"Whose university is this, anyway?"

Governor McDonnell placed William Goodwin on the UVa board to be a guiding influence. Meanwhile various "sunlight" organizations also have reported him to be a large financial contributor (over half a million dollars) to McDonnell's political activities.

Goodwin, with unilateral behavior similar to Helen Dragas, has proved tobe as much of a distraction from accepted board procedures as has Ms. Dragas. He did not attend the University as an undergraduate, and he shows little respect for UVa's core principles in his comments to the press and in online streaming of BOV meetings. It's hard to believe he runs his own
business that way.

Goodwin is a Virginia Tech grad who later got an MBA at UVa. His counsel would be more appropriate in Blacksburg at his alma mater. Gov. McDonnell holds a law degree from Pat Robertson's Regent U. and he's Robertson's kind
of leader. That's hardly in keeping with Thomas Jefferson's world view. The UVa Founder championed separation of church and state and opposed unilateral, monarchical governance. 

UVa is a university where Jefferson gave
priority to prohibitions against the establishment of religion, just as he did in founding our nation.
Goodwin's comments are difficult for educated people to support. He claims that public access to meetings and Freedom of Information requests are harmful to BOV procedures. He fails to mention that UVa is a public university—one of the best—and its activities are open to public scrutiny.
He has compared his own view of BOV issues to how he deals with his personal marital relationship.

How can a world-class faculty respect a Board member who talks and thinks like that? Thus Gov. McDonnell and his supporters have put both our university and our state in jeopardy; the results will lead to economic losses, not just jokes on TV shows. Who wants to do business in such an atmosphere? Or go to college where these attitudes rule? Whose Virginia is this? Clearly not Jefferson's.

Jefferson often wrote about the University of Virginia as he envisioned it; he wrote in Dec. 1820:
"This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it."
(Feel free to follow it up at:
http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/quotations-university-virginia)

And Jefferson also wrote, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, ..." -- Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Paris, January 30, 1787.

If we believe that Jefferson's University of Virgina is a part of our public heritage, it's time we did something besides accept homilies and platitudes from a governor who is uncommitted to mainstream higher education and from his political appointees. Seems a little rebellion may be a good thing. 

Gerry

March 19, 2013

[The above appeared as a letter to the editor in the Charlottesville Daily Progress.]

We will "never give up"

Thus it may be upswetting (!) to Wm Goodwin and the rest of the right-wing opponents to free speech on the UVa BOV that there are hundreds of students, faculty and alumni who will "never give up" to their rightwing ilk who would take over Mr. Jefferson's University and turn it into a figment of their own creation. 

This is the sort of thing that this element has been wont to do--often gaining control--once they have infiltrated the governing boards of schools, colleges, churches and political parties, located around our state and nation. The GOP itself is a case in point.

Any and all of us who bother to read a newspaper (not just watch TV) are well aware that stagnation and stalemates afflict our country at many levels--and often have their origins among the right-wing marauders whose agendas are rooted in disasters of a previous age, including the guilt by association of McCarthyism and the civil disorder brought on by low-level murders (including school children) and high-profile assignations (of Presidents and cabinet members).For good doses of widespread courage and flawed human leadership, I recommend "The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill," Volume 3: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965; research by Wm Manchester, writing by J. Reid. (Amazon for Kindle/iPad in my case.)

Here is a link to photos of various Hall of Fame honorees at Christchurch, including Virginia Puller Dabney, widow of Col. William H. Dabney, CCS Class of 1953. Photos are by Scott Blankenship,
Director of Publications, Christchurch School: (804) 758-2306 ext. 158
<sblankenship@christchurchschool.org>


https://www.christchurchschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=52562&a=167848

Christchurch School Hall of Fame

CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL HOLDS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

The Christchurch School Hall of Fame inducted four new members – three for lifetime achievement and one for athletic achievement – on Saturday, September 29 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Chapel on the school’s campus during Homecoming/Family Weekend festivities. [It was my privilege to present the credentials of my classmate, Colonel William H. Dabney ’53, for recognition, see below. --glc]

The Christchurch School Hall of Fame celebrates the school’s history by honoring alumni, students, coaches and other members of the school constituency who have made important contributions to their community, state and nation through noteworthy accomplishments in life and work. The 2012-13 inductees included:

Vice Admiral John W. Craine Jr. ’64

John Craine served in the U.S. Navy for thirty-three years, rising to Vice Admiral. His most noteworthy assignments were: Commanding Officer, Fighter Squadron EIGHTY FOUR and Naval Air Station Oceana. Following promotion to Rear Admiral he was Commander Shore Activities, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and as a Vice Admiral Chief of Naval Education and Training. He flew 114 missions over North Vietnam. His outstanding career has been recognized by the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat  “V,” the Air Medal and various service medals. Following retirement from the Navy, he assumed administrative duties in the State of New York University System, culminating in being President of the State University of New York Maritime College. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of Christchurch School.

