competency unchallenged. Now that we know, he must go!!
September 7, 2016 at 9:09am I know Beth Robison well, and I can tell you she is a smart, compassionate, articulate person and a dedicated and highly competent professor. So I want to put the record straight for those derisive of her comments recorded in “Adams State Trustees hears support for University mission 08-25-2016” (https://www.adams.edu/news/aug1614.php). She is quoted as saying; "It involves freedom of speech, and I feel strongly about that,” and then asks, “What are our options for rebutting and closing down this slander and cyberbullying.” ??? I am sure it was a simple slip of the tongue. We all make mistakes, especially under pressure in group situations. Of concern is that her slip was not challenged, but in fact supported, by other senior faculty members, administrators and trustees. Let’s be clear. The Constitution of the United States is not just a theory but a legally mandated practice. As citizens of the first modern democracy, we should be proud to support the notion AND THE PRACTICE of the First Amendment. We don’t have the right to pick and choose whether it applies to people we don’t like. That such highly educated adults - almost all state-paid employees - should even discuss gagging dissenters demonstrates a moral and intellectual failure, a tragedy for a university charged with educating our young folk about their roles and responsibilities as United States citizens. By the way, Beth’s comments weren’t recorded by some sly, anonymous, unauthorized phone recorder, but proudly reported by Julie Waechter, President McClure’s official, state-paid press officer.
September 6, 2016 at 10:36pm Nice list of schools that offer some sort of guaranteed tuition, thanks. But big deal. As a counterpoint, the editor also provided a nice list of references regarding problems with these plans. Look there for lists of schools that tried it and dropped it, or have it and regret it. Guaranteed tuition may indeed work for some schools / populations of students, but I highly doubt that will be the case at ASU. First, we are in a deep financial hole, so GT ties our hands, leaving us to dig our way out one-handed (Moody's concern). Second, I doubt GT rises to be a significant criterion for most of our students when choosing ASU. So, it won't affect recruitment much. Has anyone actually asked first-year students if GT was a major factor in choosing ASU? Oh wait, that would be data-driven decision making. Third, students don't drop out or take breaks lightly, so I doubt GT will affect retention much at all. Fourth, it costs money to implement due to all the tracking. Fifth, it appears to be poorly implemented here; most schools offer GT like insurance companies offer insurance, meaning you pay extra up front (10-15% hike) betting it will pay off over four years. McClure and the BoT didn't do that. Only time will tell, but it sounds like the enrollment numbers are not promising. My bet is with the commentator who characterized it as bone-headed, and their assessment that the BoT has not been doing their jobs. Whether or not GT is successful at ASU, you can't deny the more important point: ASU is hurting financially. Or maybe you can; I never cease to be amazed.
September 6, 2016 at 9:40pm I know many of the staff who directly interact with students and parents at ASU regarding Guaranteed Tuition. It is proving to be a major headache, a source of confusion, and a drain on the already limited resources of these offices. There are so many exceptions and loopholes that many students conclude the whole marketing scheme is more trouble than its worth.
September 6, 2016 at 8:59pm Here is a list of schools with guaranteed tuition that preceded McClure's "boneheaded" decision. As some of you are (thankfully) leaving our flock be sure to NOT apply at any of these schools, they too are lead by "boneheads" and you won't be happy there. Alaska Pacific University – Anchorage, AK The Guaranteed Consolidated Tuition Plan Angelo State University – San Angelo, TX Fixed Tuition Plan Andrews University – Berrien Springs, MI Tuition Guarantee Plan Austin State University – Austin, TX Fixed-Rate Tuition Plan Baylor University – Waco, TX Guaranteed Tuition Option Berkeley College – NY and NJ locations Tuition Freeze Policy Capitol Technology University – Laurel, MD Tuition Lock Chicago State University – Chicago, IL Four-Year Guaranteed Tuition Plan Clearwater Christian College – Clearwater, FL Cost Freeze Program Cleary University – Howell and Ann Arbor, MI Tuition Guarantee College of St. Joseph – Rutland, VT Provider Scholarship Columbia College – Columbia, MO Fixed Rate Tuition Program Eastern Illinois University – Charleston, IL Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan George Washington University – Washington DC GW Fixed Tuition Governors State University – University Park, IL Tuition Guarantee Hardin-Simmons University – Abilene, TX Tuition Guarantee Hiram College – Hiram, OH The Hiram College Tuition Guarantee Huntingdon College – Montgomery, AL Fixed Tuition Illinois State University – Normal, IL Frozen Tuition Rates Immaculata University – Immaculata, PA Fixed Tuition Kettering University – Flint, MI Fixed-Tuition Guarantee Lamar University – Beaumont, TX Guaranteed Price Plan Midwestern State University – Wichita Falls, TX Fixed Rate Designated Tuition Plans New Saint Andrews College – Moscow, ID Tuition Lock Nordland College – Ashland, WI The Nordland Tuition Guarantee Northeastern Illinois University – Chicago, IL Tuition Guarantee Plan Northern Illinois University – DeKalb, IL Guaranteed Tuition Ohio University – Athens, OH Ohio Guarantee Oklahoma City University – Oklahoma City, OK Locked Rate Prairie View A&M University – Prairie View, TX Guaranteed Tuition Plan Sam Houston State University – Huntsville, TX Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan Sewanee – University of the South – Sewanee, TN Four-Year Tuition Guarantee Southern Illinois University Carbondale – Carbondale, IL Guaranteed Tuition Stabilization Plan Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Edwardsville, IL Guaranteed Tuition Stephen F. Austin State University – Nacogdoches, TX Fixed Rate Tuition Plan St. Johns University – New York, NY Fixed Rate Tuition Plan Sull Ross State University – Eagle Pass, TX Guaranteed Price Plan Tarleton State University – Stephensville, TX Guaranteed Tuition Plan Texas A&M University – College Station, TX Locked-Rate Tuition Policy Texas A&M University, Central Texas – Killeen, TX Guaranteed Tuition and Fee Plan Texas A&M International University – Laredo, TX The Fixed Tuition and Fee Plan Texas A&M University, Commerce – Commerce, TX Guaranteed Tuition Cohort Plan Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi – Corpus Christi, TX Guarantee Tuition and Fee Plans Texas A&M University at Galveston – Galveston, TX Guaranteed Tuition Plan Texas A&M University, Kingsville – Kingsville, TX Guaranteed Tuition and Fees Texas A&M University, Texarkana – Texarkana, TX Guaranteed Tuition and Fee Program Texas Southern University – Houston, TX Fixed Rate Tuition Plan Texas State University – San Marcos, TX Guaranteed Price Plan Texas Tech University – Lubbock, TX Fixed Tuition Texas Women’s University – Denton, Dallas, and Houston, TX Fixed Tuition Price Plan Thomas College – Waterville, ME Guaranteed Tuition University of Colorado, Boulder – Boulder, CO Out-of-State Tuition Guarantee University of Dayton – Dayton, OH Four-Year Tuition Plan University of Houston – Houston and Victoria, TX Fixed Tuition Rate Plan University of Illinois at Chicago – Chicago, IL Guaranteed Tuition Plan University of Illinois at Springfield – Springfield, IL Guaranteed Tuition Program University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign – Champaign, IL Guaranteed Tuition Plan University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS Tuition Compact University of North Texas – Denton, TX Eagle Express Tuition Plan University of North Texas at Dallas – Dallas, TX “Focus” Fixed Tuition Plan University of Texas, Arlington – Arlington, TX Fixed Rate Tuition Plan University of Texas, Austin – Austin, TX Longhorn Fixed Tuition University of Texas, Dallas – Dallas, Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan University of Texas, El Paso – El Paso, TX Guaranteed Tuition Plan University of Texas at the Permian Basin – Odessa, TX Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan University of Texas, San Antonio – San Antonio, TX Guaranteed Tuition Plan University of Texas, Tyler – Tyler, TX Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan Western Illinois University – Macomb, IL Cost Guarantee West Texas A&M University – Canyon, TX Guaranteed Tuition & Fee Plan ----Editor's Reply: Listing other schools that engage in financially misleading, dubious, and risky guaranteed tuition policies doesn't do anything to defend ASU's own foray down this ill-advised path. Recall that this policy was designed to attract more students to ASU (preliminary enrollment data doesn't bear this out at all; more students dropped before the fall 2016 semester than in previous years), that it is supposed to help control the cost of college (when in fact tuition represents less than a third of costs for in state, on campus students) and that Moody's cited it as among the reasons for ASU's credit downgrade (because it inhibits the university's ability to offset its debt). We recommend reading recent case studies on how guaranteed tuition plans are harming higher education and the students they serve: “The state needs to kill its prepaid college tuition plan—now” - Chicago Business "Guaranteed-tuition laws inflating college costs, study finds" - Science Daily “Is your state prepaid tuition plan flawed?” - Bankrate "UA stable tuition plan doesn’t solve rising tuition problem" - Inside Tucson Business “Guaranteed Tuition Plans Pose Greater Risk Than Potential Benefit” - Pope Center for Higher Ed Policy
September 6, 2016 at 8:42pm I visit this comments page and see more “negativity” from a few unhappy people at ASU and more “blabbing and blogging” from cyberbullies on the Internet! Oh wait, these are data-driven reports condemning ASU's administration from the Colorado Joint Budget Committee, Moody's, Higher Learning Commission, and the Colorado State Auditor? They are sounding the alarms about ASU's financial mismanagement and violations of academic integrity? More faculty and staff keep leaving ASU every year and enrollment is declining? Well then, they must all be engaging in more “sexism” against ASU's first female president! Danny Ledonne must be manipulating all these agencies as among his cult of followers. Good thing there are professors like Dr. Beth Robison who call for “rebutting and shutting down” the “vitriol of the Watching Adams website.” After all, these deep structural and managerial problems are just “slander and ridiculous rebuttal" which nobody should really pay attention to because there are so many “great stories” at ASU. Here's a great story: some people are awake and some people are sleepwalking off the cliff.
September 6, 2016 at 8:21pm Lately people have been bitching about the Board of Trustees acting irresponsibly by covering McClure's lies, etc. Well the most recent post about the Colorado Joint Budget Committee report is just more evidence that the BoT needs to go. The report says: "Arguably, neither Western nor Adams should have become as leveraged as they currently are." So who is to blame? Sure Mansheim, Svaldi, and Novotny were culprits, but ultimately the BoT approved all the construction projects and associated bonds ASU issued. The report says: "both institutions are highly leveraged and financially at risk." Thanks BoT. ASU's survival is in question because you couldn't take the time to figure out Mansheim was digging us into a hole so deep that we'll probably never be able to dig ourselves out. And then you backed McClure's boneheaded guaranteed tuition scheme, a plan that the much-brighter-than-you folks at Moody's listed as one of the reasons for our most recent down-rating. I think the report is onto a good idea when it recommends investigating the possibility of merging ASU into larger institutions. Then we could get rid of the president and BoT in a single stroke.
September 6, 2016 at 11:35am Of course all is well at ASU, as long as you don't pull your head out of the sand (or wherever). From the 2014 State of Colorado Joint Budget Committee report: "Two small institutions—Adams State University and Western State Colorado University—had scores below 0, indicating a need to 'assess institutional viability to survive'. Both institutions are highly leveraged." "A more in-depth analysis of these institutions for the period from FY 2008-09 to FY 2012-13 indicates that both institutions are highly leveraged and financially at risk." "Both the executive and legislative branches should continue to carefully monitor the financial health of Adams State and Western State." "Both Western and Adams have spent aggressively on cash-funded new construction in recent years." "This represents about $30,000 per Adams State student." "Staff assumes that substantial new plant investments at both institutions were expected to stabilize or build enrollment, but do not appear to have had that effect to-date" "Some of the operating losses within the last few years have been planned. Faced with sharp declines in state support, both institutions recognized that they would rely more on tuition revenue in the future but could only increase tuition revenue so much in a particular year. " Just one more reason guaranteed tuition makes so much sense. Yeah, right! Recommendations: "Continue to Monitor. " "The General Assembly (and CCHE and the Governor) need to watch this situation carefully ... they both appear to be at significant risk." "The JBC Should Pay More Attention to Revenue Bond Intercept Program Requests" "Arguably, neither Western nor Adams should have become as leveraged as they currently are." "to qualify for the Revenue Bond Intercept Program, an institution must have: (1) A credit rating in one of the three highest categories from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization" So, it's no big deal that Moody's downrated ASU to A3, the NINTH highest category. Oh yeah, the PR folks and Valley Courier tell us that the downrating is really an "opportunity." "Explore Whether Small Institutions Can or Should Be Merged Back into Larger Systems" I like how administration shared all of this, so transparent.
September 5, 2016 at 11:02pm Nursing is far from the only program at ASU that is failing many of its students. What makes nursing somewhat unique is that it has a statewide exam to objectively measure the quality of the program. What about the many other degree programs at ASU with high faculty turnover and poor institutional support? What if state standards were applied to many other programs at ASU in which students are inadequately prepared? What if the nursing program is like a canary in a coal mine for ASU? I remember reading an article about Adams State being named one of the Ten Biggest Wastes of Money by tracking how well graduates perform in their field. It seems like ASU is in denial if they think there are only “a few unhappy people” who are ruining the school. Maybe they are unhappy because the school isn't living up to its mission for many of its students and employees.
September 5, 2016 at 9:06pm Is it possible that the employee turnover in the Nursing Department throughout the course of the BSN program be a crucial piece to understanding why Adams State University is ranked next to last in BSN pass rates for NCLEX in Colorado? It is absolutely horrific that Adams State University has allowed this travesty of passing students that are not properly prepared to take and pass the NCLEX test on the first attempt. What does this say about the preparation of the nursing student's in the clinical arena? Is ASU ethical in graduating nursing students that are not prepared and may very well responsible for the lives of those individuals we love? Has anyone looked at the number of students accepted into the program throughout it's course to evaluate the ability to adequately prepare each of these students? How is it possible that clinical requirements are being met? If there are 30 or more students admitted yearly does that not articulate to over 60 nursing students during any semester working to complete clinical requirements, sometimes these students are working to complete more than one clinical course each semester? Where are these practicum hours being completed? Are these students cramped into our local medical facilities, if so how much experience does this lend to the students? Furthermore, are the clinical instructors thoroughly prepared to instruct these courses? Does anyone even know who will be teaching courses more than a week prior to classes starting? It is a bit worriesome that there is only one faculty and one staff that have been a consistent part of the Nursing Department for more than two years. Has anyone looked into how this information adds into the equation of faculty/staff/ adjunct turnover? Does ASU only calculate increased tuition from the large number of nursing students admitted? What about the increased cost of adjunct/staff/faculty turnover, increased costs to nursing students for tuition, books, supplies... etc for a profession that they seem ill prepared for? How many ASU Nursing Graduates are working in their profession to pay back the costs of attending ASU, it seems that with the reported pass rates indicated there are not many. Nurses are important to the lives of so many individuals, will ASU step up and be ethical and address the real issues at hand?
September 4, 2016 at 3:10pm I have an idea for a TV show called "Whose Lie is It, Anyway?" It takes place at Adams State University: - Where the policies are made up and the facts don't matter - Where "school shootings" and "terrorism" can be casually thrown around to justify banning people without due process - Where people are placed on police watch lists that don't exist - Where "threats of violence" later becomes "cause for concern" once there is no evidence to substantiate this claim - Where press releases claim to "win" lawsuits by paying out settlements and undoing the previous actions that got them sued to begin with - Where free speech is acceptable unless you have something critical to say - Where administrators say the most ridiculous things yet recording them is an unforgivable act - Where "inclusive excellence" actually means a culture of bullying, shaming, retaliation, and deceit - Where there's always money for new athletics facilities and charter buses for away games, but students and faculty can't afford to attend conference - Where having your credit downgraded is actually a great opportunity to improve your credit - Where are you are reprimanded by your accreditor and investigated by the state auditor for absolutely, positively no reason at all - Where any other school pays more for the same job - Where any other in-state school has higher graduation rates - Where your students, faculty and staff keep leaving every year because things are just so fantastic I realize this sounds like a absurdist comedy, but sometimes there is nothing more hilarious than the truth.
September 1, 2016 at 8:25pm Three full time nursing faculty members in addition to Dr. Shawn Elliott have resigned their positions in the Spring or Summer of 2016. The newly hired RN to BSN coordinator (she only lasted a couple of months) and two other faculty members. ----Editor's Reply: Thank you, we've updated this article to include your comment.
September 1, 2016 at 8:03pm Wow! Almost 24 hours and the post "I have been working with adolescent children..."just brought this to a halt. Are those partaking in middle school behavior feeling a little uncomfortable??
August 31, 2016 at 9:14am I have been working with adolescent children, many with behavior problems my whole professional career. Some of these kids are bullies and some of them are bullied but these kids are trying to grow into functioning and kind adults. Most usually make it. After observing some behaviors and actions from some of the faculty at Adams State University, I must say the adolescent kids I counsel and work with behave better that some of the educated professors at the University. I have observed sneaky and subliminal bullying such as exclusion, ignoring behaviors (to the point where some people wont even say hello in the hallways) and ageism. Shame on all of you who are behaving worse than troubled children and shame on the administration for allowing this to happen - E. Parkins
August 30, 2016 at 9:19pm Following up on the excellent To Kill a Mockingbird Post, I recently heard that Beverlee McClure and Arnold Salazar are on the Colorado State Police Watchlist due to their acts of terrorism. Oh wait, Danny would never print such a thing unless I acknowledge this is a joke, otherwise it would be libel and defamation of character. He's not the one who resorts to such low blows, that's the game McClure and Salazar play. Just trying to help people walk around in someone else's skin. Pretty much sucks. Leaders? Integrity? Conscience? I think not!
August 29, 2016 at 7:39pm Have you seen the Ledonne call-in video about the "police watch list?" It's sad and hilarious at the same time. Why would Beverley McClure lie to the entire campus in such a blatant way? No wonder pro-administration people are upset that her idiotic statements are being recorded! She's off the rails.
August 29, 2016 at 6:45pm Megan, you shouldn't and don't have to defend your professional career to this racist asshat. If this person is the typical Adams State administration supporter then there is no longer a way to have any type of intelligent discussion with them. I am so glad, again, that commentators can be anonymous because after reading the original bigoted comment, and then later doubling down, I could have gone to a very angry place and engaged in a special dance with this asshat. Your classiness and intelligence must really intimidate this person!
August 29, 2016 at 5:23pm So three individuals (Walter, Frank and Judy) were placed on administrative leave for a week, while an external investigator looked over the HLC debacle. The investigator has come and gone more than two weeks ago. One question: Is anybody EVER going to be held accountable for the HLC problems?!? ----Editor's Reply: Thank you for your inquiry. We have filed an open records request for any and all documents relating to this external audit of the Office of Extended Studies and will publish any findings here as soon as they are available.
August 29, 2016 at 5:08pm Alright, let's be honest here. Adams State has been mistreating many employees for a long time and most of them just leave because it's the easiest thing to do. This website exists because ASU finally mistreated the wrong person, a communications professor, who decided to do something about it. Some of you don't like that, and it's obvious why, but ASU has made so many enemies over the years that it was bound to happen. Maybe if you treated people better, they wouldn't have so much to complain about.
August 29, 2016 at 1:55pm "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird Try - however distasteful some of you may find it - to follow Harper Lee’s advice and place yourself in Danny Ledonne’s shoes for just a few minutes. Try to see the events of last year from his first-person perspective. You’ve been accused of some “crime” so great it warrants banning you from the Adams State campus. You are never informed of the crime you’ve been charged with, nor are you provided with any proper recourse to respond to the unspecified charges (impossible to do so). Is this feeling fair to you? It shouldn’t because it’s a constitutional violation that offends the rule of law. But the violation of your constitutional rights doesn’t end there. The “police” (Grohowski) and the “public prosecutor” (McClure) then go on a crazy spree smearing your reputation across the press and via campus email. As so many posters have stressed, they lied as they did so. So now we’re adding slander and libel on top of lack of due process. Starting to feel wronged yet? Feeling a bit indignant? You should but if not, stay with me a bit longer. After attacking you broadly in the press and via all-campus bulletins for some unspecified crime, McClure then decides to hold not one, but two broad campus forums to further defame you. In holding these meetings - “trials”, essentially - she acted as both prosecutor and judge, with your academic peers and students serving as your jury, all in absentia. You are now being tried, without your presence and without any opportunity to defend yourself. This is yet another violation of your right to due process: A criminal defendant’s right to appear in person at their trial is protected by multiple amendments of the U.S. Constitution (5th; 6th; 14th). Now imagine yourself sitting at home while these two trials in absentia are taking place. Imagine sitting on your couch at home trying to guess what is being said to your colleagues (and yes, they are still your professional colleagues, whether or not you still work at ASU) and your former students. Wouldn’t you want to know what was being said about you? More importantly, wouldn’t you deserve to know what was being said about you? “The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box.” - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird The individuals who recorded the Faculty Senate and AS&F meetings should be applauded for doing so. Gonna say that again, in caps: APPLAUDED. They were among the very few brave souls on this campus who recognized that a fellow citizen’s constitutional rights were being horribly violated. They recognized that if a fellow citizen was being denied the right to attend his own “trial”, he at least deserved to hear what was being said about him. The few brave souls who spoke out in Danny’s defense at those meetings were instantly labeled with their own “crimes”(sexism...seriously?!?). The individuals who sought to give Danny at least some semblance of an opportunity to be present at his own trial by recording it have also suffered slings and arrows. It’s never easy to do the right thing when you’re in the minority, to rise above the rabble (the true “cult”). But those who did know that Harper Lee was right: “…Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” – To Kill a Mockingbird I hope you gained new perspective by adopting Danny’s perspective for a few minutes. But I’m not holding my breath that you did, because: “People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.” – - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
August 29, 2016 at 11:42am Inclusive Excellence, huh? You're included if you are part of the McClure choir, or even if you just keep your mouth shut. But if you say anything critical, ASU practices Exclusion Excellently.
August 29, 2016 at 11:27am Just as an FYI I was appointed into the Finance position as well as the Admissions position by the higher administration. Oh and what makes me qualified to work in higher education is that my first six months working in finance I wrote the narrative for East campus which brought to school $5.8 million. - Meagan Smith
August 29, 2016 at 10:52am A simple question: do people who support McClure simply not care that there is no such thing as a "Colorado police watch list?" She told everybody about it, but it doesn't exist.
August 29, 2016 at 8:29am Interesting comment yesterday: "Wonder why the Trustees don't help? Because you work for them, not the other way around. " Yes, I do wonder why the trustees protect a liar, deny her mistakes, care so little about civil rights, and know so little about ASU employees and students that they are perplexed when people are upset about this mess. At first I assumed McClure lied to the trustees just like everyone else and they weren't responsible enough to check on her "evidence." However, it is becoming clearer that the trustees knew her hand was empty and she was lying. Arnold Salazar, in particular, knew she was lying about the State Police watchlist, terrorism, and direct threats of violence. Worse than remaining silent, he backed her. He was sure he knew how to handle these stupid locals that might object to the ban. That makes it very clear why the trustees now protect McClure; they have to in order to protect their own asses. They are as culpable as McClure. You are correct that you trustees don't work for ASU employees. You work for the public and the students you are supposed to serve, not lie to and use.
August 28, 2016 at 11:05pm I thought higher education was about diverse ideas, supporting arguments with evidence, and respect for process and procedure. Reading these comments, it seems like Adams State University is one big popularity contest. It doesn't matter how well you're evaluated on your work. All that matters is whether or not certain people like you. No wonder I see so many photos on Facebook of the same administrators at all the lavish parties together. Adams State isn't about scholarship, it's about sucking up to some people and kicking everyone else down. I wouldn't recommend anyone send their students to a university that is run like a middle school playground.
August 28, 2016 at 10:48pm Let me get this right. Ledonne was not wanted by his peers (in your words) or did you mean ONE peer? So, it obviously follows that president McClure should lie to students,violate his civil rights, defame his character to silence him, and make light of real school shootings and real terrorism. And the Board of Trustees, particularly Arnold Salazar should condone this, or should I say promote it. OK, got it. If a few people in power don't like you, then laws don't matter at ASU. You speak from the heart, not from the brain, or the Constitution.
August 28, 2016 at 9:55pm "you came here as a minority and from the east, yet this university welcomed you, accepted you... I think you need a class in character, or in thankfulness, or in class itself." Holy shit dude! Did you actually think before hitting send? "Yes sah, thank you sah, you so good to all us lesser folk." What message are you sending to us minority students and students from places other than the SLV? What message are you sending to minority employees? We will be tolerated as long as we don't speak up? I think I'm going to puke... and transfer... and tell all my friends to avoid this hell whole. What next, the KKK in Alamosa? You should be thankful WatchingAdams is anonymous because you should be fired.
August 28, 2016 at 4:58pm As suspected, the editor has now admitted to tracking the IP address of participants of this forum. No transparency or safety here. Part of his next lawsuit? He'll huff and puff and deny but his last post response is too revealing. Trust this site no longer! ----Editor's Reply: IP addresses are logged by all WordPress sites as a standard feature for the contact form. In the event that a commentator does engage in unlawful conduct, IP address tracking is a necessary tool for involving law enforcement as necessary. Basically every site one uses online, from Gmail to Facebook, eBay to Amazon, tracks IP addresses as a necessary function of resolving data packets between host and user computers and verifying location information. What is done with this data is entirely up to the site admin. Given that this commentator repeatedly refers to current ASU employees, it seemed relevant to verify that this user is on the ASU computer network to post this message. You are certainly welcome to choose not to visit or post, though I highly doubt your distrust for this website has anything to do with IP addresses. Every ASU computer logs IP addresses as necessary to detect illegal activity like file sharing, child pornography, etc. This is not a unique practice and is actually expected of website administrators, complying with law enforcement requests to prevent cyber crime.
August 28, 2016 at 3:19pm I'm not sure my previous comment was understood by viewers and supporters of Ledonne (not surprise, they don't have brains anyway). I'll make my criticisms direct to the point from what I wrote on August 27, 2016 at 1:58pm. The big question really is this: how does Ledonne and his followers have any credit? Look at the facts. Ledonne was not wanted by his peers. Doesn't matter he got letters of support or people signed that silly petition. Anyone can get letters of support. Fact is, Ledonne's services (teaching, if you want to call it that), was not wanted. The library director lost a lot of trust by the campus for secretly recording meetings and egging this ordeal on. Even in her own crusade of dual careers, her husband did not meet expectations. Although Megan was active as a student, none of that was impressive either. What did Megan really do as a student trustee, BSU member, and such? Along with that, she has been reassigned to how many positions already? She is incompetent, not fit to do anything here (evidence by being reassigned to different jobs), and has no business in higher education. If Megan Smith is really that good, why has she changed positions so much? I have no idea why she is even employed here, other than maybe she has something on someone, otherwise, she's become a waste of space, like many others. Others in the Ledonne camp are just as underwhelming with their slimy ways of not doing anything. The way I see it, with as much noise as Ledonne and his cult made about last Friday's march that didn't happen, and all the news sources that were supposed to cover it (yet, no news was even in sight), don't they all have strong records of being liars as well? Worst thing that they people can do is journey on their their fruitless crusade. You all proven yourself useless, unwanted, and unfit to be in higher ed. ----Editor's Reply: Ledonne was broadly recognized in four years of student evaluations, teaching evaluations, and classroom observations as being an effective and engaging educator. No official record at ASU or otherwise contradicts his teaching effectiveness. His faculty lectures were always well-attended and well-received. His longtime department chair, who best knew his work, has favorably recommended him and even provided testimony during the court hearing. These are the metrics available and utilized to evaluate teaching and these metrics reflect favorably on Ledonne's teaching career. From coast to coast, Ledonne has also taught at many other institutions and has developed and implemented coursework with acclaim for many programs from primary school youth to older adults. For someone in their early career, the record of publication and coursework on his CV is more than sufficient to demonstrate teaching effectiveness. It is because of these qualifications that Ledonne began to inquire into ASU's hiring practices to begin with. The ASU Mass Comm position continues to rotate in Ledonne's absence. Just an example:How many TV stations are in Alamosa? Are there usually TV trucks driving around town getting stories? To my reading, the march organizers contacted the press but aren't themselves responsible for hiring camera crews to drive from Colorado Springs or further to cover a story in Alamosa. Contacting the press to cover an event isn't “lying” simply because cash-strapped news outlets don't arrive at the scene. ASU has and will continue to receive news coverage on these issues, just check the Press Page for updates. This commentator persists in the kind of vitriol that is the hallmark of ASU – a university that smiles publicly while scowling and deriding anyone who is willing to speak up for their causes or concerns. An anonymous forum is a good way to illustrate just how much of this thinking exists – and all from an IP address on the Adams State ISP. Bonafide hostility towards divergent views exists at ASU and one needs to look no further to find it. This is what cyberbullying actually looks like – with an intellectual framework so limited that the subject matter is reduced to the petty insults of other people who hold a different perspective. What a curious way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Alamosa.
August 28, 2016 at 2:14pm The last comment is amusing but not very well informed. Here are a few points to consider: 1. ASU faculty almost all teach 4-5 classes per semester, much more than many universities in which 2-3 course loads are the norm. And all faculty do much more than teach the number of contact hours. They must prepare their coursework, grade student papers and projects, advise students, serve on committees, research, write and publish in their fields, and many are now being asked to do marketing and promotion of their university. Many faculty who have taught elsewhere say they have never worked harder, or been paid less, than at ASU. 2. Adjunct faculty, who now teach the majority of courses at universities, generally do not have health insurance provided by their employer and do not have any retirement plan. This has been widely reported and is known as the “Walmartization of Higher Education.” And even full time faculty often don't have it much better. At ASU, I've known many professors who, because of the student loans they took in order to earn their PhD, struggle to pay their bills. Many qualify for public assistance even as they are perceived as “college hot shots.” 3. According to compensation data from a nationwide analysis, faculty at ASU are paid around 75% of what their peers make in the same positions. However, there are many administrators at ASU who make 100% or more of their own peers at other schools. It's the Golden Rule – they who write the rules get the most gold. 4. Indeed, many ASU faculty are walking out and quitting – that's why we are trying to communicate why this keeps happening. There are many positions at ASU that they cannot keep filled. The cost of searching for and hiring new candidates is a highly inefficient process that costs the institution in many ways – most notably lower retention of students who no longer have the faculty they count on to teach them. 5. Higher wages, benefits, and improved working conditions are never given from on high by benevolent administrators or trustees. They are earned by workers who organize and demonstrate for improvements. This is the history of all labor movements in the USA and many more abroad. It's happening around the country and it should be happening at ASU. 6. Public education belongs to the people, not to the trustees. All ASU employees ultimately work for the taxpayers of Colorado and of the United States. No one at ASU is guaranteed their position – including the board of trustees.
August 28, 2016 at 11:18am You college hot shots are really something. Ever spend 12 hours on a tractor? You teach 12 hours a week and complain about overwork. The rest of the time you spend sitting in meetings in million dollar buildings. You have health insurance, retirement funds, and you're paid more than most of this valley. But you're victims? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwww! Crybabies. You've been mistreated. Whaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwww. Grow some backbone. If people treat you "bad" walk out and quit and go somewhere else. Wonder why the Trustees don't help? Because you work for them, not the other way around. And most of them earn their living in jobs where they have to produce or be fired. Your little whiner group can keep up the unrest but many of us in the community will tell the trusties to take the college back from you and keep it in the hands of those who support it.
August 27, 2016 at 10:29pm "Danny lost a position that was basically his to have for a while. His peers did not want to continue to work with him." So why did so many people, including faculty and staff, write him letters of recommendation and sign his letter of support? He posted all that before and shared his teaching evaluations and student evaluations with the Board of Trustees. I notice that all the videos he made and the lectures he gave are still on the ASU website. Funny how people want to change history after-the-fact. Man, ASU sure knows how to throw people under the bus and then try to sell you a ticket.
