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* I told you yesterday about a major public dustup between SIU President Glenn Poshard and former SIU Trustee Chairman Roger Herrin, who was backed by Gov. Pat Quinn, but who then began attacking Poshard. Pres. Poshard eventually engineered Herrin’s ouster with the cooperation of several trustees, and then Quinn tried to replace three of those trustees, only to watch the Senate unanimously reject all three of the governor’s replacements earlier this week.
Anyway, WSIU has posted raw audio of the argument between the two men. Because of today’s session, I haven’t been able to listen to much of the recording, but it may contain profanity, so beware if you’re in an office that discourages such things…
You might need to give it a few seconds to load, and then help us document the exchange in comments. Don’t use profanity, however. That would be wrong. Thanks.
* Coverage roundup…
* SIU Board Fails to Meet
* Southern Illinois University feud cripples trustees
* Tempers Flare at SIU Board of Trustees Meeting
* The gloves come off Poshard: Herrin tangle at SIU board meeting
* SIU president feuds with former board chairman
* SIU dispute comes to Edwardsville campus
* Hightower, Simmons, Hinrichs out on SIU board of trustees
* Legislator wants to split SIU
* Senate Bill Would Rebuild SIU Board
* Press Release: New Haine bill restructures SIU board and ensures balance
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 12:45 pm
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Thanks for making my alma maters administration look less dysfunctional, foolish and petty. Love, u of I alumnus
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 12:55 pm
I was there….there was no profanity.
Comment by I was there... Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 1:20 pm
I am listening to the audio, it’s one of the silliest things I’ve ever heard.
Add in the Chicago State University madness, with Emil Jones running around telling Board members that they shouldn’t fire Watson and this is a really fun day to watch our tax dollars at work at these two fine public colleges.
Comment by siriusly Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 1:36 pm
Chicago State a fine school? Check out the ACT score range:
25-75 percentile
ACT Composite: 16 / 19
ACT English: 15 / 20
ACT Math: 15 / 17
Comment by Liberty First Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 1:56 pm
Only heard one instance of profanity at the 36:56 mark. But my favorite point is about 37:05 - it’s really brilliant to hear a board chair tell a president to “put your big boy pants on…”
Dustup? Yes. Much below the surface other than disgruntled grumblings of two old men? Not that I could tell.
Comment by Midstate Indy Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 2:01 pm
I listened to the entire audio file. I heard no actual profanity.
That said, what I did hear reminds me of a situation where rival gorillas are fighting to decide who is dominant male of the gorilla troop. In the zoo, such situations require that the gorillas be shuffled to avoid undue conflict and injury.
In the case of this particular set of gorillas, I believe that the best solution would be to “shuffle the monkeys” by removing both of these old silverbacks from their offices.
I have encountered both of these guys in social situations. They seem to be quite worthy. Unfortunately, they are toxic when placed in the same “cage” and the whole situation has made them unstable and aggressive towards one another and towards other board members.
The Governor needs to clean out the barn by getting rid of both of them. SIU is too important for this sort of turmoil. Find better (and preferably younger) managers.
Comment by JoeVerdeal Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 2:04 pm
Herrin’s grip on reality occasionally sounds a bit tenuous. AA would have his bunion checked somewhere else, just sayin’.
One of the best exchanges occurs in the final two minutes as Herrin is pointing out that he has served on public boards for 40 years, free of conflict, until he went on SIU and met up with his “friend” Poshard. He specifically names one Board Director who thought he was a heckuva guy and great Trustee.
Poshard responds, with no emotion in his voice, that the Director Herrin mentioned was convicted of lying to the FBI and fraud. That’s when Herrin said it was time to wrap up.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 2:25 pm
- removing both of these old silverbacks from their offices. -
Personally I think it’s good to have a board and a president butting heads, neither should be able to steamroll the other. Having one be a rubber stamp for the other is more detrimental to the university, in my opinion.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 2:27 pm
Once again, Pat Quinn demonstrating his genius for creating a situation full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. This all started because Quinn decided to remove trustees who would not elect Herrin chair, and escalated because he refused to meet with Senators who were concerned about the situation. So the Governor added to his list of enemies with nothing to show for it. He should reappoint the Trustees he dumped to cut his losses. Otherwise this situation will fester for a long time, because he has no leverage to force the Senate to confirm the nominees he has put forth. That being said, Poshard did not cover himself with glory by engaging in this nasty back-and-forth, but of the three—Quinn, Herrin, and Poshard–Poshard has been the least childish and unreasonable.
Comment by jake Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 3:23 pm
- Poshard has been the least childish and unreasonable. -
Please, he accused Roger Herrin of criminal activity, has anyone else stooped to that level?
Why is a university president injecting himself into the selection of board members? The board exists to balance the authority, Poshard would prefer to dictate instead.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 3:29 pm
===Why is a university president injecting himself into the selection of board members?===
Because a certain board member tried to do everything he could to get rid of Poshard, that’s why.
Ultimately, Poshard will probably lose this fight. But up until now Quinn has made nothing but bad moves.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 3:40 pm
Rich, depends on who you believe. I think Poshard just doesn’t want his authority questioned.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Mar 1, 13 @ 4:07 pm