Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » White out
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
White out

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Blagojevich era claims yet another “victim”

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says the president of the University of Illinois, who has been at the center of an admissions scandal, plans to resign.

Quinn said Wednesday that President B. Joseph White let him know his resignation is imminent.

White has been under fire since this summer over reports that the university admitted politically connected students over more qualified applicants.

I put quotes around “victim” because White was a willing victim, of course. But it’s hard for me to describe him as corrupt. Seems to me he did what he did to try and get what he needed for his university. Blagojevich still stiffed him, like he did with all the other universities in this state. That could’ve been a motivating factor for White, but whatever, he’s gone now.

* More

Quinn told WGN-720 AM’s Greg Jarrett this morning that he’s ready to appoint an interim president while a nationwide search is launched. Listen to the interview here.

Last week, U. of I. faculty and student leaders urged that White and Chancellor Richard Herman be replaced in the wake of a far-reaching admissions scandal.

Sen. Michael Frerichs expects an interim appointment as early as next week.

* And Quinn says he didn’t privately urge the resignation

Quinn told reporters in Chicago that the resignation was voluntary on White’s part, and said there was no pressure from the him, his office or staff for White to quit.

       

30 Comments
  1. - Anita - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:09 am:

    The Global Campus fiasco didn’t help White’s case.


  2. - Sue - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:11 am:

    White’s resignation(whether justified or not) fails to put an end to the larger issue of corrupt practices associated with the legislative “free tuition” program. The single most significant reform should be to end the perk afforded to legislators who themselves never came forward to testify before the inquiry panel. White did a lot of very positive things while he was President- he is nothing more then a convenient target and a scapegoat - the people truly responsible for the state of affairs are never held accountable


  3. - siriusly - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:11 am:

    No pressure from Quinn, only from mother Tribune who single-handedly tarnished the u’s reputation.

    This is too bad, White is a brilliant guy. I commend him for being noble and resigning in an effort to help the U of I move forward without him. His actions here are brave and selfless, something very un-Blago like.


  4. - Okay Then... - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:15 am:

    Re: White Out
    I was hoping that Jesse White had to decided to step down now rather than wait another four years. He is another good reason why this state needs term limits for constitutional officers. If you have no new “ideas” and nothing really left to “fix,” hanging on just to be hanging on or just because you can, is not in the best interest of the state.

    Now that I know this is about Joseph B. White it is not surprising–the writing was on the wall when Quinn named Kennedy and that other fellow to the Board of Trustees, Quinn pretty much said that the first order of business would be deciding the fates of White and Hermann.

    Too bad the legislators involved in the admissions scandal went unscathed, as they were at the root of the problem along with the first two trustees who resigned months ago.


  5. - Hollis Elmore - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:22 am:

    Has Blagojevich appologized!


  6. - Fire Ron Guenther - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:22 am:

    In the words of irascible Chicago Tribune sportsblogger Steve Rosenbloom: Chancellor Herman, your plane is boarding.


  7. - Bill - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:27 am:

    I hope imminent means real soon. If White makes it to the end of the year he gets a big fat bonus according to his contract.


  8. - SangamoGOP - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:36 am:

    Herman and Hurd (former law school dean) should be next.


  9. - cassandra - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:38 am:

    I think White is more than just a scapegoat. At the least, high level (and very highly paid-by us) government administrators are responsible for establishing and maintaining the correct institutional culture. He may not have directed that any particular applicant be admitted based on political clout, but he is responsible for a
    culture which considered those admissions acceptable.

    And if he follows through and resigns, that should set an example for state agency heads and their top staff appointed by our Blago who remain on the job taking advantage of Quinn’s extreme aversion to firing anyone. The cultures in their agency need re-tooling too. And as long as they remain, positive change is unlikely.


  10. - Northside Bunker - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:41 am:

    Hey Rich,
    You should have Rod, Patti and the kids (Mell too) out on your boat and a picnic before the season ends.
    You both use to be friend, right?


  11. - Shore - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:50 am:

    When you think of top tier public universities-berkley, michigan, uva, unc, ucla, Illinois isn’t in that class. Quinn should find some retired top university presidents, do a nationwide search and get someone in there with brains and principles.


  12. - Golden Parachute - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:51 am:

    Rumors circulating around the U of I are that he will be getting a sweetheart deal, including a tenured position in the college of business and over $350,000 annually. Sounds like they are paying him off to step down quietly. If they want to fire him, they should fire him. Not give him a golden parachute at taxpayer expense. He isn’t the kind of academic who can command that sort of salary. If he had a Nobel or was bringing in substantial research dollars, it may be defensible, but this is a payoff to go quietly.