August 27, 2016 at 9:24pm Let me be more than clear that I appreciate every opportunity that Adams State is giving me and the San Luis Valley community. Adams State has taught me that when you make an argument you support it with research and evidence. We responded to Danny situation with no evidence boo-boo. Which made us as University and this community look crazy. My mission is to protect what this university is truly about and not be involved in petty drama. I have my evidence of what I brought to this institution and I hope everybody else has theirs. let's go grizzlies. - Meagan Smith
August 27, 2016 at 9:02pm I'm from the Midwest get that right first. During my seven years here I've assisted with many organizations the Black Student Union, The the Student Trustee position AS&F. Adams State didn't come find me I found Adams State and meanwhile I've been doing all of this as a single parent . I was the first African-American to be hired in the professional staff in 2013. There should've been others before me . I have dealt with many stresses and had some of the worst health issues since beginning my positions at Adams State as staff . This mostly has been caused by stresses of unprofessional situations and being mistreated . I'm speaking out against treating people wrong which is not what Adams State is about . It's time for us to unite as one not on Danny side or any other but to bleed green like were supposed to. All this could've been solved by having a simple sit down . And now we're going to the mattresses . Anybody that has anything to say to me show your name or call me or text me 708-207-3009 So we can talk. - Meagan Smith
August 27, 2016 at 6:48pm "Meagan Smith, you came here as a minority and from the east, yet this university welcomed you, accepted you, taught you, celebrated with you as you took student leadership positions, and then hired you." In addition to being bone-headed, this comment is bigoted and racist. Why should it matter where someone comes from or their ethnicity in order to be accepted ASU? "Inclusive excellence" is evidently nonsense at ASU.
August 27, 2016 at 4:55pm The previous comment attacking Meagan Smith is profoundly revealing about ASU on several levels. Meagan expressed her support for Danny Ledonne and mentioned the many students of color that miss having Ledonne as their professor. Well, it seems this is forbidden in the dysfunctional campus climate of ASU because Ledonne has become a public and vocal critic of what he believes are wrongdoings by the administration, many of which are well-documented and undisputed. This is called “guilt by association” and ASU is rampant with these toxic cliques and harmful nepotism. So making a statement supporting Ledonne is to “speak and protest against us - your own employer.” But who is “us?” ASU is a public university that belongs to the taxpayers of Colorado. Anyone can and should be free to speak about government programs and those who run them, including their employees. What kind of repressive regime shames and punishes people for engaging in free expression? There is only one way to talk about ASU and anything else must be suppressed and anyone who does must be vilified. Parents, students, alumni, and the Higher Learning Commission – take note. This is what retaliation against anyone who steps forward at ASU looks like. And that is why this institution is failing its students, employees, and community.
August 27, 2016 at 4:23pm Meagan Smith, you came here as a minority and from the east, yet this university welcomed you, accepted you, taught you, celebrated with you as you took student leadership positions, and then hired you. Now you speak and protest against us - your own employer? I think you need a class in character, or in thankfulness, or in class itself.
August 27, 2016 at 2:50pm To the commenter who mentioned a former student who did not graduate, FERPA violation! If you are a faculty member, why would any decent parent send their child to Adams to be abused in such a manner and endure federal violations of individual student rights, right Beez?
August 27, 2016 at 2:46pm So let me get this straight: if you speak out at ASU, you'll be bullied and shunned or even defamed and banned. If you don't speak out at ASU, you're a coward and a hypocrite. Got it. Just what young adults need to be learning in our society today.
August 27, 2016 at 1:58pm What happened to the demonstration yesterday? All these people so enthusiastic about it, but then nothing happens. Are we surprised by this? I, for one, am not. Ledonne and his camp claim they are working to be activists for what is right, but cannot even put on a demonstration. I absolutely can't wait to hear their sorry justifications as to why it didn't happen. How I know they are a bunch of cowards, hypocrites, and can't let things go (this all resorts back to Danny losing his position and inability to move on. call it what it truly is). If this "walk" was actually a legit event, why wasn't any of the press there? They claim to have contacted all of these news sources, but none were present. Even the local paper wasn't present to cover it. So, are they all liars now? Claiming things that actually didn't happen? This all has become beyond pathetic. Move on with your sad lives. In the same light, it still amazes me how people continue to back Ledonne and his cult. These people are not credible. Danny lost a position that was basically his to have for a while. His peers did not want to continue to work with him. He's no champion or fit to be a professor teaching students. Ledonne's "inner circle" of people like Carol Smith has lost a lot of credibility by secretly recording meetings to filter it back to him. No wonder why she has lost a lot of credibility on this campus. Megan Smith didn't even finish her degree, and has been reassigned because she is basically incompetent to do anything here. She's fooling no one. Others are also losing their credibility as time goes on, because at the basic root of the problem, Ledonne is wrong. I can't wait for him to disappear. I doubt my previous comments will be published on here, because apparently the truth means nothing anymore. ----Editor's Reply: The march organizers can speak for themselves if they'd like, but it was clear when multiple sets of posters were removed from the walls that the ASU campus remains a hostile and repressive climate for free speech. News outlets have and continue to report on this topic, though those with financial interests directly bound up in ASU are unlikely to do so in a critical manner. This is why Watching Adams fills a necessary space in the SLV information economy. In reading the comments about the march, no one promised helicopters circling the skies – perhaps these are the delusional fantasies of projection? Others have commented here by saying: “I thought about going to the march today but by the fact that no one showed up is proof that, we employees, are fearful for our jobs. If people, on the campus, can't even leave posters up without getting all butt hurt and tearing them down then there's no way a person could march without retaliation and discrimination from the administration and fellow colleagues.” Think about the kinds of grievances this comment brought up. They are upset not that President McClure claimed Ledonne was on a “police watch list” that doesn't exist or claimed that Ledonne made “threats of violence” and “direct and indirect threats” which were flatly false and so unproven that the campus ban was lifted without any actual proceedings related to “campus safety” - the purported grounds for these adverse actions. The administration has now spent more time clarifying the financial settlement than any concern about campus safety – which is altogether telling. This commentator is upset that these statements by a university president in all-campus meetings were recorded. They are advocating a university that tries individuals who step out of line in absentia, behind closed doors, and without evidence or due process. Does this sound like a healthy university campus to anyone? This commentator also continues to attack those they attempt to associate with Ledonne in an effort to discredit anyone who might possibly represent a dissenting view, particularly those who may even support Ledonne – a true act of heresy in a repressive campus environment. ASU has clearly stated that dissent will not be tolerated and the campus culture has clearly demonstrated a commitment to this end on a consistent basis. Despite finding multiple problems with the faculty search committee process, application scoresheets, and an OEO office that refused to meet with him after being previously assured the office would remain open for his case, Ledonne has moved on and continues to produce media and publish in his field. But unlike most who have left Adams State (in growing numbers), Ledonne remains committed to maintaining a publication that gives others a voice on a campus that passively and actively suppresses free speech. Apparently, he is also committed to creating a platform for, and publishing, even disparaging comments about him. Unlike those who rip posters for public assembly from the walls of an institution of higher education, Ledonne believes in the First Amendment and a diversity of views in a pluralistic society.
August 27, 2016 at 9:27am Be careful or you too will be retaliated against. It happened to me at a previous employer. I spoke out publicly against management and the abuse of power and I was let go. We do not have freedom of speech! In ways, it was a blessing to be terminated from my previous job. I no longer was abused by a horrible boss. Situations in life work themselves out. Maybe those individuals fed up with ASU administration will exit and Adams will have no choice, but to have an intense look at the infectious hell they have tolerated. Then action will be necessary. After I was terminated from my job, the board fired management and started over. Keep making noise, keep pushing. Don't let fear of retaliation stop you from speaking, especially if abuse of power is happening. Because eventually, someone will listen. Someone will take action
August 26, 2016 at 7:36pm Do you know what really kills me ? Is these professors that have been here for so many years and just now claim to support under represented students. If they were true and in their professions and they would have supported underrepresented students throughout their careers . They should not have needed a mission statement or a strategic plan to do so . So I will sit back and watch to see what is actually implemented and what is just for show . It is time for our administration to request results within the year . Who have they retained, who have they not retained, and why? - Meagan Smith
August 26, 2016 at 5:24pm Click on the link from a previous post that shows Ledonne with a settlement check. Take a close look. Notice who wrote the check -- it is not Adams State. Salazar was right, ASU didn't pay him a single dime. The ACLU did. Granted, ASU wrote a check to the ALCU to cover its legal fees. What the ACLU did with the money is a matter between the ACLU and its client. ----Editor's Reply: Actually, even the check that the ACLU received was not from ASU but from Hanover Insurance Company. I suppose these financial semantics are important to someone out there, but no press outlet saw this detail as relevant enough to mention it.
August 26, 2016 at 4:46pm As a faculty who has worked at other universities, I am amazed at what people at ASU are willing to put up with. Your administration lies to you repeatedly, underpays you and overworks you. People try to organize a march and their posters are removed. Your university only graduates 1 in 5 students every four years. And that's to say nothing of the quality of the academic programs which is now under review. Yet apparently everything is great, only getting better and the institution is somehow so successful that they “win” lawsuits that they clearly didn't.
August 26, 2016 at 4:15pm A childish attempt by self-serving people to tear our university down." Think about that for just one second before hitting 'send' next time, cos it makes no sense. Why would "self-serving" people want to tear our university down? If the university goes, we all lose our jobs, including the "self-serving". How is that self serving? On the other hand, the self-deluded think that if they just suck it up and swallow hard, then somehow, by magic, the university's declining fortunes will suddenly reverse. The only way to fix something is to admit mistakes, identify problems, put on our thinking caps and work out real solutions. The real "self-serving" are those who hunker down with their fingers in their ears, who are not prepared to examine their, and the institution's, performance. It is they who will cause ASU to come tumbling down.
August 26, 2016 at 4:14pm I for one am not surprised that students didn't show up to march at ASU today. Faculty struggle to get students to attend any event on campus, and this one had no campus support, had the posters repeatedly torn down, and was a challenge to an administration that has ruled by fear and lies on issue after issue. These aren't students who feel supported or empowered to demonstrate on any issue, even when their school is on put probation, their professors are leaving in droves, the university's finances are shoddy, and the list goes on and on. Yet students are on Yik Yak asking about hooking up, partying, and where to score some Ritalin. There are deeper cultural problems at ASU when the campus life is this comatose, sleepwalking off the cliff.
August 26, 2016 at 4:10pm Leadership. While President McClure and the Trustees (and the rest of us) were conducting the work of the university, some of you tried to organize a walk. A walk. You talked and wrote and posted signs and insulted and blustered and threatened for days on end. But when the time came you stood with your thumbs up your butts and couldn't organize a "walk." You criticize others but evidently have neither the brains nor stones to lead a silent prayer. A walk? You heroes couldn't get it done. I respect you less now than when I merely disagreed with you.
August 26, 2016 at 3:31pm This institution is doomed. The cancerous tumor is to large and embedded for a recovery. When you have the leader of the Trustees saying ignorant statements such as "Ledonne didn't receive a single dime of the money" and then a person can click on a link and it shows Danny holding a check made out to him for over $62K. WTF, are these people so egotistical that they can't tell the truth, have they been watching the election to much and have decided that since Hillary is a lying crook that it's justified for them to lie or are they just plum stupid? I thought about going to the march today but by the fact that no one showed up is proof that, we employees, are fearful for our jobs. If people, on the campus, can't even leave posters up without getting all butt hurt and tearing them down then there's no way a person could march without retaliation and discrimination from the administration and fellow colleagues. Adams State University, where great futures are ruined. Good job Richardson Hall, you all ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
August 26, 2016 at 2:53pm A childish attempt by self-serving people to tear our university down. The rest of us will continue to do our work and strive to improve a really good school.
August 26, 2016 at 2:35pm Meanwhile, back at ASU, nothing has changed. The liar is still drawing on her almost-quarter million bucks package, Arnold is still in charge of the trustees who support the liar, and ASU's reputation and fortunes keep on sliding. A victory for everyone. Let's celebrate!!!
August 26, 2016 at 2:27pm I went, but saw no group, just a few other students looking around nervously. Too much fear among my friends. My stomach was in knots just walking over there. Today's piece in the CollegeFix was pretty ugly for ASU and more is on the way. I've spoken with reporters from three other newspapers. The fact that the leader of the board claimed to be perplexed (it's not like ASU is Kent State...) is good reason to remove him.
August 26, 2016 at 1:37pm Where were all those media helicopters we were promised flying over the library, the newspaper reporters coming out in droves, the swarm of television cameras...and the hundreds of protesters marching!? Wait, what? Oh, no, not a peep, not a sound! Salazar was there because he is not a narcissist, cyber bullying, coward! The end. Meanwhile back at ASU...
August 26, 2016 at 1:32pm Try contacting national media. NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MSNBC........you never know. It only takes one to show an interest. I agree, this needs to be expanded to the board and not just McClure. The board was asleep at the wheel for years under Svaldi, and now they are enabling McClure. A fish rots from the head down. Arnold Salazar is another neo-fascist who must be removed.
August 26, 2016 at 1:24pm I think the focus needs to switch from McClure, who is clueless and helpless, and move on to the board. Pressure the governor to clean house. ARNOLD MUST GO! Too many Salazars are in positions of power in SLV anyway. Pressure the governor to find an outside (outside Colorado) assessment group to study ASU, administration, the board, finances, and report findings.
August 26, 2016 at 12:34pm Went by the library at 12:00 p.m. No one was there. I only saw Mr. Salazar.
August 26, 2016 at 10:36am Even Ryan Lochte, the USA gold medalist swimmer and world-class narcissist, who made up a story about being held at gunpoint in Brazil, has apologized for lying. Why can’t Beverley McClure, ASU’s gold class diva, apologize for making up stories about LeDonne “terrorising” her? Why is admitting a mistake so hard for her? What is wrong with her?
August 26, 2016 at 9:30am Dear Arnold, Open and honest conversations start with a president who doesn't lie to the world.
August 26, 2016 at 9:02am I agree wholeheartedly with ASU Board of Trustees chair, Arnold Salazar, when he says that “protests should be about something more important that someone’s narcissistic fantasies.” Indeed, the narcissist who fantasized about LeDonne being a “terrorist”, and who led ASU to a $100,000 legal trouncing because she could not provide a single scrap of evidence to support her fantasy, should have been fired long before honest people were forced to protest her mendacity. Arnold goes on to say that “the settlement [against ASU] was a way for us to refocus our attention on what exactly is important.” So, Arnold, what exactly is important to you? You are okay supporting a president who is a proven liar? You are okay with a president who believes she has the right to slander anyone who she fantasises as being a threat, even if it costs ASU money and reputation? Or do you believe the most important thing is to protect the status quo? Nothing else matters. We must get back to normal. We must not have staff and faculty bother their pretty little heads about such matters as honesty and integrity? So there we have it, from the horse’s mouth. Confirmed! The rot goes all the way to the top.
August 26, 2016 at 7:55am It is so reassuring to see that Arnold Salazar is a compassionate man with high moral standards. In ASU's official statement about their board meeting, he says shooting us isn't OK with him. However, it IS apparently OK with him to lie to us, use us, stomp on our right to free speech, ban citizens from campus unconstitutionally, and slander citizens (police watchlist, terrorism). No real harm there. No wonder the dude is perplexed.
August 26, 2016 at 6:22am Hilarious, the College Fix headline says it all: Public university perplexed by march against president for calling professor a terrorist I am perplexed that they are perplexed! Also, ASU Board Chair Arnold Salazar says "plaintiff was not paid one dime" which is TRUE! The plaintiff was paid about 642,895 dimes in the form of a check!
August 25, 2016 at 9:43pm Is anyone really surprised that ASU lied about Ledonne not receiving payment as part of the ACLU settlement? ASU lied about “winning” as well as so many details about the case itself – like Ledonne being a “threat to campus safety” and being on a “state police watch list.” This is the “pattern of behavior” that keeps students and employees from trusting the ASU administration.
August 25, 2016 at 6:56pm Which building had all the fliers torn down? If it was McDaniel then I suspect the culprit was Crowther from History. He is in the hip pocket of administration.
August 25, 2016 at 6:11pm As the parent of an ASU student, the president's actions make me sick: lying, bullying, squashing free speech, using students, making light of school shootings. These are not things I want at my daughter's school or from her school's leader. I wish she had chosen another college to get her degree and I hope she joins your march tomorrow. I would if I could. ----Editor's Reply: As an ASU parent, please consider communicating your concerns directly with the Board of Trustees, the CO Governor's Office, and/or the Higher Learning Commission. Yes, as a parent I have already written to the Governor via his website. Good suggestion about HLC. I'll do that tomorrow. As for the Board, it sounds like they are part of the problem, so I won't bother. ----Editor's Reply: You might also consider writing an open letter to any publication from the SLV Valley Courier to your local paper to make your concerns known to other parents and prospective students.
August 25, 2016 at 4:30pm "Used" is a perfect word for what McClure did. Using an imaginary threat of a school shooting as pretense for banning Ledonne is disrespectful to every student, teacher, and staff member who died during actual school shootings. McClure, Salazar, and the rest have no conscience. In addition to using ASU students, they dishonor true victims and their families.
August 25, 2016 at 3:27pm Free speech is being crushed at ASU. All the posters for the march were torn down, at least in the building where I had classes today. That's dozens of them. Clear message: don't dare express unpopular opinions or speak up for yourself or others. It's clear that losing the ACLU lawsuit taught ASU leaders nothing... bogus press releases, trying to stop the march...
August 25, 2016 at 11:43am Danny I am so sorry that there were so many negative comments regarding the settlement at today's Trustee meeting. Had I known I would have prepared something on your behalf. I had to leave because I felt more than uncomfortable, which I have never felt before. I feel like a large piece is missing from Adams State with you not teaching on campus. There are so many students from the African American community at ASU that have reached out to me with concern. They very much enjoyed having you as their professor, and found what you taught them beneficial. I feel that you were a true piece in what helped us retain and graduate diverse students. Which is our mission as an institution. All of this drama and disruption of our ASU community brought me to tears today. The part of the meeting where it was said that you had not received a check from the settlement was, for lack of a better word, bogus. Thank you for all that you do. For supporting me and many diverse students. Meagan Danyelle Smith Former Student Trustee, Black Student Union Advisor, Admission Counselor (Not a coward) ----Editor's Reply: thank you for your support! I did in fact receive a check for the settlement. As stated in the Valley Courier by ACLU legal director Mark Silverstein, I was paid about $65,000, which is the standard percentage after attorney's fees.
August 25, 2016 at 10:07am Standing Strong for an Apology When: Friday, August 26th, 12:00 noon Start: In front of Nielsen Library Come, tell your friends, bring a friend! Purpose: To force president McClure and the Board of Trustees to come clean by admitting McClure lied to students, employees, and the community about Danny Ledonne. She lied to us when she said Ledonne was on a “Colorado State Police Watch List” (AS&F meeting) and he made “direct and indirect threats against individuals” (email to all students) and many more lies. She needs to admit Danny Ledonne was never a threat to anyone in order to clear his name and restore his reputation. The president must apologize to everyone she lied to and used by claiming she was acting to ensure our safety. The president must apologize to Danny Ledonne. President McClure not only lied to us, she used us like pawns in her twisted games by claiming the Ledonne ban was for “our safety.” She and the board treated us like children, assuming we would believe whatever they told us. We will show them they were wrong. We paid attention to their unethical games and now we will make ourselves heard. President McClure should resign. How could anyone trust her after she lied to us and used us? If she won’t resign, the Board should fire her. If the Board won’t fire her, they should be fired. Standing Strong for Truth, Free Speech, Ledonne’s Reputation
August 24, 2016 at 8:18pm Hey Students: Do you know what President McClure and the Board of Trustees fear? YOU! You pay the bills, you call the shots. You have them scared as hell. That's why fliers were torn down and thrown in the trash today. The idea of a march and media coverage terrifies them. They may be in the official positions of power, but they have no power over you in this situation. The press wants to know what you think. They want you to be heard. Professors, staff, and citizens can speak up, but many are afraid, and your voice is much more important. In spite of the fear from my job, I'll be there with you! Spread the word. Put up more fliers. I've had enough and I'm guessing many of you have as well.
August 24, 2016 at 4:31pm More and more ASU is coming across as a modern Soviet Union. I guess that makes Beverlee Stalin? Those who post the fliers, sign petitions, march and demonstrate shall be relocated to education reformation in Siberia.
August 24, 2016 at 3:27pm So much for Free Speech at Adams State! We posted fliers yesterday afternoon and many have already been taken down. I don't know who thinks this is OK or not a violation of the First Amendment, but they are wrong. Those bulletin boards contain adds for tattoo shops and the Christian Mind, but issues at ASU aren't fair game? No way. You are stepping on our rights. Print fliers and put them up, hand them out. Don't let whoever did this silence us. WE WILL BE HEARD!
August 22, 2016 at 10:10pm As our group wrote previously, Friday's march is "not all about Danny" and he is the first one to agree. Tonight we invited him and he declined, saying "its probably best if I am not there to keep the focus on the people McClure lied to over and over" and other issues that go beyond his story. This is about a better ASU. Let's take lots of pictures and lots of video. WatchingAdams and other news sources will be happy to use them. The interest from the press is growing daily.
August 22, 2016 at 9:04pm 17 Faculty departed?? 18% of our faculty?? I am left without words. Are those positions be filled this year? WHO is taking over the Nursing Dept? Do we know why these professors have chosen to leave of their own accord? Did we conduct an exit interview? How can we retain our students if we are unable (or unwilling?) to retain our faculty? More importantly - is ASU willing to admit that to solve our student retention problem we must fix (identify/ recognize) our faculty retention problem? So many questions and ASU administration is radio silent. ----Editor's Reply: We researched the practice of exit interviews at ASU for ASU Throws Its Own People Down the Memory Hole and it does not appear that this practice has been implemented in many years now. Exit interviews also presume that ASU administration actually wants to consider and address the issues that have driven away so many faculty and staff in the past decade.
August 22, 2016 at 9:02pm The buck stops with the Board of Trustees and their Chair, Arnold Salazar. You condoned the violations of Ledonne's Constitutional rights. You accepted and backed McClure's lies. You refused to right her wrongs, even after losing the ACLU lawsuit. Time to step down and make room for someone with integrity. Let's review the names of the Board members who will be here for the march this Friday: Arnold Salazar, Kathleen Rogers, Paul Farley, Michele Lueck, Wendell Pryor, LeRoy Salazar, Cleave Simpson, John Singletary, Randy Wright. People who apparently have no conscience. WE WILL BE HEARD!!!
August 22, 2016 at 7:31pm Hmmmmm I just sat down to email my thoughts to the president of ASU but her homepage on the Adams site does not list an email address. Does all email have to go through James? Am I missing something? Does the president need a filter? ----Editor's Reply: President McClure's email can be found on various documents throughout this site, such as the HLC Evaluation Summary Sheet.
August 22, 2016 at 7:09pm In addition to the march, I recommend a petition be started stating that Beverleeeeeee should resign, and if not be fired, and if not the board be fired. There is time before Friday to create the petition and start getting it signed. Friday all the marchers who have not signed it can. How about a petition in addition to the march?
August 22, 2016 at 6:05pm I second the most recent comment: MARCH and BE HEARD! Administration can't do anything to students for exercising their rights. We pay the bills, period. Another newspaper has expressed their intent to publish an article about the march. But get this... two newspapers now plan to run additional articles related to the events leading to the march. Not just events involving Ledonne. Change is coming and we are making it happen. We hold the power! Don't just march, spread the word, tell your friends, post it on FB, print the flier posted here and stick it to an ASU bulletin board... You can't be punished for any of these actions.
August 22, 2016 at 5:22pm I understand that McClure is a nasty bully, threatening anyone who dares to dissent. I understand that no one really wants to risk their job, their livelihood. Students tend to fear (unreasonably) administration (There really is nothing they can do to you for exercising your constitutional rights). But I implore you to march Friday. Do not just silently allow this megalomaniac to run roughshod over you. Contrary to whatever spin Beverleeeeeeee wants to spew, DANNY AND THE ACLU WON! Lying, manipulative, deceitful Beverlee and her Reich LOST. Stand up. Be counted. Take a frigging stand.
August 22, 2016 at 9:01am As a former employee of Adams, may I say what a joy this website and news source is. I too have a story that I may share one day. In the meantime, it thrills me to read disclosures on a small-minded, limited-vision, crony-driven administration that really needs a trip to the public woodshed on a regular basis. There were many fine folks at Adams when I was there and I am sure there are some dedicated individuals meeting the needs of students. However, a public serving institution must be accountable. Long live Watching Adams! You can run, but you can't hide.
August 22, 2016 at 8:31am
Lots of people are focused on McClure's lying, and rightfully so, but let's not miss the bigger picture. In one year at ASU (and prior), McClure has established her modus operandi:
1. Poor decisions (violating Ledonne's Constitutional rights, HLC response, guaranteed tuition)
2. Denial when mistakes are pointed out
3. Lying to EVERYONE to cover her mistakes
4. Using ANYONE to get her way and save face ("students' / campus safety")
5. Willingness to lie about and destroy others to get her way and save face ("terrorism", "watchlist")
6. Spinning her mistakes to the press with more lies (ACLU settlement, HLC probation, Moody's downgrade)
It's not that real leaders don't make mistakes, but REAL LEADERS put the organization first, recognize mistakes quickly, take responsibility without blaming others, and fix them before they become even more embarrassing and costly. McClure is no leader. She is more concerned with her image than the best interests of ASU, its students and employees. Therefore, she is more than willing to sacrifice the latter for her own good.
Beverlee McClure: the real threat to ASU.
Students: march, march, MARCH!
August 22, 2016 at 8:05am The new article about how president McClure lied over and over covers only the tip of the iceberg. To add just a few: - her claim that her thick file was full of evidence = NOT! - her claim in press releases that she could now share all the damning evidence against Ledonne = NEVER HAPPENED - ASU's claim that they had prevailed and the judge had ruled in their favor in the ACLU lawsuit = PURE FANTASY Liars! And now advisers from other colleges are telling their students to avoid ASU. Her lies cost all of us in dollars, enrollment, and reputation. It's just sickening.
August 21, 2016 at 2:20pm Why did Paul Grohowski resign as police chief? He had received positive recognition for his work and had only been here a year and a half. Is it pure coincidence that he resigned a few weeks after the ACLU case settled, when ASU claimed it had "won" and of course did nothing wrong even though their insurance company paid $100,000 and they lifted the ban on Danny Ledonne? Students, faculty, and staff should demand answers. After all, this has all been for "their safety!"
August 19, 2016 at 9:50pm Following up on the "it's not all about Ledonne" thread. Folks are absolutely correct, it's not all about Danny and it SHOULD NOT be all about Danny. Danny is the first person to say that. He and everyone else following WatchingAdams just want to see a better ASU, one that does a better job of taking care of its students and employees. Many people have their own stories about the problems at ASU and they are all important because we know there is a long history here that doesn't come down to just one bad apple in administration. However, the ACLU lawsuit and associated discovery process did two things: made ASU's problems widely visible and revealed irrefutable evidence that president McClure lied to the public and used students & employees' safety as an excuse. Other cases are not so cut-and-dried. When they treat people unfairly, the administration likes to hide behind the "there are things no one knows about" line. This time they were caught red-handed. The evidence is clear and the case has visibility that would have disappeared without the march. Now is the time for change!
August 19, 2016 at 9:41pm Alex Morey, the editor-in-chief of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), responded to our mail: "In regards to the planned march next Friday, please encourage anyone—staff or student—who gets in trouble with the administration in connection with the march to contact us immediately via our case-submission portal (https://www.thefire.org/resources/submit-a-case/). We keep information or documents provided to us confidential unless given permission otherwise. Provided marchers are outside in a public space, they should take lots of pictures and record any encounters." Keep the emails to the press coming! WE WILL BE HEARD!
August 19, 2016 at 9:15am For those of you who support president McClure so vigorously, I have one question: did she lie to you? Recall that she called a special session of Faculty Senate and told everyone that Ledonne was on a Colorado State Police watch list. Grohowski was there. Five days later, with plenty of time to correct their story, McClure appeared at the AS&F meeting where she said the same thing. When a student senator suggest no such list exists and asked, "Can you show us that this watchlist exists?", she claimed she had a copy of it in Ledonne's file. If that's not intentional lying, I don't know what is. Certainly not harmless lies either. I understand why students intend to march.
August 18, 2016 at 10:23pm In grad school, I was lucky to have a mentor who cared about my education. He demonstrated that by coming to school with new arguments to challenge my thinking, even if he didn't believe the arguments. He told us the story of two very famous profs who argued in the journals for years in spite of the fact that they came from the same department. He summed it up: "they were lucky to have each other." Having one's ideas challenged is very healthy. Perhaps that's why ASU has been quite sick for many years. The strangle hold of the "if you don't like it, then leave" administration killed meaningful discussion. Looks like some of us are still asleep at the wheel or just complacent with playing follow-the-leader. I talk to my students every semester about the value of (reasoned) argument and encourage them to speak up if they have counter-examples or don't agree with what I say. Those comments can bloom into the most productive of discussions.
August 18, 2016 at 9:47pm I don't know...but here's a thought...perhaps things are "spun" on this site as "negative" because they are in fact NEGATIVE. This institution is simply a hell hole for more than not. You're good if you're drinking the kool aid. If not...well ya know! And it truly is a shame. There is so much Adams has to offer. Excellent faculty (except those who are leaving in droves); stellar administrators who can assist (well most are marginalized to the point of irrelevance); and a desire on students' parts to be here (except that nasty declining enrollment since Dr Mumper stepped down). Damn pesky facts!
August 18, 2016 at 9:36pm
It's interesting to me that some are so quick to criticize LaDonne and his "followers" ( as if we are minions); call out individuals in such a demeaning, hateful manner ("yes you Carol Smith" comment); and "demand" the shut down (i.e. Shut down of freedom of speech) of this website because...someone doesn't like it? Finds it threatening? Dislikes the true reason the academy exists ( do you even have a CLUE?). Seriously? Someone disagrees with you and you become an ass (as if you aren't already).
If you don't believe in the fundamentals of our constitution and bill of rights...get the "f" out of this country. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!
Respectfully...or do we need to define that word for you?!?
August 18, 2016 at 5:40pm Is it me, or does it seem like everytime something happens at ASU, this site, Ledonne, and his pathetic followers are going to show it in a negative light? Evidence: the recent resignation of the police chief report on this site. Ledonne and others claim the president has been on a "witch hunt" against them, but aren't they pretty much doing the same in trying to discredit anything possible at ASU? I am certainly not convinced that Ledonne and his followers (yes, you Carol Smith and other followers), have a brain in your head. For people like Ledonne who claim to be victimized by the president, you are certainly victimizing and hurting others with your silly reports and website. Time to shut it down and move on with your sad lives. ----Editor's Reply: It isn't just you, it's one of the design goals of this site to cover these events. Having just checked the ASU News and homepage, we found nothing about the resignation of the police chief. The university has not made this development public. While it parades everything from a drug bust on campus to the acquisition of new police vehicles on its website, it says nothing publicly of its own police chief resigning a mere year and a half into the position. Why not? This is a newsworthy event in light of many ongoing issues and the public has a right to know how their tax dollars are spent. This site's mission is to provide ongoing critical coverage of a public institution of higher education, particularly given the dearth of coverage from local news sources on the topic. Typically, the Valley Courier and KRZA will publish ASU news releases without any investigation or further questioning, essentially functioning as state propaganda outlets for government administrators. This is not how the fourth estate is supposed to function in a democracy. That no other media outlets have covered the resignation of the police chief amidst legal controversies facing the institution, let alone many of the other stories we've covered, is a testament to the information gap this site fills as a public service. Calling for the removal of free expression is hardly becoming of an institution of higher education and Watching Adams continues because it receives significant daily traffic and tracks developments at Adams State University. You are free not to visit, and your comments will be published so long as they fall within the site's guidelines, but the decision to “shut it down” is not any commentator's to make. And indeed our lives all go on with the satisfaction and purpose we each bring to them.
August 16, 2016 at 9:14pm I work at Adams too and the best way to stand strong for me is for you low self-esteem, short dick syndrome "victims" to sit down, shut up and do the jobs you are paid to do. Editor's Reply: This is probably not the operating principal of a university campus whose charge is to facilitate critical thought and encourage the free expression of ideas. But maybe you're onto something here; maybe that isn't the culture that Adams State embodies? Maybe ASU is more focused on authoritarian leadership and conformity?
August 16, 2016 at 2:05pm When we conceived of the Standing Strong March for next Friday, we never intended it to be focused only on Danny Ledonne. An administration that lies to everyone is a problem FOR EVERYONE! We all deserve an apology and we all deserve an administration that acts in students' and employees' best interests - with integrity! As you will see in the comment posted immediately prior to this one, we hope the Standing Strong March will include all employees, students, and citizens who have been wronged by ASU's leaders. Plan to bring a placard calling attention to any issues you deem appropriate. Contact the press, spread the word in any way possible.
