U of L creates office to help resolve disputes

This from C-J:

Plan to help settle disputes follows Felner controversy

The University of Louisville says it will create an interim office to assist its employees in resolving conflicts, disputes and complaints.

The office's creation is a response to concerns raised over the handling of grievances and complaints involving former U of L education Dean Robert Felner, who is the focus of a federal investigation into the alleged mishandling of grant money.

During Felner's five-year tenure at the College of Education and Human Development, faculty and students filed 31 complaints and grievances against him, ranging from challenges to annual reviews to intimidation.

"The Ombuds Office will not serve an advocacy function, but will work impartially to help clarify, resolve and expedite the alleviation of concerns, and to create a safe, fair and equitable resource to those who require assistance," U of L spokesman John Drees said during a press briefing yesterday...

...Brent Fryrear, chairman of the university's Staff Senate, said the office is a good idea.

"I think staff will have another opportunity because it's not always easy to find where you need to go," he said. "This person will be able to direct them. It's also confidential, which is a good thing. It will not come back to haunt them, which has been something of a concern for some people." ...

...The university has several other reviews under way. They include: an internal audit of the finances of the education college; an external audit of the university's grants-management and contracts practices; a review of managerial and administrative practices at all the university's schools and colleges; a review of the conflict of interest policy; and a review of circumstances surrounding the awarding of a doctoral degree during Felner's tenure...

Ramsey Tosses the Faculty a Bone

Willihnganz: "The heat on this one is on us."

Since U of L President James Ramsey knew there were legitimate concerns about former Dean Robert Felner, his dismisive comments to Mark Hebert calling faculty concerns "anonymous crap" was disengenuous...at least.

His justification - that Felner's behavior was somehow OK, if it produced results - is equally troubling.

In the quest for numbers, somebody seems to have forgotten that the best educators are in the people business.

From Page One:

...In a mid-May email discussion earlier this year, Ramsey alluded to “issues” surrounding Felner in a message about a Board of Overseers meeting. Here’s what he said, “Given the issues with Robert right now it actually might be better to hold this until things are settled.” ...

...[There's an email] from Jim Ramsey to Alicia Sells, Associate Vice President for Government Relations, about sending a follow-up letter to the General Assembly (DAMAGE CONTROL!) outlining “positive things happening” while staying “away from any reference to Felner.” ...

Ramsey goes on to say that Mark Hebert and [C-J's] David Hawpe “won’t let it die.” No mention of the bloggers making his life a living hell.

Records indicate that despite being aware of issuses involving Felner, Ramsey did not see this public relations disaster coming.

Unknown to Ramsey, a blogger (Jacob Payne at Page One Kentucky) had received tips and damaging information through an open records request, published it, and fed it to the mainstream media.

The mainstream media took a while to follow up, but when they did the story came to the attention of the state. Suddenly, Ramsey was "caught off guard" and started learning details through the media that he didn't know himself. In one email he told Provost Shirley Willihnganz,

"those in the Univesity and those in the press - have much more insight and
information than we do."

Ramsey's remarks to Hebert precipitated a strong negative reaction from faculty, illustrated by an email from Staff Senate Chair and Staff Trustee, Brent Fryrear, who informed Ramsey that his comments "may not have played as intended," and that his comments seemed to confirm the fears of those faculty who were reluctant to report bad behavior "for fear of retribution."

Willihnganz's response was to acknowledge that "the heat on this one is on us," and direct that she and Ramsey see any open records releases "before they go out." "...it's pretty disconcerting to see things that WE haven't even been told on the front page of the paper,"she wrote.

This from C-J:

U of L president's letter acknowledges Felner problems

In a letter to University of Louisville alumni, donors and boards, President James Ramsey acknowledged the administration knew there were problems with former education dean Robert Felner’s leadership and management style.

“While we can’t talk about personnel actions, we did take steps to improve the situation,” Ramsey said in the letter dated last Friday. “Rightfully so, we have faculty who are hurt and disappointed by events of the recent years.” ...

...In his letter, Ramsey explained his decision to hire Felner to head the college, which was criticized in a 2001 report over its effectiveness, interaction with local teachers, and “indifference to its alumni’s employment issues.”

Felner’s “references were very good,” Ramsey said. When Felner was hired, “our mandate to him was to turn things around and do it quickly. He became a change agent — a role all of our new Deans have played.” He said the administration believed early concerns about Felner’s leadership “stemmed from the rapid change and heavy demands he had placed on his faculty.”

Ramsey twice noted that four formal grievances were made against Felner, but he said “none of those grievances moved forward as negative toward the Dean.” ...