153 responses so far ↓

• 1 El Indio // Jul 28, 2008 at 6:36 pm

  On top of everything else, he misspelled “manana.”

• 2 Holy Toledo Batman // Jul 28, 2008 at 6:45 pm

  Jake — thank goodness to you and Adam for staying on this story; asking for documents; and reporting vigilantly on this. I agree — how can Ramsey’s defense of Felner be defended now. Either asleep at the wheel; or just incompetent.

• 3 Gunti // Jul 28, 2008 at 7:03 pm

  Holy Mother of My Schizophrenic God.

• 4 UofHell Escapee // Jul 28, 2008 at 7:08 pm

  Looks like little Bobby might actually enjoy some aspects of prison life.

• 5 wc // Jul 28, 2008 at 7:25 pm

  Oh. My. God.

  OMG. OMG. OMG.

  I am speechless, wordless. What can be said about this?! I would not believe these emails except that I know how Felner writes. This is him. He was desperate. Scared. Terrified. Nuts. In a complete and total panic.

  Who knew? He puffed his chest and bragged about getting a chancellor job. He continued to say he had the support of the provost and president throughout this period. He must be schizophrenic like his father. How can someone live the lie as he did?

  And he didn’t want that job. He would have, in desperation, taken anything. It was mid-May and he was desperate to leave Louisville.

  And, he had a friend. Robert Felner actually had someone who appeared to care about him. An intimate friend, too, although I would doubt sexually intimate. (What about all the women?)

  This story keeps getting more and more bizarre. The saddest thing about this email exchange is proof now that this man never, ever cared about the work. It really was all talk. Call me naive, but I thought once that he did want good things for kids. It was all a fake. he just wanted houses.

  I cannot believe what I just read. You psychologists out there have got to help us make sense of all this.

• 6 Steve // Jul 28, 2008 at 7:29 pm

  Mamma Mia!

• 7 rivercity gal // Jul 28, 2008 at 8:23 pm

  You do remember that he is a psychologist!

• 8 ed // Jul 28, 2008 at 8:41 pm

  Bobby! Stop! You’re killin me!!!! One day I’m reading about you forging signatures, and I’m saying to myself…..that’s unbelievable, what could beat that? Then….BAM….it’s the next day and we’re reading your emails!!!!!

  Hell….you can’t make this stuff up!!!!!

  And by the way, Bob, they were very touching emails.

  Hugs,

  Ed

  P.S. Your right, UofHell, seems like jail may just warm Bobby’s cockles. Maybe Bubba had better be careful.

• 9 Tirnstile // Jul 28, 2008 at 9:42 pm

  Ed, I’m guessing that - wherever you are - the air is a little bit fresher, the water is a little bit cleaner, and the birds are chirping just a little bit louder this evening. :)

• 10 Tirnstile // Jul 28, 2008 at 9:43 pm

  And that goes for ALL of you, I suppose.

• 11 Fascinated Bystander // Jul 28, 2008 at 10:40 pm

  Wow! I saw this report on the news tonight and couldn’t wait to come here and read what U of L insiders thought about this development. This story is just wild, and it seems to get stranger by the day. These emails certainly suggest that Tom wasn’t quite as innocent as he portrayed himself in the CJ article; hell, he had to know all the dirty details on this scam.

  How much do you wanna be that he made a sweetheart deal with the feds to testify against Felner? Lord only knows what other roaches are going to scurry out from under the next rock that is turned over in this case. Jake, you weren’t kidding when you talked about this being the tip of the iceberg, were you?

  I also have to ask why in the hell didn’t Ramsey keep his fat yap shut about Felner? What was Ramsey hoping to accomplish by praising a man whose office was just raided by the feds and escorted from campus? Surely he had an inkling that this thing was a hornet’s nest for the University. Anyone with any common sense would simply state something like,”I am sorry but I can’t comment on a University matter that is currently under criminal investigation. However, I can say that we are cooperating fully with authorities.” Ramsey had absolutely nothing to gain from praising Felner–NOTHING. Indeed, he looks like a bumbling idiot who is going out of his way to flip the bird to all the unfortunate students, faculty, and staff who complained about Felner and endured the man’s tyranny. And I speak as someone who has no affiliation whatsoever with U of L; I am just someone from the community watching this train wreck unfold with disbelieving eyes. Ramsey should lose his job. Period.

  I truly feel for all the people who had to deal with Felner and who now have to deal with Ramsey’s complicity and/or ineptitude. I don’t know whether to wish you good luck or to encourage you to sue the university.

• 12 Always Amazed // Jul 28, 2008 at 10:57 pm

  You find one rat, and you know there are always hundreds more hidden in the floorboards. I wonder how crabby everyone is feeling now?

• 13 UofHell Escapee // Jul 29, 2008 at 12:10 am

  Lil’ Bobby Nutcase had this story yesterday:

  Lil’ Bobby Nutcase // Jul 27, 2008 at 5:39 pm

  “And Schroeder in the article linked at the top *may* be innocent. but I really doubt it. I always thought they might have “dug” each other. Bobby pincher my a$$ twice, and I am a guy.”

• 14 Becareful // Jul 29, 2008 at 12:48 am

  Unfortunately, there are several people in the college of education whose personal and professional lives have been devasted by Felner and his Leadership. Will the president and the provost ever look into this mess to help them? Lucky are those who managed to leave.

• 15 jake // Jul 29, 2008 at 1:42 am

  Nope. I absolutely wasn’t kidding when I said it was just the tip of the ice berg.

  Maybe now the Courier-Journal will stop beating around the bush.

  And MAYBE the University of Louisville’s administration will take notice. Because I promise– this is going to get a heck of a lot juicer.

• 16 writerach // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:53 am

  Also he spelled “dawdle” incorrectly. I just hate a major university dean who can’t spell manana and dawdle.

• 17 marie // Jul 29, 2008 at 3:12 am

  I keep thinking about the annual report of the faculty grievance officer and how an ‘underlying
  collegiality’ is presumed, and there’s no (legal)
  remedy in its absence. Hopefully, we are moving closer to a time when laws will exist to protect workers from ‘unsafe’ work environments where there is literally no accountability. I didn’t suffer at the hands of Robert Felner, but all the signs were clearly present that my work situation was unnecessarily
  wreaking havoc with my health. I say unnecessarily because the work was good and I knew that my tormenters cared less about the work than I did. The fact that anything can be made up, and it will stand, legally, and years of your work history disappears (along with your self-esteem) is outrageous. When the investigations begin, you will want to include the
  LIBRARIES.

• 18 ed // Jul 29, 2008 at 5:27 am

  Tirnstile,

  Yeah…it’s a good moment for all of us. After reading those emails, I’m beginning to think there may not even be a trial. They’ll probably offer to knock a few years off in exchange for not having to go through that expense. But who knows. Too bad….I was thinking of coming for it.

  Am I the only one…or did anyone else get creeped out by those emails? They sort of moved this whole thing into the surreal or bizarre category. Think about it…..A psycho and his lover set out to systematically fleece universities and the federal government of God knows how much money. In his wake he leaves such terror that those around him believe he is something that has escaped from the gates of hell….while his superiors regard him like the second coming???? And through it all he carries on this dual life of woman after woman after woman…..and a man??

  Is this for real??? I’m on sensory overload!!! And Jake says it’s going to get even juicier? What’s next??? Did Felner dress as a woman, then hire and date himself??? And…if seems like some kind of porn could make an entrance at any moment. I’m still wondering what “illegal merchandise” he purchased with this money. Since they mentioned it a few weeks ago, nothing more has been said. Is that your next bomb, Jake?

  I think I’m going to need a seatbelt on my computer chair.

• 19 Shrinker // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:22 am

  Look carefully at the reference to Felner BEING TOLD that his job wouldn’t last at UofL. Since he’s the Dean, the only people who could have given him that heads-up are the Provost (Willihnganz) or the Pres. The Provost (the direct supervisor of the dean) is strangely silent in this entire debacle, but ONE of the two of them knew someting about Felner and had told him to leave ASAP. Shovel the dirt onto someone else’s yard.

• 20 Shrinker // Jul 29, 2008 at 9:26 am

  Since you asked for psychological analysis: true narcissists (what we are dealing with in Felner’s case, at least for one diagnosis on Axis II of the DSM, which are the personality disorders) may be quite happy with partners of “any” sex; real gratification comes from the reinforcing of the persona, not the relationship or mechanics.