August 16, 2016 at 2:00pm STANDING STRONG for EVERYONE at ASU! STANDING STRONG for a BETTER ASU! 10 days to go (Friday, 8/26, 12:00) On to Phase II. Now that plans have solidified and the media has been alerted via U.S. Mail (which should have arrived yesterday or today), we need to show the media there is interest. The more people who contact them, the more coverage, and then more people. All of this makes it more likely we will achieve our goals: admission of deceit, widespread apology (including new press release to all sources listed below), name clearing for Danny Ledonne, and recognition of the many problems we all face at the hands of ASU administration. Please express your intention to march next Friday or your support for our goals by emailing everyone on the list below. Additional examples / issues beyond the Ledonne case welcome. You will have the most impact by supplying your name and role (student, faculty, staff, citizen), but you can ask to remain anonymous. Contacting these people is an important step! Valley Courier Ruth Heide news@alamosanews.com Pueblo Chieftain Robert Boczkiewicz rboczkiewicz@chieftain.com Denver Post Tom McGhee tmcghee@denverpost.com Colorado Independent Eliza Carter Tips@ColoradoIndependent.com Inside Higher Ed Editor@insidehighered.com The Cortez Journal tstephens@the-journal.com KGNU Radio https://www.kgnu.org/ht/email.html The Chronicle of Higher Education Emma Pettit c/o liz.mcmillen@chronicle.com 9 News newstips@9news.com Academe Magazine Martin Kich academe@aaup.org Foundation for Individual Rights in Education Alex Morey fire@thefire.org WestWord Alan Prendergast http://www.westword.com/about/contact?author=5052731 Pagosa Daily Post John Krieger pagosadailypost@gmail.com The College Fix Greg Piper gpiper@thecollegefix.com Accuracy In Academia Spencer Irvine c/o Mal.Kline@academia.org STANDING STRONG for JUSTICE – for all!!!! WE WILL BE HEARD!!!!
August 15, 2016 at 1:52pm What any administration wants is in-fighting between employees rather than unifying to stand up for their concerns. You are white, he is brown, she is a woman, etc. but we all have problems with this university and are more alike than we are different. Whether you support or even know Danny Ledonne, the issues his case highlights affect many other people - some have left already and others still struggle here... Who will be banned without due process next? There's no reason to bicker over an individual person's ethnicity or gender. Faculty and staff should come together and support one another or else they will continue being shed or picked off, one by one. Lots of new empty offices at the end of last year.
August 14, 2016 at 7:28pm I agree not to expect anything from the president and the board from the march, but maybe it's not about their response; it's about getting organized for common causes. While the controversy surrounding Ledonne's treatment extends far beyond not being retained (he was banned from campus and the president repeatedly claimed that he was a threat), there is no reason that campus activism has to be limited to one former faculty member (of any race, gender, or orientation). Ledonne stepped forward, maybe others can, as well? So yes, one former faculty is far from alone here. Why not bring forward the many others who have been wronged by the administration? We all know that the mistreatment of past and present employees (and students) isn't limited to Ledonne. How can others get involved?
August 14, 2016 at 6:35pm McClure won't apologize nor will she resign. Don't expect anything from the Board of Trustees either. I'm not saying that the march is a waste of time, just know that they will not admit their wrongdoing. In all of this, I can't help but wonder; what if Ledonne was black or brown? Would the outcome have been the same? Is this some white male privilege showing itself? What about a certain professor that was gay and was not retained by Adams? No one spoke for her. No one put a fight for her. Continuing support for Ledonne, a white male, feels unfair at this time. Hasn't he had his glory? He has been represented. Move over and let others get their representation! Or will no one fight for the minorities?
August 14, 2016 at 2:25pm I hear lots of talk about retaining and recruiting us, but I don't think a lying president helps with either! WE WILL BE HEARD!
August 12, 2016 at 3:19pm Yes, WE WILL BE HEARD. Don't underestimate us. All of you are here because of us. Like many other organizations on campus, AS&F speaks for Beverlee McClure and those that suck-up to her. She has to apologize for lying to us. She thought that like others we will also accept her lies.
August 12, 2016 at 12:12pm Regarding the last comment with the announcement about the campus march, we made 1,000 copies of a flier that includes the text of that comment, plus pictures of McClure and Ledonne. McClure’s bubble says “I lied to you. I used you. Ledonne was never a threat.” Ledonne’s bubble says “I fight with the pen, not the sword.” Look for them on campus soon. We also are in the process of contacting and sending a flier to all the newspapers, television stations, and websites that covered the ACLU lawsuit so they can cover our march: Valley Courier, Pueblo Chieftain, Denver Post, Colorado Independent, Inside Higher Ed, The Cortez Journal, KGNU Radio, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9 News, Academe Magazine, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, WestWord, Pagosa Daily Post, The College Fix, Accuracy In Academia. We WILL be heard!!!
August 12, 2016 at 12:07pm Standing Strong for an Apology: March to Richardson Hall When: Friday, August 26th, 12:00 noon Start: In front of Nielsen Library Purpose: To force president McClure and the Board of Trustees to come clean by admitting McClure lied to students, employees, and the community about Danny Ledonne. She lied to us when she said Ledonne was on a “Colorado State Police Watch List” (AS&F meeting) and he made “direct and indirect threats against individuals” (email to all students) and many more lies. She needs to admit Danny Ledonne was never a threat to anyone in order to clear his name and restore his reputation. The president must apologize to everyone she lied to and used by claiming she was acting to ensure our safety. The president must apologize to Danny Ledonne. President McClure not only lied to us, she used us like pawns in her twisted games by claiming the Ledonne ban was for “our safety.” She and the board treated us like children, assuming we would believe whatever they told us. We will show them they were wrong. We paid attention to their unethical games and now we will make ourselves heard. President McClure should resign. How could anyone trust her after she lied to us and used us? If she won’t resign, the Board should fire her. If the Board won’t fire her, they should be fired. Standing Strong for Truth, Free Speech, Ledonne’s Reputation
August 12, 2016 at 11:36am From yesterday: “Adams State University will prevail under the new leadership of Dr. McClure and Dr. Gilmer. Out with the old, in with the new.” Some people here seem to believe that universities succeed or fail based on “leadership” and this myth that history is driven by “great (wo)men.” But that's usually not true. Organizations succeed or fail based mostly on the transaction-end of the workforce – those who interact directly with students on a daily basis. The retention research consistently shows this. So when we hear “out with the old, in with the new,” that sounds like an indifference to the real, ongoing turnover of the very faculty and staff who have a direct connection to students. Then, not surprisingly, students don't stick around either. Why should they? It puzzles me that people take time out of their workday to come on here for the sole purpose of ridiculing this website and the people who post here. If you don't like Watching Adams, nobody is making you visit this website. So rather than insulting one another here, let's come up with some constructive suggestions that we can all work on rather than looking to leaders on high to solve our problems for us ( because they probably won't). Here's an idea: Faculty and staff at ASU should get more organized and collectively represent their concerns. It's fairly clear that Faculty Senate is a slow, risk-adverse body that takes a year and a day just to advance any particular issue, now made more ineffective by a chair of two departments also serving as Faculty Senate president. This is a clear sign that this governing body represents the interests of the administration, not the faculty. We also have a Contingent Faculty and Instructor Council for adjuncts and other non-tenure faculty. What ever happened to that? There was also the Campus Advocacy Group. There's an article on this website about how that was killed by the administration, so maybe there's a lesson there. So what about more members joining the new American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapter at ASU? Faculty and staff can join, according to their website. What about joining other professional organizations that represent the interests of faculty and staff? It's our workplace, too. We shouldn't just believe that we are here to serve administrators – we are here to serve students!
August 12, 2016 at 8:42am Oh blessed Doctors, apparently you may have been born great, or a least you have had greatness thrust upon you. We supplicants believe that “Adams State University will prevail under [your] new leadership.” We are under your leadership; tell us what to do, and we will whistle while we work.
August 12, 2016 at 8:22am Okay, time to drop the invective, the points scoring, the playground taunts. The fact is that ASU - and all of us who sail in her - need to do better. We can’t expect Dr McClure by herself will somehow save us. The redemptive leader is so rare as to be mythical. She needs to accept that, and the rest of us need to accept that too. Now, let’s hear some new ideas. God bless those who “Think Different”. “Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Bob Siltanen, oft quoted by Steve Jobs.
August 11, 2016 at 5:27pm This afternoon my phone lit up and I learned I was referenced on this site. Not by name but by comments made by me, and known by many. I will not let the School of Business or my colleagues there take a sword that was meant for me. Nor will I be bullied. At 1:47, the editor wrote about Dr. Finney and the "Billy Pulpit" online publication he started. Mark (Finney) and I went to coffee several times and talked about writing and I enjoyed him as a colleague. He wanted employee personal essays, and good robust discussion of ideas on his site. I tossed an essay idea to him that I had been wanting to write. He invited it. So I wrote a personal essay about my desires to be a professor, starting in 1968, and of my first professorship in 1992. It was a humor piece with attempted satire and my early (1992) disappointments and disillusionment as I joined a university and faculty then. That is where I used the word "gauche" tied to salaries. My first big intellectual discussion with the academics I revered and they complained about their pay. It was intended to be humorous. The essay was also about how much I liked Adams, how I had been welcomed by faculty and staff. A good place, I was glad to be here. Mark put my essay on his site and it was almost immediately hit with criticism from humorless men in McDaniel Hall. They took my 1992 reflective comments and made them personal and political. They and I exchanged a few personal emails on the issue and then one pasted select email comments of mine into the site - an egregious violation of ethics. Perhaps I was insufficient a writer to pull off a humor piece, but it should not be misused on this site, out of context and dishonestly. The other quotes along with "gauche" and apparently attributed also to me are not mine - but, thus the dishonesty. Just as Mark's site was not successful in generating ideas and good discussion, neither is this one nor will it be. It is simply a hit site for those who are not willing to accept a woman president, those who do not have the talent or ambition to generate the incomes they wish, those who will not take "no" for an answer, and those who satisfy their lives by anonymously attacking others. We should all be better than this. We can be - a new semester is about to begin. Let's put our energies into welcoming, serving, and teaching well our students. I think we will be happier too. Michael Tomlin Professor of Business Management ----Editor's Reply: Thank you for refreshing our memory and clarifying this reference. Many of us very much enjoyed the Billy Pulpit and wished for it to continue. We can all agree on the desire for Adams State to serve its students and for those who work there to be happy in the workplace.
August 11, 2016 at 3:56pm "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." - William Shakespeare None of which can be said of anyone posting on this asinine website! Adams State University will prevail under the new leadership of Dr. McClure and Dr. Gilmer. Out with the old, in with the new.
August 11, 2016 at 1:47pm The August 10, 8:45am author made a good point. We should all feel grateful that there is a place to voice our opinions. I wonder if there was such a place in Svaldi's reign if things could have been different. Sounds like if anyone dared disagree with Svaldi or his cronies it was met with nasty words, criticism and worse. Probably the same people that condoned Svaldi's mismanagement and cronyism are the same protecting this administration. Got something to hide? If people don't feel safe to have a difficult conversations with administration then places such as this is absolutely necessary. If not it will, most likely, end up just like the Svaldi's years and just look at where that got us. Editor's Reply: Back in 2012-2013, Dr. Mark Finney in Mass Communications published a monthly newsletter called The Billy Pulpit with the expressed goal of increasing campus-wide communication and fostering important conversations about the workplace. Lo and behold, one of the first issues to arise were the perceived impropriety of the creation of another admin position (Assistant VPAA) and the role being filled without a comprehensive search process. The other major issue raised were salary inequities – with Psychology department faculty saying they and others are substantially underpaid while Business department faculty making free market arguments about their faculty bringing more “value” and commanding higher salaries due to their professions. And as is typical, one Business faculty member asserted that it was “gauche” to even bring up such matters! “Shut up and get back to work,” was the message, “we're on top and we like it that way.” So much for campus equity. The Billy Pulpit disappeared when Dr. Finney, like so many others, left ASU in the summer of 2013. And nothing replaced it. Things continued to fester beneath the surface on so many issues. Campus dialogue languished. University salary data wasn't being reported and there were active efforts not to “open that can of worms” when the matter was brought up. This state of affairs certainly served those in charge and those who developed comfortable alliances with administrators, but it also left many feeling marginalized, upset, disheartened, overworked and under-appreciated. It took an outsider with contacts and institutional knowledge to create Watching Adams as the imperfect alternative to the Billy Pulpit. If such a publication were to return and offer the kind of “robust academic discourse” we are all told exists at ASU, perhaps this website will no longer be needed. But until then, ASU has offered no alternative means of a campus-wide forum in which people feel safe in voicing their concerns without fear of retaliation – which is painfully obvious in the many degrading comments and actions towards “complainers” at ASU. In a healthy and functional workplace, Watching Adams wouldn't exist and it certainly wouldn't be getting over 80,000 views in its first year.
August 11, 2016 at 1:23pm Reading through these comments, it seems like there are really two conversations going on. One is identifying problems with ASU that have continued under several administrations and now are the subject of sanctions, investigations, audits, and media scrutiny. The other conversation is ignoring or setting all that aside to ridicule a few individual people who had nothing to do with these larger problems other than trying to call attention to them before things got worse. One group is interested in substance and the other is interested in personal attacks. They call people “bullies” and accuse them of “shaming” yet it seems like projection to me – they are doing the bullying and shaming while offering no solutions. Someone wrote, “Sure, ASU has many problems, and because of the nature and deep-cutting issues behind these problems, it will take some time to correct.” But are they being corrected, at all? Let's look at one example, which this website brought up from the beginning: salary inequities. Two years ago, we had a special committee formed to review salaries, create a group of peer institutions, and measure ASU compensation against other schools on a per-position basis. The results are posted online and the problems are clear to see. Has anything been done to address the low faculty salaries and bloated administrative pay? No. And as the 2016-2017 salary data shows, these problems are being made worse with across-the-board raises that reward high-paying positions with more increases and do little to address the low pay of most faculty and staff. Now, some former administrators are getting sweetheart deals at the expense of everyone else – all paid for by students and taxpayers. The numbers speak for themselves. Read the State Auditor's comments about the university's finances and take a look at declining enrollment and high employee turnover. It seems like some people are in denial that these problems are continuing and would prefer to identify scapegoats who truly had nothing to do with these issues to begin with. This is not helpful. Imagine if people actually asked questions of those making these decisions when they put out bogus press releases instead of insulting the people who bring up these problems as any concerned citizen could and should do.
August 11, 2016 at 11:29am It surprises me the level of absurdity Ledonne and his followers will go to discredit people. Sure, ASU has many problems, and because of the nature and deep-cutting issues behind these problems, it will take some time to correct. Yet, Ledonne and his cult rather jump at every opportunity to discredit anyone or anything that might be productive. For being highly educated people, none of you use your logic or critical thinking skills. I am glad that Ledonne has created his own death in higher education. All institutions of higher learning will be better off without him instructing a class ever again. I am glad Ledonne was let go by his peers who did not see him fit to teach anymore. As for his cult followers, I'm sure the same will happen to you--yes, all of you from the library, staff, and faculty, who blindly were captivated by his slander and journey of destruction. Higher ed brings in some odd balls and people who otherwise couldn't make it in real society, and Ledonne and his cult are proof of that. ----Editor's Reply: Ledonne and many others continue to "make it in real society" beyond ASU and also continue to organize and advocate for improved accountability, transparency, outcomes and working conditions in higher education. There are, of course, many ways of doing this and varying approaches may be necessary to improve higher education at Adams State and across the country.
August 11, 2016 at 11:08am It is outrageous that, as this website shows, a half-time employee, the Controller of Sponsored Programs, earns $89,000 a year, plus benefits. This is equivalent to an annual salary of $198,000! This violates pay equity laws and it also hints of chicanery - Why is the administration willing to pay (off?) such an incredible salary? Signed, A Very Concerned Citizen
August 11, 2016 at 10:27am In response to the previous comment (at 7:54): your arrogance and ignorance are astounding. There are many of us who love Adams State. Love our colleagues. Love the students we serve. Love the community we live in. ( yes, lots of love here! Oh I said it!) AND yet we dislike and are unhappy (*gasp! Love and dislike!? Oh my! Did I disagree? Is that possible?!?) with the decisions made by administration; mismanagement of budget, perpetuation of salary inequities, programmatic inequities & prioritization, public relations incompetence. To think that there can only be love in any relationship without disaccord is asinine. What you may call "lies", I call data. And rather than listen to people's dissenting opinion, you bully and shame. I pity you for being unable to hold a constructive dialogue without breaking into cheering and bringing your grandmother's balls into the conversation. One of the main components many of us try to encourage in our students is critical thinking. To think critically is to question things, not take information at face value, look at the argument behind the numbers and the numbers behind the argument. To ask our students to develop these skills and not practice them ourselves at an institution of higher education is hypocritical at best.
August 11, 2016 at 8:59am A quick tip to the previous commenter at 7:54. Don't drink and text!
August 11, 2016 at 7:54am I suppose at every university, not just Adams State, there are a handful of naysayers bucking the system with malcontent, disaccord, and pessimism. If this site was truly "watching" Adams the publisher (hi, Ledonne!), the librarian (oh, hey!), and the others adding fuel to the flames (yes, we see you!), would unplug their ears and hear when I ask where are the unbias truths about the good things so many of us see at the ASU we love? The hatemongers only spew hate. Instead of building walls that attempt to obstruct positive change, growth, and success at ASU, the defensive rhetoric stained with tainted lies found here should be replaced with truth, the walls that come down for the hopefulness of peace. Only then can the university that Alamosa loves (yes, I said loves), faculty & staff love (oh, there I said it again), students love (so much love right here), and President McClure loves (wow, that's a lot of love for this site, huh?)...only when the destructive attitudes of all of you (and by "all" I do mean "few") stop with your own personal agendas and think about someone other than your sad, pitiful Pearl, poor little me, whining and stop acting like victims. As my grandmother loved to tell the wimpy kids who didn't play well with others...grow a set of balls! Now, run along and play nicely, children. Go, Grizzlies! Go, Beverlee! Go, fight, win!! ----Editor's Reply: And in every aspect of society, not just universities, there will be a large group of supporters who rally behind leadership elements and embrace a form of jingoistic fanfare for the status quo. They will view any form of divergent or critical perspective as inherently incompatible with their worldview and remain focused on their institutional affiliations in generalized and facile terms. For them, any number of issues that arise are likely to be exercises in cognitive dissonance to be rationalized or ignored while those who raise them must be the subject of marginalization and scorn. The discourse will be cast in emotional terms of "love" and "hate" as a form of tribalism while the specifics at hand must be swept away in favor of chants, slogans, and power fantasies that reference testicular fortitude as the predominant currency. It is the same in most every group affiliation when open discourse is shunned in favor of top-down hierarchy. August 11, 2016 at 8:48am I find the Edtor's Replies to be the most comical. Such big words for small minds. ----Editor's Reply: You're most welcome. The comedy is included and the willingness to publish your baseless invective is no additional charge.
August 10, 2016 at 8:45am As correctly observed in earlier posts, Drs. Mumper and Novotny remaining in their respective administrative positions in spite of their obviously detrimental effect on the institution is entirely attributable to President Svaldi’s negligence, lack of intestinal fortitude and complacence owing to his own imminent retirement. As was pointed out in a recent post (August 9, 2016 at 9:37am), President McClure deserves due credit for taking action in an attempt to rectify the situation (i.e., “…fired a few people and then circled wagons around the rest of her people”). However, it is also true that it did not require any special judgment on her part to recognize either Mumper’s obvious incompetence or the toxic effect of Novotny’s complete lack of integrity and bullying incompetence on academic affairs. More importantly, until the administrative malignancy under President Svaldi’s leadership has been fully eradicated doubt will continue to be cast on President McClure’s integrity. It should be noted that Drs. Novotny and Mumper engineered into their own contracts outrageous “golden parachutes” should they “decide to resign” their administrative posts and return to faculty status. While shamelessly lining their own pockets, the administration of which they were senior members failed to address stagnant faculty salaries or budgets for academic programs that have been underfunded literally for decades. This, of course, was justified on the altar of fiscal responsibility on behalf of the institution. Their blatant hypocrisy is utterly disgusting. Novotny would do well to bear in mind that those he has bullied and/or screwed while enjoying the advantage of administrative rank WILL and DO remember. Good riddance, Mr. Big Shot. Not to be overlooked - President Svaldi’s complacence and negligence with respect to Mumper’s and Novotny’s greed are manifest in his approval of those contracts. Perhaps President Svaldi’s mega portrait should be rethought and relocated (to the basement?) Faculty and staff at ASU should be grateful to Watching Adams for providing a forum that advances administrative transparency and oversight to the ultimate benefit of the institution.
August 9, 2016 at 10:56pm It is also very convenient how the people that ASU administrators mark as "bullies" rarely receive due process or an opportunity to challenge the accusations against them. What ASU lacks is a culture of accountability or transparency in workplace conflicts. Then after the "bully" resigns or is terminated, the rumors circulate quickly to assure everyone that they must really have "deserved it." With all the faculty who just left this year, imagine what new justifications will circle campus to poison the well against them. Couldn't be anything wrong with ASU, right?
August 9, 2016 at 8:05pm It is very convenient how Stephen Roberds has forgot all the controversy, problems, and the adversarial environment he created while at ASU. Many people confused his "radical" ideas and pushing the limits to be academic freedom, and he did much of it for shock value, but many also quickly learned his game and distanced themselves from him. Students thought he was something else because he cussed in class, but that wore thin as well. He bullied students into taking his classes, talked badly about his colleagues at any moment, all while acting surprised when he would be corrected or disciplined. Not only that, he basically abused every work-study he had with verbal abuse, or danced on the line of sexual harassment. He also committed a cardinal sin by abuse his captive audience students with forcing his beliefs upon them, and remaining inappropriate at any moment (athletes, non-athletes, etc.). No, Roberds was no gift to ASU. People may have been tricked into thinking he was some prolific academic he believed he was. Towards the end, people were distancing themselves from him because of his poisonous attitude and ways. To support him is supporting corruption and unbecoming of a professor. What gets me the most is anytime he would get into trouble, he acted like he did nothing wrong and always played the victim card; similarly to Ledonne claiming he was bullied, but was truly the bully himself.
August 9, 2016 at 6:38pm Let us go on another hunt. How much will this one cost ASU and the Colorado tax payer?
August 9, 2016 at 4:16pm I too was fooled by the president, right up to the point where McClure used “acts of terrorism” in the Valley Courier interview. At that point, I knew she was unhinged and unfit to lead Adams State. Who the hell throws around the word “terrorism” in today’s world? That’s why I love The College Fix’s headline: Public university pays critical professor $100,000 for calling him a terrorist. Then things got worse with her childish response to the HLC probation, which could have only made our situation worse. Very unprofessional. Most recently, ASU’s ridiculous first cut at a press release regarding the ACLU lawsuit. Delusional. Unfit, unprofessional, shoots from the hip without thinking... Time for McClure to go!
August 9, 2016 at 9:37am August 8 Commenter has a point. Yes, much of the mess ASU finds itself in is directly the result of the former president’s mismanagement. For a decade, Dr Svaldi ruled, and nothing happened, other than nest-feathering by his accomplices. Huge amounts of money were spent on sporting facilities, on the spurious notion a la Kevin Costner that “if we build it, they will come.” By all indices, it seems the opposite is true: “We built it; they are going.” Commenter asks; “Where was everyone during Svaldi’s reign? Surely people knew what was happening. Why was his corruption overlooked?” The answers are: Yes, they did know. But no one dared raised questions for fear of being put down, humiliated and ostracised. “Complainers” were ordered to Svaldi’s office for reprimand. He sent damning emails to anyone who questioned the status quo, CC’ed to multiple people across campus. Dr McClure inherited this situation. But instead of investigating the foundation of these problems - a culture of complacency and vindictiveness on the part of administrators, and a culture of capitulation and compliance on the part of faculty and staff - she did a Donald Trump, fired a few people and then circled wagons around the rest of "her people." Yesterday I was accosted by someone who knows, reprovingly, that I occasionally contribute to WA. He demanded to know, now that the LeDonne affair had ended, why WA continued. I pointed out the August 8 posting, saying that unless we wish to have another ten years of Svaldi-esque rule, then we need to keep a light turned on poor practices and performance. Only when ASU embraces honest and full transparency, when it seeks different ideas and opinions from its own people instead of shredding them, will WA go away. ----Editor's Reply: People who think the existence of Watching Adams has anything to do with the Ledonne v. McClure lawsuit fundamentally do not understand why he created the website, as described on the About Us page. This site started two months before Ledonne was banned from campus and has nothing to do with his own hiring situation, which was only mentioned on the site tangentially when the University banned him and raised the issue of his hiring complaint. This comment has it exactly right – Watching Adams continues to exist precisely because the problems it covers continue to be relevant obstacles... but not intractable ones.
August 9, 2016 at 8:06am I, Stephen C Roberds, propose that Dr. Novotny have until 11:00 AM, August 10, 2016 to submit his resignation. Otherwise, ASU will commence proceedings to have him terminated for unspecified reasons that will remain unspecified. This "due process" has precedent when Dr. Novotny and his sycophant buddy Crowther attempted to force me to resign within 24 hours with no specific reason, allegation, provided. Surely, Drs Novotny and Crowther would not expect to be treated any better than they treated me. Oh, and both of the above named morally deficient individuals should be permanently banned from campus due to threats, harassment, and their names being on the state police list of terror suspects.
August 8, 2016 at 6:41pm Those that are commenting about the salary ranges of special individuals have to remember that those deals were cut with old man Svaldi. Don't blame this Prez for Svaldi's corrupt years and all the crap he and his cronies did. All those on his "E Team" were part of the problem and should, by all rights, be terminated. The amount of money that was misspent during his reign would probably make all of us sick. Where was everyone during Svaldi's reign? Surely people knew what was happening. Why was his corruption overlooked? Was it because he came from the ranks of faculty and in your eyes it's ok to screw people as long as you are one of us?
August 6, 2016 at 10:53pm So let me get this straight: the new VPAA positions still make six figures, along with the previous VPAA employees who now have the same responsibilities of faculty members making half as much? As we tighten program budgets and "guarantee" tuition rates to students, how is this financially sustainable? We should all rotate in/out of these positions until everyone is making six figures at ASU! No wonder the university's finances are being audited and their credit rating has been downgraded.
August 6, 2016 at 11:33am In the context of fairness and campus-wide “equity”, the grossly disproportionate and utterly disgraceful salaries awarded to Drs. Novotny and Mumper upon their “decisions” to “resign” their respective administrative positions and return to faculty status should be of particular interest to faculty holding the same academic rank (i.e., Professor) in their respective disciplines (academic departments in which they are, incidentally, clearly superfluous). See Positions FS1601 and FA1501 listed on ASU Salary Data: Faculty 2016-17 posted on the Documents page of this site. Salary for position FS1601 (Professor of Chemistry) is $106,608, which is $39,816 greater than the salary of $66,792 for position FS8002 (Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair). Similarly, salary for position FA1501 (Professor of Political Science) is a whopping $122,280, which is more than TWICE the average salary ($57,764) of faculty holding the rank of Professor in the Department of History/Anthropology/Philosophy/Political Science/Spanish (i.e., positions FA0033, FA8002, and FA8003) and $45,492 greater than position FA8006 (Professor of History and Department Chair.) The shameless greed of ASU administrators lining their own pockets at the expense of their colleagues provides yet another example of the indefensible conduct that makes it impossible to support the administration at ASU.
August 5, 2016 at 12:42pm Along with cleaning-up house, the president and others need to take a hard look at programs and people in charge of programs. There are several programs (academic, non-academic, etc.) that are useless. Some departments only have a handful of students in areas; non-academic programs on this campus are not functioning properly or are not doing what they are supposed to do. The student life and outdoor program is a joke. No wonder why students are not active on campus. Look at the people in charge of those. They come off as "know-it-all" people. There are a lot of programs for hispanic students, but what are we doing for our Black student populations? Asian American students? How about other demographics beyond ethnicity? Gender, disabled, etc.? Far too many people get "promoted" or take on extra responsibilities just because it is all part of the "Good 'ol boys club" while others who are qualified or have a background in it are not having their skills utilized or given an option to lead. No wonder why so many people have left...I suspect more will be leaving this year as well. The president really needs to take a hard look at the whole campus, areas from administration, faculty, departments, programs, and so forth, and clean house that way. Much would be improved.
August 5, 2016 at 12:29pm I believe writing comments about how Ledonne has written his own death warrant for higher education is not wrong. Being he is now known to be controversial, even when unnecessary, and the lengths he will go to shame others is ridiculous. Just doing a simple search of him will deter search committees if he tries to apply for another academic position again. Along the same lines, McClure and other administrators, also have blame on them. They should have been more logical and deliberate to make sure that the court case would be easily handled instead of how it played out. However, good luck getting the president to apologize. If anything, ASU needs a re-start button. ---- Editor's Reply: We couldn't agree more about the need for an honest and true reboot at Adams State University! And to your first point, the rumors of Ledonne's professional demise are greatly exaggerated, and not for the first time. As everyone knows, in 2005 Ledonne created a videogame about the Columbine school shooting. A videogame! About Columbine! Death threats, hate mail, and calls for his firing from his job as a youth mentor ensued. Nonetheless, Ledonne produced a critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful documentary of the experience, secured a competitive fellowship in graduate school, expanded his video business, and taught at multiple universities and K-12 programs. Not ironically, "Super Columbine Massacre RPG" was cited by Dr. Mazel as among the reasons Ledonne was hired at ASU in 2011 and also among the reasons cited by Chief Grohowski as to why he banned from campus in 2015. We may be done with the past, but the past is never done with us. In virtually every article covering the ASU controversy, Ledonne and his allies at the ACLU appear as the protagonists while reactionary and oppressive university administrators flounder in self-contradictory statements that they cannot defend in their own shoddy press releases. So don't be surprised if Ledonne produces media of his experiences with ASU in the future. Moreover, until more faculty and staff in higher education are willing to stand up in solidarity for greater principals than their own careers or monthly paychecks, the deteriorating conditions in American academia aren't likely to improve. Here at ASU, Watching Adams persists because the conditions that necessitated its existence persist. Ledonne maintains this forum even as he is ridiculed, over and over, for doing so. Ergo, we should all think about what we can do, internally and externally, to improve institutional equity, transparency and demand accountability of government officials such as university administrators. And recognize that just as "well-behaved women seldom make history," so too is the case for "well-behaved men." So here's to the rabble-rousers, despite the nay-sayers, for being willing to swim upstream.
August 4, 2016 at 2:05pm
"Education leaders and campuses must build trust. College presidents know that if they lose the trust of their boards, their faculty, government officials and sometimes their students, their jobs are at risk. Of late, too many presidents have lost their positions because the trust others held in them was eroded beyond repair. In this article, Karen Gross suggests that while university and college presidents need not be flawless, they must ferret out--and often quickly--what is fact and what is fiction. They must spend the time to think through the words they use to describe volatile situations, and above all else, own the truth, whether it is good or bad. Gross goes on to say that judging from current events, trust on campuses is eroding, including in leaders and within the student population. She emphasizes that without trust the connectivity so central to the creation of community and the capacity to learn and take risks diminishes. She concludes by asserting that educators need to spend more time rebuilding and valuing trust, not just divining and sharing truth." ("Truth, Transparency and Trust: Treasured Values in Higher Education" Gross, Karen, New England Journal of Higher Education, Feb 2015 - source)
August 4, 2016 at 1:30pm For those of you saying or thinking that it's just Danny and his minions commenting here and supporting the resignation of McClure; I, personally cannot stand Danny. I refuse to talk to him, I think he's a self-centered shithead. But McClure having him banned from campus and labeled a threat and terrorist is just plain wrong. Editor's Reply: This person clearly understands that civil rights aren't only for the popular kids.
August 4, 11:14am What's hilarious to me is that, while ASU administration continues to vilify Ledonne in public statements, they seem quite content with keeping all the videos he produced throughout the ASU website and even playing at the local movie theater!