Colonel William H. Dabney ’53

Bill Dabney served three years in the United States Marine Corps, then entered Virginia Military Institute, from which he graduated in 1961. Bill re-entered the U.S. Marines as a Second Lieutenant and began an exemplary career. Bill was awarded the Silver Star and the Navy Cross by the President of the United States for his "extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry" in Vietnam, for his actions from January 21 to April 14, 1968. The President's citation concludes: "Colonel Dabney contributed decisively to ultimate victory in the Battle of Khe Sanh, and ranks among the most heroic stands of any American force in history. By his valiant combat leadership, exceptional bravery, and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Dabney reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

Dr. William E. Easterling III ’72

Bill Easterling is recognized as a world leader in developing novel solutions to challenges such as achieving energy security, sustaining a viable planetary life support system, developing profoundly new materials to meet societal needs, and learning how changing human goals and values will influence the scientific questions of the future. Bill is an internationally recognized expert on how global warming will likely affect the earth's food supply, and was a lead author of a report on the effects of climate change, commissioned by the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the co-recipient with Al Gore for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Bill's efforts were hailed for providing comprehensive and objective information to better understand the scientific basis of human-induced climate change, its potential impact, and options for adaptation and mitigation. 

Mr. Renard P. Stevens Jr. ’02

Renard Stevens was a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 2 All-American at West Liberty State University, where he set a record for receptions as a junior and broke it as a senior: 140 receptions in two years. Renard signed a National Football League contract in 2007, had a brief stint with the New York Jets, and signed to Team Alabama of the All American Football League in March 2008. As a Christchurch School student, Renard started for four years as quarterback, played defensive back and returned kicks and punts, compiling a combined 4,077 all-purpose yards and 29 all-purpose touchdowns. Renard's athletic success brought national recognition to Christchurch School's athletic program. 

ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL –

Founded in 1921, Christchurch School is one of six church schools affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Christchurch is a co-ed boarding and day college-preparatory school for grades 9-12. The school’s unique Great Journeys curriculum is integrated and place-based, making use of the school’s location on the Rappahannock River and in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. www.christchurchschool.org

List Price: $10.00

On Scholarship: From an Empty Room  at Princeton   My book has been published and is available at Amazon.com. On Scholarship: From an Empty Room at Princeton (Volume 1)  by Gerald L. Cooper (Oct 1, 2012) On Scholarship: From An Empty Room at Princeton Gerald L. Cooper is a Norfolk resident and Lancaster County native. He had a career in education as an administrator, counselor and teacher in three Virginia prep schools. Christchurch, Blue Ridge and Woodberry Forest. He then headed a North Carolina day school and later directed development at a historically black college: Winston-Salem State University. He ended his career by serving as executive director of Norfolk's Tidewater Scholarship Foundation and ACCESS program, a 501 (c) (3) organization. After retiring in 2000, Cooper assisted former governor Gerald Baliles in starting a college access program in rural Patrick County, west of Martinsville, Va. He then began to write a remembrance of his life and career, titled "On Scholarship: From An Empty Room at Princeton." He includes growing up in rural Lancaster County, Virginia, getting an education in public elementary and private high school. Cooper is a 1953 graduate of Christchurch School, and attended two public colleges: three semesters at William and Mary and then he transferred to the University of Virginia, where he earned BA and MEd degrees. Cooper closes the book with a chapter titled "Leading to Diversity at the University of Virginia," in which he discusses progress in economic and racial diversity at the University, from the time he enrolled there in 1955 until John T. Casteen III ended his twenty-year presidency in 2009. Cooper also describes his work as a development officer and board member in various types of schools, colleges and other nonprofits. Gerald L. Cooper's closing statement: "I hope others will learn from my experiences, starting with losing my father when I was ten and being nurtured by the town of Lancaster Court House. "Folks may read my book and benefit from a slice of real life. For example, there is useful information for students and parents on gaining access to financial aid for college. Also, I give examples of raising funds for various kinds of non-profit organizations and working with a variety of board members. "There are also descriptions of how effective leaders in our state of Virginia have achieved high goals, using unselfish and non-partisan methods. It would be wonderful if we could get back to that unselfish, non-partisan approach here in the Old Dominion in the 21st century. "I'm hopeful for the resurgence of those principles, and it all starts with education. One of the chapters in my book is titled 'Getting an Education, Not the Confederacy,' and that's a good place to start."