  And, while we’re on the subject of lies and misrepresentations, somebody should look into his CV and see if his degrees and previous employment are correct as presented. He didn’t start lying here at UofL

  Ramsey, you took a mediocre school (CEHD) and allowed Felner to abuse it to what end? Now it’s reputation is really cooked, USNWR ratings notwithstanding (ratings that have nothing whatever to do with what it’s like to study or worth there.) Calling their cries for help “crap”? (And what university pres should talk that way in public anyhow?) That most of the grievances were anonymous should have been a warning sign to you! These people were terrified of reprisal, but you were blinded by your belief that they were academic weaklings and so assumed Felner was kickin’ ass as hired hit man.

  Northup, what did you get out of this deal? And we see that you, too, are an excellent judge of character, no surprise there.

  Shirley, where are you in all this? Why don’t you exercise oversight over ALL THE DEANS (Felner being one of several), as your office demands? You reputation is for being passive and conflict-avoidant…with this for a result.

  UofL has a history of being taken in by apparent Wunderkinds from the outside whose cockiness is perceived as talent. Someone needs the ability to exercise a little clinical judgment, someone who can see a narcissist/psychopath when they meet him/her.

  We need new leadership, if for no other reason than because the public will never be willing to vote financial support to leadership that has let this happen on their watch. Somebody knew what was up and chose to try–what else is new–to cover it up and shovel it away. More heads need to roll over this.

• 21 ed // Jul 29, 2008 at 9:36 am

  Since the moment I saw Ramsey’s interview, I’ve been totally convinced heads will roll. Namely, his. I’m sure what’s happening here is simply that the Board of Trustees (and whoever else would be making these decisions) are waiting for the outcome of the investigation. Once that plays out, and Felner is dealt with, Ramsey will be gone like a popped soap bubble. Probably others, as well.

  Honestly, how could they NOT be???? Based on what I’ve been reading here from people who work there, anything short of that would certainly result in some mass rebellion on campus. Those in charge must know that, and it’s the last thing they’ll want or need if they have ANY hopes of recovering from this mess.

• 22 Give us a break... // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:02 am

  I don’t want to divert the conversation from rolling heads because that’s a great topic - both those above who allowed all this and those below who followed blindly (many of whom turned their backs on their colleagues of many years for whatever gain they got out of being Felner’s handmaiden)…BUT

  Why did he write these notes on his UofL email account? Did he want to be caught? Is he such a megalomaniac that he thought nothing could touch him? Decompensation? Panic? Poor little worm.

• 23 UofL Faculty // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:13 am

  I am beginning to see that there is no other option in saving the reputation of the university. Willihnganz and Ramsey must go. Perhaps then, this university stain can begin to fade.

  University Senate: What say you about this?

• 24 Shrinker // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:17 am

  Regarding the US New and WR rankings: this is the evidence that Ramsey used to claim that Felner had done a great job. If you look at what is included in those rankings, you will see that a large amount of grant money obtained by even a single person can have a major impact on changing position on the list. The former dimension of grant money to tenured faculty ratio (a much better indicator of overall department quality) was DROPPED just before the new rankings were calculated. The single big grant that Felner obtained via Anne Northup–the one at issue–alone could have accounted for the ranking improvement…a grant for research that never existed. Sadly, there is no dimension in these rankings that would reflect the current state of the CEHD, but look for the next round to show a huge decrement (below where it started pre-Felner) as the reputation accorded it by other education deans across the country plummets.

  Maybe UofL should consider dissolving the current CEHD and then immediately reconstituting it under a new name, with new leadership, hiring back only those who share a different and new vision (and who are not suffering from major personality disorders).

  The CEHD as constituted now is cooked, nationally. In real estate, it’s LOCATION; in higher education, it’s REPUTATION. CEHD will not be getting any national grants, quality faculty or graduate students (except from local sources who can’t go elsewhere) for quite a while following this debacle.

  The only hope current faculty have for funding their research would be to dissociate themselves administratively from CEHD, somehow. For years after this, anyone with CEHD on their CV will be looked at askance and asked to explain. Very sad…and all because UofL admin refused to admit they had a very serious problem, blinded as they were by the reflected gleam of filthy lucre.

