University keeps track record of not informing the public of big changes
Central Michigan University Trustee Jacqueline Garrett resigned from the Board last summer for health reasons.
Yet it took until last week, when Gov. Jennifer Granholm named her replacement (Robert F. Wardrop II), for the university to even mention it.
University Communications and the governor failed miserably to keep the public informed. Garrett’s resignation should have been made public the moment she made the decision instead of after a new person was found to take her place — more than half a year later.
Put into perspective how much has happened since last summer.
George Ross was appointed university president.
The 3, 6 and 9 percent budget cut plans were requested and a budget forum was held to initiate talks about what the university can do to save money.
The groundbreaking for the College of Medicine took place. Dr. Ernest Yoder was declared its founding dean.
The last few months have undoubtedly been tumultuous, and CMU has progressed in several areas.
This is a vital time to make sure its leadership team is in check.
The decisions made now will shape CMU’s future for decades to come.
But this entire situations reeks.
All these major events and decisions were made without a full board.
Neither the public nor the media had a clue anyone had stepped down.
Why didn’t a single person bother to mention Garrett’s resignation?
Where’s the accountability?
The way this was handled is unacceptable and irresponsible.
One trustee out of seven can sometimes make all the difference at a Board meeting.
Take, for example, Trustee Sam Kottamasu’s proposal to shift some of the 2009-10 tuition increase to financial aid during the July 2009 meeting. Would that have happened had Kottamasu failed to attend?
No fault should be placed on Garrett for stepping down.
Personal and health matters are certainly important and must be tended to first, even if it means leaving an important position.
We wish Garrett all the best in the future.
It also should be understood that it is not her job to make sure the CMU community knows she is leaving.
University Communications should have made this information known to students, faculty and the media.
We may sound like a broken record, but again: The secrecy at this university is getting old.
The public needs to be informed, and CMU is failing to fulfill that.
