Spring Break
Media outlets win suit in CSU chancellor dispute
The Associated Press
Issue date: 6/17/09 Section: News
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - A judge has ruled that Colorado State University's governing board violated the state open meetings law when it selected one of its members as the sole finalist for chancellor in a private session.
District Judge Stephen Schapanski issued the ruling Friday in a lawsuit filed by the Coloradoan in Fort Collins, the Pueblo Chieftain and Colorado Independent.
The media outlets sued after Joe Blake was chosen as the sole finalist for chancellor of the CSU system during a private meeting May 5. They argued the board broke the law by holding a closed session to discuss an official from a public body.
Schapanski gave the CSU Board of Governors seven days to make public about 95 minutes of recordings from a four-hour, closed-door session when Bake was interviewed and named the finalist.
A prepared statement by CSU system spokeswoman Michele McKinney said the board "is reviewing the judge's order and will be considering its options in the next few days."
Coloradoan editor Bob Moore said the judge's ruling "reaffirms the importance of open government."
"We hope CSU officials will take his words to heart and move away from the secrecy that has pervaded much of the university's decision-making recently," Moore said.
Blake, the board's vice chairman, was again named the sole finalist for chancellor in a public meeting May 26. The board is expected to vote Wednesday to formally appoint Blake and name Tony Frank president of the CSU campus in Fort Collins.
Frank has served as interim president since Larry Penley resigned from the post without explanation in November. CSU also has a campus in Pueblo, which already has its own president.
Blake was CEO of the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce.
Unresolved issues in the lawsuit include whether the board the public proper notice of several of its closed-door sessions this spring.
CSU, which is laying off employees and raising tuition because of budget shortfalls, could be ordered to pay the media outlet's attorneys fees incurred through the lawsuit.
District Judge Stephen Schapanski issued the ruling Friday in a lawsuit filed by the Coloradoan in Fort Collins, the Pueblo Chieftain and Colorado Independent.
The media outlets sued after Joe Blake was chosen as the sole finalist for chancellor of the CSU system during a private meeting May 5. They argued the board broke the law by holding a closed session to discuss an official from a public body.
Schapanski gave the CSU Board of Governors seven days to make public about 95 minutes of recordings from a four-hour, closed-door session when Bake was interviewed and named the finalist.
A prepared statement by CSU system spokeswoman Michele McKinney said the board "is reviewing the judge's order and will be considering its options in the next few days."
Coloradoan editor Bob Moore said the judge's ruling "reaffirms the importance of open government."
"We hope CSU officials will take his words to heart and move away from the secrecy that has pervaded much of the university's decision-making recently," Moore said.
Blake, the board's vice chairman, was again named the sole finalist for chancellor in a public meeting May 26. The board is expected to vote Wednesday to formally appoint Blake and name Tony Frank president of the CSU campus in Fort Collins.
Frank has served as interim president since Larry Penley resigned from the post without explanation in November. CSU also has a campus in Pueblo, which already has its own president.
Blake was CEO of the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce.
Unresolved issues in the lawsuit include whether the board the public proper notice of several of its closed-door sessions this spring.
CSU, which is laying off employees and raising tuition because of budget shortfalls, could be ordered to pay the media outlet's attorneys fees incurred through the lawsuit.
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