The contrasting responses of Dragas and Sullivan - A retrospective

"Working in secret" is unorthodox

The key to the entire misfortune surrounding the firing of UVa President Teresa Sullivan, as engineered by Rector Helen Dragas, is that Dragas "began working in secret last fall to build a case against Sullivan," as the press discovered and reported. (The Washington Post, 06/25/12.) Fortunately, President Sullivan was reinstated by the UVa Board of Visitors, one week later, on June 26. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/experts-draw-lessons-from-u-va-crisis/2012/06/26/gJQAk41J5V_story.html)

Dragas's actions were unorthodox and subversive, and unfolding events clearly differentiated Dragas' way from that of Teresa Sullivan.  Sullivan stepped down immediately when asked to do so by her legal authority, the rector of the Board. It is clear that standards take priority in Sullivan's world. Authority must be respected, even when motivations are in question.

In my view, the governor of Virginia, Dragas' supervising authority, should not have reappointed her. She had already missed the chance to step down voluntarily. By reappointing her, Gov. McDonnell gave at least tacit approval to her "secret" undermining activities, which sends an ambiguous message to young and old in our Commonwealth: the governor of Virginia may condone such questionable behavior on a public board. Many will say that the governor made a political decision here, yet that does not make his decision morally right--nor a good example for the future.

That is also why thousands of UVa constituents-- faculty, students, friends and alumni-- have strongly questioned Dragas' actions. It appeared that she had acted dishonestly in relation to UVa's vaunted Honor Code, albeit the "students' system," and certainly she had behaved in a manner that past generations of students (now alumni) and board members publicly condemned.

Public versus private institutions

Herein may lie the difference between how boards are operated in public versus private institutions. In a private university setting, the governing board would be expected to evaluate and control itself and its members. Therefore, a chairman who had acted arbitrarily and secretly, as Dragas did, and had incited the ire of thousands of supporters, would be expected to step down, either voluntarily or by vote of a majority of the board. 

Private sector boards, at least the most effective ones, typically consider it their duty to "police" themselves and their members, within the framework of what is best for the institution long-term, not just a short horizon, such as the four years of a governor's term in Virginia.

In the fifty years that I've observed the University of Virginia, since graduating in 1958, I would suggest that our governors have done an above-average job in appointing members to the Board of Visitors in Charlottesville.  No examples of a need for the governor to chastise them comes to mind--until now. Nor has partisanship been a problem.

For the future, with the increase in partisanship in our culture, along with the decline of the freely-giving spirit and wisdom among some of our "instantly rich" citizens, there is need to require greater understanding of institutional governance on the part of those nominated to serve on public university boards. Many have criticized Ms. Dragas for acting as if she were running her own private company--for not granting the due process that's required in a public entity. Yet, as former president John Casteen III said (not his exact words), The public needs to see the public's business.

The future debate of higher education will certainly require a new look at governance: especially the vetting, appointing, and evaluating of public university boards. The degree to which this task is handled successfully will determine whether Virginia's system of public higher education continues to be among the five or ten best in the nation, or drops into the group where politics and football may take precedence over academic excellence and public service. 

Our governor seems to have taken a positive first step. President Sullivan said last week, "Governor McDonnell used great wisdom in appointing these (seven new) members to the University's board, and I am grateful for his understanding of the challenges facing higher education. This is a group of distinguished individuals – from higher education and technology to government and health care – who will be able to hit the ground running. Their collective expertise will be invaluable, as there is much work to be done."

  

Now the General Assembly must put aside social issues and focus instead on meeting the financial challenges--at UVa and at other State universities--that all authorities see on the horizon. They may look for comparisons as to fare shares of state support nearby-- both Maryland and North Carolina have outstripped Virginia for years in funding public higher education from tax revenues.

          Virginia got a free ride

Virginia has been taking a free ride--resting on ratings of the past and letting private money take up more than a fair share of the slack in funding our universities. A notion of "privatizing" at UVa may have led to some of the recent crisis of leadership in Charlottesville. Most experienced administrators know that if major donors go after control as part of their reason for giving, chaos can occur, as it nearly did at UVa. Professional graduate schools in business and law may continue as profit centers, but they must be controlled by the central board.

Virginia's public universities will serve the commonwealth best if they remain public, not secret, in their activities. If, however, we the people want the best education for our children and grandchildren, then we must be willing to pay for it. Some will pay through increased taxes; others will also make charitable contributions. 

Let's hope that each of us will do our fair share, in keeping with our financial ability, and recognizing how much Virginia's public universities have done for us in our personal search for "... life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."