Published Sunday, June 14, 2009 12:09 AM
Hispanic groups support Murano
By MICHELLE CASADY
michelle.casady@theeagle.com
Show of support
A faculty group is asking Texas A&M students and faculty members to converge near the Rudder Tower fountains at 8:30 a.m. Monday in a show of support for Texas A&M University President Elsa Murano.
The employment status of Murano -- Texas A&M University's first Hispanic and first female president -- could be decided at a 9 a.m. Board of Regents meeting.
"Although it may appear that the decisions have already been made, it may still be possible to influence the outcome," the executive committee of the Council of Principal Investigators -- a group of faculty that represents the Texas A&M research community -- said in an open letter to the campus community.
"Hence, it is important for the students, faculty, and staff to make their opinions known."
The group also urged community members to attend the regents meeting in the Memorial Student Center.
-- Staff report
Two Hispanic groups have sided with Texas A&M President Elsa Murano in a rift between her and Texas A&M University System Chancellor Mike McKinney.
The A&M System's Board of Regents will meet at 9 a.m. Monday to discuss personnel matters relating to "A&M System Administration Officers and all employees; Texas A&M University President, Executive Level Officers and all employees; and other officers reporting directly to the Board," according to the agenda.
Murano -- the first female and first Hispanic president in the school's history -- was not mentioned by name on the meeting agenda, but many think Murano's job could be on the line.
The meeting comes after a scathing performance evaluation of Murano -- handwritten by McKinney -- was released recently in response to an open records request from The Eagle.
And McKinney has said the idea of merging the president's and chancellor's job was under consideration as a cost-cutting measure.
In the performance review, Murano scored low marks for leadership and management, honesty and integrity and being a team player.
Henry Ortega, chairman of the Texas A&M Hispanic Network, said the review contrasted with the 300-member alumni organization's experience with Murano.
"There is a need for this university to come to grips with a little bit of growing up and become more open to the issues of diversity," Ortega said. "We only have praise for the way that Dr. Murano has handled her assignments at the university. She has been a symbol -- a breath of fresh air at A&M as far as I and the organization I represent are concerned. Our focus is the issue of diversity, and she's been very positive in promoting that."
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has also spoken out for Murano, expressing concern over her evaluation in a letter sent to Gov. Rick Perry and the Board of Regents.
"We are deeply concerned that Dr. Murano's leadership may be unfairly impacted by the published facts surrounding what appears to be an out-of-cycle, hasty, and not-well-considered evaluation," Antonio Flores, the group's president and CEO, wrote in the letter, dated June 5. "The biased nature of the evaluation is only magnified by reports of the chancellor's improvised suggestion of collapsing the president's position into the chancellor's as a cost-saving measure."
Flores was unavailable to comment for this story, but in the letter, he urged Perry to work with the regents to resolve the "unnecessarily convoluted situation with due expediency and allow Dr. Murano to exercise fully her leadership and management responsibilities without further harm to her excellent reputation or to the prestige of Texas A&M University."
Murano serves on the board of governors for the group, which has more than 450 member campuses nationwide and 62 in Texas, including six in the A&M System. Its mission is to "champion Hispanic success in higher education."
Ortega said Murano has always been straightforward with the Texas A&M Hispanic Network, going so far as setting up a meeting to discuss a new vice president for diversity for Texas A&M.
"We thought that attention and concern for notifying the alumni of what was going on was most adequate," he said. "She went into some detail about why they were looking for a new person for that position. It was that kind of concern and attention ... she wanted people to understand what was happening and why things were going a certain way. She wanted people to know that decisions were not being made arbitrarily."
Ortega, a senior partner in a San Antonio architecture firm, said the Hispanic organization's support of Murano wasn't based on ethnicity, but on the way she did her job and her concern for others in making decisions.
"I would go back to the objectives of Vision 2020," he said in a reference to A&M's plan to be recognized as a top 10 public university by the year 2020.
"One of the major issues there was diversity, not necessarily ethnic, but in the global sense of being able to attract talent and professionals of the highest caliber no matter where they're from. I believe she did that," Ortega said.
Comments
24 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 5:38 PM
Comment Title:
Who gives a damn about Hispanic groups, why can't they be Americans like the rest of us. This whole hispanic crap is about a bunch of Americans with ethnic connections to Mexico taking advantage of ignorant wet backs and others new to our country. Get job, go to work, do for your children and let these Hispanics moan about how they are mistreated. I am worn out with this whole poor black and poor brown bs.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Gigger On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 10:22 PM
Comment Title: Reminded of Thomas Becket
King Henry appoints a crony so he can control the powerful church. When Becket started showing a mind of his own, the king's followers assassinated him. The BOR are political appointees; they picked McKinney, who is obviously incompetent to be Chancellor of TAMU. Will some reporter dig up _his_ performance evaluation for us?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
plasmapal On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 11:54 AM
Comment Title: What did she expect?
