Emeritus Professor's Letter

I am seriously concerned about the outcome of the Senate hearing on Monday. You may use this letter in any way possible as input into the discussions.

Robert Leo Smith PhD
109 Fenwick Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
robertls2@earthlink.net


May 3, 2008

To the Faculty Senate

I am writing to express my concern about the future reputation of West Virginia University following the Bresch scandal that has received national attention and to urge firm action to resolve the situation.

I came to West Virginia University as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Forestry in 1957. I retired as Professor Emeritus in 1995 after 37 year of teaching. My four children received their degrees from West Virginia University, one on them from the College of Business. Over those years have experienced WVU grow from an enrollment of 6000 to where it is today. I watched the growth of the Medical and Evansdale Campuses and the emergence of the University as a recognized leader among academic institutions. This growth and academic achievement took place under the guidance of apolitical presidents with outstanding academic credentials.

Now in a short six months the reputation of West Virginia University has been tarnished under the aegis of a politically appointed president tied to the Governor’s office and Mylan Pharmaceutical. He possesses no academic qualifications for the position. His term to date has been highlighted and marred by the Rodriguez affair and the Bresch scandal. Both have sent a negative image of WVU across the country and diminished the University’s credibility and reputation as an academic institution.

The following will be the outcome if strong action is not taken:

1) It will very difficult to recruit a new provost willing to work under a president with such close ties the Governor, Mylan and a politically dominated Board of Governors.

2) When the opportunity arises, some faculty will leave to dissociate themselves from a tarnished institution.

3) WVU will experience difficulty in recruiting new faculty and students, especially to the Business School, in obtaining research grants, and in fund-raising.

4) The value of a WVU diploma will be diminished.

This is the most serious crisis that WVU has ever faced in its long history. Its ranking among academic institution is at stake. The faculty and Faculty Senate must show their courage and guts to vote no confidence.

There are those among the faculty who strongly support the president. Close examination of who they are and their positions in the University reveal they are protecting their own self-interests and not the interest of the University.

West Virginia University can regain and even strengthen its image and academic reputation if the president resigns, either voluntarily or forcibly, along with those remaining who were closely involved in the scandal, This action needs to be followed by a shakeup of an arrogant, politically-dominated Board of Governors, and a purge of state politics from operations of West Virginia University.

Failure to take these steps will destroy the academic status and credibility that West Virginia has earned over the years, squandered to save a flawed, incompetent president.

Sincerely,


Signed

Robert Leo Smith
Professor Emeritus
Division of Forestry