Published Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:05 AM
McKinney addresses faculty
By VIMAL PATEL
vimal.patel@theeagle.com
Texas A&M Chancellor Mike McKinney referenced the Bible on Monday to explain how he dealt with former A&M President Elsa Murano during one incident of strife.
"Scripture says in Matthew 18:15 if you have a problem with a brother or sister you must go to them and attempt to fix it, just the two of you," McKinney said to a standing-room-only crowd of about 200 gathered on the sixth floor of Rudder Tower during a special Faculty Senate meeting Monday.
"Earlier this year, I went to Dr. Murano's office. We had a frank discussion, shook hands, hugged and agreed to a 'do over,' putting aside past differences knowing Texas A&M is bigger and more important than any one individual. We both still believe that today."
It was unclear exactly what incident McKinney was referencing, but he had filed a harsh job review of her in February.
The remarks came a week after Murano officially resigned amid a falling-out with McKinney, and after the Board of Regents embarked on an unclear course of action that aims to cut costs by merging multiple administrative functions of Texas A&M and the 11-university system that governs it.
"The tenure of Dr. Murano did not meet the hopes and expectations of those who appointed her and, as you know, she has resigned," McKinney said. "As chancellor, I simply cannot and will not discuss the details of personnel matters."
McKinney left without taking questions.
Murano could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
Though details remain unclear, the goal of the plan to merge services between the two entities is to save $20 million, McKinney said, putting a dollar amount on the endeavor for the first time.
"This will be a completely transparent process," McKinney said, reading from prepared remarks. "There is no attempt to 'take over' anything or to get anybody's money."
Faculty and other members of the senate have voiced concerns about the idea to merge functions -- including in research administration -- as a cost-cutting measure, given that A&M has fared well in the Legislature and Texas hasn't been hit nearly as hard as the rest of the country by the recession.
The chancellor, a former family physician and chief of staff for Gov. Rick Perry, has steered clear of media since Murano resigned. On Monday, McKinney defended himself against several accusations, including that he doesn't believe in shared governance, the idea of gathering as much input from relevant groups before making decisions.
"I say let's look at the record," he said. "I have a team of independent thinkers who work at the system offices and I encourage new ideas and frank discussions. I interact with, and listen to, faculty and students at every campus I visit around the state."
He added: "At the end of the day, those accountable for decisions must take action."
Many have lamented the influence Perry has at his alma mater, and believe that the governor has intentions of one day becoming chancellor of the system or president of the flagship campus. McKinney said those rumors have no merit.
"In the 25 years that I have known Rick Perry, he has never once mentioned even a thought about being president or chancellor of A&M," McKinney said. "He likes serving as governor of Texas and intends to continue doing so. The conspiracy theories of some secret plan are simply illogical."
McKinney also was heavily criticized after his handwritten performance evaluation of Murano was released this month in response to an open-records request from The Eagle. Faculty, students and administrators called the document -- in which Murano, without explanation, got low marks for honesty and integrity and being a team player -- hastily done and unprofessional.
"I do face-to-face verbal evaluations annually," McKinney said. "I make notes before the face-to-face meeting so I remember to mention some positive things and some things requiring attention. What has been termed in the media as an 'unprofessional evaluation' was simply my notes."
The senate convened for a special meeting -- a week after the Board of Regents held a special meeting -- with just one item on the agenda: "Discussion of recent statements and actions by the Chancellor and Board of Regents of the Texas A&M System."
They invited McKinney and R. Bowen Loftin, A&M's interim president, who spoke briefly after McKinney.
After the chancellor left, the crowd remained standing-room only as faculty discussed what their next course of action would be.
The crowd didn't appear to be won over by McKinney.
Michael Benedik, a biology professor, said that 10 days ago he was in favor of continuing dialogue with A&M System officials.
"My mind changed in the past week," he said. "I believe we're at a crisis point. We have to stand up and be heard."
Peter McIntyre, a senator from the College of Science, called on the Board of Regents to do two things to show it's committed to shared governance: rescind a policy enacted in March that states it can hire a president not vetted by a search committee, and postpone the timeframe of making recommendations on what services to share until a new president is selected.
Regents and McKinney have said that a series of teams -- which will include faculty members -- will figure out in which areas to merge operations. The teams will be announced Tuesday, and will make recommendations by September.
Decisions of that magnitude "should properly involve the next regular president of the university," McIntyre said.
R. Douglas Slack, a former speaker of the Faculty Senate, wanted to take a different approach. The wildlife science professor wants a "no confidence" vote in the chancellor.
McIntyre and Slack both will have resolutions prepared at an upcoming special senate meeting next week. The exact date isn't yet clear.