August 4, 2016 at 11:11am A previous post (August 3, 8:05am) posed the following entirely valid question: “Why are multiple brand new VP positions with substantial salaries being created in the face of declining enrollment, woefully uncompetitive faculty and staff salaries, and tragically under-resourced departments and services?” Related, and equally relevant, questions are: 1. How does the ASU administration (i.e., President Svaldi, who approved the contracts) justify the disgracefully exorbitant salaries awarded to those “VP positions with substantial salaries” (i.e., Drs. Novotny and Mumper) upon their “resignation” and return to faculty status? When the 2016-17 faculty salary data are posted on this website this question should be of particular interest to their peers holding the same academic rank (i.e., Professor), in their respective disciplines. 2. More to the point, given their shameless and unjustified greed at the expense of their woefully underpaid peers, how do Drs. Novotny and Mumper retain any semblance of self-respect? (Obviously a rhetorical question.)
August 4, 2016 at 10:28am I, like many people, thought that Watching Adams would wither away after the court’s decision that LeDonne’s rights had been infringed. I thought administrators would take the whole saga as a learning experience, to be better listeners, to be a little kinder. But ASU’s words and actions show that they have learned nothing about respecting others’ rights, or even its own policies and protocols. Its July 25 press release said everything: “Business as usual. Lies as usual. Bullying as usual.” Even if LeDonne had not created Watching Adams, the problems endemic at ASU would have been no less. Watching Adams is merely making transparent the issues that are holding ASU back from being the great university it could be. By almost all metrics, ASU has been deteriorating for some time, well before Dr McClure took over. And yes, “like the president of the US, she cannot change things overnight.” But note that within the first year of his presidency, Obama had set in train the biggest, most radical (and perhaps most controversial) legislative project in modern American history - the Affordable Care Act. With McClure, we should have seen some moves in the right directions after at least a year in the driver’s seat. Sure, she’s fired a few people. Firing is easy to do. Ask Trump. Creating a coherent, cogent, comprehensive strategic plan is much more difficult Ask Trump. Attacking critics is easier than listening to what critics are saying. He would rather slander the parents of a fallen soldier than address the issues they raise. This is a pattern we see at ASU. So, by the way, where is the strategic plan that we all helped kick-start a year ago? Sure, “not every ounce of the blame should be put on [McClure]”, but she is paid the big bucks for taking responsibility for the actions of her administrators. Truman famously said that “the buck stops here.” Obama has repeated that quintessential axiom of leadership. No one in their right mind can seriously suggest that an unemployed, socially isolated (thanks to McClure) individual like LeDonne is responsible for McClure’s poor performance on every metric. Several commentators have agreed to self-reflection, then gone on to beat up LeDonne again. Self-reflection means being self-critical - how can I/we do a better job - not seeking out scapegoats to relieve us of the discomfort self-reflection necessarily induces. Time to start pointing the finger at ourselves, making ourselves better.
August 4, 2016 at 6:35am This has nothing to do with "stirring the pot." This is about lying and deceiving the campus community and the public. This is about losing trust. This is about lack of leadership. This is about making defamatory remarks and taking damaging actions affecting our university.
August 3, 2016 at 11:40pm Last I checked, Danny wasn't banned from campus because some people don't personally care for him or because they find him annoying or because they don't like his beard. He was banned from campus because (we were told repeatedly) he allegedly made threats of violence, direct and indirect threats, harassment and terrorism, and was on a police watch list. Has anyone seen evidence to support these claims? Because the ACLU never did, nor did any judge who reviewed the court documents. The whole issue of people liking or disliking someone is not sufficient for banning them from a public university campus. So stop the spin. The administration lied to you and now wants to pretend it never happened.
August 3, 2016 at 4:49pm When I first read McClure’s press release (Version 1.0), I was outraged. Shocked that she once again resorted to lying to cover her previous lies and mistakes. My next reaction was laughter at how ridiculously amateurish it was. McClure and her PR folks must have total contempt for students and the public, thinking they are completely stupid if they believed people wouldn’t see through it. I predicted the joke of a press release would bite her in the butt by pissing people off and by not taking responsibility for what she did. And here we are: media folks are calling her on her “win”, people are writing to the governor, and the students are planning to march on Richardson Hall. Nice job! Standing Strong for Justice!
August 3, 2016 at 4:25pm From ASU’s press release: “the only cost to Adams State was a $2,500 deductible”. What a sad, sad joke. Only cost! Someone did a good job listing the variety of costs that go well beyond the $100,000 loss to ASU (like over a thousand hours of wasted time?). Add to that list all the legal fees that president McClure’s foolish mistake led to to handle the ACLU lawsuit. I don’t know if ASU had to pay those, but if they didn’t then taxpayers certainly did. The legal fees alone must be way more than the $100,000 paid to Danny.
August 3, 2016 at 1:57pm It still remains, from many of the comments on this page, people are blowing up and trying to create controversy that is not needed. This page aims to expose the corruption of ASU? No, this page is trying to stir the pot in negative ways. This is truly the fault of Ledonne and his cult, all of which have created more problems than there needs to be. We cannot dismiss the fact that ASU problems have been present for a while now. Svaldi let too many things slide, which started much of the issues in Richardson and the campus. McClure came on, had a ton to deal with right away, and had to work with administrators that were no good. She really need to keep on "cleaning house" in the administration, because there are still too many people who are not qualified to do the jobs they are doing. Especially the way enrollment is not improving, those in charge of that area need to go, because they have no business being in charge of an important area for the university, let alone they are not qualified for their position. This goes for other areas in the administration too. Sure, McClure has not made some good decisions. Maybe her method of dealing with things (like Ledonne) did not work out. However, just like the president of the US, she cannot just change things overnight. I would guess that as soon as more cleaning is done in the administration, and better and qualified people are brought in (like our new VPAA), things will drastically improve. Not every ounce of the blame should be put on her. People, like Ledonne and others, have stalled and created too many obstacles for her to make additional needed improvements. Just because a professor gets praising student evaluations does not mean they are master educators. I too have heard from Ledonne's students who would rather say nice things about him (in evaluations) than put up with his bully tactics to justify his existence. I have also heard from students who say they rather play along with saying he is a good educator because they feel that he would punish them if they did not. One good thing about Ledonne is that he has made such a bad name for himself, and has publicly made himself to be an adversarial colleague, that no higher ed institution would want to hire him. Why would any university bring someone on who they can see will take them to court for not being re-hired? He is foolish to think he has a place in academia. I agree with self-reflection. Everyone should do that. Instead of creating more controversy to bring this place down, think about ways you can improve, both as a person and as a professional. This all needs to stop, otherwise we all will suffer. ----Editor's Reply: No one, including Ledonne himself, has hailed him as a “master educator.” Through (anonymous) course evaluations as well as directed reviews of his performance at ASU, analysis reveals a “pattern of behavior” that includes going out of his way to foster new programs and initiatives, volunteering his time and expertise on committees and working groups, and continued collaboration with former students and peers. During discovery, Ledonne collected over a dozen testimonials solely from female former students and peers at ASU simply to demonstrate that there is a broad support for his efforts, despite the acrimony leveled at his (unpaid) exercise in offering an alternative to the propagandist narrative of the ASU administration. Even after the campus ban, any number of colleagues and former students reached out in support and cheered him on through the successful completion of court proceedings that resulted in the ban being lifted, zero evidence or witnesses ever supporting the university's false allegations, and a settlement to Ledonne and the ACLU simply to drop the court case. This pervasive hostility toward Ledonne's prospects in academia is really meant to frighten anyone else who might dare speak truth to power and make public that which administrators would prefer to keep under tight wraps while distributing highly misleading press-releases. Apparently, the mere act of creating a website that posts articles, documents, commentary, and reader comments appears to be an unacceptable act of criticizing the Emperor's New Clothes, calling for Ledonne to wear a Scarlet Letter and be banished from the kingdom. Disregard for the free exchange of ideas is not becoming of a university campus. But this is all indeed a distraction; what is telling is how often criticism of ASU is met with attacks against someone who hasn't even worked at ASU in over a year now. Many of ASU's problems existed before, during, and after one faculty member's time at ASU. These problems, such as diminished enrollment, low student graduation rates, low employee morale, and bloated administrative positions and salaries, appear to be worsening under the McClure administration. Further, there appear to be heightened levels of employee discord, a culture of fear and shaming, and a kind of toxic tribalism that continues to produce more faculty and staff leaving due to attrition. And despite such barbs of hostility towards a divergent point of view amidst such turmoil, Ledonne continues to receive strong support, praise, assistance and solidarity in his efforts to speak truth to power and hold ASU administrators accountable for the failings of an institution. His efforts are not in the service of personal popularity but rather of higher ideals and principals. ASU deserves better, the San Luis Valley deserves better, and we can all find ways to hold ourselves and one another accountable to this end – even and especially when we disagree. Regarding charges of "negativity," please check out our commentary “Negativity” is negative, President McClure. Time to Change the Tune. Lastly, have you ever tried cooking without "stirring the pot?" All the substance gets stuck at the bottom and burned while the seasoning rises to the top. Stew on that for a bit.
August 3, 2016 at 8:05am It is truly heartening to see students asking important questions about the condition of their institution. Student activism is what will lead to desperately needed changes at Adams State, and those changes go well beyond just a new president and a fresh board of trustees. Foxes have guarded the hen house for far too long at ASU; a full cleansing of long entrenched, self-rewarding administrators is needed if the school is to ever lift itself up, discover its amazing potential, and fully serve its students. Here are a few more questions students should consider posing: 1. How many of your professors have left ASU in the past academic year? Why did they leave? How many of them would have stayed if conditions were different? I encourage students to contact their departed professors and ask these questions directly. And then share what you learn. 2. What does it cost to replace a single professor? These costs include but are not limited to the time of search committee members, travel expenses for multiple candidates, and moving expenses for the selected candidate. How could these resources (i.e., your tuition dollars) be otherwise allocated if ASU valued and supported their people enough to retain them? 3. Why are multiple brand new VP positions with substantial salaries being created in the face of declining enrollment, woefully uncompetitive faculty and staff salaries, and tragically under-resourced departments and services? Could funds for these new administrator salaries be better allocated in another way that better supports your education? 4. Why is the state legislature conducting an unprecedented audit of ASU finances? 5. Why is ASU on academic probation? What are the implications? 6. If administrators were at the helm as all these problems arose, should those same administrators be trusted to resolve them? Why aren’t your professors actively examining these questions? Ask them to stand with you. 7. Why aren’t faculty and staff asking these questions on your behalf? Are they fearful? If so, why? Ask them. But don’t pose these questions to ASU administrators. Ask your professors, ask the state legislature, ask the Higher Learning Commission, ask the governor. Don’t accept pat, dismissive explanations from ASU administrators if they are offered. And certainly don’t accept anyone suggesting it’s none of your business. It is your university and it is very much your business. Student activism across the country is bringing about dramatic change on many campuses. Look to Green River Community College and U.C. Davis as just two of many, many examples. Be the change you want to see. You have the power.
August 2, 2016 at 11:42pm Plain and simple: McClure's repeated lies have led to the current state of affairs. She is a president of a public university. She is responsible and cannot put the blame on past leadership and current employees who advise her. A liar cannot be trusted. She has to resign, if not then the board has to let her go.
August 2, 2016 at 8:55pm "Most importantly, ask yourself why you are in higher education. Aren't we all here to help the students? Aren't students our top priority, giving them a quality education?" Couldn't agree more. And for students to stay and succeed, faculty and staff must have a healthy and supportive culture. That starts with a workplace that is free from bullying, retaliation, fear-based leadership, lying to faculty and students, administrators who disregard policy and procedure, and fair, competitive compensation for the many hours put into the classroom or the office.
August 2, 2016 at 4:38pm Does anyone know the story behind the recent resignation of former trustees Val Vigil and Mary Griffin? Might this have something to do with the Ledonne case? I'm sure it does, but as always, ASU will put a positive lie-filled spin on their departure.
August 2, 2016 at 2:54pm If it's okay to have a march in support of McClure and her repeated false statements about Ledonne to the entire campus, it seems reasonable to call for a march in opposition to these very same measures now that it seems clear the amount of employee time and student money ASU wasted. And for what? Ledonne is free to be on campus as he was growing up here and teaching here. ASU doesn't have money for any number of pressing matters but it has the money to go after anyone who criticizes the administration?
August 2, 2016 at 2:07pm I have been reluctant to ever comment on here, but now it seems to be warranted. I think everyone should calm down, take a chill pill, and do some reflecting. Sure, there are many problems at Adams State, many of which began long before McClure became president. As much as I liked Svaldi, he let far too many things pass, especially in his finals few years as president. McClure inherited those problems. Sure, some problems came into existence after she became president, but in my opinion, far too many people expected her to fix everything overnight. I know there was a positive and supportive atmosphere when she became president, but look at what she has done to try and improve a few things (i.e., got rid of Novotny and Mansheim, and other "clean-up jobs"). With this recent talk and promotion for a walk in support of Ledonne and trying to force her to apologize or resign, remember, just because you do away with one person does not guarantee the next will be any better. I am not necessarily saying we all have to fully support the president. I think there is more she should do to clean up the image and create a more positive environment on this campus. More "bad eggs" in Richardson and around campus need to leave. I truly believe that the president has been misinformed about several things. Evidence: look at some of the recent changes on campus. People are in charge of programs that have no business running them. Other programs need to be looked into because they are not producing any positive outcomes on campus. We could be doing more to better this campus for the students, our number 1 priority. Far too many people want to point fingers and blame others, instead of trying to work together. I know that I am not the only one feeling isolated or that my voice is unheard these days. These days, I rather simply do my job, not say too much, and go about my business quietly. Too many people are in this witch hunt; this is where a paradox exists in higher education. Too many over-educated people think they know what is the best thing to do, but in doing so have created adversarial conditions for others. However, some simple facts remain. The president cannot fix things overnight. Because so many problem existed before her time, along with the problems that came up in her presidency, it will take some time to fix things, hopefully sooner rather than later. She has been ill advised on matters, but some of the main problems are now gone or demoted. Sure, she has made poor decisions, said stuff incorrectly, and all, but at least she is trying. Ledonne, on the other hand, has been nothing but a pain. I know most of his students did not like him, as they only put on a facade to not be victim to his bully tactics. He was not wanted by his fellow faculty (whether or not it was faculty searches). His faculty and peers did NOT want him. Why would anyone want to work at a place that did not want them? Through all of his complaining, lawsuit, and such, he has made himself very undesirable for any academic position again, because now he has a long record of being a cry-baby because he did not keep a position. It is sad that he has wasted so much money, time, resources, and attention away to more important issues. I ask that everyone take a few moments to do a self-reflection. Ask yourself if you are doing anything to help improve the conditions at Adams State. Ask yourself if whatever issue you are taking (these days either being anti-McClure or pro-Danny), if that is the best thing. Ask yourself if you are being the best version of yourself in these issue. Most importantly, ask yourself why you are in higher education. Aren't we all here to help the students? Aren't students our top priority, giving them a quality education? I am in it because I believe in education and educating others, and I intend to still do that, within this mess Ledonne and his cult-followers have created. ----Editor's Reply: Self-reflection seems like a good idea and your point about the length and depth of ASU's problems is well-taken; many within ASU have tried for years to address these challenges through "the proper channels" and gotten nowhere (or worse, been shunned and bullied by peers or supervisors). Ledonne maintains close friendships with many of his colleagues and former students at ASU. In addition to the letter of support signed by his students and peers, Ledonne was consistently ranked above his peer group average on student evaluations, is still asked to write letters of recommendation for former students, has received letters of recommendation from his former department chair and numerous peers, and many students have contacted him to congratulate him on his successful resolution of the ACLU lawsuit. Ledonne's public announcement of the settlement on his Facebook page was "liked" over 265 times and "shared" over 30 times, including by faculty organizations supporting his efforts including Trinity Washington University Part-Time Faculty Union, SEIU 500 CAL, Montgomery College Part Time Faculty Union, Affiliated Faculty of Emerson College-AAUP, New Faculty Majority, and the Higher Education arm of AFT-WV.
August 1, 2016 at 3:51pm Polls, huh? Let's take one on whether "Danny" should be hired at ASU. Oh yes, we already took that poll and the answer was "no." And Beverlee McClure had nothing to do with it. ----Editor's Reply: Danny Ledonne was hired over and over by ASU between 2011-2015, received high student evals and department reviews, helped to create a film festival and student media organization, and supplied multiple letters of recommendation, a letter of support signed by approx. 80 faculty, staff, students and community members to the Board of Trustees. Like many other students and faculty who have left in recent years, so too went Ledonne.
August 1, 2016 at 3:44pm I googled "Arnold Salazar Adams State University" as someone suggested and it worked. Near the top I found an oldie, but goodie! The board's letter to the campus, posted on AcademeBlog and it lists all the names of the board since they all signed it. I bet they regret this now: it was all for our safety and "The university’s actions throughout this situation have been appropriate and defensible." NEITHER appropriate nor defensible. That's why they settled the ACLU LAWSUIT for $100K. They were suckers to believe McClure and now they are paying for it with their reputations. Adams State University Board of Trustees 11/9/15 As the Board of Trustees for Adams State University, we assure you the safety of our campus is of utmost importance. President McClure shares that priority, and we fully support measures she recently took to issue persona non grata status to Danny Ledonne. The action was based on safety concerns and disruptive behavior and taken in conjunction with information from the Colorado Attorney General’s office. The university’s actions throughout this situation have been appropriate and defensible. What began as an unsuccessful application for a faculty position has been distorted. Mr. Ledonne’s freedom of speech is in no way threatened. He has been given every document that he is entitled to under the law, and he continues to freely communicate his concerns through blogs and newspapers. This issue has become a distraction from the work of the university. We urge you, our faculty and staff, to continue in your dedicated work to serve students and move Adams State forward in a positive manner. Sincerely, The Board of Trustees for Adams State University Arnold Salazar, Chair Kathleen Rogers, Vice Chair Paul Farley Mary Griffin LeRoy Salazar Cleave Simpson John Singletary Valentin Vigil Randy Wright
August 1, 2016 at 3:38pm Someone wrote, "The fact that our president showed a folder of "evidence" and then did not prevail in legal proceedings does not mean she lied." Actually President McClure repeatedly told students and faculty that Ledonne was on a "police watch list." There is no such thing as a police watch list. That's a lie and there's really no other way to spin this. McClure also said in the Valley Courier that Ledonne was engaged in "terrorism," a serious Federal offense. That was also a lie. She claimed Ledonne made "direct threats," a prosecutable offense, yet the police cheif admitted in his email that Ledonne has broken no law. This isn't a matter of opinion, these are legal facts and McClure is on the wrong side of them.
August 1, 2016 at 3:30pm When I look at McClure’s track record, what I see is a “disturbing pattern of behavior that has been going on for a long time.” Abuse of power by banning Ledonne. Then slander about Ledonne to justify her actions. Then lies to cover those lies. And most recently, her original press release about the ACLU lawsuit was filled with lies. Not surprisingly, her pattern of lying and slandering people she doesn’t like for her own gain precedes ASU. While representing the business world in New Mexico, she falsely accused a non-profit organization of breaking the law. (The punchline is that the non-profit didn’t even exist in the year she said they broke the law! Not even a good liar, but we know that from the recent press release.) Her false accusations in NM earned her the title of “Worst Person in the World” on a website down there. I think she deserves it again for what she did to Danny Ledonne and everyone she lied to. ASU President Beverlee J. McClure: Worst Person in the World (two-time winner) Given her “disturbing pattern of behavior,” I think she should be banned from campus for the financial and reputational safety of ASU. The ban would be “in response to concerns expressed by faculty, staff, and students” (from the ASU press release!). That’s all it takes, right Bev?
August 1, 2016 at 3:27pm Fantastic, the Standing Strong March is already scheduled for the Friday the Board of Trustees will be here: August 26th!!!
August 1, 2016 at 3:25pm Two quick comments: 1 - There have been calls for the Governor to fire the trustees and the president and replace them. The University of Louisville (I think) is cited as an example. We actually do NOT want any politician to exercise control over the independence of a state university regardless of the reason or cause. Our trustees are selected as a diverse group, men and women, local and distant, Dem and Repub, white and not white. To subordinate them to the Governor would allow a politician to seize control of Adams at another point in time, maybe for political gain, or to censure a freedom, or any other reason. I also suspect the Louisville issue will be contested and will not go as planned. Regardless it is a very bad idea. 2 - The fact that our president showed a folder of "evidence" and then did not prevail in legal proceedings does not mean she lied. She may have believed and been advised by counsel that she had "the goods." The prosecutor in Baltimore thought she had the goods on the police officers involved in Freddie Gray's death. She lost four court cases and dropped the rest. I don't believe she lied, she simply got beat in court. We know that OJ was guilty, but he beat a murder rap. Did the prosecutor lie (?), no, OJ did it, but he won in court. Let's not be too quick to call someone a liar just because a proceeding didn't go their way. We learn over life that proceedings, judicial decisions, trials, grievances, etc., can go many different ways and not always in the precise direction of truth or justice.
August 1, 2016 at 2:51pm Remember the petition some of us had the smarts and guts to sign last year. Looks like we were right. Our president was lying to us about Danny and using our “safety” as her smokescreen. I feel betrayed, imagine how Danny must feel. It’s disgusting. Maybe time for a new petition: remove her. How about a new WatchingAdams poll: Is it time to give president McClure the boot? When will her bosses be here to hear what we have to say? I’d like an explanation from Arnold Salazar, Kathleen Rogers, Paul Farley, Michele Lueck, Wendell Pryor, LeRoy Salazar, Cleave Simpson, John Singletary, and Randy Wright. (Thanks for the tip about using their names.) ----Editor's Reply: We have created a poll with this topic here. The ASU Board of Trustees meets monthly, updated here. Next meeting: August 25-26, 2016 - ASU Campus
August 1, 2016 at 1:47pm I’ll be at the Standing Strong march because I want an apology. But that’s not enough. I plan to vote with my money. I don’t want my hard-earned cash paying president McClure and her bosses. I’m transferring and I'm going to tell my adviser why. I know they won’t do it, but I’m also going to ask for a refund for my last 5 semesters. At the rate McClure is trashing our reputation, pretty soon credits and degrees from ASU won’t be worth much.
August 1, 2016 at 1:35pm You know, what's funny to me is that every so often, someone will comment here about how this website is so ridiculous, everyone is laughing at it, or something like that. Yet all of the articles and documents here link to verified information about the problems ASU has. So I'm not sure I "get" the joke. Maybe they are just laughing nervously, hoping it will all somehow go away, that nobody will expect them to be accountable for all the mistakes the administration has created? But don't worry, "Guaranteed Tuition" will solve everything! That's the real joke.
August 1, 2016 at 12:47pm Dr. McClure has been the model of excellence in lying to the students, to the faculty and staff, and to the community.
August 1, 2016 at 12:24pm Dr. McClure has been a model of excellence for Adams State University! Someone told me, laughing I might add, to check out this website and it's absurdity, so I did. The administrators of this page must know they are the laughing stock of the university, community, and town of Alamosa! I guess it's good for a laugh or two, but nobody takes this ascinine page seriously. Change is coming at ASU, so all the bad apples will be plucked from the basket in record time, as not to spoil the positive, well-supported goals of Dr. McClure and her extraordinary team, like the esteemed Dr Gilmer, the new VPAA, and great ones like the Associate VPAA, Margaret Doell, to name a few. Go, Grizzlies! ----Editor's Reply: Meanwhile, in the real world outside Richardson Hall and the SLV bubble, the university is on academic probation, its credit rating has been downgraded, the State Auditor is reviewing four years of negative financial performance, ASU's enrollment continues to decline, ASU has one of the lowest graduation rates in the state of Colorado, campus services and scholarships are cut, faculty and staff are leaving so quickly that entire departments are being re-hired, and press outlets covering higher education continue to report on multiple controversies involving the ASU administration. But it is all quite funny in a certain sense, yes.
July 30, 2016 at 4:15pm Students: You have absolutely no need to worry about being punished for marching. You may feel like you are at the bottom level on campus, but you have all the power. You pay the bills. Without students, there is no ASU. And enrollment has been dropping for years. ASU is in dire straits financially. President McClure and the administration are cutting services for students: library staffing, sports teams, scholarships, etc. Nonetheless, the president is adding new administrative positions. It’s probably a way to reward her friends (Margaret Doell comes to mind) or payoff folks who have dirt on her regarding the ACLU lawsuit. Plus, a lot of faculty saw through the president's lies, and in the last week many more have seen the light. We are with you, some figuratively, some literally (in the march). She lied to us too.
July 30, 2016 at 4:08pm GO BEVERLEE GO! GO BOT GO! GO BEVERLEE GO! GO BOT GO! GO BEVERLEE GO! GO BOT GO!...
July 30, 2016 at 2:28pm Thanks for the answers to my questions. I approve! I don’t know if the “we” thought about this, but we should end the march on the steps like the faculty did. There will be to many of us to go to McClure’s office and it would be harder for the media to cover it. Plus, I’d love to see her coming out of the building and apologize in public. She used us and I’m pissed. I agree about our right to free speech, just as long as we keep it peaceful. The only thing McClure should fear is losing her job, which personaly I hope she does. We came to ASU to learn but what kind of lessons is she teaching? A lot of people haven’t heard about McClure losing the ACLU lawsuit, but word will spread quickly with the march and the start of the semester. And it will spread with lots of anger. But it has to be peaceful.
July 30, 2016 at 2:20pm Another way to apply pressure to McClure and the Board is to just keep using their names in posts around the web. The WatchingAdams comments, ACLU lawsuit and Danny Ledonne already come up near the top when I search for “Adams State University McClure.” That doesn’t look good for her and it won’t look good for members of the Board if their names start coming up similarly. It will draw attention to what they’ve done and what people think of them. Works best with the right keywords, perhaps Arnold Salazar, Board of Trustees, Adams State University, ACLU lawsuit, Beverlee McClure, Danny Ledonne, First Amendment violation, Fourteenth Amendment violation, etc. All in a short explanation, perhaps: Arnold Salazar of the Adams State University Board of Trustees condoned the lying and slander perpetrated by ASU president Beverlee McClure when she illegally banned Danny Ledonne from campus. McClure denied him his First Amendment rights by limiting his access to campus and violated his Fourteenth Amendment rights by denying him due process. Worse yet, she resorted to slander, lying about him being a risk on multiple occasions in order to cover her tracks. McClure lost an ACLU lawsuit filed on her behalf. In spite of all of this, Arnold Salazar and the Board of Trustees condoned her actions and in a press release characterized them as “no wrongdoing.” Similarly, just searching certain terms makes them more likely to come up, like “moving to Canada” comes up more quickly since Trump is running for President. So search away for things like “Arnold Salazar Adams State University ACLU lawsuit.” Or McClure or other trustees’ names.
July 30, 2016 at 2:04pm Replying to these questions: 1) what if McClure won’t apologize? 2) What if McClure resigns before the march? 3) what do we do if she does apologize before the march? Do we cancel? Great questions and we did think about all of them. Benefits of having a group brainstorm. If no apology: We figure the attention will look terrible and her refusal to apologize would make her look like an even bigger ogre. Plus, we will draw attention to the truth which would help Danny. And maybe we can force the board to apologize if McClure doesn’t have the integrity to do it (which obviously she doesn’t or she would have done it by now, but she will probably do it under pressure). If McClure resigns, Danny’s name still needs to be cleared, so we’ll demand the Board make the apologize and acknowledge McClure’s lies. Again, the march will still bring wider attention to the truth. If she does apologize beforehand, that raises a more basic question: what would an apology need to look like? Answer: We thought it would have to include coming to AS&F, admitting she lied about “acts of terrorism,” the Police Watchlist, direct threats of violence, and implying he could be a school shooter. She would have to send out a new press release saying the same and it would have to go to everyone who covered the story. And she would need to apologize to Danny. Did we miss anything else other people would like to see happen? Then that would put pressure on the Board. Could they live with condoning what she did? If that all happens, then no need for a march, no need to bring more bad publicity to ASU. If all else fails, we could walk out of classes and shut ASU down.
July 30, 2016 at 1:03pm Some thoughts about the protest: should be bigger than what they put up. Should involve faculty, staff, and students. Should ask for BOT to go also. Should have far and wide press coverage. Letters should be signed on spot and sent to the governor. Of course the protests should include genuine grievances and should not have Danny's case in view primarily, but yes the protest should mention Danny's case and how it could have been easily averted. Should also mention HLC and how the students are now into unfamiliar territory because of incompetence at ASU.
July 30, 2016 at 11:59am And here’s another letter, but I haven’t figured out how to contact these people yet. Dear Arnold Salazar, Kathleen Rogers, Paul Farley, Michele Lueck, Wendell Pryor, LeRoy Salazar, Cleave Simpson, John Singletary, Randy Wright (ASU Board of Trustees), You are immoral, unethical, and irresponsible! Either 1) you knew about ASU’s ridiculous, lie-filled press release (posted hear) or 2) you didn’t know about it: 1) If you knew about it, then you are condoning McClure’s mistake and her lies. To say that McClure won the lawsuit is a lie. To say that violating a citizens rights, ruining his reputation, and lying to everyone isn’t wrongdoing is sick! If that’s what you believe, then we need a new president and Board. This whole mess was about lies and you all just keep feeding the public more lies and refusing to fix the damage. You are being immoral and unethical. 2) If you didn’t know about it, then what the hell are you doing? After McClure’s slander (“terrorism”? “police watchlist”? really?) brought an ACLU lawsuit against ASU, you all should be watching her every move and stopping her from making things worse. Like she did with the press release. So, if you didn’t know about it, then you aren’t taking your jobs seriously. Being unethical and irresponsible. If you have an honest, ethical bone in your bodies and if you actually care about students and ASU, then apologize or make president McClure apologize and clear Danny Ledonne’s name. ----Editor's Reply: The Board of Trustees can be contacted via: James Trujillo, Executive Assistant to the President/Board of Trustees (719) 587-7341 james_trujillo@adams.edu
July 30, 2016 at 11:57am So, did you all think about this: what if McClure won’t apologize? What if McClure resigns before the march? Hate to be a pain in the butt with all the what-ifs, but what do we do if she does apologize before the march? Do we cancel? I think you / we need a backup plan.
July 30, 2016 at 11:57am I’m deeply embarrassed to admit I was one of the faculty members duped by McClure. I supported her and was even irritated by the people who criticized her. Being truthful, I even said some negative things about them. It’s now clear the whole PNG was a game, an act, a bunch of lies. Thinking back about the police watchlist, the theatrics of her Ledonne file, and the audacity to bring it to student and faculty meetings like a prop, makes me sick. I have lost all confidence and trust and her. Clearly, she will say anything at all to advance her agenda and cover her mistakes. I don’t know how an institution can follow such a leader. Oh, and to the person who thinks this site is all written by a few people, I know you are wrong. My feelings about Danny aside, I’m one example of the soon-to-be many people who are fed up.
July 30, 2016 at 11:38am Standing Strong March… I’m as good as there. Word is spreading quick, a friend just told me to check out watchingadams and it looks like this was just posted. The newspaper idea is great, but don’t forget the radio and TV stations. Now that Danny is allowed back on campus, we should invite Danny to attend, so he can be there for the apology. It would be awesome for thousands of people to hear or watch it!
July 30, 2016 at 11:39am When it comes to the Standing Strong March, don’t forget Chief Grohowski and those Board folks: Arnold Salazar, Kathleen Rogers, Paul Farley, Michele Lueck, Wendell Pryor, LeRoy Salazar, Cleave Simpson, John Singletary, Randy Wright.
