Daniels choice brings in controversy

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The vote on Governor Daniels does not come without several pieces of controversy.

Like the Board of Trustees vote Thursday morning, the immediate reaction was completely positive.

"Over the past few days, I've heard nothing but positive comments from the students," Miranda McCormack, Purdue Trustee and student, said.

"I'm exceptionally pleased at how many alumni contacted me by email saying we hope this is true," Trustee Tom Spurgeon said.

But outside the Loeb Playhouse, many said they hoped for a different selection, for a number of reasons. 

Purdue professor and member of the University Faculty Senate David Sanders was one of few willing to do so on the record.  He cited various fears of the unknown from faculty including assaulting tenure, outsourcing business currently being done by university employees and the elimination of collective bargaining.

"There's also concerns about his attitude toward higher education," Sanders said.  "Higher education didn't seem to be a priority."

Several people expressed concerns to NewsChannel 18 about the process itself.  By state law, the governor appoints seven of the 10 trustees on the board.  That means the majority of those voting for Daniels Thursday were appointed by him.

Three of those trustees served on the 13-member search committee, including chair Michael Berghoff.

"That search committee was a diverse committee, a diagonal slice of the university," said Keith Krach, the chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees.  "The Governor had nothing to do with the search committee at all.  From the trustee perspective, we've discussed that.  We believe there's no conflict whatsoever."

But Sanders disagrees.

"It may very well be legal, but it certainly doesn't seem like the sort of practices that the University should be engaging in," he said.

Mitch Daniels acknowledged Thursday that he doesn't have the usual academic background of a university president.  But he said he will work his tail off and thinks his skills can be complementary to the world of academia.

"I will have to earn the honor through strenuous work, to build the understanding, alliances, and personal relationships especially with faculty, required for a successful presidency," Daniels said in public comments after the vote.

But some viewers said the selection of Daniels is enough to get them to pull future donations to the university.  But when NewsChannel 18 asked Krach about it, he didn't seem to be too concerned.

"We're not really worried about that at all," Krach said.  "When it comes to giving in whatever format they choose, that's someone's personal choice.  I think we've got tremendous feedback in terms of the governor being our president.  The development effort at Purdue is important and we think we're going to take it to a totally new level."

Sanders said he hopes Daniels continues policies pursued by President France Cordova to encourage minority or underprivileged students.

"Ultimately, he is going to be judged by what he accomplishes as president of Purdue," Sanders said.

Daniels declined to give any specifics about policies, saying it was too early and he was focused on finishing his current job.

"The next six months for me will be occupied with lots of listening and very little talking," Daniels said.  "For now I'm all questions and few, if any, answers."

One final issue brought up is his age.  Cordova will finish less than a month before her 65th birthday, which is the mandatory retirement age at the University. 

Trustees said Thursday they will be making an exemption for Daniels, who turned 63 in April.  Berghoff said negotiations on the length and compensation of the contract were ongoing but he hoped to give Daniels at least five years.