So the only problem with the putsch at the University of Virginia was the way the president's ouster was HANDLED?

VA Governor Bob spoke to the Washington Post from Sweden today expressing reservations about the way the firing of U. of Virginia President Terry Sullivan was handled.

"I would have liked to see things happen a little differently -- a little more promptly, a little bit more communication with people in the community so there was a much clearer understanding about the reasons for their decision.''

-- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, about the secret plot by which U. of Virginia Terry Sullivan was purged

by Ken

So it's official: Virigina Gov. Bob McDonnell thinks the ouster of University of Virginia President Terry Sullivan was handled right. You'll recall that it was accomplished via a highly secret conspiracy ringled by the university's rector and vice rector, who still haven't felt any need to explain why the ouster of a president who had been on the job less than two years and seemed to enjoy widespread support in the university community was even a good idea, let alone essential to the health of the university.

For the record, Rector Helen Dragas, a Virginia Beach developer originally appointed to the university's Board of Visitors by Democratic former Gov. Tim Kaine, has already said that she doesn't think her putsch was handled well. But she still believes the decision itself was utterly correct, and beyond her maddeningly general platitudes, she still refuses to share with anyone outside her inner circle why she thinks so.

In the absence of any explanation, from the bits that have slipped out, like her reported outrage over the continued existence of vestigial departments like classics, which are utterly unable to pay their own way, I'm going to continue assuming that her grand vision for the university is a giant diploma mill issuing future employment credentials. Undoubtedly the university is in dire financial straits, as what such institution isn't at this point in time, but I don't think that's any more the issue than the direness of our general economic straits is the issue for the financial elites who are working so hard to restructure the economy as their personal plaything -- it's a pretext for their conversion process, not a reason for anything.

McDonnell questions U-Va. board’s handling of leadership transition; interim leader is named

By Anita Kumar and Daniel de Vise, Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 1:48 PM

RICHMOND -- Gov. Robert F. McDonnell said for the first time Tuesday that the University of Virginia's governing board did not handle the ouster of President Teresa Sullivan as it should have.

But McDonnell (R) reiterated that he would not micromanage the university or the Board of Visitors, which he said is comprised of highly successful, deeply committed people who have "great love" for the state's flagship public university.

"The board...made the decision that they felt were in the best longterm interest of the university,'' McDonnell said in a conference call with reporters. "I would have liked to see things happen a little differently -- a little more promptly, a little bit more communication with people in the community so there was a much clearer understanding about the reasons for their decision.''

McDonnell spoke by telephone from Sweden as he was wrapping up an overseas trade mission.

Early Tuesday, U-Va.'s board pressed ahead with a tumultuous leadership transition, voting to name an interim president to succeed Sullivan.

"I understand there has been a lot of heartache, a lot of questions, a lot of emotions at this marvelous university and a tough time for all involved,'' said McDonnell, whose twin sons attend the university.

The Board of Visitors took nearly 12 hours of debate, most of it behind closed doors, before it voted to appoint Carl P. Zeithaml as the interim leader of the flagship university in Charlottesville. Zeithaml, dean of the university's highly regarded McIntire School of Commerce, will officially take over from Sullivan on Aug. 16.

One of the board's 16 voting members, Heywood Fralin, voted against the appointment. Two members abstained, and one was absent.

Sullivan warned board members Monday that other universities would begin raiding the Grounds for star faculty unhappy with her departure. On Tuesday, engineering professor William Wulf sent a stern letter of resignation to the new interim president. It was unclear if Wulf had another job lined up. Wulf's resignation was considered significant because he is one of fewer than 20 "university professors" among a faculty of 2,200, an honor bestowed on the school's most accomplished educators.

"I do not wish to be associated with an institution being as badly run as the current UVa," he wrote. "A BOV that so poorly understands UVa, and academic culture more generally, is going to make a lot more dumb decisions, so the University is headed for disaster, and I don't want to be any part of that. And, frankly, I think you should be ashamed to be party to this debacle!"

The board's decision capped an extraordinary 10 days in which the board leader, Rector Helen Dragas, and her allies worked behind the scenes to remove Sullivan. The ouster, which became public June 10, drew protest from many administrators, faculty, staff and students. Sullivan, who has held the position for less than two years, is widely popular on campus.

