Sometimes the uproar is justified. Sometimes, it is not.
The latter is true of the latest "crisis" out of Fleming. Last week, reports emerged of bribery and deceit coloring former University President James Duderstadt's last days in office. The University Board of Regents claimed Duderstadt went over their heads and offered top University administrators cash bonuses as incentive to stay with the University.
Yes, he did.
The regents went on to say Duderstadt's action was inappropriate at the least, scheming and underhanded at most.
They're wrong.
Duderstadt orchestrated compensation agreements with administrators before he stepped down in July. The incentives he offered include one-year paid leave and other bonuses. He did not consult with the regents before he made the deals. It was not his responsibility. Everything he did was within the bounds of his presidential powers.
University administrators constantly field offers from other institutions. Employment at the University makes them top contenders for prestigious positions at other universities. For example, in the last two months, Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison said he has received offers for vice presidential positions at four universities ranked in U.S. News and World Report's top 25. Duderstadt himself has appeared on several lists of potential presidential candidates at other institutions. To maintain any kind of loyalty among University administrators, the president must make sure that administrators want to stay. It is not the regents' responsibility - nor is it their privilege - to approve of transactions like Duderstadt's.
It is also important to keep the deals in perspective. A one-year paid leave for administrators is the equivalent of a sabbatical - a benefit commonly awarded to tenured professors. Despite the regents' best efforts to exaggerate the deals' tenets, the truth is, they aren't much more elaborate than common faculty perks.
Students are upset because the monies are from the general fund - including tuition dollars. Michigan Student Assembly President Fiona Rose went public with her painfully glib criticism, claiming the University would soon become known as the "cheaters and best." But this year's tuition increase was the lowest in several years. Students and regents alike have no reason to be incensed at a move designed primarily to preserve the University's quality of leadership. Duderstadt didn't cheat anyone - in fact, he correctly excluded the regents from his decision. The regents have no right to override the deals because they interpret Duderstadt's motivation differently.
Relations between Duderstadt and the regents were strained - it is no secret. Even Gov. John Engler made allegations of miscommunication and poor cooperation. However, no one can say whether Duderstadt's deals were an intentional blow to the regents, as they claim.
Duderstadt's actions were in the University's best interests - the fact that the regents' pride is hurt is of no consequence.