McKinney urged faculty members -- who have been deeply critical of him in recent weeks -- to move forward.
"As faculty, you have a voice," McKinney said. "You can choose to use that voice to open wounds, or to heal them. I'm a physician. I like healing wounds."
Video clip I of McKinney's speech
Video clip II.
Comments
[comment]
32 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
GOP On:
Thursday, June 25, 2009 9:49 PM
Comment Title:
Oops. Brown story cycled out. You have to go to the search bar and put in "brown and furniture" and the story and comments comes back up at least it did for me.
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Posted by:
Whoopi On:
Thursday, June 25, 2009 9:34 PM
Comment Title:
Fred Brown comments are uner the Fred Brown story, under the "local" banner
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Posted by:
Lisa M On:
Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:10 PM
Comment Title: Translation WRONG
Anyone who knows Dr. Murano knows she isn't sitting at home, nor crying and eating chocolates. She's probably hiking up her boots, getting ready for the next task of her list - getting her research and teaching back in order. She is no wimp, and to suggest otherwise shows how little you know her.
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Posted by:
On:
Thursday, June 25, 2009 5:13 PM
Comment Title:
Anyone else notice the Fred Brown comments disappeared so quickly.
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Posted by:
Mark On:
Thursday, June 25, 2009 12:22 AM
Comment Title: Faculty running the university?....
Talk about inmates running the asylum! These people are worse than the liberals in the political system!
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:12 PM
Comment Title: It is not much
But I agree no more of my hard earned money goes to the McKinney/Perry playground until they are out of the picture.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:10 PM
Comment Title: hey ben
sounds like McKinney is a better doctor than chancellor. But wait why would someone get bit by an alligator and think a doctor saved him.
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Posted by:
Class of '94 On:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:46 AM
Comment Title:
Why the hell would McKinney call a meeting, and then not answer any questions? It's like he's trying to trash his own image out of the arrogant, and apparently accurate, belief that as long as Goodhair is governor, there is *nothing* that he can do that would cost him his job. A no confidence vote is about the only thing that the faculty can do at this point. As a former student, I know that I won't be sending A&M another dime until he is gone.
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Posted by:
Translation Woman On:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:04 AM
Comment Title: For "Translation Man"
"Translation: She was at home all week, crying, eating chocolate, watching TV soap's, and not answering her phone or the door." Translation: Translation Man is a narrow-minded, old-timey, male chauvanist pig.
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Posted by:
Translation Man On:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 8:55 AM
Comment Title:
"Murano could not be reached for comment Monday evening." Translation: She was at home all week, crying, eating chocolate, watching TV soap's, and not answering her phone or the door.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:58 AM
Comment Title: McKinney's Speech and Letter to Students Stinks
It reeks of a political hack and I'm sorry folks, but that has no place at A&M (a public university). If you want to push your ideologies and such, move on up Highway 6 a little to Waco...that's what private schools are for. The faculty are quite adept at indicating that something is amiss. I've worked with them long enough to know that when the number complaining grows above a dozen or so, something is wrong - call them the canary in the coal mine. McKinney has tarnished our great university system's stellar reputation with his poor leadership skills. He may be a smart man and he may be a virtuous man, but he has failed as an effective leader; by putting his personal ideals and desires above the good of the school. Even setting aside other wrongdoings, and I believe there are many, he has handled every aspect of this debacle in the most underhanded and non-transparent of ways. As a state institution - a very proud and revered one - we cannot allow this to happen and he must be held accountable for his actions. A speech and a letter aren't going to cut it, unless they are indicating his resignation and apology.
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Posted by:
unbiased observer On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:12 PM
Comment Title: quite a performance
Having watched Dr. McKinney's speech and the comments of faculty members, it appears the chancellor taylors his remarks to the audience he addresses. Perhaps the kindest way to put this is that his remarks about shared governance, an open-door policy, respect for the faculty are somewhat inconsistent with previous statements and actions. But then, he's obviously a political animal. Most of the faculty, through their research, are in pursuit of better understanding of the phenomena they study. It's no wonder the chancellor finds himself at odds with such a group. The fact that he neither took nor answered any questions is quite telling. Only someone unsure of themselves and the "facts" they're trying to purvey behaves this way.
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Posted by:
Ben On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:23 PM
Comment Title: Smart Man, Great Doc
This man saved me from an alligator bite in Leon County like 30 years ago. He's community minded and decent Ben
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Posted by:
Bill Newton '98 On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 1:43 PM
Comment Title: Looks like Grumpy has some experience.