  13. - CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:51 am:

    Looks like Ikenberry got revenge..Will BlinkyJimEdgar be the interim Prexy? How ’bout bouncey Bob Kustra (Boise State flash) for the permanent job….that would give the Big U a boost (tee hee)


  14. - EBCDIC - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:55 am:

    I think White is collateral damage as a result of a corrupt system. Too bad Quinn doesn’t focus on the removal of over 3000 + double exempt positions that were created under “Rod”. I can only hope that the fall elections will oust many of the supposedly professional legislators so that we can perhaps get people in who have the the concern of the citizens and not themselves. If only term limits can be set for all elected officials.


  15. - D.P. Gumby - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 10:59 am:

    His Global Campus indicated his lack of leadership and business acumen. Now if Ringeisen at UIS would follow White’s lead.


  16. - RJW - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 11:21 am:

    Can someone explain to me how Quinn has the right to appoint an interim President. He does not have that singular right. Only the Board of Trustees can make that appointment. To me, Quinn is just as bad as Blago. The Board of Trustees is supposed to be independent once appointed. Maybe Quinn forgot to read the laws just like Blago?


  17. - Pat collins - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 11:23 am:

    Global Campus was a good idea that did not do well.
    That surely reflects on the man at top.

    When you think of top tier public universities-berkley, michigan, uva, unc, ucla, Illinois isn’t in that class.

    Maybe when YOU think of top U’s, but not when these people do:

    http://www.graduateshotline.com/ranks/

    http://www.graduateshotline.com/study/acc.html

    Even in China they know better:

    http://www.arwu.org/rank/2007/ARWU2007_Top100.htm


  18. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 11:30 am:

    Kind of bad form for Quinn to “announce” his resignation, isn’t it?

    And didn’t Quinn just recently have some problems with wished-for resignations in Champaign?

    If nothing else, Quinn’s statement gives White additional leverage in negotiating his Golden Parachute. Every day he doesn’t resign, there will be a question for Quinn as to why not, since he announced it already.


  19. - Wumpus - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 11:48 am:

    Sad…why are he and the people at UofI the only ones being held accountable. The people who hold thier purse strings and initiated the abuse are going to be re-elected and get away scott-free.


  20. - Okay Then... - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 12:33 pm:

    RJW, actually Quinn is a member of the U of I Board of Trustees, through self-appointment, so he does have say in what it does and who it picks.


  21. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 12:40 pm:

    Actually, the governor is an ex officio member of the board. Non-voting.


  22. - downstate hick - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 1:16 pm:

    Quinn making this announcement is another example of poor political and ethical decision making on his part. Let president White announce first.


  23. - Amalia - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 1:45 pm:

    I L L …..bleech, what a mess.


  24. - Whirlwind - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 3:53 pm:

    How does the University budget allow for a $475,000 BONUS that former Pres. White will forgo while the faculty & staff got zip, nada, a big fat nothing in FY09?


  25. - Okay Then... - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 4:02 pm:

    I love reading the comments sections posted under news articles. I agree with those who are concerned that the legislators who pushed for clout admissions get off scott free, and I agree with many of the other comments as well. http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/sources-white-quitting-as-u-of-i-president.html


  26. - RJW - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 4:52 pm:

    Whirlwind:

    All budgets are not equal. I know nobody likes to hear this but funding sources do matter. The U of I is funded by hundreds of sources, with the State being only one (small) source. You have tuition, fees, ticket sales for athletics, etc. That is why coaches can make a million dollars (their budget is separate) versus a $60,000 salary for some faculty. I know it doesn’t make sense and you would believe that all of the money should just be in one big pot, but that’s not the way it works. I’ve done this type of work for 12 years now and the inequities are glaring.


  27. - here's a link - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 5:08 pm:

    you can find all the official statements and press releases here: http://www.uillinois.edu/our/news/2009/Sept23.resignation.cfm


  28. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 8:09 pm:

    Oh, we try to do our best to please and entertain.


  29. - HappyToaster - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 8:54 pm:

    Good riddance.

    The rumors were Sylvia Manning at UIC retired instead of continued dealings with him.

    UIC has 30% of the the systems student population and one grad on the Board of Trustees. Go team Illini….


  30. - Jay - Wednesday, Sep 23, 09 @ 9:54 pm:

    Excuse me, but not one dollar of sports ticket sales goes to the University. It ALL goes to the athletic department. That is why coaches can get million dollar raises while academic programs get cut during the budget crunch


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Fundraiser list
* Quinn touts passage of non-binding tax referendum, Curran dismisses results
* Uber’s Local Partnership = Stress-Free Travel For Paratransit Riders
* McLean County was an outlier this year
* Please, LIS, don't mess up your new site
* Energy Storage Can Minimize Major Price Spikes
* Bears float yet another stadium location idea (Updated x2)
* It’s just a bill
* Dems seek to 'Trump-proof' Illinois, but they have their own problems to solve as well
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Weekend update: Election reports and gun decision
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller