1986-02-21; Central Michigan Life

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Central Michigan LIFE
Vol. 69 No. 64
C1986 CM UFE
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 40859
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^>mm ^ 14 Pages Friday. February 21. 1986    J
Ellis reacts to presidential controversy
llV RANTlV fa<"aVa?f.V Comments  last  Week bv Trustee-*    .i.nrlinrr was  k»umI^I  _.rK, l..«     rs~__„(    .!»...    •!..:.    „_..-_-      l-   . #. m .. _... .... aw
by RANDY LOVELY
LIFE Maraaging Editor
Whether he's CMU's ninth
president or whether he is serving
in an interim capacity, Arthur
Ellis said he remains unaffected
by misunderstanding surrounding
his position. ■
Reaction to the differing Board
of Trustee interpretations of his
appointment, Ellis said the
controversy is "not affecting me
much."
Ellis'      ststements      follow
Democratic
Party views
CMU search
by RANDY LOVELY
LIFE Managing Editor
Providing a different twist in
the controversy surrounding the
presidential search, the Isabella
County Democratic Party may
express concern about the events.
The party's executive board met
Wednesday evening with two
members of the Presidential
Search Committee to receive
information regarding the selection process, but no formal action
was taken.
Party Chairman I>ewis Bender
said a "possibility" exists a resolution may be passed during the
group's March meeting, but board
member Hetty Moskowitz said
there is a "strong possibility" of
action against the Board of
Trustee decision.
"There's a possibility, but right
now there's only a possibility."
Bender, associate professor of
political science, said.
Moskowitz said. "I'm sure that's
a great possibility.
Bender said Paul Yu and Eric
Johnson, members of the search
committee, were invited to apeak
to the 30 board members and
express their views regarding the
events leading up to the trustees'
decision to disregard five
presidential candidates and
appoint Arthur Kills to the
presidency.
"Essentially as responsible
citizens the Democratic Party of
Isabella County is interested in
what happens at CMU," Bender
said
Moskowitz said the group may
loin in the opposition being
expressed to Gov James
Blanchard hy various campus
organizations, including the
Academic Senate. Faculty Association and Student Government
Association. However, she said.
"We're in a different situation
than others Our action has to be
given some thought and has to be
correct for all concern parties "
Bender said any l>oard opposition would have an impact upon
the governor since "we determine
the direction of the party in this
county."
Moskowitz echoed this sentiment, saying. "We mi^ht inform
him of our concerns — it is an
election year*
The trustee appointments are a
political action. Moskowitz said,
therefore it is a "matter of
concern" for the Democratic Party
The party's concern may be in
the form of a resolution or a letter.
comments last week by Trustees standing was revealed early last
Bemadine   Denning   and   Alice week.     Ellis     has     been     in
Tomboulian that Ellis was asked Washington. DC, and  was  not
by the board to "continue in the available   for   comment   until
office of president" and opposing Thursday.
remarks by the other six trustees Ellis said differing interpreta-
that his position is a permanent tions will not affect his presiden-
one- tial performance, but added. "It
"I   don't   think   we   have   a only bothers me in the sense that
'problem.' " Ellis said. "That's for it makes it difficult to get on with
the board to resolve." the things we need to get on with
*I know the truth and as long as —    including   a    presidential
I know it I see no reason to discuss search."
it," he added.                               ' Tomboulian   met   with   Ellis
While the trustees' misunder- Thursday,   but   he   would   not
comment about their conversation.
Tomboulian ssid Thursday
night she had met with Ellis.
While she did not reveal the
essence of the meeting, she said,
"I'm here more to listen than to
talk."
While in Mount Pleasant,
Tomboulian met with Dennis
Thavenet., Presidential Search
Committee chairman, to discuss
the search.
"It was a short meeting; we
simply   discussed   the   search.'
Beating around the hush
Cteertng the wart snow from the treeas and bushe* around her house, Linda Robinson of
Mount Pleasant use* a broom to relieve the bushes of the crippling weight of the snow
which arrived In Mount Pleasant Thursday afternoon. 	
