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Vol. CXXXIIi Issue LVVVVVVVVvIII
The News Record THURSDAY | APRIL 18 | 2013
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Faculty voice concern with dean Adminsitration stands with Jackson, will work through A&S problems RYAN HOFFMAN news editor newsrecordnews@gmail.com With the academic year ending, two faculty members in the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Sciences recently asked A&S Dean Ronald Jackson to resign, but the administration doesn’t plan to act on either request. “I am, as you must also now surmise, decidedly not a supporter of you Ron, and I unequivocally feel that you have failed as the leader of the McMicken College,” said Jana Braziel, A&S associate dean, in an email obtained by The News Record. “In short, I believe that you lack the character and the leadership to remain in this position.” Braziel included a letter of resignation in her email, which she sent to A&S faculty,
department heads and Jackson. Braziel sent her email 10 days after Steven Howe, a psychology professor, sent an email to UC President Santa Ono requesting Jackson be removed as dean. “Make Ron [vice president] for student services, or give him a position at the foundation … he just can’t be A&S dean,” Howe said in an email. Howe said a majority of the A&S department heads did not have faith in Jackson. Out of the 20 department heads in A&S, 19 did not respond to inquiries regarding Jackson’s performance. Larry Johnson, interim provost, said there will be no change in the leadership of UC’s largest college, which has 7,835 students and more than 500 faculty members.
“We plan to work with Ron to address some of these concerns,” Johnson said. “Are there serious challenges that need to be addressed? Yes. We’re willing to stay the course and work with Ron to right the ship.“ Johnson said Jackson took the position during one of the most turbulent times in the college’s history and many of the problems existed before Jackson took the job. “Some of these problems have nothing to do with Ron,” he said. Jackson took the position two months before the start of the 2012-13 Fall semester. “He’s doing his best in a hard situation,” said Steve Depoe, head of the communications department. Jackson said he welcomes criticism, but the opinions expressed in the emails were not constructive.
“As dean, you’re going to have opinions on things you can improve. You take what’s said, learn from it and move on,” Jackson said. “The tone was counterproductive.” Jackson and Johnson said the criticism in the emails was unfair. “It’s not just all about Ron, there’s things all of us should be doing to improve our performance ... it’s just unfair,” Johnson said. While Jackson said the college is facing some issues, the problems are not nearly as bad as indicated in the emails. “The college isn’t going to hell in a hand basket,” Jackson said. Jackson said he was unaware of any similar criticisms among A&S faculty. “Leadership is a challenging job and Ron’s doing his best,” Depoe said. “I’m comfortable with him continuing to lead this college.”
Another domino falls for Chesley Resigns from board after Kentucky disbarment, faculty request benjamin goldschmidt chief reporter newsrecordnews@gmail.com
stuart cahill | boston herald
MARATHON MASSACRE Two bombs exploded at about 3 p.m. at the Boston Marathon, leaving three dead and about 140 injured.
BOSTON BOMBING
UC individuals witness tragedy, react in shock to chaos KARA DRISCOLL NEWS EDITOR newsrecordNEWS@gmail.com The University of Cincinnati community was touched by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon Monday, where three people died and about 140 were injured. Two bombs exploded 50 to 100 yards apart at about 3 p.m., according to reports. UC students, professors and alumni — 20 in all — registered to run in the Boston Marathon. Three UC alumni ran the marathon together, but crossed the finish line at approximately 12:50 p.m. and were not harmed during the explosions, said Nicholas Kienzle, UC Running Club president. Kienzle, who registered for the Boston Marathon but was unable to attend due to an injury, said the alumni are still in shock and figuring out what to do next. “They are safe, but we don’t know what is going to happen next,” Kienzle said. Russell McMahon, information technology professor, said he was about a half mile away from one of the initial explosions while running the race. McMahon made it safely to a hotel with his wife and daughters. “We waited about 45 minutes while [officials] decided what to do with us,” McMahon said.“There are police everywhere.” McMahon said officials instructed
runners to circle back a few blocks where race officials let runners drop clothes off. They were then asked to return to their homes or hotels, he said. Mark Godsey, a law professor at UC who attended the marathon to watch his wife run, was only a few blocks away from the finish line when the bombs detonated. While he and his wife walked down the street, they felt the pressure from the blasts of the bombs against their backs. “It was chaos for a few hours with people crying and everyone trying to walk out of the city and figure out what was going on,” Godsey said. “You’re just walking and thinking, ‘Is there a bomb at this corner?’” Godsey and his wife walked for approximately an hour, got a cab and went back to a hotel. Godsey stayed in the hotel Tuesday and said they’re still in shock after Monday’s tragic events. “My heart goes out to those who were killed or injured at the Boston Marathon and their loved ones,” said UC President Santa Ono. Approximately 70 individuals from Cincinnati registered to compete in the marathon, according to the Boston Athletic Association. BPD hosted a press conference at 4:30 p.m. Monday, and urged people to stay at home and in hotels. Chaos continued in the city when officials announced a third
explosion occurred at JFK Library. Officers confirmed a third explosion at JFK Library at approximately 4 p.m., but reported at approximately 5:30 p.m. Monday that the incident appeared to be fire related and not a bomb. No arrest has been made following the explosions at the Boston Marathon. For a list of UC individuals who competed in the marathon and a timeline of events, visit newsrecord.org.
