The Top 9 Least Wanted, Or, Why It's Not Yet Time to Move On

Paul Mason is gone, relegated to the ‘better opportunity’ given to him by staying at home and off of UNCG campus. The Chancellor is leaving in July, albeit to a year with full pay and no work expected and, after that, the possibility of (heaven forbid) returning to walk among the faculty. Imogene Cathey has been demoted, although for some reason that doesn’t mean that she gets paid any less…and she surely wasn’t demoted for excellence of service, so you’d think it would.

But there are still bullies at UNCG and we need to smoke them out before the work here is done. The culture that Brady created will take years of hard work to undo and given the makeup and bent of the search committee as well as the type of downward pressure exerted by the Board of Governor’s, it doesn’t bode well. If our next chancellor is any of the things that we have requested, it will be due to the dedicated work of a few members of the search committee or a complete accident.

I guess that means that our biggest hope is that the incompetence this Board of Trustees has shown so far extends to an inability to select the candidate they want, thereby inadvertently choosing someone good for what UNCG has always stood for: community in scholarship.

We are a microcosm of what is happening in the North Carolina system as a whole, which makes our demons a bit more difficult to exorcise. But it will be done. So, here, I give the UNCG Top 9 Least Wanted List:

1. Bonita Brown**

2. Jan Zink

3. Bryan Terry

4. Kim Record

5. Edna Chun*

6. Benita Peace

7. Imogene Cathey

8. Linda Brady

9. Paul Mason

So, we’ve made some progress, but there is work to be done. Let these people be on notice – their behavior will be under the microscope so they’d better shape up or ship out. Nobody loves a reformed sinner more than we do, so apologies and a sincere (and successful) effort to abandon their bullying ways might put them on the road to make amends.

No more yelling at staff, treating them with disdain, or using condescension as a default tone of voice.

No more driving our staff to tears, to therapy, to drink, to divorce, or despair.

No more being technically correct while at the same time being ethically bankrupt.

No more superiority, swagger, or immunity from consequences.

The owl will be watching.

*Updated as of 4/16/15 to reflect her dismissal
**Updated as of 9/14/15 to reflect her resignation

Kim Record's Record Loss

I know that one of the metrics held up to measure faculty and departments across campus is the retention of students. I wondered how administrators might fare when held up to that same standard. What I found when going through the employee database was that the 11 lost employees in University Relations or the 30 lost in University Advancement pales in comparison to the 93 lost in Intercollegiate Athletics.

Sure, some of these can be accounted for because they were temporary employees (although that is actually simply a front for the fact that they couldn’t keep anybody around), and three of them have been transferred to other departments. However, the stories of bullying and abuse make it abundantly clear that what we have here is another (or should I say the original) of Brady’s toxic administrators: Kim Record.

There are two main reasons why I bring this up.

First, it is that it is part of the evidence that Brady has created a toxic work environment that spreads beyond one or two anti-social administrators. Paul Mason wasn’t a lone wolf, he was well suited to the administrative environment for which he was hired. And the poison Brady has brought will not disappear with him or with her ‘retirement.’

Second, because although it is too late to help those who have been fired or forced out, there may be some vindication for them in knowing that their story is being told.

What amazes me is that all of this sort of slipped under the radar – how we could lose over 90 people and nobody really question the abilities of the person brought in to lead. If a department were to lose 90 students, you’d better believe there would be repercussions. I can’t imagine why upper administration is not held to the same standard they so heartily avow is an important measure of quality and performance.

Each area of the university that suffers under Brady’s creatures seems to have done so in relative isolation – each group having little idea of what had happened (other than scattered rumor) to the others and quietly hoping that each incremental disaster was to stop before it reached their walls. It is understandable in such a fear filled environment that many would simply hunker down and hope for the best. Unfortunately, it is in increments that the waters around all of us rise, as TS Eliot said: “until human voices wake us and we drown.”

The history is clear and the disappearances have left scars on our collective psyche, damage to the community for which there must be truth before there can be reconciliation and we must demand as much before a new chancellor can wander unaware (or foolishly) into this and expect to lead us forward.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

            -Martin Niemoeller

These are the names and in parenthesis the date of hire. Any information that would help to correct or amend anything on this list would be greatly appreciated.

Erica Zabkar, Assistant Coach (temp)

James Wyatt – moved from ICA to human resources (-$30,000)

Chad Workman, Assistant Coach (2004)

Jesus Wilson, AC (2008)

Vanessa Williams, AC (1992)

Mark Williams, HC (2004)

Laura Tomes, AC (2002)

Benjamin Thompson, Lecturer

Paula Terrell (transferred to accounting and finance - 1997)

Richard Stewart, Associate Director (2001)

William Steffen, AC (2004)

Janine Sprague - temp

Carrie Smith – temp (2006)

Jennifer Severns, AC (2006)

Jessica Schmidt, AC (2007)

Jarrett Santos – temp (30k)

Gary Ross, Assistant Director (2007)

John Rolle
Christopher Roberts, AC (2007)
Carla Roberts (?), Dance team (2001 - 2006)

Martin Redelinghuys, AC (1979)

Edward Radwanski (1999)

Jessica Poole (public safety officer)

Carol Peschel (1985)

Perry Phillip (1985)

Linda Peronto (2000)

David Percival (1994)

Michael Parker (1984)

Elizabeth Palazzi (2008)

Skydra Orzen (2005)

Kevin Oleksiak, Director (2006)

Vanessa Oakes, AC (2008)

Patrick Nichols, Head Coach – Volleyball (2006)

Linh Nguyen, Head Coach (2003)

Siri Mullinix, AC (2005)

Thomas Mozur, Head Coach - Tennis (2002)

Sylvia Mims, Associate Director (1979)

Emily Marron, Head Coach (2003)

Jason Loukides, Head Coach (2004)

Margaret Long (2007)

David Lee, AC (2005)

Shona Lauritano (2002)

Kaleah Latham, AC (2006)

Christina Kramer (2007)

Daisy Kovach, Associate Head Trainer (2006)

Gary Klutts, Assistant Director (2006)

Ronald Keefe, AC (2007)

Brian Judski, AC (2007)

Gwen Johnson (2001)

Rod Jensen, Associate Coach (2005)

Michale Janela (2008)

Justin Hukill (2009)

Neil Holmes (2006)

Erika Holmes (2007)

Michael Hirschman (2004)

Jonathan Hines (2004)

Kristina Hill
Jennifer Herzig, Head Coach (1986)

Jana Henderson (transferred to admissions)

Ashley Hayes (2007)

Nancy Hawks (2007)

Steven Hassen (2005)

James Harward (2007)

Amanda Haren (2007)

Chorhonda Gwaltney, AC (2010)

Edward Gordon (2008)

Corey Gipson, AC (1999)

Michael Gaski, Head Coach (1989)

Shawn Garus (2005)

Meghan Gannon (2008)

Brian Flynn (1998)

Carlie Fink (2010)

Shaina Ervin (2007)
Alex Edge

Kevin Easley, AC (2006)

Scott Desrosiers
Jennifer Desrosiers
David Dement, Head Coach (1995)

Celia Denham
Amber Debnam, AC (2007)

Aaron Craft, AC (2008)

Joann Cozart (2004)

John-Edward Comer – University Program Specialist, Alumni Affairs

Matthew Chazanow (2008)

Katherine Carter (2007)

Joanna Camp (1985)

Daren Burns (2009)

Laura Briggs (2008)

Paul Brennen (2007)

Deeann Brennan (1997)

Nelson Bobb (1983)

David Black (2001)

Jay Benfield, AC (1997)

Lauren Beasley (2010)

Brian Battle

Mary Avent, Associate Director (2000)

Cherie Avent (2009)

James Athas, AC (1999)

Lynne Agee, Head Coach (1981)

Letter to Susan Safran

Safran, Chair of the UNCG Board of Trustees said administrators are looking to see what additional information, if any, they can make public. 