Alumni, donors and community leaders concerned about the health of one of the nation's most prestigious public institutions have clamored for McDonnell to intervene.

"The board...made the decision that they felt were in the best longterm interest of the university,'' McDonnell said in a conference call with reporters. "I would have liked to see things happen a little differently -- a little more promptly, a little bit more communication with people in the community so there was a much clearer understanding about the reasons for their decision.''

McDonnell spoke by telephone from Sweden as he was wrapping up an overseas trade mission.

Early Tuesday, U-Va.'s board pressed ahead with a tumultuous leadership transition, voting to name an interim president to succeed Sullivan.

"I understand there has been a lot of heartache, a lot of questions, a lot of emotions at this marvelous university and a tough time for all involved,'' said McDonnell, whose twin sons attend the university.

The Board of Visitors took nearly 12 hours of debate, most of it behind closed doors, before it voted to appoint Carl P. Zeithaml as the interim leader of the flagship university in Charlottesville. Zeithaml, dean of the university's highly regarded McIntire School of Commerce, will officially take over from Sullivan on Aug. 16.

One of the board's 16 voting members, Heywood Fralin, voted against the appointment. Two members abstained, and one was absent.

Sullivan warned board members Monday that other universities would begin raiding the Grounds for star faculty unhappy with her departure. On Tuesday, engineering professor William Wulf sent a stern letter of resignation to the new interim president. It was unclear if Wulf had another job lined up. Wulf's resignation was considered significant because he is one of fewer than 20 "university professors" among a faculty of 2,200, an honor bestowed on the school's most accomplished educators.

"I do not wish to be associated with an institution being as badly run as the current UVa," he wrote. "A BOV that so poorly understands UVa, and academic culture more generally, is going to make a lot more dumb decisions, so the University is headed for disaster, and I don't want to be any part of that. And, frankly, I think you should be ashamed to be party to this debacle!"

The board's decision capped an extraordinary 10 days in which the board leader, Rector Helen Dragas, and her allies worked behind the scenes to remove Sullivan. The ouster, which became public June 10, drew protest from many administrators, faculty, staff and students. Sullivan, who has held the position for less than two years, is widely popular on campus.

Alumni, donors and community leaders concerned about the health of one of the nation's most prestigious public institutions have clamored for McDonnell to intervene.

The board is equally split between appointees of McDonnell and former governor Timothy M. Kaine (D), now a candidate for U.S. Senate.

But McDonnell will appoint two new members at the end of the month. He also has the option of re-appointing two, including Dragas, whose term is expiring. Kington's term will not end until 2014.

"I want to thank the U-Va. family for enduring the tumult of this difficult week,'' Dragas said Monday in a statement. "It has been exceptionally trying for all of us, and we accept a great share of responsibility for that. As we look forward to the transition to new leadership at the University, our community can rest assured that it will have a great deal of input."

As Dragas, Kington and other board members left the meeting at the Rotunda shortly before 3 a.m., the crowd heckled them. People shouted "speak" and "talk" to Dragas. She responded: "Don't believe everything you read in the papers."

"The last thing a major first-rate public institution needs is a self-inflicted wound,'' said Molly Corbett Broad, president of the American Council of Education, a higher education organization.

Zeithaml will take a leave of absence from the McIntire School during his tenure as interim president. In March, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked the McIntire School as the No. 2 undergraduate business program in the country, and the No. 1 MBA feeder school.

He specializes in the field of strategic management. He joined the McIntire School in 1997.

"I am sincerely honored and humbled to be called upon to serve the University in this capacity," Zeithaml said in a statement. "I realize that it is a very difficult time for many people within our community, but I look forward to working with our faculty, students, staff, alumni and University leaders to move U-Va. forward."

The board will form a special committee to search for a permanent president. Sullivan and her husband, Douglas Laycock, a tenured law professor, are being asked to leave the presidential home at the end of July, two weeks before her official Aug. 15 departure.

Members of the board have not responded to repeated calls and e-mails.

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