Group delays dean selection
by BETSY MINER
LIFE Ass't. News Editor
The national search for a
retiring dean's replacement was
postponed by the search
committee Thursday after timetable concerns were voiced by two
departments
"I guess the most important
thing is that we have identified a
time line which will extend the
search into the next academic
year." Jerold Misner, search
committee co-chairperson, said
Misner said Dean William
Theunissen announced his retirement late in the academic year
and those involved, including
Theunissen himself and department heads, were anxious to
replace him as soon as possible
They had hoped to have Theunis-
sen's replacement working by next
fall, he added
"We did hear from committee
members as to what their constituency was feeling, and I think
that when it was done there was a
general agreement that everybody
felt . . . we were perhaps a little
optimistic about the time frame."
Misner said "The possiblity of
delaying the search was always
there."
He added the search committee
said they are behind the regular
time frame required to complete
an accurate search
"We regretfully feel that we
need to continue to plan, meet and
lay out all the groundwork . . ."
Misner said.
He added the tentative search
will begin when advertisements
are placed in publications such as
the Chronicle of Higher Education
early next fall with hopes of
completing the search by late
February or early March 1987.
"We plan to provide many ways
in which people can provide input
(into the search process I." Misner
added.
Timetable concerns were raised
when the psychology department
voted unanimously to postpone
reappointing a committee
representative until the search
process was slowed.
"Anytime you do a search that's
been done too quickly, there can
be some problems," psychology
department Chairperson Michael
Kent said in an earlier interview.
After the department sent a
letter to Provost John Cantelon
outlining concerns about the
speed of the search process, the
teacher   education   and   profes
sional    development   department
echoed concern.
"Our department believes that a
comprehensive search cannot be
conducted in the final weeks of a
winter semester of an academic
year," teacher education professor
Charles Eiszler said Tuesday.
The department threatened if
their concerns were not met
search committee representative
Lois Redmand would resign from
the search.
E is.de r said he is impressed the
committee decided to slow the
search process.
"What they've done so far
makes it unnecessary for our
chairperson to resign . . . ," Eiszler
said.
As a result of the postponement,
an acting dean will be appointed
until the position is filled.
Cantelon said he will meet with
each department chair within
EHHS and ask for recommendations for the interim dean position
before he selects one.
Misner added the delay will
improve the dean search process
quality.
"We feel well be able to do a
better search by delaying it,"
Misner said. "We have our act
together.*
history professor Thavenet said Ellis said he  has not spoken
Thavenet said he was told by with other trustees since the
Tomboulian "she really had misunderstanding became public,
believed the important wording In response to opposition
was that Arthur Ellis had a expressed by campus organiza-
continuing appointment, meaning tions and academic departments,
an interim appointment." Ellis said, *I cant judge — there
Also,  Ellis  said  Denning has are a lot  of people looking for
been trying to contact him, but the  common ground."
two have not been able to reach      *If we keep thinking about it.
each other. it's not going to get any better,"
'I believe Bemadine (Denning) Ellis added,
will solidly support me while I'm     Joining the religion and anthro-
sitting in the presidency," Ellis pology, sociology and social work
■aid ISee "Ellis"—page 2
FA sets second
board resolution
by CHERYL JACKSON
LIFE Copy Editor
The second resolution in two weeks dealing with recent Board of
Trustees action was passed and legal alternatives are being
considered by the Faculty Association Board of Directors,
During Thursday's board meeting, the group passed a resolution
calling for trustees to reinitiate the presidential search process The
resolution will be given to each member of the Board of Trustees, FA
President Joyce Henricks said.
Following the Feb. 4 selection of Arthur Ellis as CMITs president,
the FA board drafted a resolution to Gov. James Blanchard requesting
he not reappoint present trustees when their terms end
The FA board expressed dissatisfaction with the selection of the
former interim president because trustees strayed from the pmcess
when they did net choose from the five candidates recommended by
the Presidential Search Committee.
The resolution states, "In keeping with the stated Board of
Trustees-Academic Senate procedures on thi- sclectioi of a president.
'If no candidate is acceptable to the board then the process of
nomination should be continued . ..." we ask that the search process
continue with a committee in place to conduct a search for president in
the fall of 1986."
"I guess what thia resolution is saying, even though it doesn't come
out and say it, is that we don't consider Mr. Ellis to bo the president."
Henricka, associate professor of philosophy, aaid.
Henricks said the recent resolution is a more immediate way of
dealing with Board of Trustees' actions than the document to the
governor.
"What wa're trying to do hare ia to do soriMrthing to get things back
on track on campus," she aaid.
