Published Monday, June 15, 2009 6:05 AM
Community troubled by treatment of Murano
By KEVIN CULLEN
kevin.cullen@theeagle.com
Texas A&M student Annabelle Hicks (right) speaks about the resignation of Texas A&M President Elsa Murano while she and Amy Isbell study at Evans Library on campus Sunday.
Rick Curry said news of Texas A&M University President Elsa Murano's resignation on Sunday hit hard.
Others said they didn't agree with the way Murano ran things as president, but that they thought she was treated unfairly.
Many students and faculty members across a nearly deserted A&M campus on Sunday were unaware that the president had stepped down, but most knew of the circumstances leading up to her resignation.
Curry, a professor in the department of Hispanic Studies at A&M, feared that the way A&M System administrators handled the situation might discourage candidates from applying for the presidency position.
"I think it means difficulty for the university moving forward," said Curry, after coming off the practice green at the A&M golf course. "I know that if I were a top-flight candidate for the presidency of a university, this would not be a place I would be looking to apply given the way they've recently treated Murano."
He said Murano had been a good president from the faculty's perspective, but that she may have never gotten the chance to carry out her goals because much of her time as president was spent filling administrative positions.
Curry, who has been at the university for 21 years, said the amount of attention placed on the presidency position recently should be placed in other areas of the university.
"I wish they would spend this kind of attention on students and student problems instead of on their own internal politics," he said.
Ray Bowen, who served as president of Texas A&M for eight years, said the regents are jeopardizing the value of the A&M experience and they're asking the A&M community to accept and support it.
"It's clear the system has been turned over to a group of people who don't understand the university and don't have credibility with the faculty," said Bowen, a member of the National Science Board and a professor in mechanical engineering at A&M.
He said he talked to Murano on Saturday evening.
"She looks good, her spirits are up, she's confident that she did a good job for the short time she was allowed to be president," Bowen said. "She's deeply appreciative and optimistic. Everyone has been telling her that she should have been given more time for her progress to show. Obviously, she's not happy about what happened, but Dr. Murano has much strength and character. I know we'll see her on campus with a smile on her face and she'll be a good professor, just as she was some years ago before she became dean."
State Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, said the recent controversy surrounding Murano and McKinney has been unfortunate.
"It hasn't been good," he said. "I'm sorry she's resigned and I wish her the very best of luck."
Blair Bundy, a senior kinesiology major from Katy, said he didn't see any changes during Murano's tenure from that of former President Robert Gates that warranted her resignation.
"I thought she did a good job," he said from his study desk at Evans Library. "Following Dr. Gates, she had huge shoes to fill and they've really gotta give her more of a chance."
Bryan Johnson, a junior biology major from Magnolia, said he knows many people who disagreed with the way Murano ran the university with regards to A&M traditions, such as bonfire, and bringing in a new president may help to restore them.
"When she was here it almost seemed like traditions were kind of on a back burner and it was more about making the university look good for U.S., world and news reports so they can get the Vision 2020 Top 10 goal. It could be a good thing or a bad thing in the long run, depending on who they bring in next," he said.
"I can think of far worse people than she was, but I can think of better people probably that can do it, too."
Annabelle Hicks, a junior allied health major from San Antonio, said she believes the chancellor should have provided examples to back up the poor marks he gave in Murano's performance evaluation.
She said the turmoil may lead to a lack of unity throughout the university.
"I think it means that they have to re-evaluate what they're looking for in a president," Hicks said. "And for students, I feel like it provides a sense of disunity, because we don't have someone that we can stand behind or someone that can represent our university really well, and that presents a problem."
Comments
[comment]
11 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
E On:
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 3:54 AM
Comment Title: Thr Regents Competence?
