OT: Dr Washington under pressure discussion

[mkaufman1]

Making a thread about Dr Washington and what has been going on in the press. However, should this turn political everyone knows what happens. Remember to ignore or report as needed.

 

[JimP]

Sorry for throwing this here. I've gotta think the possible ousting of the GMU prez by political appointees may not be the best thing for the basketball program. Seems Washington has been good for GMU basketball and athletics in general.

 

[psyclone]

Sorry for throwing this here. I've gotta think the possible ousting of the GMU prez by political appointees may not be the best thing for the basketball program. Seems Washington has been good for GMU basketball and athletics in general.

Agreed.
Worst outcome was avoided at today's BOV performance evaluation meeting, but we'll see how this plays out.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/in-a-plot-twist-george-masons-politically-embattled-president-gets-a-raise

 

[psyclone]

Agreed.
Worst outcome was avoided at today's BOV performance evaluation meeting, but we'll see how this plays out.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/in-a-plot-twist-george-masons-politically-embattled-president-gets-a-raise

Local coverage:

George Mason U. board keeps president amid concerns about Trump administration pressure

George Mason University’s board of visitors voted to keep President Gregory Washington after supporters waged a support campaign amid concerns the Trump administration may use federal investigations to try to force him out.

www.nbcwashington.com

 

[Walter]

I have not been keeping up with the movement to fire PGW or that four BOVs have been refused their seats. Would he have been fired if they had been seated?

Edit: Can we fire someone for the logo and the slogans "All Together Different" and "It's our turn"? Not saying it is PGW, but someone needs to be fired.

 

[psyclone]

I have not been keeping up with the movement to fire PGW or that four BOVs have been refused their seats. Would he have been fired if they had been seated?

Edit: Can we fire someone for the logo and the slogans "All Together Different" and "It's our turn"? Not saying it is PGW, but someone needs to be fired.

Not being privy to the BOV closed session where President Washington's performance evaluation was discussed, one can only speculate (A closed session would be standard procedure in any performance evaluation). The 12 BOV members that did participate are all Youngkin appointees and I'm unsure how the 4 that were denied by the court to become BOV members compare in terms of willingness to do the bidding of DOJ/WSJ/conservative MAGA folks.

It might well be that the 12 felt that Washington's early policies were under investigation, but no decisions have emerged yet that warranted him losing his job. Certainly, giving him a standard 1.5% raise may indicate they weren't ready to raise any caution flags (or at least red flags) at this point.

 

[psyclone]

Not being privy to the BOV closed session where President Washington's performance evaluation was discussed, one can only speculate (A closed session would be standard procedure in any performance evaluation). The 12 BOV members that did participate are all Youngkin appointees and I'm unsure how the 4 that were denied by the court to become BOV members compare in terms of willingness to do the bidding of DOJ/WSJ/conservative MAGA folks.

It might well be that the 12 felt that Washington's early policies were under investigation, but no decisions have emerged yet that warranted him losing his job. Certainly, giving him a standard 1.5% raise may indicate they weren't ready to raise any caution flags (or at least red flags) at this point.

I'm adding this insight from the Chronicle of Higher Education's article on the situation:

James H. Finkelstein, a professor emeritus of public policy at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason who has supported the university’s diversity efforts, said Washington is not yet out of the woods.

“I’m sad and disappointed,” Finkelstein said. “I would have hoped that the board would have given some more encouraging words about the president. This is by far the lowest base-salary raise that he’s received … I would read that as the board not expressing a high level of confidence.”

 

[gmujim92]

If the BOV intends to fire Dr. Washington, it has to do so before November because Gov. Spanberger and the Dem-controlled assembly are gonna get rid of the Youngkin appointees in short order.

Given that it takes the federal govt four times longer than it should to do much of anything, I highly doubt any of the four ongoing investigations will be completed by then.

 

[psyclone]

If the BOV intends to fire Dr. Washington, it has to do so before November because Gov. Spanberger and the Dem-controlled assembly are gonna get rid of the Youngkin appointees in short order.

Given that it takes the federal govt four times longer than it should to do much of anything, I highly doubt any of the four ongoing investigations will be completed by then.

Even if Spanberger wins in November, I don't think the entire BOV can be replaced barring extraordinary measures. I believe the governor gets to nominate 4 members to replace the 4 whose terms are expiring.

Perhaps with the court indicating that the 4 who Youngkin nominated can't be seated unless the General Assembly confirms them will result in additional openings. But with the BOV having staggered terms, any governor typically needs all 4 years to completely replace the board installed by the previous governor.

 

[psyclone]

Even if Spanberger wins in November, I don't think the entire BOV can be replaced barring extraordinary measures. I believe the governor gets to nominate 4 members to replace the 4 whose terms are expiring.

Perhaps with the court indicating that the 4 who Youngkin nominated can't be seated unless the General Assembly confirms them will result in additional openings. But with the BOV having staggered terms, any governor typically needs all 4 years to completely replace the board installed by the previous governor.

From the Appendix to the BOV By-laws:
"Members appointed by the Governor to the governing boards of public institutions of higher education shall serve for terms of four years. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term"

 

[Walter]

I wonder if PGW interviewed for the Chancellor’s job at NC State? It was recently filled.

 

[gmujim92]

Even if Spanberger wins in November, I don't think the entire BOV can be replaced barring extraordinary measures. I believe the governor gets to nominate 4 members to replace the 4 whose terms are expiring.

Perhaps with the court indicating that the 4 who Youngkin nominated can't be seated unless the General Assembly confirms them will result in additional openings. But with the BOV having staggered terms, any governor typically needs all 4 years to completely replace the board installed by the previous governor.

I get that, but even if the Youngkin appointees technically retain a majority on the BOV, it’s extremely unlikely they would take such a drastic move as dismissing the president while lame ducks under a new Democratic administration.

If Sears somehow pulls off a miracle and wins in November, Dr. Washington is toast.

 

[Old Man]

I get that, but even if the Youngkin appointees technically retain a majority on the BOV, it’s extremely unlikely they would take such a drastic move as dismissing the president while lame ducks under a new Democratic administration.

If Sears somehow pulls off a miracle and wins in November, Dr. Washington is toast.

Can someone explain what's going on with PGE? What has he allegedly done or not done that is causing this headache?