July 30, 2016 at 10:34am Here's a letter I just sent to our governor. Feel free to copy or modify and send by mail or email. Address: Governor John Hickenlooper, 200 E Colfax Ave #136, Denver, CO 80203 Email: https://www.colorado.gov/governor/ask-help (Totally confidential if you check the box at the bottom!) Dear Governor Hickenlooper, Please pay attention to what has been happening at Adams State University. Our president, Beverly McClure, violated a great professors constitutional rights (Danny Ledonne) by banning him from our campus, fired him, lied about him to ruin his reputation, and then lied to everyone (students, employees, newspapers, the public) to hide her mistake. She just lost an ACLU lawsuit and had to pay $100,000 to Danny. However, she and the Board of Trustees (Arnold Salazar, Kathleen Rogers, Paul Farley, Michele Lueck, Wendell Pryor, LeRoy Salazar, Cleave Simpson, John Singletary, Randy Wright) claim they won the case, even though they had to pay Danny and allow him back on campus. Even more immoral and unethical, they claim there was no wrongdoing. As if violating a citizens rights, ruining his reputation, and lying to everyone isn’t wrongdoing! If that’s what they believe, then we need a new president and Board. Please fire these people (like Kentucky governor Matt Bevin did at Louisville) and appoint people who are honest, ethical, and care about students. Thank You, (Add your name)
July 30, 2016 at 10:12am Standing Strong for an Apology March to Richardson Hall Friday, August 26th, 12:00 noon Start: In front of Nielsen Library Purpose: To force president McClure to come clean by admitting her lies to students, employees, and the community. To admit Danny Ledonne was never a threat to anyone in order to clear his name and restore his reputation. To insist the president apologize to everyone she lied to and used by claiming she was acting to ensure our safety. To insist the president apologize to Danny Ledonne. A bunch of us discussed the options and decided the AS&F resolution is a great idea, but it could take a while. So, let’s do the march without waiting for the resolution. We thought the first day of class would be kinda cool, but we’ll need more time to spread the word. Therefore, we are proposing the first Friday of classes (8/26), unless someone has a better idea. The Valley Courier covered the faculty’s march to support president McClure, so we will contact them to cover our march. In fact, we’ll Google to see all the newspapers and websites that covered the ACLU lawsuit and contact them in advance. We will also plaster the classrooms, doors, and bulletin boards with posters and fliers, just like McClure’s supporters did. Whoever started this idea mentioned the possibility of the president stopping us. We don’t think that’s likely. She just finished dealing with one lawsuit over free speech, plus with the media attention, it would look horrible. We have the right to march and be heard. The president and board treated us like children, assuming we would believe whatever they told us, like “just ignore what’s going on and focus on your work.” We will show them they were wrong. We paid attention to their unethical games and now we will make ourselves heard. Standing Strong for the Truth Standing Strong for the Constitution Standing Strong for Free Speech Standing Strong for Retracting the President’s Lies Standing Strong for restoring Danny Ledonne’s reputation SPREAD THE WORD!
Editor's Note: Clarifying the 7/29/16 addendum to the ASU press release - “Clarifying Facts: Ledonne vs. McClure et al.” “Ledonne filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, arguing that his due process rights were violated. After a full day of hearing testimony, Judge Moore denied that motion.” The ACLU filed a motion for preliminary injunction based on the the assertion that Ledonne had utter lack of due process prior to being banned from campus, including a failure to be notified of the allegations against him or a reasonable opportunity to respond before an impartial decision-maker, and a denial of his right to receive information and attend events on a public university campus. After the motion was denied, the ACLU appealed this motion, restating their claims and introducing additional case law to support these claims. The parties began preparing for a jury trial. During this time, the plaintiffs and defendants began the process of discovery – during which the ACLU acquired the entirety of the documents believed to be President McClure's “file” on Ledonne. The defendants and plaintiffs were scheduling depositions for mid-July, should mediation be unsuccessful. Upon reviewing the documents obtained during discovery, ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein stated: “Throughout the course of the litigation, Adams State University was not able to produce a single piece of evidence that Danny Ledonne ever engaged in any threats of violence, direct or indirect, toward anyone or anything at the university... The University had no legitimate basis for banning Mr. Ledonne from campus, nor did university officials have any factual basis for the stigmatizing and derogatory characterizations of Mr. Ledonne that they communicated to the university community and the public.” “While statements have been made that he was a professor, Ledonne was never employed as a tenure-track faculty member. Instead, he was on a one-year, temporary contract that ended May 2015. He was not an employee of Adams State University when he was issued the persona non grata.” No one has claimed that Ledonne was ever “a tenure track professor” but have consistently maintained that Ledonne taught in the Mass Communication department between 2011-2015, first as an adjunct instructor from 2011-2014 and then as a visiting assistant professor from 2014-2015. Moreover, Ledonne's employment status with ASU is immaterial to the claims of the case; Ledonne has a right to access the public areas of the university campus unless deprived of such by due process of law. “On two occasions, Ledonne applied for a tenure-track faculty position which he did not receive. Ultimately, a faculty search committee filled the position with a highly qualified individual.” The 2014 search (in which Ledonne was a semi-finalist) resulted in failure when none of the finalists accepted the position, though the university refused to consider Ledonne's application for the position while nonetheless offering him a one year visiting assistant professor position. Ledonne again applied for the full time position when it became available. Upon investigating the 2015 search (in which Ledonne was not in consideration for the position), Ledonne's Office of Equal Opportunity complaint alleged that the search committee exercised undo bias against his application. After obtaining his application scoresheets through an open records request in May 2015, Ledonne maintained that he discovered “technical, factual, and procedural errors” with the 2015 search process and sought to redress these grievances with the new OEO director in September 2015, who refused to meet with him to discuss the matter though Ledonne had been assured by the previous OEO director that the case remained open. Ledonne was told he could not meet because he was not an employee, though the case had been filed when Ledonne was an employee. The faculty member hired during the 2015 faculty search then left Adams State University after teaching the spring 2016 semester. “The settlement with ACLU has a provision that Ledonne is to have no contact with a female professor who was on the selection committee that chose another candidate. This restriction from contact is for a one-year period.” Ledonne has not had any form of contact with this professor since June 2015 upon completion of his teaching contract and the university never provided any evidence to the contrary despite banning him from campus in October 2015. Ledonne fully intends to honor this provision as he has already been doing so without any outside direction for the past year. “As part of the settlement, the University's insurance carrier agreed to pay a portion of the ACLU attorneys' fees. By doing so, this allowed the University to focus on its mission, rather than continued litigation. The agreement ultimately saved the University time and money.” Both parties agreed to the terms of mediation as being more favorable than ongoing litigation. As reported in the Valley Courier, ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein said although the university was not writing a check to Ledonne personally, he would receive about $65,000 out of the $100,000 ASU would be remitting to the ACLU. "The $100,000 settlement resolves Mr. Ledonne's claim for damages and attorneys fees,"Silverstein said. "We keep only one-third for the attorneys fees. The rest of it goes to Mr. Ledonne. He will get about $65,000." The attorney said ASU's insurance company would write a check to ACLU for $100,000, which ACLU would put into a client trust account. Out of that account, ACLU will reimburse a cooperating attorney for some expenses and write a check from the client trust account to Ledonne. “After the Board of Trustees failed to create an unfunded position specifically for him at his request at the October 2, 2015, meeting, Ledonne posted a number of articles critical of Adams State University. The University has continuously complied with all of Ledonne's requests for information, regardless of the intended use of the information, and even after the issuance of the persona non grata. The persona non grata did not impact his access to information, nor did it restrain his ability to advocate his position – he continued to have access to University records.” In April 2015, Ledonne first proposed the creation of a new position to then-President David Svaldi. This would have been a half-time teaching and half-time performing video production services (as had been the case since May 2011). Ledonne characterized this as a "win-win" to avoid further dispute regarding the hiring process. Ledonne was encouraged by the president to speak to the Board of Trustees about this proposal and Ledonne did so in May 2015, at which time he also presented letters of recommendation and a letter of support from approximately 80 students, staff, faculty and community members. This request was not granted. Ledonne appeared before the Board in October 2015 to request mediation for his hiring concerns. Twelve days later, Ledonne was served a No Trespass Order, threatening him with arrest were he to set foot onto University property. As argued by the ACLU, this No Trespass Order impacted Ledonne's ability to attend events and activities on the ASU campus as well as access the university's library. Further, the ACLU argued the many unproven claims by the ASU administration that Ledonne “threatened” individuals and was banned for “campus safety” created an unwarranted stigma against Ledonne in the Alamosa community. The ACLU took Ledonne's case pro-bono because they strongly believed his First Amendment rights to receive information and attend events open to the public were being violated without due process under law. “Ledonne will only have the same access to the campus that other members of the general public have.” Yes, this is precisely what the ACLU lawsuit sought to resolve and Ledonne is pleased with this resolution. Adams State University has not explained, if Ledonne was indeed a threat to campus safety, how mediation has addressed this issue in once again granting Ledonne access to the public areas of the ASU campus.
July 29, 2016 at 7:43pm I am embarrassed to call myself an alumni of Adams State after reading all of this. More importantly I am saddened and disappointed in the lack of leadership at the school which for many aspiring kids is the only option for them to attain a higher education. The leadership and trustees have destroyed for many their only hope for a better life. I hope the state of Colorado takes over Adams State and cleans house of the political hacks and incompetence there. Only then will positive change occur.
July 29, 2016 at 8:58am On Monday July 25th, Adams State University issued a press release about a settlement reached between the university and the American Civil Liberties Union. At dispute had been former faculty member Danny Ledonne's banning from campus and the university’s failure to follow its own policies and procedures in providing Ledonne with due process prior to imposing the ban. The press release clearly set out to deceive readers. Below is a list of the falsehoods published by ASU’s administration: Fiction #1 The ASU press release said that, in mediation between ASU and the ACLU, Judge William F. Downes “ultimately decided in favor of Adams State, after nearly a year of controversy.” The Judge did no such thing. The role of a judge in mediation is to get the parties to agree on a settlement, not to decide in favor of either party. However, ACLU’s Colorado Legal Director Mark Silverstein sums up: “By summarily banning Danny from a public campus and falsely labeling him a security threat, without providing any opportunity to rebut the false allegations, the university deprived him of due process and unjustifiably retaliated against him for his constitutionally-protected criticism of university practices.” Fiction #2 The ASU press release “clarified that the ACLU did not “win” the case.” There are no judgments for or against either party in a settlement. Having established that, if the ACLU didn't prevail in their efforts to represent Ledonne, why did ASU lift the No Trespass Order and pay $100,000 in settlement? To put it another way, if Ledonne and the ACLU had “lost,” why are they are not paying ASU and why isn't the campus ban still in effect? ASU agreed to lift the trespass ban and allow Danny Ledonne back on campus with the same rights as any other member of this community. The primary objective of this case was to achieve that; surely a win for Ledonne. Fiction #3 The ASU press release claimed that the university is not really paying the $100,000 - only a $2,500 deductible - because ASU’s insurance company is actually paying. The press release purposely ignores the fact that the lawsuit was against ASU, not its insurance company. ASU is simply passing on the bill for the settlement. Fiction #4 According to the ASU press release, “Danny Ledonne was not compensated by the university.” This is a distinction without a difference, as with the previous statement regarding ASU's deductible being its only cost. According to Silverstein with the ACLU, about $64,000 of the $100,000 settlement goes to Ledonne. Fiction #5 According to the ASU press release, “the ban was in response to concerns expressed by faculty, staff, and students.” The reality is that not one piece of evidence - not a single document, not an email, not a single police complaint, not a witness statement, not a restraining order, not a voice message, not a tittle, not a jot - was presented in court to substantiate ASU’s assertions that Ledonne made “threats” against anyone. During litigation, ASU called zero witnesses and entered zero exhibits into evidence. So without any evidence, ASU agreed to out-of-court settlement because a case with no evidence was not likely to prevail in a court of law. And even with such evidence, it was plainly obvious that Ledonne was not afforded due process or a reasonable opportunity to be heard prior to being banned. Silverstein, having reviewed all of the material provided during discovery, including McClure's “thick file,” stated: “Throughout the course of the litigation, Adams State University was not able to produce a single piece of evidence that Danny Ledonne ever engaged in any threats of violence, direct or indirect, toward anyone or anything at the university,” said Silverstein. “The University had no legitimate basis for banning Mr. Ledonne from campus, nor did university officials have any factual basis for the stigmatizing and derogatory characterizations of Mr. Ledonne that they communicated to the university community and the public.” Fiction #6 According to the ASU press release, “no fault was found against Adams State University or the administration.” This of course is the caveat that some of the most cavalier, corrupt and amoral organizations use when they get caught out. When the Department of Justice threatens prosecution, the Masters of the Universe - financiers who lied and cheated, and brought the US world economy to the brink of collapse - seek out-of-court settlements. The likes of JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, and Bank of America have paid out over $150 billion in bank fines and penalties, but all with the caveat that doing so was not an admission of guilt. ASU’s Masters of the University following the same line. Fiction #7 The last paragraph of the ASU press release claims that ASU “is a strong supporter of a diverse on-campus community.” But the worm that eats to the core of the institution is that, in fact, there is absolutely no tolerance for diverse views. Regardless of race, color or creed, if you say “negative” stuff, you are drubbed. Watching Adams has documented this on any number of occasions during the 2015-2016 academic year. In practice, one is only considered part of the ASU community if they agree with what the administration says and does. Disagree, or call them to account, and you are badgered or ostracized until you leave, as the Masters spin it, “for personal reasons” or “for better opportunities.” And if you don't leave, you'll be banned from campus under patently false pretenses. *** The press releases lack of truthfulness was greeted by incredulity or downright derision. Even employees who had initially sided with the administration because they believed that the university must have had evidence to support its claim that Ledonne was a security threat could no longer countenance the institution’s rhetoric. They felt betrayed. The Watching Adams website comments page has been inundated with notes of outrage, many calling for President McClure and Board Trustees’ resignations. Such was the magnitude of protest that ASU removed the press release from its website two days later. A few hours later, it appeared again, edited, the day after that. Some untruths had been deleted, others had been modified. But essentially the message is the same. The message is that there will be no soul-searching for a better way of mediating employee concerns or addressing dissenting views in an accompanying manner. There is no hint that ASU will begin to fairly and evenly apply its own policies and procedures and that if you step out of line, the institution will come down on you, unrepentant, like a ton of bricks. These punishments will continue until ASU leadership changes its course.
July 28, 2016 at 10:25pm The revision of the University press release, as a direct result of fact checking from without, clearly demonstrates that the current administration is continuing the tradition of an absence of integrity that has been the hallmark of ASU administration for years. As for Novotny’s departure from academic administration, it does not require any special judgment on President McClure’s part to recognize the toxic effect of his bullying incompetence on academic affairs. It is singularly due to President Svaldi’s negligence, proceeding from his imminent retirement, that Novotny was allowed to remain in the position of VPAA. In any case - no more Mr. Big Shot. Good riddance. It’s about time. Similarly, President Svaldi did not address Mumper’s obvious administrative incompetence due to negligence derived from his impending retirement.
July 28, 2016 at 8:46pm Allow me to offer a few observations from one who has as friends employees of the college, both faculty and staff. First, it is clear the press release and web posting was botched. We all know Adams is very poorly represented in the media and the PR department has little expertise other than to promote a program or publish pictures. Changes need to be made and soon. However, it is important to note changes that have been made that my friends told me were needed. I guess everyone knew our recruiting and advertising administrator did little more than hold meetings with no production. I understand he has been demoted to a teacher. Likewise, the faculty have said they had no confidence in the academic administrator, and he has been demoted to a teacher and I understand that all employees had good input into hiring a new person. Where is the praise for Dr. McClure for those long needed actions? Everyone in the community knew the leader of new student programs needed to go, and I hear he has. There was a reported "toxic" person in tutoring and I guess she is gone. And the nice woman who did nothing and was granted a leave to get her degree has been released. These changes have come from the new president but I see no praise for her actions. Regarding the legal action, if you know much about them, this one was a yawner. An FBI folder full of evidence didn't do any good against Hillary, so don't be surprised that the college president's folder full of evidence resulted in no action. Insurance companies make these decisions - and this one was small change. Many of us in town applaud Dr. McClure for just getting it behind us. Besides, isn't it true that the professor was rejected by his own department? Move on. Some of you have written about Adams State's reputation and called it a clown school. This is true only if you are a clown and working there. Like the clown I heard about who secretly audiotaped his "friends" and colleagues in a meeting. He should resign, not the president. What a lowlife. The real reputation for Adams State is one of a school that brings art and music, drama and sport to our little valley and we cherish that. It brings smart professors who teach students from all over the world, and provides opportunity for so many who are poor or otherwise disadvantaged. It would be nice if some of you, a minority I'm sure would recognize that and actually do the work deserving of the reputation. And not be the clowns. I know many of the trustees and they are good people who work hard. They have confidence in Dr. McClure and many of us have confidence in her. So please put this little problem sniped about by little people behind us and start your school year in September with a good attitude. That would help us be supportive of you too. The downtown community does pay attention to this. Thank you.
July 28, 2016 at 5:21pm Editor's Note: After being offline for approximately 24 hours, ASU has updated their press release in response to the ACLU lawsuit. In comparing the two versions: redacted and updated, here are the changes we have found: 1. Headline changed: "Mediation decides in favor of Adams State University" -> "Adams State University satisfied with results of mediation" 2. Statement removed: "After completing successful arbitration, Adams State University was found to have no wrongdoing..." 3. Statement removed: "William F. Downes, a retired judge, oversaw the mediation and ultimately decided in favor of Adams State, after nearly a year of controversy." These changes do not mention the $100,000 settlement amount. More importantly, the statement makes no mention of the No Trespass Order being lifted - which was the central claim of the lawsuit and the very first clause of the settlement agreement with which ASU claims it is "satisfied." The statement omits any mention of "direct and indirect threats against individuals and the campus as a whole" or similar claims that President McClure repeatedly used to justify the ban. Instead, the press release introduces the legally-innocuous phrase "concerns expressed by faculty, staff, and students." The university continues to emphasize "No fault was found against Adams State University or the administration" when "no admission of wrongdoing" by either party was a clause in the settlement agreement.
July 28, 2016 at 12:12pm The insurance company and the office of the Colorado Attorney General SETTLED because they didn't want to take Beverly's case to court because she LIED. She had NOTHING. ASU has a long history of defamation, abuse and oppression. The university's (now removed) response is a clear indication that they will continue with their abusive practices and have learned nothing. The reputation ASU is cultivating is well earned.
July 28, 2016 at 8:22am ASU statement: "William F. Downes, a retired judge, oversaw the mediation and ultimately decided in favor of Adams State University..." Isn't this CONTEMPT OF COURT?
July 28, 2016 at 7:57am You guys are pathetic! Everyone on campus knows that the "information" posted on this site comes from DL and a handful of disgruntled employees. The vast majority of the ASU community supports Dr. McClure. ----Editor's Reply: The information posted on this site comes from publicly-available documents (such as the HLC Academic Probation, Moody's credit downgrade, Office of the State Auditor, press outlets covering higher education, public employee salary data, university meeting minutes, and other public records).
July 28, 2016 at 6:39am Beverlee and her administration keep on making mistakes and more mistakes. I have now started to believe that BOT is as much involved and responsible for the mess ASU is in. I have lost confidence in McClure's leadership, her administration, and the BOT.
July 27, 2016 at 10:01pm It's amateur hour at the Gong Show. Welcome to the clown college.
July 27, 2016 at 5:26pm The University has now removed their own press release from the ASU news website, which addressed the Ledonne settlement. This action only makes one wonder what they continue to hide. I'm sure the goal is to keep current and future students, as well as parents, in the dark. On another note, has anyone noticed how Beverlee's cronies have gone silent in sharing articles about the settlement? They sure were quick to pass along news regarding court proceedings when it painted the University in a positive light. ----Editor's Reply: The page used to be online here but has been removed. The page still comes up in a search index though the content has been removed. The press release remains online here at Watching Adams.
July 27, 2016 at 3:04pm I think people are reasonably confused at this point. If Ledonne was a threat, is he no longer a threat? Why or why not? From the ACLU: “Throughout the course of the litigation, Adams State University was not able to produce a single piece of evidence that Danny Ledonne ever engaged in any threats of violence, direct or indirect, toward anyone or anything at the university,” said Silverstein. “The University had no legitimate basis for banning Mr. Ledonne from campus, nor did university officials have any factual basis for the stigmatizing and derogatory characterizations of Mr. Ledonne that they communicated to the university community and the public.” From Westword: "University officials continue to maintain that declaring Ledonne persona non grata was not an act of retaliation but "in response to concerns expressed by faculty, staff and students." The statement does not explain why, if the ban was based on legitimate security concerns, those concerns are no longer an issue."
July 27, 2016 at 12:58pm I suggest people go back and read the op-ed that circulated last fall and later published on Watching Adams: ASU Administration Fails to Act in Students’ Best Interests And also about the court case and why ASU would lose in court, probably why they settled before going to trial: Beverlee’s Bluff: the Real Threat to ASU
July 27, 2016 at 12:37pm President McClure and the Board are such hippocrits! We have a handbook that tells us the rules and how we will be punished for violating them: including dishonesty. If we did what McClure did we would fail a course, be put on probation, or kicked out of school. But if you run a company or a university, I guess there are no repercussions. Great role models, one and all! McClure: F (for Failure or Fraud) McClure: E (for Expel her) Board: S (for Spineless)
July 27, 2016 at 12:24pm I didn't really understand what / who this Board of Trustees / BOT was, so I looked them up. Maybe having them identified by name, rather than some anonymous group may get their attention. Arnold Salazar Kathleen Rogers Paul Farley Michele Lueck Wendell Pryor LeRoy Salazar Cleave Simpson John Singletary Randy Wright Now we know the names of the leaders who support liars and claim lying in order to ruin a person's reputation is not "wrongdoing." These people have no morality, if they think the president's behavior is OK. Disgusting!
July 27, 2016 at 12:19pm I love the idea of an AS&F resolution. She not only lied to us, she USED US by claiming her ban was for our safety, rather than the safety of her image. This was mentioned like a year ago in an article posted here (sure Ledone must know which one). Editor's Reply: Likely referring to this 11/7/15 Valley Courier article. How about a Standing Strong march to deliver the AS&F resolution to her office door? Faculty had that farce of a pep rally to support their lying president. If we do it to force her to apologize and clear Ledone's name, I bet they would try to stop it. They trampled his free speech rights, they would be willing to trample ours. Standing Strong for: - students - Truth - integrity - Danny Ledone
July 27, 2016 at 12:03pm The governor replacing a president and entire board is in progress in Kentucky. Great idea, ASU's board backed McClure's lies. They have no ethics and no respect for the community. "Gov. Matt Bevin announced Friday that embattled University of Louisville President James Ramsey will step down, and in a sweeping act of executive power, the governor also fired the university's divided board of trustees and will replace it with members of his own choosing."
July 27, 2016 at 11:45am Whether the ACLU lawsuit against president McClure (and lets not forget Chief Grohowski) cost ASU $2500 or $100,000 matters little in comparison to the other costs: - She lied, no one can trust her. - Thousands of hours of wasted time. According to an article posted here, McClure stated "ASU Administration has been wasting something like 150 hours per week." And that was before the lawsuit even started! Imagine the time spent producing documents for the lawsuit discovery. Add to that all the time wasted by employees and students arguing and gossiping. - Bad press. More in a year riddled with bad press (HLC probation, unprecedented third-party audit, declining enrollment, credit downgrade by Moody's) - Strife on campus as employees took sides, damaged relationships. I don't know if trust on campus has ever been lower.
July 27, 2016 at 11:38am President McClure came to an AS&F meeting and she lied to us! Her claims of a police watchlist and threats to harm us were all lies. I think we should write an AS&F resolution demanding she apologize to students and Ledonne. She needs to make this right by admitting she lied and clearing his name.
July 27, 2016 at 10:53am I hope the ACLU press release was found by the Chronicle of Higher Education and they run a front page story on ASU as a bogus university and authoritarian regime.
July 26, 2016 at 1:46pm McClure must resign. Immediately. If the BOT does not tell her to resign the governor should fire all members of the BOT and appoint a new board.
July 26, 2016 at 12:37am
July 26, 2016 at 11:12am Can McClure inform us more about Mr. Leddone's folder, state patrol watch list, why she equated him with "terrorism," and clarification of ASU's statement about $2,500 settlement as opposed to $100,000 paid to the plaintiff mentioned by multiple news reports? We are waiting President McClure for your response. Show us that you are fit to lead Adams State University. Let us know why you lied and how you are going to build trust again at ASU?
July 26, 2016 at 9:04am Wow, after reading Adams State official statement and the articles from four different news sources I would say that the Administration is delusional and they must think they are Hillary and can lie without repercussion. What do you think was in that big folder of evidence against Danny that many on campus were shown and told not to worry we've got the goods on Danny. Rubbish!
July 25, 2016 at 6:36pm ASU president should resign. University is not only facing the outcome of Ledonne case fiasco, but her mismanagement of HLC probation and declining enrollments this fall. Beverlee is not fit to be a president of any university.
July 25, 2016 at 6:10pm McClure is a joke! Just swallow your damn pride and apologize now. How dare you throw the word "terrorism" around so lightly! Have you no conscience? Who was whispering falsehood in your ear? We know you didn't act alone.
July 25, 2016 at 4:06pm OMG! How much more LAME or untrue can the university be with regard to their "response" to the ACLU press release?! Come on McClure! Be a damn leader by doing the right thing! Admit you're wrong, APOLOGiZE ( to Danny and our entire university and Alamosa communities), and move on!
July 25, 2016 at 3:44pm I agree with the comment about the need for a new BOT. They have been asleep at the wheel, shirking their responsibilities. Instead of setting McClure straight when she screws up and calling her on her lies, they rally support and offer her a 3-year contract. It makes no sense and shows a lack of respect for ASU and students.
July 25, 2016 at 3:02pm I say we need a new BOT AND a new President.
July 25, 2016 at 2:47pm ASU's "damage control" spin on the ACLU lawsuit is a joke, much like McClure's decision to ban Ledonne. They claim "a retired judge ... ultimately decided in favor of Adams State" and "Ledonne was not compensated by the University." Sure, that's why Danny is allowed back on campus, and we all know our insurance companies always pay out money when we win our cases. More bullshit from the ultimate bullshitters! Pure and simple facts: there was no evidence that Danny was a threat and the PNG violated his civil rights; that's why the PNG was lifted (never mentioned in ASU's statement) and ASU's insurance paid for McClure's mistakes - including her defamatory lies about Danny. The BOT needs to find a new president.
July 25, 2016 at 2:46pm McClure and ASU cost taxpayers $100,000 and tarnished ASU's reputation not only statewide but regionally.
July 25, 2016 at 1:37pm Beverlee McClure's lies have been exposed. ASU lost its case against Ledonne. McClure is unfit to lead ASU and her presidency presents a clear and present danger to Adams State University.
June 21, 2016 at 7:52pm I am a former ASU student who was acquainted with Danny Ledonne during my freshman year in 2011. I have recently discovered this website and would like to alert you to another aspect of ASU's conduct which you might be interested in including here. While I understand that this website was originally set up to monitor ASU's salary policy, the administration's corruption and abuse goes far, far beyond compensation packages. They victimize students as well as faculty. I was one such student, and it still haunts me five years later. I feel compelled to reach out about it now after learning about the way that they have treated Danny.
June 14, 2016 at 9:01pm Faculty are reminded that they serve as role models. If they engage in activities that negatively reflect on the institution they will be reprimanded and possibly fired depending on the seriousness of the incident. I think administrators should be held to even higher standards. A department chair racking up points due to drinking and driving reflects negatively on the institution. Holding department meetings in bars with the chair and some faculty enjoying alcohol probably violate some institutional rule or state law. But then who cares? ASU is out of control and needs to have a complete and total make over. The board, president, HR department, and many department chairs need to be sent packing. To those who think this is anonymous, petty, scandal mongering check it all out. Investigate. Private behavior of public officials is subject to review and investigation. If you were a parent of a senior high school student and you knew all that has come to light regarding ASU would you encourage your child to enroll there? Seriously? Sure, be a ....... major and study under a character flawed alcoholic. Learn about what makes the US "exceptional" and then learn about repression, violations of rights and due process by an unqualified university president. And if your child is female, please investigate sexual assaults on and off campus, especially those the powers at ASU try to hide and sweep under the carpet. Talk to the former chief of campus police. Do NOT send your daughter to ASU until this place is cleaned of the dirty, incompetent, duplicitous administrators and coaches that turn a blind eye to sexual assaults against female students.
June 12, 2016 at 5:38pm I want to hear more about "wives" in HR department! They are notoriously under performing. Who is your daddy?
June 8, 2016 at 11:49am Anonymity is indeed a double-edged blade and this forum would be better for eschewing mere gossip. Nevertheless, DUI is not a disease but a choice indicative of poor judgment by a person occupying three leadership positions. Similarly, infidelity is indicative of a lack of integrity which has been the hallmark of the administration at ASU.
June 7, 2016 at 8:45pm Anonymity is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, anonymity is an indispensible condition for candid discussion about the repressive, oppressive, dysfunctional organization that is Adams State. Gratitude to the manager of this site for providing faculty and staff with a forum for speaking safely about the truly tragic state of Adams. On the other hand, anonymity is also a privilege. Like all privileges it comes with attending responsibilities, including the responsibility to keep the conversation on a higher plane, on a level worthy of an institution of higher education. Using this forum to attack individuals on private matters and personal foibles isn’t just inappropriate – it directly undermines the far more pertinent and more serious matters being raised on this site. Commenters have made repeated direct appeals to “higher powers” – the Board of Trustees, the Attorney General, the Colorado DHE, the HLC, and more – but how can any of these organizations take appeals seriously if they’re intermixed with low, pointless accusations like alcoholism (a disease, not a character flaw) and infidelity (so not anyone’s business)? I value this forum, even if mostly as a lurker. I believe it can contribute to the positive change we all so desperately desire, but IF and only if we use this forum as a tool to speak responsibly - with force and candor, but also respect and discretion - about what we know to be true, that - Adams State is in a tragic state of decline, a decline that can be directly attributed to ASU’s “leadership” - a corrupt, petty, ineffective bunch of cronyistic “administrators” and their pathetic coterie of faculty enablers. They have taken advantage of ASU’s geographic isolation to rabidly and unethically stuff their pockets for years while the ship wanders off course, slowly but unmistakably sinking. And woe to any who dare point out that the ship is off course and sinking. The wiser ones silently jump ship, and their numbers are rapidly growing. If any of those aforementioned outside organizations is listening (is anyone out there listening?), yes – it’s REALLY THAT BAD. Hope you’re listening. ----Editor's Reply: While lurid personal gossip is indeed an appeal of anonymous speech, we have focused our reporting and documentation on some of the structural issues which we believe are the central problems with Adams State University. We would welcome and encourage further discourse on these larger issues but recognize that an open discussion forum will hold different kinds of interest to different readers.
June 6, 2016 at 11:03pm So much drama, dirt, corruption, cheating, and sleaze going on at ASU. If taxpayers only knew the corruption, waste, hypocrisy, and financial improprieties that take place as a regular practice under the not-so-watchful eye of an asleep at the wheel Board. Not to mention drunkards serving as department chairs, marital cheaters in administration, floozies in HR, privileges given to athletes and coaches, unsanitary conditions in food services, illegal drugs rampant in the dorms, and sexual assaults as almost a pre-condition for men's basketball and football. It is truly shameful.
May 31, 2016 at 9:47am Mumper also is receiving his administrative salary who has returned to his political science teaching job. In regards to Novonty's wife, don't you mean "wives" with the other one in HR?????
May 24, 2016 at 3:18pm The VPAA's wife? Well that's pretty much an in-your-face money grab - and an obvious conflict of interest!
May 22, 2016 at 8:22pm I suspect it would be very interesting to learn which instructors have been guilty of this blatant exploitation of Extended Studies as a self-serving revenue stream - at the expense of institutional integrity and endangering accreditation. That's not hard to figure out: Novotny's wife, teaching English. No wonder Frank was Extended Studies biggest fan! It lined his pockets for years. Aldrich's wife, teaching Math. She wasn't retained, but who cares when it comes to teaching online! Probably a few folks in Business too. Someone a while back posted about a prof teaching 9 or 10 hours a day during the 3-week May session. That's like a 45 credit load. Superhuman. Or Super-greedy. Guess that's happening right now for anyone who cares to sit in a few classes to observe academic rigor at its finest. No worries, everything has been fixed. McClure flew to Chicago to meet with the HLC and I'm sure all is well. Notice how quickly ASU was removed from probation? Oh, wait... that hasn't happened.
May 19, 2016 at 4:40pm Given that HLC specifically cited grossly over-enrolled Extended Studies courses as a point of concern with respect to reasonable expectation of academic rigor and student/instructor interaction, I suspect it would be very interesting to learn which instructors have been guilty of this blatant exploitation of Extended Studies as a self-serving revenue stream - at the expense of institutional integrity and endangering accreditation. From the perspective of administrative oversight, might there be an obvious conflict of interest?
May 19, 2016 at 9:05am I have really enjoyed the rat face and pumpkin head show; it has been entertaining but it is time for it to end. They are real pygmies among men.........
May 18, 2016 at 2:06pm Now that Novotny has been "resigned," I wonder why Roybal, the director of Extended Studies, still has a job. Roybal was Notovtny's hire and they both ran the ES program into the ground and landed ASU on academic probation. He should have been "resigned" along with Novotny. Also if it true that Novotny will return to chemistry as an instructor with a significant portion of his administrative salary intact, that is a travesty. This sort of "golden parachute" arrangement should not occur in a publicly funded institution of higher education. It hurts faculty morale and is unfair to students and taxpayers who are footing the bill for an overpriced chemistry instructor.
May 18, 2016 at 1:46pm I see that Svaldi has his home for sale. I guess that he is gathering his loot and getting ready to blow town after he and his cronies have driven ASU to the brink of financial ruin. One wonders how a mediocre instructor, a non-scholar and obviously not a shining administrative star attained the ASU presidency. It reflects poorly on the individuals who made that important decision. I guess it is time to move Svaldi's official portrait from the main hall in Richardson to the bathroom wall where it belongs.
May 10, 2016 at 7:07am According to May 7 article in the Pueblo Chieftain the six year graduation rate for all Colorado public universities is 41.4 percent for Hispanics. At ASU it is just 22.2 percent, probably the lowest in the state, and we call ourselves: Hispanic Serving Institution!
May 9, 2016 at 7:21pm I know Dr. Crowther. I have spoken to several faculty who have had him as chair for over a decade. He is NOT pro-faculty. He has two allegiances. First, to his own advancement and interests. Second. to administration. He does not care about faculty. He is authoritarian as chair. If you disagree with him his response will eventually be, "If we do what you want we will all be out of jobs. We are already being looked at as a department that could be eliminated." If you don't believe me, listen to him in faculty senate meetings. He is a manipulative, deceitful. liar. He will smile at you as he twists a knife in your back. This is the man who now has power over two departments and faculty senate. If senators are afraid of Crowther and administration,. then my advice is just boycott meetings. Don't go. Have a headache. Have child care issues. Have a physician's appointment. Please do not collaborate with this narcissistic, authoritarian. back stabbing, manipulative, power seeking. ambitious phony.
May 7, 2016 at 10:02pm Anyone out there - has President McClure admitted to anyone about her making a single mistake on the job in her first year? Any mistake at all?
May 4, 2016 at 9:26pm I read that the Board extended President McClure's contract. Is that anything other than an arrogant slap in the face to those who are concerned with faculty rights, due process, transparency, honesty, and integrity? Some want to go back and blame David Svaldi for the financial situation. I suggest the Board has been negligent. I think there needs to be wholesale changes to the Board, a new president, and the state should appoint someone to do a full investigation and write a report on what is and has been going on at ASU.
May 2, 2016 at 10:32am Looking at the audit information posted on this site, it seems that the previous president did a lot of harm to the university. Thanks for putting up this information here which is easily accessible!
May 1, 2016 at 3:54pm Adams may not be open long enough for most of us to finish our careers, much less start one here.
April 30, 2016 at 8:02am I have always wanted to work at Adams, after reading documents and comments on here, I'm not so sure I should pursue a career at Adams.
April 29, 2016 at 4:05pm Today's CEC (Classified Employee Council) general meeting was a joke. Once again, McClure danced around several very direct and specific questions. I guess we all should get used to that deer caught in the headlights look. It is plainly obvious she hasn't a clue what she's talking about and continues her practice of divisiveness. The future of ASU is looking more bleak.
April 29, 2016 at 11:52am Surely many ASU employees will be interested in the 2016-17 salary data...
April 29, 2016 at 11:32am This is one of my favorite websites to visit! The drama on here is addicting. I'm considering starting a gofundme account to pay for all the popcorn i'm consuming.
April 28, 2016 at 7:40pm The new documents posted on this site (our last regular audit and an RFP for an apparently unprecedented 3rd party audit) contain some truly scary information. For a "transparent" administration, they certainly did a good job of hiding all of this. - Adams went from an increase in net position of approximately $700,000 in Fiscal Year 2011 to a decrease in net position of approximately $7.0 million in Fiscal Year 2015, a 1,115 percent change increasing the loss. - p. 5: The University has experienced a growing trend of operating losses before other revenues, expenses, gains, losses or transfers as of June 30, 2015 and the previous three years. We may be paying for all our capital construction with our jobs! Thanks a lot Bill, Dave, and Frank! - p. 6-7: The University has experienced over $47 million of capital construction projects since 2011. Related to the capital construction, there have been significant increases in depreciation, interest and operation of plant expenses. The combination of declining revenue and increasing expenses has caused a negative trend in the University's financial condition. - p. 14: Bonds payable of $70.1 million represent over 57% of the University’s total noncurrent liabilities Moody's mentioned some of these issues and the downside of guaranteed tuition when they down-rated our bonds to A3. - p. 7: Why does this problem matter? If the trend is not reversed, the University's financial condition will deteriorate and jeopardize the operations of the University. Are we paying for this by dropping fellowships and scholarships? - p. 22: "Scholarships and fellowships". 2014:$831,691 2015:$254,183 The difference is over a half a million dollars I wonder when Administration plans on discussing any of this with employees?
April 28, 2016 at 2:23pm Chief Grohowski's "performance" at the employee recognition ceremony yesterday was ridiculous and painful. Yes, every one appreciates all that the campus police do to keep us safe from sex predators and drug dealers. And yes, the Chief is being sued by the ACLU, so I'm sure he wanted to seize the opportunity to share the accomplishments of "his" department. Nonetheless, taking 15-20 minutes to recognize four officers was completely out of line with how all the other employees were treated. Staff members who have worked here for 30 or 40 years received 90 seconds of recognition. Top honors went to two faculty members - who were recognized for 90 seconds. Less time was spent recognizing the promotion of a whole list of professors than was spent on the four officers. A naive observer would have thought campus police are the bedrock of ASU, with primary responsibility for educating and supporting our students. Next year, the Chief needs to get his own venue or keep his ceremony consistent with the rest: reason for recognition, name, present an award while everyone claps for 30 seconds,... next!
April 26, 2016 at 8:45am A different scenario of “one year from today.” I and MANY others, (more than you are willing to count, who are tired of the Bullying, Lying and Public Shaming routine at ASU) envision quite a different scenario a year from now. Let’s start with Beverlee and her scorched earth policy. Yes, she still might be president at ASU for reasons beyond reason, but once she and ASU have lost the ACLU case she will be a legally confirmed liar who was willing to defame, libel and slander an innocent individual out of personal convenience. Who exactly did she lie to? She lied to the Faculty senate as she waived a stuffed folder full of meaningless documents while crowing about a non-existent watchlist. She lied to the students, the community and Valley Courier with further false allegations of terrorism regarding her “whipping boy” du jour. She and ASU will then be personally open to civil slander/libel suits where the cost of losing will be compounded. So how much has ASU and the attorney general’s office already spent on legal fees? Who knows how many other libel and slander cases she and OTHERS who have been complicit in this egregious behavior of defamation and bullying will be liable for. Perhaps this treatment of defamation extends to others on campus who are also willing to take up arms against the repetitious pattern of retribution and false accusations. A year from now ASU will still be on probation continuing to garner a stellar reputation as an institution worthy of avoidance. We still have yet to see what further investigation shall uncover. ASU will continue to have a faculty and staff who are deeply divided by an abusive segment of Beverlee loyalists who continue to bully and oppress. They bully and oppress those who will not tow the line of blind and unquestioning allegiance to unrestrained campus cronyism. Oh what a happy family are we! You can paint your happy faces and dance with dervish delight to your pompous parades that make you feel a false sense of elation regarding your current situation but you are just lying to yourself. Right, Beez? The sad and utterly pathetic truth is that the administration and their cronies are engaging in a slash and burn vendetta. When attempts were made for an amicable settlement, without lawyers, Beverlee betrayed everyone who was involved and effectively spat in the eyes of all good faith participants. Now the atmosphere on campus is reduced to campaigns of public shaming, shunning and more of that kind. These behaviors are more worthy of a 13th grade, never mind a university. If Adams is to survive, the retribution needs to stop now. Sincere reconciliation should be the order of the day. All of these campus battles are having a terrible toll on the dwindling student body. Academics, rigorous and honest is what is needed to be the focus instead of battles between petty fiefdoms. The eternal battle of the snake and the mongoose only leads to the demise of both parties. The choice lies with those who have the power to make these changes.
April 25, 2016 at 8:09pm In reply to that last comment, right on! "The same 8-10 unhappy people" is a meme, just like "the disgruntled employee." Just keep saying them and maybe your audience will buy them. People in power love to spread these memes as a convenient way of manipulating public opinion. They are just so palatable, tasty little morsels that are easy to consume without thinking for yourself, but they are poisonous if you care about reality.
April 25, 2016 at 3:22pm "The same 8-10 unhappy people will continue to be unhappy." Depending on how you define it, there are at least 8-10 people who are unhappy with the leadership and culture at ASU in any given department or building. If you think this is limited to just a few people, you are kidding yourself or just unaware of how many people are silently suffering.
April 24, 2016 at 10:23pm On March 17th, someone wrote: "One year from today Danny will still not be employed by ASU. Beverlee McClure will still be President. ASU will still be accredited. Donors will continue their support. Dedicated faculty, staff, and administration will continue the mission of the university. The same 8-10 unhappy people will continue to be unhappy." I'd like to add... One year from today Danny will still not be a threat to ASU or anyone because he never was. McClure will still be President because she'll be unemployable elsewhere. Dedicated faculty, staff, and administration will continue to serve students because that's what they love to do. And almost everyone will be unhappy with the decision to hire an under-qualified "business person" for president. True leaders have leadership skills, including the wisdom to listen to employees who point out problems, rather than being duped by those who say everything is "just fine."
April 6, 2016 at 2:25pm I have been following the Danny Ledone "story" since it was published in Westworld, and I'm confused about exactly what Danny hopes to gain from his lawsuit. Does he want the persona non grata designation lifted, or does he expect more? It seems to me that, in the end, his actions will prove to be self-destructive. Maybe he will once again be allowed on the ASU campus to attend functions open to the general public, which seems reasonable. I hope he will be happy with that because he will never again be employed by the institution. In fact, it is doubtful that any college or university will want to employ him. So Danny, I wish you well in your business because you have made yourself unemployable. ----Editor's Reply: The relief sought in the ACLU lawsuit speaks for itself and filing documents are available on the Watching Adams Documents page. And sometimes, there are greater causes in life than making a paycheck and higher principles than attracting a particular employer. What is happening to the profession of college faculty in the USA is a tragic and avoidable unraveling, one of which many similar stories are emerging nationwide.
March 17, 2016 at 2:20pm One year from today Danny will still not be employed by ASU. Beverlee McClure will still be President. ASU will still be accredited. Donors will continue their support. Dedicated faculty, staff, and administration will continue the mission of the university. The same 8-10 unhappy people will continue to be unhappy.
March 16, 2016 at 10:14pm To the comment that read, "If the institution is so bad, quit!" After all the insults that President McClure has lobbed at the HLC in an open letter, maybe she should consider quitting the HLC? Or just quitting?
March 16, 2016 at 3:05pm I completely agree with the comment left on 3/15 regarding the online programs being cash cows; therefore, any sense of academic or accountability of students are nil, since plagiarism is allowed and unqualified students get degrees.
March 15, 2016 at 9:54pm I sincerely hope that current and future donors to ASU's Foundation and Alumni programs seriously consider how their money might be spent. Unrestricted gifts often have the tendency to find their way to the Athletics department. Staff and administrators in this department seem to have a keen sense of the deep pockets of the Foundation and it's willingness to write "blank checks." I doubt very many donors would be happy to know of this practice.
March 15, 2016 at 7:48pm HLC must be watching the comments posted here about our Extended Studies department with much interest.
March 15, 2016 at 4:20pm It's common knowledge within the institution that the Extended Studies department and it's online courses are ASU's cash cow. Higher-level administration has always been willing to turn a blind eye to the day-to-day operational (both financial and academic) side of things. Rarely, if ever, are the directors of this program held accountable for their spending. The excuse has always been "they're cash funded, so leave them alone." Administrators have also been known to regularly dip into the cash reserves of the Extended Studies program to supplement other budgets across campus.
March 15, 2016 at 1:21pm The divisiveness at ASU was there before Watching Adams. Watching Adams exposed Richardson Hall and the incompetent presidency of McClure.
March 15, 2016 at 9:40am I'm here as a troll, and I very much wish I hadn't clicked on this website (Pandora's Box) since my visit has only added to the ever-growing number of hits it gets, making it look more legitimate than it really is. It deserves no hits. This website doesn't promote anything positive, it just fuels a small clique's need to publically throw hate at Adams State. And yes, it is disgusting that there are people who are supported financially by ASU - who take home a fat paycheck every month - that contribute to this ugliness. If the institution is so bad, quit! Don't expect that you can hide behind your Adams State desk and no one will know who you are; a weasel's easily recognized. I believe in freedom of speech, but I don't believe anything good can come from feeding this divisive propaganda. Stop the hate. ----Editor's Reply: ASU is supported financially by its students and Colorado taxpayers, both of whom deserve outside perspectives on a public institution. Propaganda is largely a matter of perspective, though the Valley Courier and KRZA are local media outlets who reprint ASU press releases in full without any additional investigation. There is a vast difference between criticism and hate - one which should be understood in higher education given that critical thought is the basis for the formation of knowledge. And critical thought is inherently positive because it represents the willingness to challenge existing assumptions - especially those espoused by government officials such as university administration. That is the purpose of the fourth estate - often the only check to government power. And with such a high employee turnover and low graduation rate, unfortunately many people are already quitting.
March 15, 2016 at 8:24am Looking forward to the Standing Strong events scheduled today, spring winds notwithstanding! I'm also hoping that staff/supporters of Watching Adams will attend. Maybe we can have an actual dialogue--with or without their Guy Fawkes masks. --QCIC
March 14, 2016 at 4:29pm Hi Danny, Watching your interview with Dr. Rees at AAUP and I think back on last year, when you were another adjunct in exile! NOW and in spite of what you have been through, you have been relentless and successful in your mission to expose corporate practices in higher ed and for that I THANK YOU for your hard work! As an adjunct faculty myself, I am very grateful to you! Beth E. McGarry, RN, BSN, M.Ed -- Adjunct Professors United on facebook
March 14, 2016 at 1:18pm The best analogy for the parade at ASU is the dance band on the Titanic calming the panicked crowd as the ship sinks.
March 14, 2016 at 9:23am Better a "parade" than creating and maintaining a website like watching adams ----Editor's Reply: The beautiful part about living in a free country is that we can have both! We deserve a marketplace of ideas with more voices and more choices. Judging by the amount of traffic this site gets, people are voting with their eyeballs. --------Reply March 14, 2016 at 12:42pm Not really - people just troll your site. This is hardly a "vote with eyeballs" - more like passing a horrible accident as we have no choice but to keep watching despite the nastiness. ------------Editor's Reply: While we receive many compliments and much praise for our work, it's perfectly fine if someone wants to "troll" this site. But make no mistake: the choice to visit is entirely of one's own making.
March 14, 2016 at 7:22am I could not believe what I just read about Dr. McClure's statement concerning 2008 enrollment levels. I am confused!
March 13, 2016 at 10:24pm - Chronicle article on cheating - Declining enrollment - Moody's downgrade - ACLU lawsuit - HLC probation - Students wondering if their degrees will come from an accredited institution How can ASU address these serious problems? A PARADE! That will fix everything! Students and parents will feel so much better.
March 13, 2016 at 8:53pm From a previous comment: "I (very) recently read about 3 online classes at Cal Berkeley with a total enrollment of 350,000. Are they are [sic] probation too, I don't know?" Home run, you prove the point the HLC made: "the sheer number of documented non-compliant courses is evidence of a pervasive lack of policy communication, understanding, or enforcement.” The commentator, most likely a former department chair, doesn't understand the difference between a MOOC and ASU's online courses, doesn't understand HLC's policies, and isn't or wasn't concerned about enforcement. Is it any wonder the HLC sanctioned ASU?
March 13, 2016 at 1:22pm It turns out, many faculty frequently do leave ASU to find higher-paying and less strenuous teaching positions elsewhere. We had several professors leave at the end of last semester, actually. Ask faculty how often they're serving on a search committee for an open position. Is this constant turnover, which seems financially wasteful and hinders good student relations, really "just the way it is" for ASU? Turnover at a university shouldn't resemble turnover at Walmart or Burger King.
March 13, 2016 at 8:17am Berkeley’s “enrollment” of 350,000 students are participants in MOOCs. A MOOC is an acronym for massive open online course. It’s an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web. You are comparing apples to oranges. A MOOC is comparable to watching TV. They are mostly streamed lectures with perhaps accompanying materials. We are not talking about a direct student/teacher relationship. Berkeley also relies on “auto grading”. It’s completely computer based. http://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/spring-2015-dropouts-and-drop-ins/many-enroll-few-finish-moocs-march-how-online Students who PAY for online semester based classes have lecture materials, videos but also must include a direct relationship with a teacher and fellow students with discussion board topics and email communications. Anybody who has taught or taken a course via Blackboard should be familiar with this mode of interaction. MOOCs are similar to watching TV. They offer no personal interaction. Also, Berkeley does not charge a dime for their MOOC streaming AND Berkeley MOOCs do not confer degrees. A single teacher cannot effectively teach “450-600 students in individual online sections” in any meaningful way. This is why the HLC is correctly citing ASU in its online offerings. "•Faculty teaching in Extended Studies have course enrollments ranging from 450-600 students in individual online sections and are peculiar to the freshman sequence of English and math instruction; in addition, current full-time faculty teach many of the large courses, but these are considered outside of their full-time teaching load. This heavy student to faculty loading calls into question the academic integrity of the courses and quality of instruction;" ASU is charging students for a full educational experience. I don’t see how “auto grading” can be effectively employed in an English course. I think the HLC feels the same way.
March 12, 2016 at 10:04pm So let me get this straight, Beverlee could not give the benefit of due process to Danny, but was emphatically requesting the same from HLC???
March 12, 2016 at 9:37pm Response to an earlier comment: "I would say the 'watching adams' crowd has created the fear in others because you don't have the ability to truly dialogue." ARE YOU SERIOUS? Have you read the ACLU/Ledonne case against ASU? "Defendants deprived Mr. Ledonne of constitutionally-protected interests by (1) denying access to a Colorado public university campus and (2) injuring his reputation and good name. They did so without notice, without a hearing, and without any meaningful opportunity to be heard, all in violation of the Due Process Clause." It seems to me that it is actually the president of ASU and her administration who cannot "truly dialogue."
March 12, 2016 at 12:53pm Standing Strong for ASU...its students, President McClure, women's equality, collaboration, academic rigor, shared governance, student success.....join us Tuesday 3/15 at 12:15 at the library....will march to Richardson Hall to celebrate ASU Grizzly greatness!
March 12, 2016 at 12:14pm The "fear of retribution" (by? administration?) is completely false and unfounded. Basically, an excuse to hide and 'think' that people don't know who is posting. I would say the 'watching adams' crowd has created the fear in others because you don't have the ability to truly dialogue. Carol Smith - just sign your name to your posts and blog entries. The entire campus knows that you are a major contributor to this divisive site (and beyond). And, we know a whole lot more about your destructive antics. Your reputation is beyond tarnished.
March 12, 2016 at 10:44am I (very) recently read about 3 online classes at Cal Berkeley with a total enrollment of 350,000. Are they are probation too, I don't know? There is a simple answer to the question about why faculty and staff make 25% less that others, I'm guessing from other colleges: You are working at a small state school with low enrollment. If you want more money then recruit more students and teach more classes. Or go back to school and get a degree or skill that pays more. Or move to one of those colleges that pays 25% more that evidently is holding a job open for you. Only at a college would productive employees be criticized for being more productive. Most of us in this valley support ASU but your constant bickering does not help you.
March 11, 2016 at 11:02pm Something to ponder: if things at ASU are just fine, why is there a 21% four year graduation rate, why do faculty and staff make 25% less than others in their field, and why is there such constant turnover in many programs and departments? Things are not fine at Adams State. Until the campus moves to address the fundamentals, these quibbles over specific online courses are just diddling with the details.
March 11, 2016 at 7:02pm Thanks for the explanation from the School of Business. That helps others understand to some degree. ASU certainly needs to keep the best interest of students in mind. Nevertheless, it is unclear why so many courses are being taught in summer. The figures posted in a previous comment regarding 3 courses in 3 weeks is equivalent to an instructor teaching 45 credits (15 courses) at the same time during a single semester. I can't imagine a justification for that. Moreover, that has been going on for years hasn't it? Maybe some motivated researcher will check the past few years' schedules. Maybe they'll be from HLC. And who has the facts on HLC's claim about 450-600 students in a single online course? Who are the superhumans teaching those courses? I don't know any haters who hate ASU or students, but then again I have limited contacts. I do know people who speak up often do so to make things better, in particular, for students.
March 11, 2016 at 1:04pm Anonymous submissions to Watching Adams are an indication of the prevailing atmosphere at Adams State University. ----Editor's Reply: For commentary on this topic, see The Value of Anonymous Speech.
March 11, 2016 at 11:47am I would like to see a list of contributors to the "Watching Adams" website. Journalistic integrity and fear of retribution is one thing (and I'm using the term "journalistic" quite generously when referring to this website), and having the strength to stand by one's convictions is another. ----Editor's Reply: As these comments are collected anonymously, only those signed by their authors are attributed. "Fear of retribution" for authors and their sources is indeed the reason all articles are edited and published by Danny Ledonne, the only contributor not employed by Adams State University; ASU is an at-will employer who has demonstrated an ongoing practice of terminating or attempting to terminate staff and even tenured faculty without due process. We respect the privacy of our sources and our authors, as well as those who comment here, in the interest of a free exchange of ideas. Those who believe this website is of no value are free not to visit. I would encourage anyone to contact us with story ideas and/or their own writing if they wish to contribute to the site.
March 11, 2016 at 8:43am It is unfortunate that promised "great transparency" has sunk into insults. The haters and malcontents won't care but other readers might note that the School of Business is short two full faculty members - one vacant position and one sabbatical. A part-time adjunct was hired for some classes but the majority had to be shouldered by existing faculty, thus some heavy overloads this and last semester. It was not what the faculty desired, but the alternative was to cancel classes and force students to delay their graduation a semester or year. Note too that some classes are taught in alternate years. Serving the students seemed the best decision. It is also fair to note that no business faculty member sees overloads as a good financial proposition. The pay is very low compared to the time and effort required for a full semester class. Many business faculty could easily accept a consulting or speaking engagement and reap higher financial reward for far less time committed. Those who impugn the quality of business classes at Adams State need only look at the true evaluation of the classes and faculty - the marketplace. Business students are hired at a very high rate and at higher salaries than many other majors on campus. Business executives regularly recruit Adam's graduates and come back for more. Business graduates also fare very well in acceptance to and success in graduate programs in law, tax, management and other areas. And it is not only Business, Adams has many such successful programs. But the truth is, everyone knows this except for the haters and malcontents. They may know it and just be jealous. Regardless, these desperate few could help Adams by working with the president and board, although their efforts to trash and divide are causing the BOT, business leaders, scholarship donors, athletic contributors and others to double-down on our support of President McClure, the School of Business, the Athletic Department, and of course Adams at large. It doesn't take much to tear down, but the builders will prevail.
March 10, 2016 at 7:37pm So today on 9 News, President McClure said they couldn't fix the fact that instructors were overloaded with credits because they are in the middle of the semester. However, this problem has been going on for years and ASU has known for several years that HLC had concerns. Embarrassingly, as a previous post makes clear, the Summer 2016 schedule includes some outrageous overloads. If ASU takes the HLC probation seriously, they need to change the summer schedule NOW.
March 10, 2016 at 3:13pm I wonder how Larry Mortensen and his minions will squander the latest $60,000 donation to ASU Athletics from the Alamosa County commissioners.
March 10, 2016 at 8:11am That last comment got me thinking. When I was in a summer Business class a few years ago, I heard the prof was teaching 3 courses at the same time. A look at the Summer Schedule for 2016 shows that's still goin on. In just three weeks in May one teacher is teaching 3 courses, 9 hours a day, with a 1 minute break between classes for lunch and a 30 minute break between classes in the afternoon. WTF! Another prof is teaching 12 credits in just 5 weeks and covering some kind of internship over the summer. Isn't that more than triple what most profs teach? I thought they were supposed to teach 4 classes in a 15-16 week semester? Two of these classes run for only a week, meeting 5 days for 9 hours a day. Makes you wonder about exhaustion of students and teacher. And how much feedback can students get under those condtions? Quality all the way! Problem fixed. Why would the accreditation folks be so harsh on my poor little ASU?
March 10, 2016 at 6:32am To the last comment, GOOD POINT! I wonder what’s being concealed under the rock the Business School is hiding under. Let’s find out how many student athletic “scholars” are being funneled, ur, I mean educated under that banner.
March 9, 2016 at 9:07pm Let me get this right... President McClure is claiming the problems are fixed? If you look at the course offerings for this semester, it appears a single Business professor is teaching FIVE on-campus courses and a bunch of online courses. How the hell does anyone teach that many classes at once and deliver any kind of quality?!?! And another Business professor is teaching EIGHT on-campus courses, plus a bunch of online courses. Who cares about students, it's all about the money!
March 9, 2016 at 12:36pm Mass email [sent out to students]: I would like to clarify an issue about which you may have questions or concerns. In late 2014, the Chronicle of Higher Education published an article recounting "Confessions of a Fixer", an unidentified person who made a business of cheating to help academically ineligible student athletes at other institutions. He admitted to falsifying information and posing as the athletes to take exams for correspondence course transfer credit through Adams State Extended Studies. Adams State immediately began addressing this alleged issue and commissioned reports with recommendations from two external entities, including the Colorado Department of Higher Education. That review, submitted in May, found "no evidence of instances of ignoring guidelines or policies...or negligence. In some areas, the institution had already identified procedural changes to address issues related to [student] authentication and academic integrity, and had begun to initiate those changes." We have been proactive in identifying and addressing concerns in a manner that demonstrates continuous improvement. Last September 14-15, the Higher Learning Commission, our accrediting agency, conducted an Advisory Visit on campus to further explore the issue. We received correspondence regarding the report on January 7. Our response to the report reiterated that Adams State had already addressed all of the concerns raised in the initial Chronicle of Higher Education articles, none of which were identified in the advisory team report. We have made significant progress in correcting additional findings, as well. Nevertheless, this week the HLC notified us that Adams State was placed on probation effective February 26, 2016. HLC imposed the sanction immediately, prior to even notifying the institution. I ASSURE YOU OUR ACCREDITATION REMAINS INTACT. We are stunned by this action. It appears the HLC had already determined the outcome of this review and completely disregarded the actions we took to correct the situation. Prior to the HLC action, I made several requests to address the HLC Board directly and to speak with its president. Those requests were ignored. We believe the HLC's action was calculated to undermine the integrity of the university. We have requested HLC review all the information we had submitted, which I believe will lead to a reversal of this onerous decision. You may read the documents mentioned here and others at this website. Please know that Adams State University is committed to student success and to meeting accreditation criteria. Sincerely yours, Dr. Beverlee J. McClure President, Adams State University
March 9, 2016 at 8:19am ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES: Now you will wake up! Adams State’s President Says Her University Is Accreditor’s ‘Whipping Boy’
March 8, 2016 at 2:14pm ----Editor's Note: The HLC notice of academic probation and President' McClure's response are now available on the Watching Adams Documents page.
March 8, 2016 at 12:35am Dr. McClure's email to staff regarding the HLC action to place ASU on probation is laughable. Furthermore, her letter to the HLC Board comes across as condescending and arrogant. Do we really need these qualities in a supposed leader? Once again, the BOT must be asleep at the wheel. The irony in all this, is McClure's ability to understand the meaning of due process when it's to her convenience.
March 7, 2016 at 8:57pm Too much bad news lately, so I have to point to why I love ASU: I, and I'm guessing the rest of our department, are so incredibly proud of our psychology students. We have record involvement in the Psychology Club and the national honor society, Psi Chi, as well as a record number of students heading to Denver for our regional psychology conference (RMPA). They raised money for RMPA and to bring a speaker to campus from Ft. Lewis (aided by the Campus Impact Fund, I believe). Excellent lecture tonight with great turnout and great discussions. They have set the bar for student involvement within our department. Kudos to the students and faculty advisers (Leslie & Robert)!!! - Jeff Elison
March 7, 2016 at 8:48pm Adams State University Trustees: with the recent HLC notification of putting the entire University on probation, some of you must be thinking, "Is it time for McClure to go?" We all know the various series of events which have resulted in a downward spiral for ASU. Some of you must be coming to the realization that it was a mistake in appointing Dr. McClure as president. However, the bigger mistake with grave long term consequences for Adams would be not to take any action now. Just read the confrontational, accusatory, and defensive letter to HLC and you will know if McClure is fit to lead ASU.
February 29, 2016 at 7:30am From today's WatchingAdams article about the library: "The resolution, which passed unanimously with a vote of 38-0, upholds that the library plays a central role in the academic success of ASU students." I'm proud of our students for recognizing the importance of the library, for working together, and for making their needs known. Good work.
February 25, 2016 at 1:22pm McClure-RESIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get out before you totally destroy an chance at future employment. I would never vote to hire you, but someone may unless you carry this out to its logical conclusion.
February 25, 2016 at 10:17am WOW! Blundering statements follow more blundering statements from Beverlee, and BOT sleeping?
February 25, 2016 at 7:43am The latest joke in ASU's tragicomedy has to be the disconnect between McClure's stance and that of her attorneys: BRING IT ON! (but slowly please). As the ACLU attorneys point out in their latest response to the Federal Court: "only one day after the filing of the lawsuit, Defendant McClure publicly CROWED [emphasis added] that the Defendants 'look forward to making the case that the University’s actions were based solely on evidence'" and “it is eager to tackle the allegations of a former faculty member in U.S. District Court.” So says McClure, in contrast to her attorneys who claim "they cannot reasonably respond to the Plaintiff’s Motion for a Preliminary Injunction within ten days." The president can talk-the-talk, but she doesn't have a case to allow her attorneys to walk-the-walk. Seem like a case of "crow" meets "chicken."
February 21, 2016 at 10:10pm I don't think the decision to issue the PNG will be McClure's downfall. She can claim an "abundance of caution" over "student safety" or blame the AG's office. No, her downfall will be the cover-up, the lies she told to save face. She used students to justify her action, yet she didn't inform students about the PNG for weeks. That makes no sense. She granted an interview with the Valley Courier - using words like "harassment" and "terrorism." Get a grip. She called an emergency meeting of faculty senate - and lied about the State Police Watchlist - and pretended the Watson case didn't apply. She addressed students at AS&F and told them the same lie about the Watchlist, patting her trusty file, "I do have a copy of that in his file." A copy of a non-existent Watchlist that the State Police point out would violate citizens' civil liberties?!? If that's not a cover-up, I don't know what is. Danny Ledonne is Beverlee McClure's Watergate. Just as Nixon's tapes had long "mysterious gaps," I suspect McClure and ASU administration will hide their dirty deeds... but it won't matter. They will lose.
February 21, 2016 at 7:46pm Thanks to whoever addressed the silly “if you don’t like ASU then leave” comment. You are correct; I (Jeff Elison) strive to change things precisely because I do like ASU, Alamosa, my colleagues, and our students. I’ve been waiting to address the second part of the threatening comment, which implies we don’t do our jobs: “These guys don’t have a freak’n clue about the ramifications of this for their careers. But, doubt if they care because they would be doing their jobs rather than…” Somebody beat me to responding and I thank you. It’s nice to be appreciated in these trying times. At the same time, I understand there are many reasons why others, even tenured faculty, might not speak up, so I don’t hold any grudges. As much as my wife dislikes WatchingAdams, she was incredulous when she heard someone didn’t think I work hard enough. She and our kids think I spend too much time working. She said “surely no one in your department feels that way” and I doubt they do. Nevertheless, just as the commentator couldn’t seem to comprehend the logic of loving a place therefore wanting to improve it, he or she couldn’t seem to comprehend critics doing their jobs AND working extra hours to improve ASU. The implication that Ben or I don’t do our jobs is not only insulting (which I’m sure was the intent), but it is an additional threat. Failure to do our jobs would be grounds for “the ramifications” to which the commentator referred. Therefore, I will address these misconceptions in some detail. Just skip it if you’re not interested. Last semester, in the midst of raising issues about Constitutional violations, I received my highest course evaluations ever. Over the four months the PNG controversy has been going on, I served on two faculty senate committees, finished an invited manuscript for the Encyclopedia of Adolescence, submitted a paper to the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference (RMPA) which was accepted, a student I advise had her paper accepted by RMPA and it will be presented as a poster at Student Scholar Days, another student will be presenting a project we worked on together at SSD, I reviewed submissions for RMPA as a member of the program committee, obtained IRB approval for an undergraduate research project designed with two of my students and started collecting data, reviewed 30+ articles for another manuscript which I’ve started, helped Polish researchers translate a psychological assessment I created (13th translation), wrote and submitted an FTAC grant, attended the 7-hour Master Teacher workshop, reviewed three manuscripts for psych journals, and served as an editorial board member for Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences. I’ve also helped with student recruitment by participating in two 2-hour Upward Bound activities in December and January (staying until 9:00pm), spending three hours on the Discover Day recruiting event last weekend, and donating $50 in prize money for this weekend’s ASU Climbing Competition. I work almost every weekend and I worked a few hours almost every day during a 2-week vacation over Christmas and New Years. I’ll happily share my C.V. and course evals with anyone. I may not be an academic rock star, but my publication record isn’t exactly shabby with 15 publications, including a book. Regarding availability to students, I check email first thing every morning, late at night just before going to bed, and many times in between. This prompted one non-traditional student to joke in class: “Dr. Elison didn’t respond for 12 hours, so I was pretty sure he was dead or in the hospital.” So, you and ASU administration would be hard-pressed to make the case that I’ve been shirking my duties. I’m not bragging, just being defensive and setting the record straight for you and administration because, as you acknowledge, ASU can be a threatening environment. Furthermore, my career aspirations are modest. I never want to be a department chair or an administrator. I love teaching and research. My goals are to teach at ASU, improving every year, until I retire in 8-10 years, and attain full professor next year. Yes, at ASU. I love the SLV, believe ASU makes an important contribution to the lives of our students, and believe our campus climate can be improved. Those goals hardly seem threatening or worth the risk of interfering with. Feel free to share this post with administration and their newly hired lawyers. I want people to be fully informed before making any more rash decisions. I’m guessing ASU will be in damage control mode for quite some time. Not a Danny-follower, I’m a believer in Constitutional civil liberties. As someone pointed out here, all ASU faculty pledged to follow the State and U.S. Constitutions. I’ve done my part. Have you? I’d be happy to talk about this more face-to-face. Stop by my office (MCD 350) or we could meet for a beer. Sincerely, Jeff Elison
February 21, 2016 at 8:04am Jeff and Ben. Good guys. Solid academics. Good colleagues. Fighting the fight for faculty rights. Where are all the other tenured faculty? Behind closed doors they agree with Jeff and Ben. Over some foreign beer at the pub they badmouth McClure. But when it comes to publicly supporting Danny, Ben, and Jeff, these tenured faculty show no integrity, no solidarity, no class. Shame on you all.
February 20, 2016 at 11:04am Did she get a "standing ovation" by the Colorado senate on Friday for increasing enrollment and retention, decreasing the number of law suits and other investigations against her and the administration, uniting the campus, increasing graduation rates, following the Constitution and due process, providing a retaliation free campus climate for those who do not agree with her, increasing the prestige of ASU, increasing job placement rates of our graduates, etc, etc?
February 20, 2016 at 6:46am “If you don't like ASU then leave! Please! Do us all a favor and ditch town. “ My brain keeps looping around back to this perplexing mandate from a post last week. If one doesn’t like something, if one sees wrong in the world and is uncomfortable with it, one has three basic choices: a. Live with it b. Leave it c. Change it The majority will probably always gravitate towards the first two options. The majority will probably always take issue with those who opt for the third way. But who really cares for an institution more – those who live with it as it is, those who abandon it for greener pastures, or those who stay and work to improve it? It is the individuals who are actively seeking positive change for ASU who truly “like ASU”. The majority will always say, “Well, we need change just not the way you’re going about it.” A question for the majority, then, is “Which way, then?” My guess is, when pressed to dig deep, their answer is inaction. Patience. Subservience. Because ultimately people are uncomfortable with change until it’s over and done with. It’s a psychological maxim. Questions to ponder: • “If you don’t like segregation, then leave the South!” • “If you don’t like apartheid, then leave South Africa!” • “If you don’t like the specter of Trump, then move to Canada!” • “If you don’t like the British tax on tea, then leave the colonies!” • …Feel free to add your own lessons from history Positive change in the world is not brought about by options a) and b), folks.
February 19, 2016 at 8:46pm College presidents, like Beverlee, who do not uphold the Constitution and take away the fundamental individual right of due process are not deserving of any "standing ovation" by a legislative body nor should be welcomed by them.
February 19, 2016 at 8:21pm As a supporter of Danny and even more important the Constitution, I want to thank Drew Lamprecht for his comment below. Supporters of ASU, students, should read it. I understand employees in Richardson Hall standing by McClure-their jobs would be lost if they did not. But students, get a clue. This is serious. Do you really support an institution that retaliates against individuals because they cannot tolerate any sort of criticism? Do you really think freedom of speech and assembly are not important? Do you have any idea of what "due process" is and how/why it is crucial to a democratic culture? Don't be duped by an administration that talks the talk but then is deceitful, manipulative, and retaliatory. You may not know Danny, but that is not important. If ASU can get away with this against him. they could do it to anyone-even you. If free inquiry and unbridled speech should be protected anywhere it is at a university.
February 19, 2016 at 12:23pm I wrote an email to Dr. McClure in the wake of the issuance of the PNG against Danny and I never received a reply from the "eager to listen" president. I was and still am in support of Danny Ledonne. The president has shown that she would rather let the school get sued than admit she was in the wrong. I left Adams State this semester for multiple reasons, but first and foremost was the administration of ASU. I was close to graduating, but have decided that a different school is right for me (and probably for many other students who attend). A culture of ignorance pervades the detached student body. In one of my 400 level English classes in the fall semester the class complained that we had to "read too much". Clearly, academics are of little priority to many students and especially to the administration. I liked all my teachers, and I knew many other students as dedicated to learning as I was, but we all felt neglected by the "institution of higher education". Adams State University is most certainly broken, and I can only hope that whichever school I end up choosing will accept the majority of my credits. - Drew Lamprecht
February 18, 2016 at 10:38pm From Bridge of Spies (based on a true story of the Cold War): After being asked to violate his ethics "for the good of the country," Donovan responds: "My name's Donovan, Irish, both sides, mother and father. I'm Irish, you're German, but what makes us both Americans? Just one thing, one, one, one, the rule book. We call it the Constitution and we agree to the rules and that's what makes us Americans and it's all that makes us Americans" From the ACLU complaint against ASU: "Without intervention from this Court, employees and students at Adams State University, and members of the Alamosa community at-large, will be deterred or chilled from expressing opinions critical of Adams State University or its administration for fear that they will be unceremoniously banned from campus on the pretext that their conduct is “disruptive,” makes people “uncomfortable,” or represents “a threat” to the campus or its students." The U.S. Constitution is our Rule Book. Maybe it protects people you don't like today, but maybe it protects you tomorrow. It helps level the playing field when some people have advantages due to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, position, or wealth. Who would we be, as a nation, without it?
February 17, 2016 at 10:21pm After days of active chatter, Jeff Elison’s post appears to have brought this forum to a complete standstill. Wow. Why? Is it because, by daring to identify himself on this anonymous forum, he’s driven home that we are speaking not just about real people, but *to* them? Is it because he has spoken directly to that which compels us all to stay silent at Adams State – the very real and ever present prospect of retaliation? Is it because, by identifying himself by name, he challenges us to consider doing the same and we find that a frightening prospect? I would like to applaud Jeff for having the courage to speak out against the thinly veiled and utterly despicable threats posted here a few days ago. I would like to applaud Jeff and Ben and a few others for being among just a slim handful of tenured faculty at ASU with the personal principles and convictions to stand up for our constitutional protections. If tenured faculty won’t do so, who else will? Certainly not tenure track faculty or at-will employees who can be let go at any time without cause, with no “statement of reasons or grounds required”, and who know this is a repressive administration that looks unkindly on freedom of expression. I wish I had the personal courage to not just applaud Jeff but to declare my own name while doing so. If we ALL identified ourselves and stood up to ASU’s entrenched bullies and intimidators, their power would be instantly diminished. I have come close to doing so with this post, but then I remember – as another poster stated so succinctly - this shit is real. And so I elect to remain anonymous out of simple self-preservation, knowing that this in turn preserves ASU’s unfortunate status quo. I haven’t yet found the courage to speak out, but I applaud those like Jeff who have done so. They are the ones who are leading the way to a new and better ASU.
February 15, 2016 at 8:12pm A comment from February 13 included: “If we are going to name names - let’s call out Jeff Elison and Ben Waddell… These guys don’t have a freak’n clue about the ramifications of this for their careers.” Wow, I check in after a few days and there is so much misinformation – and a threat. I’m going to break WatchingAdams protocol and make it clear who is writing this - Jeff Elison. After all, I’ve been “named” (imagine scary music playing in the background)! Now I have to ask: did you read what you wrote? The ACLU is suing President McClure for what they describe as retaliatory acts and here you are threatening me regarding the ramifications of “this” for my career! Nice irony. You are defending an administration at the same time you are saying they will retaliate against me. You’ve pegged our campus climate. Are you trying to make the ACLU’s case for them? Note: “Ramifications” for my career would violate State and Federal whistle blower laws. I doubt ASU wants to make their situation worse. If you want to intimidate me, you’ll have to try harder. That comment also included: “This and the danny followers, get more and more pathetic. It’s actually very funny and has given a lot of people stuff to laugh at.” I’m glad folks at ASU are laughing during these sad times. I’m sure most of us have had some hearty laughs over this comedy of errors, but we could all use some real humor instead. Let’s not forget administration is wasting our students’ money on legal fees, money that could benefit students and employees, and doing it at a time when ASU’s financial situation is bleak. Not so funny. Neither is being sued in Federal Court for violations of the U.S. Constitution. I doubt President McClure, Chief Grohowski, or the BOT are laughing about the suit or all the bad press. Please let this pass quickly.
February 15, 2016 at 9:21am The piece on anonymity really hits close to home. And frankly, it should be hitting close to home for everyone posting on here; reading from home because they’re afraid ASU is monitoring internet use; or whispering behind closed doors and even still too scared to post anonymously. If in fact ASU was a place that supported innovation or even a dissenting opinion, people would be posting their names next to their comments. So call it pathetic. Call it cowardly. But do us a favor and call it the truth. Whether you’re pro McClure or not, it doesn’t matter. The real issue is that she was hired as a business person to bring money into the institution. Three things to note here. 1) Upper administration and the BOT has not been able to admit to themselves or the ASU community the dire straits that the campus is actually in (financially and culturally). It seems that the condition of ASU was not even disclosed to McClure as noted in a quote from the Pueblo Chieftain where she says “Adams State is not a place you have to go into and fix” http://www.chieftain.com/news/3502449-120/mcclure-education-state-chieftain#sthash.kjUj73cO.dpuf 2) In higher ed new presidents usually come into their new positions and clean house. Whether it’s their whole cabinet or just a few members, new presidents bring in someone from their own team to make things happen. Unfortunately for us McClure lacked the previous experience necessary to even have her own team and had to rely on the existing ASU administration – one that has not worked for years. 3) We can’t throw rich donors, grants, and more money at a problem and expect things to magically get better. While I think that ASU does currently need a business person to get us out of the financial hole that we are in, the long term future of ASU will depend on a strong educational leader. Think about that when we are filling McClure’s position. Not if. When. “Adams is not fractured. Actually, it's never been stronger!” Are you serious? By strong do you mean the huge “mystery” hole in our budget? By strong do you mean our dismal graduation and retention rates? By strong do you mean the institutionalized culture of fear that exists across campus? You must be getting your news from the Valley Courier. So what do we do to fix things? And yes, things need fixing. Someone commented “If you don't like ASU then leave!” It’s not about “not liking ASU” it’s about not liking how things are done, it’s about not being involved in the decision making process. And if you try to get involved in the process you’ll be punished for it. See the piece on the Killing of CAG –this shit is real. I have engaged with some incredible students since I’ve been here. And I know so many hardworking and passionate faculty members and supportive staff. So why would we leave when we know we can make things better for these students?
February 15, 2016 at 7:33am Insightful comment here: "Adams is not fractured. Actually, it's never been stronger!" Maybe you should read the WatchingAdams article about the recent Moody's Report - it looks like our credit rating has never been lower. They just downgraded our rating on January 26th of this year. We, including students, are still paying for all the nice construction on campus. Moody's report says an additional threat that could lead to another downgrade is declining enrollment. And yes, it looks like numbers are down. On top of that, we'll now be paying substantial legal fees for a lawsuit brought on President McClure and Chief Grohowski: "Defendants acted intentionally, knowingly, willfully, wantonly, and in reckless disregard for Mr. Ledonne’s federally-protected constitutional rights"
February 14, 2016 at 10:58pm From the ACLU complaint: "The 'appeal' process proposed by Adams State University was a sham." Enough said. From a previous comment: "I find it curious that those who post that they work at ASU are posting during work hours. Are you posting on an ASU computer too? That's a great use of taxpayer and student money....NOT." Seems like posting about campus issues in an attempt to improve ASU would be a pretty good use of time and money. As opposed to say... squandering students' tuition defending Administrations' violations of ASU policy and the U.S. Constitution. Especially when Admin continued on this crash course after repeatedly having the law explained to them - explanations that are available in emails and audio recordings. An emeritus faculty member explained that the "General Fund" is where all tuition goes and from where we pay legal fees. The attorney general's office doesn't work for ASU for free. In other words, students and their families are paying their hard earned money and it's going straight to legal fees incurred over poor decisions. From the ACLU complaint: "Reasonable officials in Defendants’ positions would have known that their actions violated clearly-established constitutional rights to procedural due process." So, what does that make President McClure and Chief Grohowski? Certainly not "reasonable." You can fill in the rest.
February 14, 2016 at 10:44pm President's Contract (available on WatchingAdams under Documents): 16. Termination b. Discharge for Cause. iii) Intentional and willful misconduct that would subject the Employer to criminal or civil liability; v) A material violation of any law, rule, regulation, constitutional provision or policy of the Employer or University, or local, state, or federal law, which reflects adversely upon the University;
February 14, 2016 at 8:45pm I have contacts at universities in the Midwest and California. They have read what is going on and ASU's reputation is dropping like a rock. ASU already has a reputation for essentially just being 13th grade, but now this. Young Ph.Ds and ABDs are going to think twice before applying or accepting offers here. I guess the McClure supporters think this is a good thing. Circle the wagons and be damned the critics. Well, besides a lot of money to defend the suit ASU is going to have a terrible reputation both in Colorado and nationally.
February 14, 2016 at 7:34pm Has anyone seen this article from Foundation for Individual Rights in Education? ASU is becoming the laughing stock of higher education for its handling of this situation. Here it is: https://www.thefire.org/barred-from-adams-state-former-faculty-member-sues-over-an-utter-lack-of-due-process/
February 14, 2016 at 7:12pm She was supervising about FOUR employees as head of ACI in New Mexico. Bill Richardson gave her a cabinet position when he was the governor there, and subsequently she also contributed toward his presidential bid. And of course many years ago she was heading Clovis Community College in New Mexico. Perhaps BOT found these credentials impressive.
February 14, 2016 at 6:07pm Exactly what were President McClure's previous experiences that led the BOT to hire her? What is so impressive about her resume? I am just curious what her qualifications were to take the helm of ASU during troubled times. With massive education cuts for so many years, declining enrollments, and low faculty morale, what made her stand out?
February 14, 2016 at 5:37pm It is not surprising to see so many McClure sycophants posting. A large portion of ASU students are actually quite intellectually challenged and qualify as having fascist tendencies with their eagerness to follow a strong charismatic leader. You know, a Hitler/Mussolini type. I have encountered many ASU students and most would not be admitted to a real university, ie. U of C, CO State, KU, etc. Her supporters write generalized things about how the new administration is doing such great things. What things? Be specific.
February 14, 2016 at 3:52pm The ACLU does not file complaints in U.S. Federal District Courts based upon "BS."
February 14, 2016 at 1:47pm Per the faculty handbook, every ASU faculty member must sign the following Faculty Oath or Affirmation: "I solemnly (swear)(affirm) that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Colorado, and I will faithfully perform the duties of the position upon which I am about to enter." Every ASU faculty member, therefore, has a sworn DUTY to consider the constitutional issues at hand. Forget Danny, forget McClure. Forget about who you like, dislike, support, or don't support. Forget the unfortunate tone of some recent posts on this site (it's not exactly "robust academic discourse", to use McClure's recent words). Just focus on the constitutional issues being raised - a solid start would be a careful review of the ACLU of Colorado's filed complaint - and then determine what course of action is needed for you to uphold your personal affirmation. To dismiss this as merely a disgruntled personnel issue is to dismiss both the academic code and your responsibilities as an American citizen.
February 14, 2016 at 10:52am Adams is not fractured. Actually, it's never been stronger! There's true leadership and people see that things are getting done . Someone finally has the guts to stand up and not let someone like Danny get away with his BS.
February 14, 2016 at 9:03am It is clear that Adams is now a fractured institution. President McClure has been unable to bring the university together. She has listened to those who she should never have listened to in the first place. Her decisions which have led the university on this unfortunate path have been the direct result of her not following good and basic leadership principles. Mr. Ledonne is and will be a citizen of the valley regardless of the outcome of the ACLU lawsuit. However Dr. McClure will not be in Alamosa for a lengthy period of time. Adams has to unify, but it is unlikely it will happen under the inept presidency of Dr. McClure and those she is relying upon. This is a "created mess" by the ASU's administration and could have been avoided when she took over. With this lawsuit, declining enrollment, and the splintered organization, sooner or later, BOT will realize that they need to make a decision.
February 14, 2016 at 12:12am All of you who are so snidely supporting the administration and McClure are obviously uneducated with regard to the Constitution, 14th Amendment, and Supreme Court rulings on due process. I recommend you read the filing by the ACLU on this website's opening page. I guarantee you, ASU is going lose this case. You are going to spend a lot of money, receive unfavorable media coverage and ultimately lose. You cannot legally do what ASU did. I don't care what you think of the parties involved. In court, you will lose. Take it to the bank.
February 13, 2016 at 8:55pm Great stuff today. Lots of heat and no light. I have yet to see an informed comment that addresses the merits of the case or why exactly the PNG does not violate the Constitution. Any pro-PNG supporters care to do the reading and then explain your position? At least Jeff and Ben had the backbone to attempt an open dialogue at the faculty senate meeting and explain their concerns openly. If you read the complaint, it appears their concerns were justified - pretty much to the letter. They tried to warn the president for the benefit of ASU. Both spent many hours with Kurt Cary and Danny trying to negotiate a win-win resolution, but President McClure pulled the plug. You reap what you sow. As for implications for careers, were you threatening Jeff or Ben? I think you need to be PNG'ed right out of here. I'd be more concerned for President McClure's career. When the real lawyers look at the chain of events, there will be a sudden change.
February 13, 2016 at 6:02pm Oh, and to the person who had a "living hell" for two years because of e-mails and texts -- dude, you sound like a pervert and stalker! I wish they would have kicked out out of ASU. Better yet, thrown you in jail for harassment...
February 13, 2016 at 5:55pm If you have a problem with someone, go and talk to them rather than post (anonymously) on a website that nobody cares about! But, that's all this is -- a bunch of anonymous cry-babies. Get a life! At first, this has promise of being a place for dialogue but has become a bulletin board for angry people. Really? If you don't like ASU then leave! Please! Do us all a favor and ditch town. This has become, "ouch, my feelings are hurt so someone kiss the boo boo and make it go away." If there is a real argument it has been lost with all of the whiners with no life.
February 13, 2016 at 5:50pm This, and the danny followers, get more and more pathetic. It's actually very funny and has given a lot of people stuff to laugh at. That's what the majority of people at ASU are doing with this -- laughing at you all! I find it curious that those who post that they work at ASU are posting during work hours. Are you posting on an ASU computer too? That's a great use of taxpayer and student money....NOT. If we are going to name names - let's call out Jeff Elison and Ben Waddell as being the sad, sad danny followers. Anyone else? These guys don't have a freak'n clue about the ramifications of this for their careers. But, doubt if they care because they would be doing their jobs rather than being danny's little bodyguards.
February 13, 2016 at 12:07pm Whoever it was that feels the need to insult and talk down to our student government needs to come to one meeting and realize that most of ASF are working students who commute and CHOOSE to go above and beyond to serve on committees and represent campus.
February 13, 2016 at 9:49am Dr. McClure has done so many amazing things for our campus. From her first day here she has worked nonstop to promote ASU, bring investors, bring grants, strengthen community partnerships, and she actually listens to what students have to say. ASU is strong, I am a ASU student and I support Dr. McClure.
February 12, 2016 at 8:27pm If everyone who made someone at ASU "feel threatened," Bill Mansheim and Michael Martin would have been given PNG status long ago.
February 12, 2016 at 7:36pm Honey Badger Crowther fits right in with Tracy Rogers and Frank Novotny. Back stabbing, fake, ambitious power seeking devils. As long as they are there the stench over Alamosa will remain. I wonder if Crowther wore his favorite t-shirt, "I'm not an alcoholic, Alcoholics go to meetings. I'm a drunk," first time he met the new president. He wore it to meet the new provost years ago. As for as the members of student government loving the new president, it is well known that SGA is merely a collection of ass kissing immature boys and girls led around by the nose by the Dean of Students. They are resume builders and nothing more. They are far out of touch with most of the student body. Most ASU students commute and work to pay for school. SGA does not concern themselves with these students.
February 12, 2016 at 7:14pm I was treated unfairly by Adams just as LeDonne, suspended for two years for nothing more than texting a scorned love interest. Something that, at other institutions, would have been a minor infraction. Adams state read the contents of my personal email account and punished me according to that and not the actual incident. The "victim" attempted to drop all charges. I returned to Adams (after 2 years) and was again subjected to their paranoid, irrational treatment when a female employee of theirs complained because I was exercising my constitutional right to free speech and used a "risque" subject line in an email to her, after she approached me first. They again punished me for the offense two years prior, and subjected me to mandatory psychologic evaluation, and probation for the remainder of my academic career. Ken Marquez made my life a living hell for absolutely no reason whatsoever. I was an honor student for the remainder of my time there and graduated with a B.S. Adams state is way too reactionary and paranoid and I'm glad to see someone calling them out on their alarmist reactions to people from diverse backgrounds. If you aren't a woman or a gay man I strongly suggest you avoid Adams State University.
February 12, 2016 at 2:47pm A previous comment included the statements: "The lawsuit is bogus and just causing unnecessary problems for Adams and Alamosa." Bogus? Is this an informed opinion? Have you read the 50-page complaint against McClure and Grohowski? Do you understand the "due process" portion of the Fourteenth Amendment? Unless you can answer yes to both of those, then "bogus" is merely uniformed opinion. And if you really want to be informed on the issue, read the case summary from Watson v. C.U. Board of Regents. There you will find a nearly identical case, which C.U. lost. Watson, the citizen in that case, actually went to a dean's house, threatened him, and was arrested. Yet, the Colo Supreme Court still upheld his right to due process. Danny is entitled to the same protections under the Constitution. Your emotional responses have nothing to do with the facts. Whatever is in that mysterious file is nearly irrelevant to the legal issue of due process. Authorities like to make emotional appeals to fear because people fall for it. "Oh no, Homeland Security has raised the alert level, let's all fall in line behind our government for protection. Laws no longer matter... torture is justified... due process is expendable..." The commentator goes on to say the suit is "just causing unnecessary problems for Adams and Alamosa." What is really causing those problems, the lawsuit or is it an administration that disregarded the Constitution? A point on which we probably agree: the quicker this gets resolved, the better. Less money will be wasted on legal fees, and less time will be wasted on campus. We should be serving our students, not defending indefensible administrative decisions.
February 12, 2016 at 12:12pm As someone who has felt threatened (not just creeped/weirded out) by Danny, I know that things can now be revealed about why he was kicked off campus. The lawsuit is bogus and just causing unnecessary problems for Adams and Alamosa. I look forward to having everything in that "file" looked at and, I hope, made public.
February 12, 2016 at 11:50am
As what some people might label a Danny "cronie," I'm glad to see the "other side" participating on Watching Adams. Open dialogue is extremely important for a University.
I'm sure Dr. McClure has many strengths and brings much to ASU. My problem has to do with civil rights and the U.S. Constitution. To me, it looks like bullying when people in power violate the civil rights of people with less power. Our Constitution is supposed to protect everyone, not just those in power. And I'm bothered even more when people don't admit their mistakes and then lie to cover them up ("terrorism," "State Police watchlist"). If an ACLU lawsuit will make ASU administration follow laws and our own policies, then bring it on. But personally, I'd rather have administration follow laws and policies voluntarily, drop the PNG, and save those substantial legal fees for students and employees.
February 12, 2016 at 11:08am Ditto! I'm also a student/junior at ASU and a member of AS&F -- the majority of our membership supports dr. McClure and we want her to stay and see things through. People need to listen to who matters - the students! Everyone needs to stop spreading lies and false data saying that we don't support her
February 12, 2016 at 11:02am Thank you, thank you, thank you to the person who posted in support of ASU. I really wanted to avoid writing anything on Watching Adams but the amount of negativity is finally getting to me. Everyone saying that "nobody supports Dr. McClure" is totally false! I've heard nothing but positive things about her and the work she has done. In fact, she's done more in less than a year than the previous administration did in over ten years. The students, faculty, staff and community are glad that she ws hired!
February 12, 2016 at 8:55am I sincerely doubt that my note will be published as I'm sure Danny and his cronies are monitoring/editing/evaluating everything. After reading a few of the items on this website, I am fully convinced that you all have NO lives, families, or jobs. Get real! This crusade is the most pathetic display of selfishness that I've ever known. The only thing worse than Danny's little "fight" with ASU are the people who are blindly following this crap. I am also guessing that the people posting to this site number less than 10 (you all just have nothing better to do). For what it's worth, the majority of the campus and community truly support Dr. McClure and her efforts. While Danny and his followers are busy creating nonsense, the rest of us are working hard to keep ASU afloat and thriving. I have now just wasted five minutes of my life writing this note. I can only hope that the rest of you realize how pathetic you all are... ---Editor's Note: So long as a comment meets the posting guidelines, we publish every comment. Your perspective is valid and your time spent posting is welcome and appreciated.
February 11, 2016 at 11:18pm I have to agree with an earlier comment about Crowther. During the years I worked at ASU, I saw him pull some outrageous maneuvers. He will do anything to suck up to the administration. He'll shake your hand and smile at you, "Honey Badger," as he stabs you in the back.
February 11, 2016 at 10:07pm I agree with the previous writer. President McClure has lost the confidence of faculty, staff, and students. All of this can go away if she goes away, Tracy Rogers resigns, the Board give a full and complete public apology to Danny, pay him for expenses and suffering. And look for a new president. This time someone with a Ph.D who spent at least a decade in the classroom teaching.
February 11, 2016 at 6:11pm Dr. McClure has lost confidence of the majority of her staff and faculty. If a college president comes to this place in her or his professional career, they should resign for the sake of the institution and the students.
February 11, 2016 at 4:56pm One of the comments discusses Frank Novotny and Tracy Rogers as: "Certainly, those two individuals are the very foundation of everything wrong at ASU. If there is a problem, enough investigation ultimately reveals these two are the root." I write to concur and add one additional name to this list. Careful observation and investigation will reveal that Dr. Ed Crowther is a full time member of this axis of evil. He runs his department with an iron fist and constantly brags how his "kingdom" ( departments, majors, minors, disciplines, faculty, staff, and students ) make him one of the most powerful people on campus, not to mention he "makes more money than God" for all the various disciplines and people he has serving (under?) him. He is a glad hander, ambitious, sycophant of those in power, and expect those "under" him to swallow their pride and be a cult follower and sycophant of Crowther. Apparently not even driving through stop signs while under the influence of alcohol can get him in trouble with administration. But enough about this soldier, the axis of evil Luca Brasi. I only mention this to give full credit (blame?) to all three in the axis of evil. Frank and Tracy are, indeed, dangerous, but Luca the wild, loud head of the McDaniel Hall Family should not be left out. My hopes are that publicity of all this reaches readers far and wide. I hope Colorado parents warn their children against ASU. I hope The Chronicle Of Higher Education jumps on this with weekly updates. I hope enrollments and retention decline and cause massive terminations of people in Richardson Hall. I hope faculty, staff, and students who find themselves being bullied, intimidated, threatened, and treated unfairly do not just take it but fight. Fight like Danny. Do not just give in to this axis of evil. And I hope others who are in the know of the dirt that covers Richardson Hall and its "elites" will write comments to this site, talk to Danny about an interview, share what you learn with others. I fully support Danny and am ecstatic that the ACLU has taken his case. The ACLU is the real deal President McClure. I think you need solid legal advice, so avoid Tracy Rogers or any local attorneys at all costs.
February 11, 2016 at 11:35am I have been following Watchingadams.org since its inception. Quietly, I have listened to many individuals—on both sides of this conundrum—discuss why Danny or Dr. McClure is “right” or “wrong”. I have been cautiously optimistic that Dr. McClure was simply a victim—as many, many of us have been—of Frank Novotny’s and Tracy Rogers’ lying, conniving, and evil practices. Certainly, those two individuals are the very foundation of everything wrong at ASU. If there is a problem, enough investigation ultimately reveals these two are the root. So, imagine my surprise—and dismay—to learn that an organization as reputable and successful as the ACLU has chosen to take on this fight on Danny’s behalf. Imagine how one’s heart sinks when they have supported something or someone—even though cautiously—only to learn that perhaps that support was misguided or misplaced. This is not to say I didn’t support Danny…In fact, I did and still do. I never have believed the PNG was appropriate. I believed that the minions surrounding Dr. McClure misinformed her. But, it is time to admit that Dr. McClure has CHOSEN her path, regardless of who has informed her. As a cautious Dr. McClure supporter, I think she’s f’ed. And, I am not alone in this thinking… pride is an interesting and wicked thing.
February 11, 2016 at 9:12am In president McClure's response to the law suit she falls back on a dangerous justification: "an abundance of caution." The dangers of this phrase are discussed here: http://www.bifurcatedneedle.com/new-blog/2015/7/22/out-of-an-abundance-of-caution-an-overused-phrase From the article: "It allows businesses, schools, leaders in the government, and others in charge to enact policies that are scientifically unfounded but potentially irrational and, sometimes, to INFRINGE UPON THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. " [emphasis added] "The phrase, 'out of an abundance of caution,' is often used when explaining an action that isn’t necessary, but is going to be done anyway because you want to be extra careful. Unfortunately, this throws the whole decision making process for a loop, because it assumes that there are no consequences for overly cautious and unnecessary actions. Yet these actions always have a COST – in money, resources, time and, sometimes, CIVIL LIBERTIES. " [emphasis added] We have already seen the COST to civil liberties in Mr. Ledonne's case, as well as the administration's own admission that they were spending 150 hours / week on their PNG decision. Now it looks like there will be further COSTS as ASU wastes money defending their "abundance of caution." I'd rather see that time and money go to employees and students!
February 11, 2016 at 8:26am The hastily prepared and reactively long missive to us by Beverlee in response to ACLU filing just shows that she, the administration, and BOT have now found themselves in a situation which could easily have been avoided much earlier. As more news media pick up the story it will have a negative impact on enrollment, retention, and employee morale. Beverlee has received an 'F' grade so far in leadership, management, and interpersonal skills. There are consequences if a student receives a similar failing grade consistently.
February 11, 2016 at 8:01am From the ACLU press release: “We bring this lawsuit to protect the rights of not just Mr. Ledonne, but all Coloradoans,” said ACLU of Colorado cooperating attorney N. Reid Neureiter. Yes indeed, all Coloradoans need protection from ASU. The president's cabinet recently passed a Persona Non Grata policy that intentionally leaves out the due process (hearing prior to imposition of PNG status) that Ledonne was denied, prompting this law suit. In other words, the cabinet members decided the Constitution was too inconvenient, too limiting of ASU's powers. So, they decided to ignore it and pass an ASU policy that violates the U.S. Constitution. Putting their disregard for Coloradoans' civil rights in writing does not bode well for ASU in this law suit.