I agree with you Grumpy. I just feel like we should not lump all faculty in with the Faculty Senate. I have a hard time believing that all faculty members are well represented by this group of whiners. Most of the Faculty Senate seem to delight in any form of turmoil, and relish the chance to tarnish the university, even if it means lowering their own reputations as well. Dr. Strawser and one other professor seemed to be the only ones who were reasonable. I expect that many other faculty members do not share the views of this sensationalistic group.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 1:32 PM
Comment Title: Matthew 18
15 "If your brother sins against you,[a] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
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Posted by:
A&M WORKER On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 12:40 PM
Comment Title: dug himself deeper in shhhhhh
He has a mouth of a idiot. We need this guy out ASAP. Why bring the bible in this??? That wont save you stupidity and your crooked politics you skunk looking ape. Aggies vote him out!
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Posted by:
Grump On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 12:24 PM
Comment Title: Of course
Of course the faculty should run the university, what with their executive leadership skills, well-known ability to make and stick to decisions, financial management acumen, concern for keeping tuition affordable, respect for taxpayers, etc. About like letting the fox guard the hen house.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 12:14 PM
Comment Title: Git 'R Done
NO CONFIDENCE VOTE-- it's the only way!
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 12:02 PM
Comment Title: Disgusted
Hopefully, the next time McKinney addresses the faculty, it will be to tender his resignation.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 11:56 AM
Comment Title: Dr. McKinney is the one who creates wounds
How disgusting are you Dr. McKinney? YOU ARE THE WOUND!!
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Posted by:
Loraly On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 11:51 AM
Comment Title: blasphemy
How dare you quote the bible.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 11:18 AM
Comment Title: Out with McKinney
If an eye sins pluck it out. Go there McKinney, you need plucking.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:16 AM
Comment Title: No to all Traditions
I think what I hear the most is she was trying to change "Traditions" What ever that means. Traditions should be the things you can take school pride in. Racism, Bigotry, Sexism.. These were all Aggie "Traditions" at one point. Some still are to some people. What worries me is people forget these older people lived through this time. They attended school when blacks, women, and other people of color were not admitted to A&M. Yes much has changed and we have made good progress, But people like him will never change who they are and how they think. They may be nice in public, but in private they show who they really are. these Older people are who you should worry about. If they graduated before equality was even a whisper I would like to think they are not qualified socially to accept anyone other than a White Male. I hate this part of A&M and why I would never send my kids there.
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Posted by:
Faculty Alumni On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:06 AM
Comment Title: Re: No Confidence
I agree, the faculty has no other choice but to vote no confidence regarding the chancellor. We need someone in leadership at the system who can put the faculty, staff, and students ahead of their own money making schemes. We as the faculty needs to take back this institution's reputation for excellence by voting, no confidence in the chancellor. Also, the guise of administrative cuts should be put off until we have a permanent President who can prioritize the needs of the institution through a process that takes longer than 3 months. I think the faculty and staff deserve more than a pop-shot attempt to cut costs as a cover to the bigger issues stemming from the system. And the effects of cutting headcount cannot be immediately felt until things begin to fall through the cracks and the service we provide our students suffers. We should focus on shared governance before we focus on shared services.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 9:27 AM
Comment Title: NO CONFIDENCE
With every opportunity to speak to the issues, the Chancellor displays his incredible ineptitude for the position. There is no debate: No confidence. This is an unbelievably bad circus on a national stage.
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Posted by:
Bill Newton '98 On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:51 AM
Comment Title:
I watched the entire meeting. It is rather sad that the student who spoke at the end of the meeting has much more wisdom than 90% of the faculty senate.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:36 AM
Comment Title: A moment in time
Lead, follow or get out of the way
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:17 AM
Comment Title:
since i was raised southern baptist, i can tell you that anytime someone invokes the bible- they're after money. disgusting.
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Posted by:
Tom Arnold On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:08 AM
Comment Title: Stone walling
Prepared statements and biblical quotes...still no courage from anyone from the Board of Regents or Dr Mike to answer any questions from the media. that pretty much says it all.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:59 AM
Comment Title: When in doubt or in trouble...
How often do those in the hot spot reach for a Bible to rescue themselves from the ire of the public. How utterly pathetic.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:04 AM
Comment Title:
McKinney clearly reads a script much better than he speaks extemporaneously, but the words in his speech yesterday do NOT fit with his actions. He will not change, and if these episodes are allowed to "die down" without his removal, he will continue to show his real colors and respect only his own opinion, and that of his direct bosses, the Board of Regents and the Governor. It is still clear that he must be removed as Chancellor for any real healing to occur.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:46 AM
Comment Title:
If Mike McKinney wants to quote scripture, perhaps he is in the wrong line of work. If he wants to be a Christian minister, then by all means, he should resign his position of leadership at A&M and follow his true calling.
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