• 25 ed // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:18 am

  I had some of the same thoughts while I was reading them. Doesn’t he know that everything can easily be retrieved….and nothing is ever deleted from a hard drive???

  I guess he just never felt it would come to this. As I’ve said, he is so arrogant he feels he can do whatever he wants without consequence.

  Maybe…..just maybe…..he’s beginning to realize that that might not be true. But who knows with him. It may take the slamming of a cell door to drive that point home.

• 26 not UofL connected // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:19 am

  Random thoughts:

  It would seem that Felner had a network of “people” (some getting paid or not–this reference in the emails). He’s probably been working this for years (once people have been bought they’re complicit and at the mercy of the buyer to do his bidding).
  The references to the “weather” and other terms are probably some kind of code.
  He must have been under the gun from the IRS for years; Schroder must have been able to forge and obtain forged documentation. The IRS may have triggered the investigation.
  Who gave WHAS 11 the emails?
  The ex-wife no doubt knows where the bodies are buried.
  Someone should check into properties he sold here and other places, as well as the ones he presently owns, to make sure all was Kosher in those dealings.
  Does he even hold the degrees he claims?
  There’s a lesson for all Universities and corporations here: do not kick a monster “upstairs” because the monster will keep consuming all in his path. This should be a crime. Thanks to the University of Rhode Island we got Felner in the first place. They KNEW. There should be a law specifically designed to prohibit this practice. It happens quietly over and over now.
  All of UofL does NOT need to be tarred and feathered because of the gullibility, passivity and lack of professionalism of the Provost and President.

• 27 Give us a break... // Jul 29, 2008 at 11:03 am

  When did these emails surface?

  How long did the president and provost know? Did they wait until Felner got another job and was on his way out before notifying the police so they didn’t have to deal with him as a UofL employee?

  Did they think is was all going to go away? Ramsay was obviously unprepared to deal with questions from the press - shrugging and blaming everyone except those who should be.

• 28 Steve // Jul 29, 2008 at 12:25 pm

  To say the least, this is not U of L’s finest hour — nor President Jim Ramsey’s. The most fascinating aspect of this story to me remains how a dean was able to run roughshod over his faculty — and run amok with apparently misappropriated grant monies — for so long.

  U of L owes the university community and the public a comprehensive investigation of how this happened and who’s responsible. Without it, accountability is mere lip service.

  Ramsey owes the public — and especially the faculty — an apology.

  To call, as he did, numerous personnel complaints including sexual harassment “anonymous crap” is an insult to the collective intelligence. As Felner descends into deeper disrepute, that remark will become increasingly regrettable.

  Shirley W., I love ya’ to pieces, but you, too, have a lot of ’splainin’ to do. If that entails detailing any pressure whatsoever to protect Felner, then so be it.

  Hugs,

  Me

• 29 as tall as felner // Jul 29, 2008 at 12:47 pm

  i wonder what sam stringfield has to say now….

  was he ever called “honey” by the dean? i wish he would come and tell us about it….

• 30 Give us a break... // Jul 29, 2008 at 1:19 pm

  My guess is he was told by higher-ups to shut up. He wouldn’t do it on his own. He always has just one more self-righteous comment to add.

  ed, maybe you could get Sam to give us his take on these emails.

• 31 ed // Jul 29, 2008 at 1:50 pm

  I think if Sam is reading this blog, he would speak up if he wanted to. Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don’t think I could get him here if he’s not inclined to be. Especially if someone from above told him to stop.

  Sam was a guy who just didn’t get it. I told him a few times (before I knew who he was) that he was very obviously not a victim of Felner. And people who aren’t…just can’t get it. It was clear to me in all the “healing” talk, that he saw no place for the anger. A sure sign to me that Bobby never pulled his act on Sam. To him, we were….are….probably just a bunch of whining discontents.

  I think…and I told him this….that when this is over, he will pay a price for what he posted. Your reactions to his words, once he “came out” convinces me even more of that. When people hurt, you can’t tell them not to. And, in my opinion, that’s what his posts amounted to…and worse. Folks aren’t about to forget that when all this dust eventually settles. There will be no respect for Sam.

  But, Sam, if you’re there and would like to weigh in on Felner’s emails….that were equal part machinations and skin crawl…..seems many folks would like to hear what you have to say.