Reminds me of a gal I knew who ran off with a married man. After they'd been hitched a while he ran off with someone else. Poor gal had a difficult time suggesting she didn't know what kind of guy he was. Likewise El Presidente sin gusano chose her sancho knowing he was a snake, and now she's upset she got bit. So now it's because she's latina, at least according to her race baiting supporters. At least this shines a light on the good ol boys, maybe the topic will come up during the looming election cycle.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Paul On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 11:37 AM
Comment Title: Sick of racism
Why does Elsa or anyone elses ethnic background have to be the focus here? My mother is of native American background and my fathers family is from Ireland. I don't call myself Irish-American or Native American. I guess I need to start the NAAWP. Tell Elsa to climb on her broom and fly away. She got a poor job review and with that comes reprimand or firing. Deal with it.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
227md On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 7:05 AM
Comment Title:
My only experience with Dr. Murano was with a particular E-Mail that she sent out on a Sunday evening just about a month ago. One of my associates sent it to me, as not being a native English speaker he was confused as to the relevance of the message contained. All I could determine was that Dr. Murano, perhaps in an impaired state, possibly alcohol induced, abused her ability to reach every student at the University with a very unprofessional and rambling message about a dispute with a gentleman that I don't recall. It was obvious to me at that point that this Morono person was not of the caliber that should be at the helm of A&M. I am not entirely shocked by the title of this "news story" in relation to "Hispanic groups", I just now wonder how "Hispanic groups" differ from gangs or even terrorists when the issue of race is forced to the forefront to intentionally confuse the issues of proper guidance. If Dr. Murano were Caucasian (and only the activity of "Hispanic activists" have alerted me to the fact she is not), how would she be viewed if supported by "Caucasian activists"?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 4:50 AM
Comment Title:
"Hispanic Groups"? Excuse me but isn't it sort of racist to support someone because of their race instead of their competence?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Louis On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 2:33 AM
Comment Title: Wah Wah
She got a bad review. Had she been a white woman would there be such an outrage?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
George55 On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 1:48 AM
Comment Title: Hey, thanks!
Thank you for the great advice, Charlie. Maybe I should resort to name-calling, as you have. That is way more intelligent than trying to educate a simple mind.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:49 PM
Comment Title: waaaaah
You pathetic bigots - as if the community voted to exclude her. It's RACISM - like anyone cares which particular modifier she uses to describe what sort of American she happens to be. It's because she's a WOMAN - sort of like Sarah Palin but plainer and less accomplished.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Charlie Murphy On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:05 PM
Comment Title: Ok George55????
Trying to be make intelligent comments using the ole wiki makes you more of a tard so why don't you say something on subject and quit proving pointless opinions wrong. We don't care what ya came up with.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
George55 On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:51 PM
Comment Title: Definition of "Hispanic" for "these people" Poster
Allow me to share a definition of the term "Hispanic", courtesy of the folks at wikipedia: Term used to describe the culture and people of countries formerly ruled by Spain, usually with a majority of the population having Spanish ancestry and speaking the Spanish language. These include Mexico, the majority of the Central and South American countries, and most of the Greater Antilles. There are also Spanish influences in the African nation of Equatorial Guinea, and the cultures of the Spanish East Indies' nations and territories, the Philippines, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Dr. Murano was born in Cuba, which is why the term can be applied to her. Cuba is the largest of the Greater Antilles. You may have heard of it. Dr. Murano is American by virtue of her being a naturalized citizen of our wonderful country. Dr. Murano is proud of her Cuban heritage and proud of her adopted country as well. She became American by choice long ago. Perhaps she appreciates the blessings of living in liberty more than some who have been born in the good old USA, since she was born in a place where liberty is not exactly available. It would have been better if you had done a little homework before posting your message. Let's just say your post doesn't paint you in the best light.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
JAMES On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:50 PM
Comment Title: FAAAAAAA AGGIELAND
YOU RACIST BIGOTS GOT WHAT YOU WANTED. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ALL THE MESS YOU DONE. DR MURANO YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS STUPID RACIST SCHOOL.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Tom Arnold On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:08 PM
Comment Title: To the "these people" poster
I'm not Hispanic, yet I support Dr Murano, absent any creditable information to the countrary. Apparently she didn't "drop out" or "go on welfare" or any of the other asserted problems with "these people". She earned her degrees - they aren't honorary - and she is sticking up for herself. Good for her. I seem to remember "Fighting Texas Aggie" figuring into the school mystique. I don't know what kind of a job she is doing, but whatever it is, it isn't because of her race or sex. BTW, I sign my posts.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 3:53 PM
Comment Title: TAMU leadership issues have nothing to do with "Diversity"