February 10, 2016 at 8:22pm The contrast between the professionalism of the ACLU's 25-page legal motion and ASU's half-assed response is hilarious. The president's message has multiple errors, she ignores the due process claims, and resorts to more mud-slinging against Mr. Ledonne. How much money will McClure waste in her lame attempts to save face? She should just admit she was wrong and save more embarrassment. More importantly, she should save some of that legal defense money for students and employees, rather than squander it trying to save her own career. It looks like ASU is against the ropes financially, so it's way past time to do the right thing. The bluff is over. Let's move forward for the sake of students.
February 10, 2016 at 3:33pm Bravo! Bravo Danny for not just taking it but standing up for yourself and your principles. I hope Richardson Hall, the Board, and citizens now realize just how deep the hole Richardson Hall has dug for itself is. Do not even think you can bully the ACLU. You brought this on your selves. After years of abuse of faculty and staff it is now time to face the consequences. All those who have been abused by administration, including tyrannical department chairs, applaud Danny and the ACLU. Whatchya gonna do now Madam President? Spend a lot of money defending your actions, being negatively exposed in the media, continue to see enrollments and retention decline, get savaged by the Chronicle of Higher Education.....Richardson Hall needs to be fumigated and the Board needs to be removed. Bravo Danny, bravo ACLU!
February 10, 2016 at 1:33pm As I read through today's ACLU filing of suit against ASU, the main thought that came to my mind was: WHERE ARE ASU's BOARD OF TRUSTEES? Hopefully there is at least one trustee who might be wondering at this point if Beverlee McClure was the right selection to lead ASU???
February 10, 2016 at 1:07pm I read the comment from the Classified Employee posted on [Jan 26th]. I am also a classified employee and proud of my race, language, customs, and where I have come from. Below is an e-mail, word for word, which went out to Classified Employees on January 29, 2016: "CIELO believes that the photos of past Presidents in Richardson Hall might work better if they were placed in the museum. The photos are not very "warm" and do not reflect our student body (white, male, etc.). Please understand this is no disrespect to the past presidents, it is about making the space more welcoming to students. Would you support having these moved to a different location so that something more student centered can be placed there? Please let me know as soon as possible so I can provide your feedback to the CIELO committee. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend." I am not sure how others felt when they received this e-mail, but I just went WOW!
February 5, 2016 at 2:00pm So the early word on the street is that enrollment numbers aren’t looking so hot. No surprise to anyone walking around campus. I was in the union the other day and found myself wondering where all the students were. I believe I heard my footsteps echoing. When the official statistics come out, the last thing anyone wants to hear from Richardson Hall is that tired line, “Recruitment and retention are everyone’s responsibility.” Of course they are. In a certain sense, everything is everyone’s responsibility. But administration should be forewarned not to lob any finger-pointing platitudes in any direction except their own. You can’t dismiss and devalue your faculty and staff until disaster looms, then try to pull us in to share your culpability for the mess. Hold up a mirror, kids. You’re the ones who got us here. You did this. And we all know you have no idea how to get us out of it, so stop pretending that everything’s fine. You know what I’d like to see? A campus roundtable where administrators comes clean, confess they’ve driven ASU into the ground with their ineptitude, arrogance, and lack of direction. Admit they don’t have the answers. Ask for help and answers and action from the ones who really matter, the ones who really count: The faculty and staff who interact directly with students everyday. Together we might be able to turn things around. But if RH keeps acting like everything’s fine, like they’re the big bosses on campus and we should just shut up and put up, it’s all going down in a very ugly way. But please, please: No more theatrical events like that utterly bogus campus forum we endured last year regarding the Chronicle accusations and resulting HLC investigation. That was a poorly concealed, obviously orchestrated “press conference” performed by those with vested monetary interests in Extended Studies. The one person on the “panel” who dared to speak somewhat candidly found themselves on the receiving end of glares from the other participants. We all saw it. And so attendees all knew better than to try to contribute anything truthful and substantive. Most, wisely, said nothing at all. Let’s end the pretending. Only a big platter of honesty and a side serving of humble pie from RH will move us out of this very scary place we’re in right now. Trustees? Hello?
February 3, 2016 at 10:18am Concerning the cult climate at Adams, you might want to read an article in the Sept. 10th (I think) issue of New York Times Magazine. It describes the corporatization of higher ed institutions where, like any corporation, protection of the institution is way more important than helping people, the truth, or doing what should be right. When the Navajo walkers were here last fall, a lady wore a shirt proclaiming "Capitalism Is The Mortal Enemy of Mother Earth." And I would add, just about everything else. The corporate mentality is infecting everything and that is extremely bad for everyone but the top 10 percent. Since the current ASU president came from a corporate climate, I'd be very concerned with her policies and ethics.
February 3, 2016 at 12:08am As someone without a personal connection to ASU or the community of Alamosa, I find it disturbing and sadly ridiculous that recent actions undertaken by ASU administration seem to be aimed at preserving an existing power structure on campus, and eliminating open discourse instead of simply addressing their own long-standing nonfeasance. It is also beyond me how the people tasked with running a university can be so terribly misguided and embarrassingly out of touch with not only the communities they serve but with the faculty and staff that actually fulfill the schools mission. With Watching Adams help in increasing public awareness of the mess that is ASU administration governance, surely it's only a matter of time before a big plate of crow is laid out for President McClure and her admin. underlings.
January 26, 2016 at 6:31pm To whom it may interest, I am an employee of Adams State. I am just a classified employee, which equates to lowest form of employee on the campus. I saw and read something today that really upset me and there is nothing or nowhere to take this. If I contact the infamous HR department, I might as well kiss my paycheck goodbye. I know better than upset the apple cart. This administration talks a good game on diversity and being sensitive to each persons feelings and well being but there is no place to go if your not in lock step with the administration's beliefs. Here is the item that insulted me as a man and my race. It was an article, instructions and suggestions on how to denounce my race and declare that, because of my race, that I am a racist and until I do the following I will remain a racist. I, hopefully along with the majority of people, am proud of who I am, where I came from, what my ancestors and I have accomplished. This type of political attack should not be allowed but we all know that the school will do nothing but let's be clear that the real crime here is there is No place for me to go and voice my concerns. It would be a death sentence. ---Editor's note: for more on this comment see White Privilege at ASU: an Interview with a Classified Employee.
January 20, 2016 at 10:24am In the context of fairness and campus-wide “equity”, as reflected by inclusion of the topic on the Faculty Senate agenda for January 27, more than a few faculty members may find interesting the salaries awarded Drs. Novotny and Mumper upon their “decisions” to “step down” to faculty status from their respective administrative positions.
December 10, 2015 at 2:14am I was sorry to learn of the termination of campus police chief Joel Shults. I found Joel to be professional, well educated, committed to the institution, and quite likeable. Although we are pretty much at opposite poles of ideology, I really enjoyed our chats over coffee and grew to respect Joel. From what I have heard he was treated in a harsh, arbitrary, and mean spirited way. If readers are learning anything from this site it is that Adams State does not provide anything approaching due process. The head of HR, Tracy Rogers, advises administration and her lack of proper legal education has become quite clear. Knowing what I know about the favored position of athletics at Adams, I believe he was terminated because he refused to go along with the Adams administration and certain members of the Board who wanted athletic students and coaches to do as they wished. I have heard many negative things about the men's basketball coach and believe Adams decided their basketball coach was more valuable than a quality chief of police. It looks like the new president has a fellow authoritarian in the office of chief of police now.
December 4, 2015 at 9:26am Dr. McClure you have indeed transformed ASU. It has gone from a fairly ineffectual relatively benign culture, with some exceptions, to one of suspicion and distrust from an overtly adversarial administration. One no longer has to imagine what people behind the former Iron Curtain experienced. The campus environment is one of bullying and baseless allegations leading to punitive measures where the accused has no reasonable defense. Those around you do not seem to have the slightest concept of due process. Your apparatchiks consistently parrot with pavlovian fervor signaling in the affirmative to your utterly baseless allegations of dangerous behavior of one or cast the evil eye at any one else who dares to differ with respectful queries regarding questionable practices on campus. There is a great appearance of a lack of any valid attempt to consider as to whether the so called “toxic” or “negative” individuals just might have valid points that could improve the situational health of the campus. When being questioned on why approved legal practices were not enacted when dealing with an individual who has been stamped with the red letter of “terrorism”, your convenient response is that the question is sexist in nature. This of course makes the questioner sexist by the association of merely to have the audacity to ask a reasonable question. This is a convenient and cowardly way to avoid giving an answer to what as many suspect is that you have no appropriate defense and must fall back on the current flavor of PC McCarthyism to deflect blame. There has developed an unhealthy schism between faculty, staff and students by this toxic campaign. Anyone who dares walk outside of the clearly delineated path is treated as a heretic to be shunned, ostracized and have their livelihood made to feel insecure. The motto for ASU should be changed to “sit down and shut up” or as we have heard reported frequently by many, “if you don’t like it, you can leave”. This is a free speech issue Dr. McClure. Yes, everyone can speak their mind in your presence but that “freedom” does not come without consequences and misrepresentation. The true shame of this predicament is that many of those who have been tarred and feathered as “toxic” or “negative” care and are deeply saddened by the situation at ASU. Their unheeded attempts to cite where serious problems lie are based on observations from the field, day in and day out. They are your boots on the ground. They are reaching out with a helping hand only to be, as previously stated, shunned, ostracized and have their livelihood made to feel insecure. As Lincoln aptly stated, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
December 3, 2015 at 9:35am With Frank Novotny stepping down, it is high time for Beverlee McClure to start taking stock of her actions as a new ASU President. She needs to go back and educate herself about the fundamentals of being a successful university president and take notice of the advice offered in this article, which she has been oblivious about up till now: http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304893404579530204036842732
December 2, 2015 at 10:59am I sure wish I was still at Adams. I was a free thinking non-conformist while there and would be fighting the fight with Danny. I had great relationships with students and might even encourage them to voice their opinions. But then I would fall victim to one of McClure's PNG labels and be banned from campus. Maybe a campus-wide vote should be scheduled on whether McClure is best labelled a PNG threat.
December 2, 2015 at 10:49am It is 11:30 AM. I rarely drink, and rarely drink this early. But the news of Frank Novotny leaving his vpaa position to return to teaching is just such sweet news. He had wanted Svaldi's position for so long and now his administrative ambition has been zapped. I also heard that Ed Crowther was driving and pulled over. Of course, like any true alcoholic, he had been drinking. I need to find the police report in the paper. [comment previously redacted due to potential libel]. So two of the axis of evil have fallen on bad times. Miss Tracy Rogers is so far a survivor under the new dictatorship, er, leadership of President McClure. If the president reads these comments I can assure her that Crowther will be a thorn in her side, and while cleaning house she should deal with him right up front. ---Addendum 12/4/15: The deleted part of my earlier comment (deemed potentially libelous) had to do with a FACT. Earlier in the year one of the axis of evil, Dr. Ed Crowther, was reported in the press to have run a stop sign while under the influence. This is not libelous but is a fact. I just want parents, students, and citizens to know what one of McClure's sycophants was up to. A subscriber to the Valley News might do a check if this was the first time. I believe the accumulation of points is now in the neighborhood of twelve. ------Editor's reply: Watching Adams has done some preliminary investigation and determined that the claim regarding Dr. Crowther's alleged moving vehicle violation is true. Via the Alamosa Police Report "May 13th, 2015: Edward Riley Crowther, 55, Alamosa, was summoned for disregarding a stop sign at a through highway, 4 points, and for DUI, 12 points, at Clark Street and Craft Drive." At this time, we encourage readers to investigate the matter further and form their own opinion of the matter.
December 2, 2015 at 10:15am Contradictions, loss of trust, and no direction. The emails sent to ASU staff, faculty, and students regarding campus safety, retirements, resignations are just plain distracting. How are we as an institution supposed to be productive? There seems to be no aim for true resolution to the issues on our campus. Even though there are many problems that are glaring they seem to be ignored. Is it ethical for those in higher administration to just retire or resign? What message are you sending? It is clear that even though behaviors that deem to be a reason to get fired have no strong repercussions. The elite are always protected. Beverlee McClure will never get the respect that she yearns for until heads in higher administration roll. Lately at several administrative meetings we have heard her talk about gender bias, and men not respecting her because she is a female in charge. However it seems more submissive to let people in higher administration who have been so disruptive to our work environment just resign. Where is the strong willed woman that we saw in the campus interviews? We want her back with a vengeance.
December 1, 2015 at 12:44pm Hearing today that Dr. Novotny has decided to go back to faculty starting Fall 2016 was not a surprise to me because I worked closely with him for 8 years and for the past two and one half years, after being flown out “Flight for Life” he has struggled with a chronic health issue. I know rumors will fly but I know for a fact that his decision was based on what is best for him and his family. I would like to leave you with a quote from Shannon L. Alder – “When dealing with critics always remember this: Critics judge things based on what is outside of their content of understanding.”
November 27, 2015 at 6:10pm There is an axis of evil at ASU. McClure adds one more crypto-fascist. Beware of Novotny, Tracy Rogers, and Ed Crowther. They run the place like they own it. Crowther runs his HAPPSS department like his little kingdom. Tracy Rogers does not understand the federal or state constitutions nor statutes. Novotny is frustrated, wants to be president, can't make any headway, so he abuses what powers he does have. Decent people, like Michael Mumper, have had their authority diminished. If an honest job could be done rather than a "good ole boy" cover up, ASU would be found to be so mismanaged that it should be shut down. And students are right, graduates are leaving here totally unprepared for careers and life. ASU has almost no academic standards. If a student can pay tuition they are welcome here. Many professors are more like middle school teachers than university professors. Add to this the favored place of athletics. Football players are notorious for throwing parties where young women are taken advantage of, and worse. Damon Martin is almost in the axis of evil. He gets whatever he wants, regardless of cost. I have no doubt that Danny has been exploited and now treated illegally. He is being denied his constitutional rights and his character under constant attack. ASU has no sense of shame. The powers that be use taxpayer monies for their personal agendas. As long as Danny continues to fight and this site is up I will continue to post-the truth.
November 24, 2015 at 4:12am Dr. McClure clearly does not know what to say and when to say it. First her use of the word "terrorism" publicly regarding Mr. Ledonne's actions, and now her blatant and outright lie about Danny being on a "watchlist" are indications that she is not fit to lead a state institution or any other institution. Wonder where are the BOT???
November 20, 2015 at 10:52am The Board of Trustees for Adams State unanimously approved a new Guaranteed Tuition program for undergraduate students enrolled in on-campus classes. This program put together by the administration, under Dr. McClure's leadership, is an amazing step towards affordability and helping students graduate. Dr. McClure will be visiting AS&F meeting to discuss Persona Non Grata and all relating issues. Students are highly encouraged to come with any questions, concerns, or comments. The meeting Monday November 23rd at 6 pm BUS 142. If you have any further questions or comments please contact me. Azarel Madrigal madrigala@grizzlies.adams.edu
November 17, 2015 at 11:00pm The email to the students by Dr. McClure is a joke! The email sounds like a middle school teacher communicating with her students. It undermines the intellectual level and capabilities of students. The tone of the email is condescending and patronizing. It is an insult to the students.
November 16, 2015 at 11:10am I want to thank you for the honest and difficult work that you are doing; for challenging the "norms" deemed acceptable by ASU. Working in Administration and "near the President's Office," I can tell you that no superior or preferential treatment is given; barely over minimum-wage pay, lack of praise in accomplishment (actually non-existent); fearful to speak out against campus norms-even for the betterment of student services. I do wish that your website and this media coverage would change ASUs condemning and disparaging environment. Conforming and ingratiating ourselves with the ASU bureaucracy is not acceptable, nor is it beneficial to our student population or community.
November 15, 2015 at 8:28pm I have been a community member and/or student here in Alamosa and at Adams State for five years now. I have met, spoken with and been in the company of Mr. Ledonne several times. he is always pleasant, and although he has opinions that challenge the dominant paradigms of economics, politics and education, I have never experienced any indications of threatening or violent behavior. To “blanket ban” a person from ASU events and properties here in our small community effectively cuts them off from others, isolating and segregating them from many of the events and activities offered here in the SLV, many of which are associated with ASU. To have issued this blanket ban to a person identified as “low risk” and for no specific reason is, in my opinion, in complete opposition to the core function of an academic institution. Further, it violates ASU’s motto of “great stories begin here…” or perhaps once they have begun, and begin to question the staus quo, they must move elsewhere. I, for one, am not impressed. Much is made here at ASU about inclusivity, tolerance and awareness of cultural differences. We are a Hispanic Serving Institution. Recently, there was a campus-wide effort to educate and increase sensitivity about LGBTQ+ issues. Why, exactly, is Mr. Ledonne being singled out for exclusion? Is it because he has a voice? Because he has an audience? Because he expresses opinions you do not agree with and you are afraid that his audience might grow? As a citizen, I must protest this arbitrary censorship. If there are, indeed, reasons to bar Mr. Ledonne (and/or others), let us hear them. This particular incident has already caused public humiliation for the person being targeted; what further harm could come from enumerating those reasons? Lack of knowledge causes fear, and withholding knowledge specifically to engender fear is a tactic unworthy of an institution that receives funds from a government founded on principles that have endured for millennia. Put away the hemlock, President McClure and Chief Grohowski, and remove the ban against Mr. Ledonne unless you can prove with evidence that he poses a clear threat to the students and this campus.
November 14, 2015 at 8:28am The problem ASU admin is having is that their credibility is running on empty for many students, faculty, and staff nowadays - and they know it!
November 13, 2015 at 9:53am Watching Adams recently posted an ASU press release. A couple of observations: If Danny really is such an imminent threat to campus safety, why would the institution identify one of the complainants as “the former president”. Hmm, who could that possibly be? Aren’t you just putting a big target on Svaldi’s forehead? Isn't this yet another confidentiality violation? Amateur hour. Rapidly descending into absurdity. And to suggest that academic freedom is a concept limited to the four walls of a classroom puts their institutional ignorance on full regal display.
November 12, 2015 at 8:40pm The senior administration staff, who have negatively affected the growth and success of Adams State for many years, are still in power. They are the real personae non gratae. One can not even come close to comparing the damage they have done, and keep on doing it, to ASU with any actions of Danny Ledonne. Beverlee McClure has the wrong persona non grata or personae non gratae!
November 12, 2015 at 12:12am The Board of Trustees' email only reveals how out of touch they are with what actually happens on campus. First, their denial that this is a First Amendment issue is ridiculous. What about "the right of the people peaceably to assemble"? Danny is no longer allowed on public property. What about the effect it has on faculty and staff? I'm a professor. My colleagues and I are afraid that speaking up will be met with retaliation. We will likely be labeled "toxic" by our President. Second, the BOT's statement, "We urge you, our faculty and staff, to continue in your dedicated work to serve students and move Adams State forward in a positive manner," sickens me. The statement is condescending and they fail to recognize the value and dedication of their employees. They have no idea how dedicated most ASU faculty and staff are. Why else would we be here, given our low pay? The bottom line is that we love helping students. We have the intelligence to, and are quite capable of, giving our students 100% while keeping track of the Administrative circus all around us. When I walk into the classroom, I give it my all; I am completely absorbed. So, who is creating the distractions? Who is keeping Adams State from moving forward in a positive manner? Administration much more than Ledonne. Let it go, give up this reckless course of action. ASU doesn't need the bad publicity. Administration is far more of a threat to the well-being of ASU than Danny Ledonne. Who IS serving our students on a day-to-day basis? Staff and faculty. Listen to your people. They have valid concerns about shared governance, Administration's violations of policies, students' well-being, and salaries. To tell a whole university full of intelligent people to "keep your head down, ignore the problems" is patronizing and unrealistic. BOT, it is time to pay attention. You may have thought this was a cushy position, but it comes with responsibility. Be realistic about what is best for your students, faculty, and staff.
November 11, 2015 at 6:22pm The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude. Be kind, but not weak. Be bold, but not bully. Be thoughtful, but not lazy. Be humble, but not timid. Be proud, but not arrogant. – Jim Rohn It is clear that Adams State University has NOT found a leader in President Beverlee McClure. In my opinion, a simple one-on-one conversation between President McClure and Danny Ledonne could have saved a lot of time, heartache, and potentially money if Mr. Ledonne decides to make President McClure (and ASU) pay for the slanderous, libelous, words they have said against his character. I’ve seen no proof of a threat to the safety of students, faculty, or staff. In fact, ASU administration admits “we do not find an actionable threat at this time”; “Mr. Ledonne's behavior has not yet breached the realm of violation of our laws.” So why the rush to ban him from campus? If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck….. This appears to be a clear case of retaliation and a violation of Mr. Ledonne’s civil rights.
November 11, 2015 at 11:53am Be careful when you blindly follow the masses. Sometimes the “m” is silent. ~Unknown
November 10, 2015 at 1:27pm Surprised and disappointed by the recent ASU Board of Trustees email sent to all ASU employees. Instead of looking into the allegations and indicating that it is their responsibility to thoroughly investigate all issues and non-compliance of rules and regulations at ASU, they want us to believe that there is nothing wrong at ASU and all of this is just the doings of a disgruntled ex-employee.
November 10, 2015 at 1:27pm Surprised and disappointed by the recent ASU Board of Trustees email sent to all ASU employees. Instead of looking into the allegations and indicating that it is their responsibility to thoroughly investigate all issues and non-compliance of rules and regulations at ASU, they want us to believe that there is nothing wrong at ASU and all of this is just the doings of a disgruntled ex-employee.
November 8, 2015 at 9:16pm President McClure and Chief Grohowski have sunk from "irrational behavior" to "harassment" to "toxic" to "terrorism"... what could possibly be next? The FBI defines terrorism as "acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state laws." So, in the Valley Courier article, President McClure just publicly accused Mr. Ledonne of violating state or federal laws, yet Chief Grohowski's email included "Mr. Ledonne's behavior has not yet breached the realm of violation of our laws." Is this amateur hour? Don't they understand that "harassment," "slander," and "libel" have legal definitions - definitions that apply to their own behavior? Mr. Ledonne's lawyer must be smiling wider and wider everyday, with dollar signs in his or her eyes. Seriously, it is time for President McClure to act professionally and rescind the persona non grata order before she wastes anymore valuable ASU time and money, both of which could be better used to help students!
November 8, 2015 at 8:16pm It is clear from the callow comments made by the ASU President, as published in the recent Valley Courier article, that she is not equipped to lead the institution. Unfortunately her statements portray her as a clueless leader who is unaware of the spirit and pulse of Adams State University, the local community, and its citizens.
November 8, 2015 at 4:14pm This website is disgusting. Danny Ledonne is a sick man, I'm glad Adams State University let this guy go. How can a man that made a game about a tragic event in history and say he could make it because he was affected by it. No human being should or never make a game about the death of several people. You need to get a life stop ruining the lives of others. ---Editor's reply: If you'd like to learn more about the purpose and impact of "Super Columbine Massacre RPG!" you might consider watching the documentary on the topic: http://playingcolumbine.com/ Columbine has been the subject of plays, movies, documentaries, books, songs, magazine articles, and much more. Fundamentally, interactive media should also be a possible tool for understanding difficult and socially-urgent topics. So how can a man make a game about a tragic event in history and say he could make it because he was affected by it? The same way another person could make a film, write a book, or create a painting about that same topic. ------Reply November 9, 2015 at 7:21pm That doesn't mean you should be disrespectful and take the issue as a joke. If you see another production make fun a disability, would you too? Would you agree that making a game to reenacts the day most families hate to remember and all they see is a rpg reenact the death of their loved ones, NO! Instead of bring bad memories back, why not create a better understanding what to do to prevent these attacks from being influenced. I've watched thw documentary of your RPG, and it continues to bring me to see that you are not human. ---------Editor's reply: As is evident in the dozens of interviews Danny Ledonne has done on the topic, he does not view school shootings disrespectfully or as a joke. He has personally met with and befriended school shooting survivors from Columbine and Dawson College during the production of "Playing Columbine" and has demonstrated serious commitment to the issue of rampage shootings and representations of violence in media. It is possible that you are viewing the Columbine RPG as a joke; game critics and theorists who understand the medium disagree. For example: Shawn Rider, Editor In Chief of Alternative Games wrote: "Super Columbine Massacre RPG is not a great game. But it is an important game. It is a game created by a filmmaker, not a game developer. In fact, Ledonne told the Washington Post that he would not make another game. It was created specifically with the intent of generating discussion and presenting a unique perspective on the events of the Columbine shooting. This may not be the future of gaming, but it is a step towards the future of how games will be treated and viewed in our culture--as artful, meaningful objects which represent the thoughts, ideas, dreams and nightmares of a unique creator." Medical professionals would strongly contend that Danny Ledonne is human. He may not think like you do or view the role of interactive media in society the way you do, but that's the principal insight of a pluralistic society with freedom of expression.
November 8, 2015 at 9:34am I had heard the rumors on campus, but they seemed too far-fetched to believe, that is until the first Valley Courier article came out: could President McClure be a naive victim of sabotage from within? The rumor hypothesizes that Frank Novotny and Tracy Rogers have set up McClure for failure with the hope that Novotny would fill the void once McClure is dismissed. Arguing against the rumor, one must note McClure's libelous comment implying Ledonne is a terrorist. It is hard to imagine she was coached to say this. It's asking for a lawsuit. More likely she is just ignorant of the law and willing to say anything to make Ledonne look bad, all in hopes of saving face.
November 8, 2015 at 9:27am Now playing in the Valley Courier and at the Sky Hi 6: The Last Witch Hunter, starring Beverly McClure and Danny Ledonne.
November 5, 2015 at 6:39am An open communique to ASU Board of Trustees: If you did not attend the recent ASU Faculty Senate meeting, then you must at least read the minutes. You must take action now, before all of this gets out of hand. Needless to say, the writing is on the wall!
October 29, 2015 at 3:15pm For the "messenger" (ASU Chief of Police) to write such an email and jump into the fray reflects poorly on his professional conduct and provides an insight into ASU administration's current desperation and unprofessional actions. It seems that the administration is making mistakes upon mistakes. One of the most serious and damaging implication indicated in the email is the ludicrous connection between Columbine, the video game, Mr. Ledonne, and campus safety. All of us who have known Danny for a long time, in any capacity, and who are residents of this community are outraged that such an incriminating statement pertaining to a prominent citizen has been made with the backing of the ASU President.
October 29, 2015 at 8:33am On 10/28/2015, the ASU Chief of Police, Paul Grohowski, issued an "open letter" to the campus. A quick read is enough to see that this letter had nothing to do with making the campus safer. It was all about justifying the ban against Danny Ledonne in an attempt to save face for the President. It's nice that the Chief is a team player and willing to take the hit for recent poor decisions. However, it is unfortunate that whoever was involved with writing this open letter (in addition to the Chief) felt it would be helpful to disparage Danny. The first "Fact" states that "Mr. Ledonne created a post-Columbine video game that recreates the horror of the Columbine HS shooting massacre." If this were just about disparaging Mr. Ledonne with this insinuation that he might go postal, I wouldn't honor that insinuation by responding. However, the Chief's letter is dangerous in so many ways. The threat to freedom of speech and academic freedom at ASU is obvious, but the Chief's response is dangerously misguided - putting students and employees at GREATER risk - if the threat were real, which IT IS NOT. It would seem the Chief is horribly misinformed about best practices with regard to suspected school shooters. I think we can safely assume the FBI knows more about such threats. Reviewing their 52-page report, "The School Shooter," shows how misguided ASU's actions have been. For starters: "One response to the pressure for action may be an effort to identify the next shooter by developing a "profile" of the typical school shooter. This may sound like a reasonable preventive measure, but in practice, trying to draw up a catalogue or "checklist" of warning signs to detect a potential school shooter can be shortsighted, even dangerous. Such lists, publicized by the media, can end up unfairly labeling many nonviolent students as potentially dangerous or even lethal. In fact, a great many adolescents who will never commit violent acts will show some of the behaviors or personality traits included on the list." Yes, that's right "dangerous." Reading further, I'm guessing any rational person would judge Danny as Low-Risk (or no risk if you actually talked to him), based on the reports assessment guidelines. When it comes to the FBI's recommendations for intervention, ASU's actions can once again be construed as dangerous: "It is especially important that a school not deal with threats by simply kicking the problem out the door. Expelling or suspending a student for making a threat must not be a substitute for careful threat assessment and a considered, consistent policy of intervention. Disciplinary action alone, unaccompanied by any effort to evaluate the threat or the student's intent, may actually exacerbate the danger-- for example, if a student feels unfairly or arbitrarily treated and becomes even angrier and more bent on carrying out a violent act." "Kicking the problem out the door"? Sure, let's ban him from campus - even though he's not a real threat and this is against recommendations. And as an added bonus, this move will serve to isolate him from many positive social connections, while at the same time embarrass him. A "considered, consistent policy of intervention"? Let's hastily plagiarize a Persona Non Grata policy and implement it before it has even been approved. ASU's response has been anything but "considered." "Unfairly or arbitrarily treated"? Bingo! Speak up and President McClure is happy to slap you down. Let's have the Chief issue this open letter, which will further embarrass or humiliate Mr. Ledonne. That's certainly a best practice when dealing with someone you are accusing of being a potential threat. Humiliating someone always makes them less violent - sure! Returning to my initial point about safety, yesterday's letter had nothing to do with safety. It was just another poor decision that would "exacerbate the danger," IF THE DANGER WERE REAL. So, I hope all students, staff, faculty, and administration are feeling safer today, all thanks to the intelligent, rational actions of President McClure and Chief Grohowski. It would just be simpler and safer for Administration to admit they were wrong and DE-ESCALATE, rather than continue to double-down on bad decisions.
October 28, 2015 at 10:31pm I can't believe a public institution would actually release a statement to the media calling a specific person a "disgruntled, unsuccessful job applicant". It almost feels like Adams State is asking to be shut down due to its gross incompetence. And to then read a childish rant from the chief of police that was sent to ALL staff?
October 27, 2015 at 1:43pm ASU is in need of seasoned, experienced, and mature leadership. The institution needs a leader who understands the type of counsel that is given and who is giving it and what are their real motives. A leader who does not understand this basic attribute of an astute university president, will not and cannot be successful in governing. Unfortunately actions and decisions of the current ASU President do not reflect this. Naturally, it is difficult for someone who was supervising about FOUR employees in their previous longtime position and is now responsible for an entire state university!
October 26, 2015 at 8:37pm I believe the title "President McClure is Misinformed..." is quite accurate. I have heard or read at least five statements that were just plain incorrect. Most of these statements were about past situations at ASU (supervisors reviewed and approved CUPA-based salary decisions, come on?) or recent changes (all the data available at WatchingAdams came from ASU's website and is available there - false!), so it is easy to imagine how she may have been misinformed by the same administrators who routinely misinform the campus and obfuscate facts to hide their incompetencies or personal agendas. If she is listening to Dr. Novotny and Tracy Rogers without taking what they say with a large grain of salt, then it is no wonder she is misinformed. It is a real shame if Dr. McClure is making incorrect statements due to these circumstances, and just plain unethical if she is doing it knowingly. In either case, the result is the same -- a blow to her credibility. She made a good impression when she interviewed and at other times when she has spoken on campus, leading many of us to be hopeful. That hope hasn't died, but it certainly has been tarnished as her credibility continues to drop. Dr. McClure is happy to give advice to others. Here is some for her: "Beverly, don't believe everything from those who seek to whisper in the Queen's ear." They just might be motivated to misinform.
October 26, 2015 at 7:09pm Lots of talk here about "due process." Given ASU Administration's history of disregarding due process, Dr. McClure's actions fit right in. Perhaps, she has found a good fit at ASU.
October 26, 2015 at 6:54pm Regarding the "'Negativity' is Negative" commentary, Dr. McClure's language reveals something about her way of thinking. Using words like "toxic" to describe individuals is more than just disparaging; it is a label that relegates them to an inconsequential status, justifying her dismissal of their concerns. Similarly, characterizing Human Resources as "victims" not so subtly implies that those who complain or question are "persecutors," also worthy of dismissal. This type of black-and-white thinking is not what we need in any leader. An additional concern is the speed with which she is willing to judge others as "toxic." Do these rapid all-encompassing judgments come from her personal experience, or is she just following what other administrators tell her? I am sure Dr. McClure is under great pressure in her new position; therefore, I hope she is capable of less emotional, more rational thinking as ASU moves forward. In particular, I hope she comes to realize that much of the "negativity" has a long history and that there is much to be learned from "complainers."
Watching Adams 