“When the evidence comes out,” Safran said, “I hope you’ll understand the actions we took.”

Everything is out Susan. And we still don't understand. 

So I have written to her for clarification:

Dear Susan,

Now that the final failure to reveal that the UNCG3 were involved in the commission of 'egregious' crimes has passed, it is time that you explain yourself to the UNCG community. This is especially urgent as your integrity is called into question by the statements that you made and now you are intimately involved in choosing the next chancellor. 

If you do not have, and make available, an explanation for your statements and inaction, I believe that the only reasonable response to this situation would be for you to step down. The Board of Trustees may not be legally beholden to the UNCG community, but you are beholden to us as a fellow human, no more valuable than any other. 

Should you have no further explanation to offer, then we must condemn, in no uncertain terms, your behavior as not only irresponsible but also morally reprehensible. 

It is time for you to come clean.

Tchus,

Sophie

--

http://www.news-record.com/uncg-trustees-show-support-for-chancellor/article_aa0dd3a3-167b-5081-b224-f1f05fc5c894.html

If you wish to get in touch with Susan Safran directly, her email address is susan.m.safran@gmail.com

A Question for the Board of Trustees

For anybody who knows Bob Wineburg, they know he is never one to hold his tongue when he believes there is something that needs to be said. This does not make him the easiest of people to be around and has certainly earned him a solid set of enemies.

I have not always agreed with him, but I have to say that I admire him profoundly - to stand up, to speak out, to call a spade a spade isn't meant to make others comfortable. It never has an it never will. There is no comfort to be had right now and to seek it is a disservice to the UNCG community - students, staff, faculty, and the citizens of Greensboro alike.

As such, I share Dr. Wineburg's missive to the Board of Trustees and desperately hope that it is not met by the same stone wall we have seen before.

"Dear Members of the Board of Trustees: 

I have had the distinct honor of sharing my views with you and President Ross throughout the worst mess UNCG has faced since I have been here. Sadly, we faculty have suffered through the most egregious administrative behavior I have witnessed in 34.5 years at UNCG. Thank God for free speech! I could not hold in how badly I felt for the victims of a truth worse than a horror story.

I believe as stewards of this once incredible university, some sort of statement about regret is in order from some level of leadership here. I don't expect one from Chancellor Brady, nor the administrators whom I believe knew this was a "house cleaning" from the get-go, nor any of you. Your leadership, especially giving Chancellor Brady a golden parachute when she truly deserved to be fired, was sort of Orwellian-like, in that "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others."

But I need to go on record suggesting you consider doing what we ask our students to do when they plagiarize, aren't honest taking  a test, and the like. We give them a second chance if they make a good faith effort not to repeat such behavior. We don't use a one strike and you are out policy; they are human and can learn from their actions. Good teachers are firm but gentle. The gut of this university is its teachers, something lost in this saga. In reality, you are all are here to make sure we do our jobs the best we can. That slipped away. 

I am not so foolish to think that you don't carry a large burden of always steering this large ship, and even more so when things of this nature happen. You look before you leap and err on the side of caution as you should. I think you did your best in putting lipstick on sow of a situation. I know it is hard to call a skunk a skunk especially when the herd of independent minds is calling it a lily.  

But some of you backed Chancellor Brady, and I was wondering how you are going to rectify what the  News and Record said about some of you:   "some UNCG trustees’ assurances that the university would be vindicated once the “full story” was revealed ring hollow."

The University was not vindicated and I was wondering, as our leaders, how you you are going to employ the Golden Rule? Or will it be Silence is Golden?

Thank you for your time once again."

It is time to answer.

Frostbitten Fingers

In my continuing quest to save the university money, I thought I would collect the ice needed for the sculptures that Jan Zink seems to believe are the key to our donor's checkbooks. I'm only too afraid that in the face of her failure, her next plan will be to demonstrate UNCG's suitability as a recipient for donations by lighting things on fire. Apparently, she is operating under the assumption that our alums haven't experienced some of nature's most basic wonders...maybe she should try accurately predicting an eclipse?

In any case, I had nearly finished collecting what I believed would be a reasonable amount of snow, when somebody sent me pictures of the kind of things that Zink would be expecting from her frozen frivolities. I may have to move to Boston. I don't think it's coming down hard enough here to be able to deliver her fix.

I wonder how much it is costing to provide valet parking at these shindigs? After all, the people who work here have to PAY to park here. I wonder how much money the university could raise if it didn't have any employees. Probably none. So maybe a better investment would be to reduce the cost for parking for employees. I don't think these glitz and glam tactics are fooling anybody.

I guess I also can't help but wonder if we couldn't have found any sort of reusable but elegant ornamentation that could be used...we do have art and design departments on campus.

After all, we can't get raises, fix our buildings, or even keep our jobs since the budgets are being cut and cut and cut, right?

And, all of our financial woes are just coming down to us from Raleigh, right??

So, there's no chance that once the money that comes to the university is being spent in a way that is causing its faculty, staff, and students to suffer, right??

And since everything is ordered from Raleigh, there is no way that we could decide, for example, not to use it on ice sculptures but rather to pay for anything else, right??

Because that would mean there was a failure on the part of our leadership, not some hardship that we just have to deal with...and that would mean that we should demand that our leadership stop failing.

RIGHT?!?

Oh, I see.

We don't have a financial crisis. 
We have a leadership crisis. 

It's going to take a lot more than ice to heal that injury.

   

Snow, Hot Air & The French Revolution

I meant to write more today, there are so many things that present themselves as topics...but I didn't have time because I was outside all day collecting ice so that Jan Zink can have an unlimited repertoire of sculptural options with which to impress donors. With the money this frees up, each staff person can get $100 to help out with their heat bill this month. This is something that will be sorely needed since when the university closes, employees have to choose between using a vacation day or not getting paid. Meanwhile, Jan Zink can just pile on her fur coats should things get too cold in her neck of the woods.

Alternately, apparently hot air is freely available to all those willing to subject themselves to Bryan Terry's temper tantrums and screaming fits.

All in all, I can imagine why university relations is down from 17 staff to 5; university advancement down from 51 to 21; the school of education from 28 to 5...

When confronted with the failure to increase pay in keeping with cost of living increases, the rising cost of health care premiums, and the further pay cut represented by the new adverse weather conditions employment policy, I think our darling Jan put it best when she said: "Let them eat cake."

Of course, we all remember how that turned out.

The Chancellor Needs to Answer

Now there has been a settlement, the final admission by the university that it didn't have a leg to stand on. Not one, not a stump, not a lean-to, not a dream, not a prayer. There wasn't even a whimper despite the promised bang.

Where is the evidence of egregious wrong doing now?

The lies should stick in Linda Brady's throat.

And if the faculty had any guts at all, they would be at her office on Monday morning demanding that she answer for herself. She should beg our forgiveness and she should leave now. There isn't enough crow to serve her what she deserves.

This. Is. Unacceptable.

We do not forgive.

We do not forget.
Expect us.

Opportunistic Greensboro Gives Community Service Award to Brady

I had to reread this story several times before I was able to overcome my firm belief that I must be misunderstanding it. However, and hold on to your barf bags, here is what was released in the Campus Weekly this morning:

“Chancellor Linda P. Brady and NC A&T Chancellor Harold Martin received the Thomas Z. Osborne Distinguished Citizen Award from the Greensboro Partnership at their annual dinner. The award is presented to a citizen who has demonstrated extraordinary service and achievement within the community; it is the highest honor given by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and is presented jointly with Duke Energy. Brady and Martin were recognized for not only the significant work done at their respective universities, but also for the unprecedented level of teamwork and collaboration that they have exhibited in working to make projects such as the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, Opportunity Greensboro, and the Union Square Campus a reality.”

Apparently, Opportunity Greensboro members hold the mistaken belief that Brady has “demonstrated extraordinary service and achievement within the community.”

I am having a very hard time imagining where that idea came from.

First though, let me clarify, while the award could be, in theory, given to any citizen, it just so happens that this time the citizens who ‘deserved’ it were both members of the Opportunity Greensboro cabal.

I have no beef with Harold Martin, I don't know him or his work, but the mere idea that the words community service and Linda Brady could be put together in a sentence without a negative separating them makes my skin crawl.

Apparently, you can severely damage several communities and yet still receive an award for outstanding work if, and here’s the catch, you benefit in some way the people who are giving out the award. So that raises the question: which benefits are being given to whom in such a way that Brady’s work would seem meritorious?

Let’s take a look at this “significant work done at their respective universities.” During Brady’s administration:

• The Glenwood fiasco
• The Wreck Center and its fee hike
• The UNCG3 / Paul Mason
• The unnecessary $12 million give back
• Raises for the highly paid
• Shrinking student numbers
• Academic Program Review Circus
• Alienation of HES donors and alumni
• Forced reorganization (twice!)
• Multiple new upper administration positions
• Massive loss of employment
• Underperforming nano program
• Ever shrinking Union Campus Initiative
• Demonstrated racism in UNCG police
• Wood frame housing subject to fire at Spartan Village
• 85% of faculty experience morale as a significant problem on campus
• Culture of bullying rampant in administration
• Rise & Fall of Learning Communities
• Faculty flight
• Staff disappearance
• Enormous increases in health care premiums & co-pays
• Increased teaching loads
• Lost course sections
• Wrestling program dissolved
• UNCG Magazine abandoned
• #36 on list of Fastest Growing Sugar Baby Schools
• Fallen off list of best places to work
• Jan Zink's fundraising impotence
• Tragic branding campaign #dsba
• Greatly increased police presence at BOT meetings

I could go on. And on. And on.

Now put that up against the benefits of the nano school and union square campus:

• Union square already twice reduced in size
• Currently at 85,000 square feet that will cost $90 million to build (a popular number as the rec center cost $91 million)
• Meanwhile, 500,000 square feet of unused space at Gateway East and Gateway North
• Nanoschool has currently produced four PhD graduates in 4.5 years at an outlay of $700,000
• Unfortunately, the outlay for those who dropped out was about $2 million
• In other words, this is a program that produced 4.5 students at $971,000 per degree)
• The nanoscience program was supposed to enroll 110 students (and the nanoengineering a further 110)…in nanoscience they seem approximately 100 short - makes you wonder about the University's prediction of 320 for the Dr. of Nursing to be offered at the Union Campus
• The JSSN cost $65 million to build and equip (odd that the rec center should be so much more expensive…)

I’m still waiting for the benefits from either of those projects to become clear to me.

What is clear to me is that Randall Kaplan, who is a member of Opportunity Greensboro is also part of the founding group for Capital Facilities Foundation, the group that purchased the rec center land in Glenwood and made it available to the university.

Here is what Brady has really done that has earned her this award:

Turned the university into a mechanism for real estate development.

It is clear that a lot of university money is being pumped into real estate in and around Greensboro and that some people benefit directly from the sale of that real estate, some benefit from the property value increases, some benefit by skimming, some benefit through kick backs for construction contracts…and some benefit from lying through their teeth while rubbing elbows with the Greensboro elite.

What are we positioning for here? Who is benefiting from all of these projects? I guess it could be a coincidence that despite the lived experience of thousands of people which indicate that Brady has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster, when that is placed by the side of hundreds of millions of dollars of student and taxpayer money being funneled into private hands that Opportunity Greensboro sees Brady as a hero, but I think not.

The poor bastards writing for Campus Weekly should be given hazard pay for having been made to handle this toxic material.