Stanley Chesley resigned from the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees Wednesday night after receiving pressure from fellow board members and UC Faculty Senate. The trustees sent a letter to Chesley Friday asking him to resign by Monday at 5 p.m. The letter cited Chesley’s violation of the university code of conduct as the reason for the request. “While we acknowledge your service to the university, such service cannot overcome the serious breach of your ethical obligations,” the board wrote in the letter to Chesley. Geraldine Warner was the only trustee who did not sign the letter to Chesley. The board did not receive notification of Chesley’s resignation Monday, said Fran Barrett, chairman of the board. The letter sent to Chesley outlined the board’s plan to hold a special meeting scheduled Thursday in the event he did not resign. The board cancelled the special meeting due to Chesley’s resignation. The UC Faculty Senate passed a resolution Wednesday supporting the board’s request for Chesley’s resignation. The resolution stated Chesley broke ethical standards that apply to all students, faculty, administration and staff. Peter Stambrook, molecular genetics professor at UC, said he was “disturbed” by the way the board is handling the situation since Chesley was disbarred. Stambrook said the board and faculty senate should take into consideration Chesley’s alleged unethical behavior happened prior to his appointment to the Board of Trustees. “It disturbs me that — despite his appointment and understanding that there may have been some unethical behavior when he was not on the board — we are now embarrassing him, and humiliating him,” Stambrook said. Chesley, whose term on the board expires in 2018, was disbarred in Kentucky March 21 for his involvement in a 2001 settlement where he wrongfully took $7.5 million from clients. He was charged with eight counts of professional misconduct.
Provost candidate emphasizes leadership skills Rosowsky touts engineering background, engages students during campus visit Alexis o’brien senior reporter newsrecordnews@gmail.com
LAUREN PURKEY | photo EDITOR
OPEN INTERVIEW David Rosowsky talked to students and faculty at a forum Tuesday.
David Rosowsky, the third University of Cincinnati provost candidate, emphasized his engineering background and leadership style during his open interview at the Tangemann University Center Tuesday. “Because I’m an engineer … I’m analytical and focused on problem solving,” Rosowsky said. Rosowsky is currently the dean of the engineering school at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he works closely with the institute advancement office and conducts research. Before moving to Rensselaer in New York, Rosowsky was the civil engineering department head at Texas A&M University. Rosowsky said he wants the UC position because of the university’s urban location
and many progressive platforms. He said the new, dynamic president also drew him to UC. “It’s been great to come to know one of the best higher education spaces in the United States,” Rosowsky said. Rosowsky is the third of five provost candidates who will be interviewed by UC President Santa Ono and the search committee this month. “I applaud his energy level during the grueling two-day interview,” said Peter Landgren, head of the search committee and dean of the College-Conservatory of Music. “Rather than resting during one 45-minute break, he chose to walk the campus to talk with students.” Eric Abercrumbie, committee member and director of Ethnic Programs and Services, also appreciated Rosowsky’s performance during his interview.
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“He really resent some good critiques of the university and ways that he can improve it,” Abercrumbie said. In the open forum, a university-hosted meeting between each provost candidate and faculty, staff and students, Rosowsky answered audience questions and said he’s tapped into the college mindset. “College students don’t want to join a [large, corporate] company after they graduate, they want to be innovative and do something that positively impacts the world,” Rosowsky said. The open forum for the fourth candidate will be held at UC’s University Pavilion Thursday. Attendees are encouraged to submit online feedback to Ono, who will make the final decision. The new provost will be announced sometime after the spring commencement.