Here's another voice for qualified Board of Regents members, from a former A&M president, who is currently a mechanical Engineering professor right here: ["Ray Bowen, who served as president of Texas A&M for eight years, said the regents are jeopardizing the value of the A&M experience and they're asking the A&M community to accept and support it. "It's clear the system has been turned over to a group of people who don't understand the university and don't have credibility with the faculty," said Bowen, a member of the National Science Board and a professor in mechanical engineering at A&M."] [Excerpted from the above Eagle story http://www.theeagle.com/am/Community-troubled-by-treatment-of-Murano] This comment differs, however, from his take on the Regents meeting in a telephone interview to KBTX: He downplayed the acrimonious and public accusations and scandals, and praised the very board he here criticizes (could he have lowered his expectations?) He told KBTX: "I'm encouraged by the comments made today by the chairman of the board." I myself wasn't looking for "diverting our attention...", but for the Board to show some leadership. Its clear that they dodged a bullet (more likely negotiated, from the back-dating of Murano's transition document), by the resignation of Murano, but their Monday meeting did nothing to repair the situation, and chose to at least nominally support McKinney. [http://www.kbtx.com/tamu/headlines/48073197.html#] To Bryan Johnson: The Vision 2020 program didn't start under Murano. I think you've confused frequent criticisms about A&M's falling short of those goals, and slipping in the US News & World Reports rankings, with a predilection for the program, or its imperatives. Also, don't mistake the colossal money spent on campus construction and growth with the imperatives of Vision 2020, or their realization. Many posters have expressed sentiments hinted at in your comment: that A&M is in danger of becoming UT, or losing its cherished traditions. How are embracing excellence, and the very name 'UNIVERSITY' in Texas A&M University, mutually exclusive to its history and traditions?
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 7:43 PM
Comment Title: and you think that is unfair.......
I am a graduate student at TAMU and I think it is disgusting that she will take a year off while collecting her salary of $425,000 and will be paid an additional $295,000. I know of many graduate students who have to scrape money to be able to complete their research and experiments. Personally, the only way I got money to buy the $2,000 piece of equipment I needed was to break down crying in desperation because no one was willing to help me. The "best part" is that when I'm done I will be publishing my research (as is required) with the name of the university on it. This is disheartening.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 7:35 PM
Comment Title: Bett
Dr. McKinney is going to be President and then Perry is Chancellor. Neither can deliver a speech. They are good old boys and they have good hair. This is very disappointing. If this President is not doing her job, then she should leave. It is terribly convenient though...that as Perry is set to lose the Governor job, he has his boys finding him another one. I think he should have to finish his Ph.D for either job at A&M. This is ALL about Perry and McKinney.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
NOTAGAIN On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 5:25 PM
Comment Title: Cry Me A River Fool......
It's best you go back and study Texas' History. This territory was once under Spain's and Mexico's control. Until all He$l broke loose. Actually, stolen right from under them through deceptive means including murder. It's clearly a racial issue and that's the bottom line. Bigot.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Montes On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 3:29 PM
Comment Title: Follow your own advice
CHANCELLOR SPEAKS - Dr. Michael McKinney, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, speaks at Summer Commencement Aug. 9 at Texas A&M University-Commerce. McKinney urged the new graduates to do the best they can in their chosen careers, treat their co-workers with respect, and serve others in their communities. He also urged the graduates to maintain balance in their lives and enjoy hobbies and families. (A&M-Commerce/Paul Bryan)
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 1:49 PM
Comment Title:
This sort of thing really brings out the best of the university and community as validated by the posts below. It is the beginning of the end for this public institution and will serve as a negative model for future decision making processes.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Tsumbra On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 12:53 PM
Comment Title:
A sad, SAD day for Texas A & M! Such a tragedy for this fine instiution, its students and loyal supporters. Regrettably I predicted such an event with Elsa Murano's presidential appointment nearly 18 months ago. The following was penned at that time following all the 'double-dealing' and political intrigue. Now Texas A & M will probably endure more 'triple-dealing' and a flood of political intrigue? "The Pretty and The Stink" www.ilovepoetry.com/viewpoem.asp?id=94081
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 12:21 PM
Comment Title: savage
there is nothing savage about being a minority- most individuals have advanced beyond wearing loin clothes- and it is individuals such as Preston who fail to recognize the wealth of experience and culture each person brings to the A&M system that should be sent back to their cave.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
tab On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 8:14 AM
Comment Title: Whaaaaaah!
Oh cry me a river! I'm glad she is gone!
Report Abuse
Posted by:
On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 7:48 AM
Comment Title: _______MISOGYNISTIC_______
MISOGYNISTIC –noun-- hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women.
Report Abuse
Posted by:
Susan B. On:
Monday, June 15, 2009 6:37 AM
Comment Title: A&M has a long way to go
Basically, it emphasizes that A&M is a misogynistic organization.
Report Abuse
RSS
|
Mobile
|
Daily Emails
|
We Twitter
| Make us your home page
