Spring Break
Recording shows CSU board worried about perception
The Associated Press
Issue date: 5/11/09 Section: News
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Members of the Colorado State University board expressed concern about the public perception that they were hiring a "good old boy" before deciding to name one of their colleagues as the sole finalist for the chancellor's job. But they voiced support for board Vice Chairman Joe Blake because of his knowledge, interest and Denver connections, the (Fort Collins) Coloradoan reported on its Web site Wednesday.
Their comments were recorded during a closed May 5 meeting that dealt with Blake's selection as the finalist. The board, meeting in Denver, voted Wednesday to release audio tapes from the meeting.
The decision didn't cover the part of the meeting involving a second candidate, Dennis Brimhall, former CEO of the University of Colorado Hospital.
Brimhall confirmed to the Fort Collins Coloradoan on Tuesday that he was interviewed by the Board of Governors at the May 5 meeting.
Brimhall said he believes his interview was legitimate and not "fodder" to make the process look proper.
The Coloradoan, The Pueblo Chieftain and the Colorado Independent Web site have sued, saying the closed meeting violated the state open-meetings law. CSU says it complied with the law.
The law allows the board to meet privately to make appointments and hires but not to discuss "any member of the state public body."
Bob Moore, executive editor of the Coloradoan, said in a statement that the release of the recordings was a "first step," but he promised to continue with the lawsuit. An initial hearing on the suit is scheduled for Thursday before District Judge Stephen Schapanski.
According to the Coloradoan, Blake touched on numerous issues during his May 5 interview with the board, including finding a more predictable funding source for higher education; improving the lines of communication between CSU, the Legislature and Gov. Bill Ritter; and creating closer ties to alumni in Denver.
Faculty representative Tim Gallagher said during the recorded meeting that he worried about "crazy speculation" in the newspapers if Blake was named, given that many people already thought he was going to be hired. Gallagher is a nonvoting member, elected to the board by the Fort Collins faculty.
Their comments were recorded during a closed May 5 meeting that dealt with Blake's selection as the finalist. The board, meeting in Denver, voted Wednesday to release audio tapes from the meeting.
The decision didn't cover the part of the meeting involving a second candidate, Dennis Brimhall, former CEO of the University of Colorado Hospital.
Brimhall confirmed to the Fort Collins Coloradoan on Tuesday that he was interviewed by the Board of Governors at the May 5 meeting.
Brimhall said he believes his interview was legitimate and not "fodder" to make the process look proper.
The Coloradoan, The Pueblo Chieftain and the Colorado Independent Web site have sued, saying the closed meeting violated the state open-meetings law. CSU says it complied with the law.
The law allows the board to meet privately to make appointments and hires but not to discuss "any member of the state public body."
Bob Moore, executive editor of the Coloradoan, said in a statement that the release of the recordings was a "first step," but he promised to continue with the lawsuit. An initial hearing on the suit is scheduled for Thursday before District Judge Stephen Schapanski.
According to the Coloradoan, Blake touched on numerous issues during his May 5 interview with the board, including finding a more predictable funding source for higher education; improving the lines of communication between CSU, the Legislature and Gov. Bill Ritter; and creating closer ties to alumni in Denver.
Faculty representative Tim Gallagher said during the recorded meeting that he worried about "crazy speculation" in the newspapers if Blake was named, given that many people already thought he was going to be hired. Gallagher is a nonvoting member, elected to the board by the Fort Collins faculty.
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