The issue is about favoritism, political connections, respect for proper process, goals for the university, and lack of independence in thought and governance. Does TAMU really want to be a Top Ten university? The group cited in this article has the prerogative and the role, like the faculty senate and the alumni association, to voice their concerns about due process and fair evaluations and the goals of this great university. Political appointees often have little interest in due process and fair evaluations. We can also clearly that is considerable incongruence between the goals of Vision 2020 embraced by the faculty and the alumni, and the goals of leaders who were appointed by the governor.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 2:31 PM
Comment Title:
Diversity divides and destroys groups of people. Why do these people call themselves Hispanic? Are they ashamed of their Mexican heritage or what ever their country of origin? Mexicans are a different culture, have a different way of thinking. The dropouts in school these days are mainly Mexican and black peoples. Why? Because it appears to be accepted by family and friends. Are they too stupid to realize that the way to have a better life is to educate yourself, work hard, move up the jobs ladder and do not depend on minimum wages and welfare. When 12 years of schooling is provided to all Americans and children of illegals citizens, paid for by the taxpayer, why would you throw away such an opportunity. Appears to me the "hispanics" just want a hispanic in this office. It is time to stop the race this and the race that. You either are an American or not.It should be the qualifications rather than the race that is considered. If you can't pass the test you fail the test. You should not be passed because you are one race and not another. Seems their is bias on the "Hispanics" part. If she is not qualified demote her and hire someone who is qualified for the job. Cut the salaries of the top jobs, and lower the tuition/fees. Equal opportunity to all who qualify. You are not qualified for a job just be cause you are of one race or another. If you can't read, you can't read. Then learn how to read.If you go to school,sit there and do not apply yourself, you will fail. You must put forth the effort to learn, just being there does not qualify you to pass to the next grade just because you occupy a space. You want something, you earn it.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 12:59 PM
Comment Title:
The faculty and the alumni share the essential goals of Vision 2020: We want TAMU to be a Top 10 university. The crises in administrative leadership -- with the Regents, the chancellor, the president and the various other positions (the VP of Student Affairs was Perry's college roommate) -- subvert the goals of Vision 2020. The people who have cultivated this crises are not interested in Top Ten status in any form or fashion. Their vision is based on self-serving connections and intentions. The people of Texas deserve better, and faculty and alumni know it.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Tom Arnold On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:29 AM
Comment Title: Not Hispanic issue - see Introgen Therapeutics
See pages 8-10 of her detailed self-evaluation submitted to McKinney, where she cited “communication” problems between the University and the Chancellor’s Office, who as he said, “takes his orders from the board”. Introgen Therapeutics and TAMUS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that A&M learned of in the press, A&M officials having been “excluded from discussions regarding whether …beneficial…”. She also mentions the parent company, Introgen, being removed from NASDAQ after very poor financial performance. A web-search finds investigative articles on Introgen Therapeutics with quotes saying that top management there “wrote the book on how to perform misleading data analysis“. The Chancellors office and the BOR apparently weren’t worried about this, but Dr Murano was. I wonder how many other instances there out there where she tried to do her job, despite the Chancellor/BOR?.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:01 AM
Comment Title:
None of this is about diversity. Murano did only what Gates was doing, and what any president should be doing. It is about a power hungry Governor and his hand picked cronies corrupting the integrity of a major U.S. university. Meanwhile, the regents are either asleep at the switch or complicit; neither bodes well for the future.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:37 AM
Comment Title:
To Loser Police - But that is one of the purposes of the hispanic groups - to make sure their members get equal treatment, not better treatment and not worse treatment.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Loser Police On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:20 AM
Comment Title:
Of course the hispanic groups are going to support her. SHE'S HISPANIC!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:13 AM
Comment Title: What a mess!
I hope this gets resolved Monday morning and the cleanup can begin.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 10:13 AM
Comment Title:
I would like to see a detailed evaluation of McKinney. He would get a zero on honesty and a zero on leadership. When will the regents release his evaluation?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 9:40 AM
Comment Title:
The Human Resources office of any organization should have standard requirements for conducting performance reviews and including appropriate documentation to back up scores. Is there no oversight of such processes at A&M? Such a review as Murano received should never have been considered a completed review because it was obviously meant to be a personal attack on her - everyone sees that and let's hope that the BOR sees it also. This whole episode has set back A&M's diversity efforts twenty years!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
laurie On:
Sunday, June 14, 2009 9:04 AM
Comment Title: diversity
I looked up the word DIVERSITY- the state or fact of being different. a new change. My sons chose A&M because of the rich tradition and the close bonds. Mrs. Murano wants changes...maybe she should apply at UT. They like modern changs.
Report Abuse
RSS
Mobile
Daily Emails
Twitter
Facebook