The document also states the provost search should be concurrent
with the presidential search.
"The provost search should not be culminated until after the
presidential search has been successfully completed." the resolution
reads.
The FA board requests the Board of Trustees notify the A-Senate h>
April 15 of a presidential position vacancy so the senate can elect a
search committee before the end of the academic year.
"I think this (starting the process over) is the kind of thing they it he
trustees) can do very easily," Henricks said "It almost allows them In
save face."
Henricks said lawyers are checking the search process legality. If it
is a legally binding document, the FA will stronclv consider  legal
•See "FA"—page 2
Finalist writes letter
to Trustee Kehetian
A letter expressing dissatisfaction with the remark of a Board of
Trustee member has been
composed by one of the five
finalists recommended by the
Presidential Search Committee
Joan Wadlow, interim vice
president for Academic AiTairs at
the University of Wyoming, sent
the letter Wednesday to Trustee
Mitch Kehetian, CM LIFE and the
Detroit Free Press. CM LIFE had
not received the letter as of
Thursday.
Kehetian has been quoted as
saying none of the finalists have
more than two years administrative experience.
Wadlow's        letter        states
Kehetian's quote was inaccurate
She served as associate dean of
the University of Nebraska
College of Arts and Science from
1975 to 1979, was appointed dean
of the College of Arts and Sciences
at the University of Wyoming in
August 1979 and was appointed
interim vice president at the
University of Wyoming in
December 198-1
Wadlow could not lie reached for
comment Thursday A secretary
said Wadlow did not want to
comment since Kehetian had not
received the letter yet
CM LIFE was notified hy
Wadlow's secretary the letters
were sent in Wednesday's mail
LIFE-line
News Brief
Students wishing to retain University apartments for next
year must return housing forms to the Housing Office in the
Bovee University Center by 5 p.m today.
Weather
Cloudy snd colder with
flurries Fridsy. Highs 20
north to 30 south. Clear and
colder Friday night. Lows rero
north to 10 above xero south.
Mostly sunny Saturday.
Highs mid-20* to 30.
Index
LlFE-wire P*ge2
CM-You page3
Comment page4
BloomCounty page 4
Entertainment page 6
Spotlife page 7
Court Reports P*ge9
Police Report* page 9
Code of Conduct page 9
Sports page 10
Classifieds page 13
Lawyers close arguments in Wen case
by DEB BAKER
UFE Staff Writer
A discrimination trial against CMU may end soon since lawyers
have presented closing arguments, but the judge has -15 days to reach
a decision.
Closing arguments lasted all day Tuesday in Peh-Yun Wen's, former
assistant professor of geography, suit against the University. The Bay
City U.S. Court of Claims judge said he may have the decision ready in
45 days. University Counsel Eileen Jennings said.
Jennings said she is pleased with the University's part in the tnal
"The University is in good shape. We've presented a strong case and
Mr. Wen's is not a strong case," Jennings said.
Attorney Steven Martineau presented closing arguments for the
University, she said.
Martineau could not be reached for comment.
Wen's lawyer, M. Dennis Esmay, also said he had a strong case
"I'm hopeful. I think we should win. It's all up to how the judge
interprets it," Lansing lawyer Esmay said.
♦See "Wen"—page 2
Snow storms blamed for auto mishaps
by BETH MENGE
UFE Staff Writer
A snowstorm Thursday caused
several traffic accidents snd
forced cancellation of activities as
crews worked to keep the roads
dear.
A woman was taken to Central
Michigsn   Community   Hospital
after a head-on collision on
Blanchard Road east of Winn
Road at 4:12 p.m. Thursday. The
woman was taken into surgery.
The driver of the other vehicle
sustained minor injuries.
No other information about the
accident was available at press
time.
Keith   Dix,   westher   service
specialist at the National Weather
Service Office in Flint, predicted
four inches of snow would
accumulate in Michigan by this
morning.
"We sre expecting four or more
inches all over central Michigan. I
wouldn't be surprised if you got
more," Dix said
At  6:30   p.m.   Deputy  James
Sweeney, of the Isabella County
Sheriffs Department, said
sheriffs officials had not received
reports of many stranded vehicles.
"But I'm sure as the evening
continues well probably have
more," Sweeney said.
By 6 p.m. two accidents resulted
from slippery road conditions, a
»See "Weather"—page 2