friday, dee. 2, 1988
cabrini college, radnor, pa 19087
vol. xxxv, no.1O
Combsgives Kantorchosenas Mother reasons·for Ursulaaward recipient resignation by LaTonyaLucas On July 28, 1988, Sister Eileen Currie, president, received a one-sentence resignation from William Combs, then chairperson of the college's board of trustees. Until now. no one knew exactly why Combs resigned, not even Currie. Combs, in a telephone interview with Loquitur, said that he did not agree with Currie's policies. "Decisions have been made before the board was told. This leaves no room for questions and answers," he said. Combs referred to the recent firing of William Battles, vice-president for institutional advancement, and the resignation of James Fitzsimmons, dean of students. Currie was asked about her relationship to the board of trustees, to which she reports. Currie said that the board of trustees sets policy, but does not do the everyday management. "It's appropriate to use them for consultation. It's my responsibility to staff the institution," Currie said. According to Barbara Rawls, second vice chairperson, board of trustees, Currie reports to the board. She does not manage the board. Rawls said that Currie also reports to her order, the Missionary sisters of the Sacred Heart. According to Combs, Currie's decision to fire Battles, influenced his decision to resign. Combs gave threereasons why he disagreed with the removal of Battles. He said that there was no "decent" explanation as to why Battles would be fired, there was no reason to believe that Battles was doing anything but a fine job and there wasn't a replacement for Battles already lined up. "This was a bad management decision because you don't get rid of good people without back up," Combs said. Combs said that if there were legitimate reasons in firing Battles, there should be no problem in discussing it with the board of trustees. Although Combs resigned before Battles was actually fired, Currie had told Combs prior to his resignation, that she was displeased with Battles, according to Combs. Combs said that his resignation was submitted with hope to bring Currie to her senses. "Combs never told me why he left the board of trustees, nor has he told the board," Currie said. Rawls said that she was mystified initially when she found out that Combs had resigned. "I wanted to understand more and why it happened," she said. According to Currie, ihe tried to get Combs on the phone in early September, but he was busy and couldn't talk. Combs said that Currie knew why he submitted a onesentence resignation. "She knew I was very unhappy," Combs said. "As chief executive," Combs said, "she has the power and she has to run it her way." According to Combs, before she fired Battles, Currie was going to offer Battles a newly-created position as her Combs said that this would have been an unauthorized addition to the budget.
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Lisa Kantor, senior, is all smiles while on her way to receiving the Mother Ursula award. Kantor was elected by her fellow classmates who commemorated her for her many achievements over the past three years. See story on page 8 and more coverage on Mother Ursula award, page 6. (Photo by Paul Fallon)
Two years ago it had been Combs who had recommended Battles to be vice-president for institutional advancement and Combs believes that it will take two people to replace him. Combs said that he was shocked when the decision was made to get rid of Battles. "He did a lot more than what his job description stated. He knew the students, he cared and encouraged the students," Combs said. Combs agreed that Battles did not have experience in running a major fund-raising campaign, but Combs said, "We hired consultants to advise us on campaigning. I never heard a word from them about Battles not doing the right thing." Although Combs felt that Currie was a fine person, he believed that she does not have a real feeling for the students and faculty on a daily basis. "She is not available, she is not
accessible," Combs said. Currie said that Combs was extremely generous to Cabrini. According to Combs, he was getting ready to donate money, but he never did. "I gave a lot of time and money and happily so," Combs said. Rawls said that she believes there is more to the story than can be told. "It's frustrating for me to see what's reported. but we can't comment because it's not in the best interest of those involved," Rawls said. Combs would have been going into his third year as chairperson. It was Anna Kruse, assistant professor. biology, who introduced Combs to Cabrir,i. It is Sr. Mary of Lourdes, first vice chairperson, board of trustees who has taken over Combs' responsibilities until a new chairperson is appointed.
See more Combs on page 8
inside perspectives ...... 2, 3
Winnie the Pooh
Who won the
news ................ 4, 8, 9
and U2 reviews
Mercedes?
features .......... 5, 6, 7
(see page 5)
( see page 10)
sports........ 10, 11, 12