• 32 Tired of it // Jul 29, 2008 at 1:59 pm

  Sam is a good guy.

• 33 ed // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:00 pm

  Hey, Sam, you ARE still reading!!!

• 34 UofHell Escapee // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:04 pm

  As much as I’d like to see it, I doubt that heads will roll over the Felner Affair. El Indio and others here have already pointed out the interconnections amongst the players from Patton to Loving to Ramsey to Shirley to Felner to Blake.

  The family tree of the UofHell is like a stump.

  So, I would not recommend betting any of your houses on Ramsey being brought down, especially now that Patton’s on the CPE board. He’ll be sure to protect his old budget director.

  As for Shirley, don’t expect her to be explaining anything, as she is primarily responsible for bringing Felner to the UofHell and providing the cover for him to do his dirty work.

  Shirley knew that Felner was a problem before he even arrived. I know because I, for one, told her. Felner’s droppings left a trail from Illinois to Rhode Island. A trail of lawsuits, false claims and abusive relationships that folks knew of before the “appointed without a search braintrust” at UofHell decided Felner was their man.

  The spring that Felner interviewed at UofHell he was also a finalist for dean at SUNY Albany. He didn’t get the job at Albany, in part, because folks on the search committee there sniffed out problems with Felner’s CV…grants he claimed to have received, which could not be confirmed.

  It only took a few months before some of Louisville’s highest-powered labor lawyers were beating down Shirley’s door on behalf of faculty clients challenging Felner’s administrative abuse. So Shirley is not passive bystander in all of this.

  Indeed, it is the cultural corruption of the UofHell, which allowed the Felner Affair to happen. It’s not just little Bobby’s fault! Many of the CEHD faculty who are whining now about how bad they were treated by Little Bobby Felner were the ones who ignored the facts, ignored the warnings they were given before he was hired; many were also willing to look the other way when the Felner’s abuse was directed at others, but they thought they were immune (you know who you are…Tom, Bryant, Ann, et al.)

  So you CEHD faculty stop trying to blame this train wreck on Little Bobby or on Ramsey or Shirley alone. You all have to take responsibility for the systemic sickness that is CEHD. You had your chance before Felner arrived to treat the cancer that plagues the place, but were too weak to step up to the plate.

• 35 Tirnstile // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:19 pm

  Here’s chapter 8 of the Bobby Felner story:

  Bi-curious Bobby and Bi-polar Bubba: Bunk Buddies in Bliss

• 36 Ed Springston // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:21 pm

  Fascinating story from the beginning and no real surprise. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

  This is just the tip of the iceberg.

  Systemic failure from the top down or is it?

  From the encyclopedia:

  “A failure can also be a process failure whereby although the activity is completed successfully, a person may still feel dissatisfied if the underlying process is perceived to be below expected standard or benchmark.”

  My expected standard would be one of ethics which they have blatantly fell to the wayside in this situation.

  Failure to anticipate
  Failure to perceive

  To anticipate this would have been easy by paying attention to the trail left by Felner at other venues.

  Perception is reality to those affected by it.

  My perception of reality is a simple one.

  Time for Ramsey and a few others to go.

  Perhaps since Anne Northup was involved in getting the grant that started this there could be an investigation into her activities as well such as campaign donation connections.

  Keep up the good work Jake.

• 37 Cannothelpnotlaughing // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:24 pm

  As tall as felner , that is amusing and funny. How knows what went on at the social parties in 700,000 worth house? It might be more than honey around Loverboy, Bobby.

• 38 sickofit // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:55 pm

  Tiredofit (#32). Sam could be a nice guy with some. However, he is totally untrustworthy. To support Felner, he did many ugly things to some people. He is not a saint. Actually, he is known as a big snake who can bite you and laugh aloud, a man without any conscience. How about his own grants? Where is his money? Could he be playing another Tom Schroeder locally for Felner. Patterns are the same. He was recruited by Felner with huge salary of more than 177,000. He owes a lot to Bobby. He might have served as a middle man to help bubba.

  He also pays his friend, another instructor Kirsten Sundell, $ 85824 much more than many full professors are paid with more than twenty years experience. She is not teaching anything, advises none, and no research.

• 39 Abystander // Jul 29, 2008 at 2:58 pm

  It seems to me that school of education is in a big mess. God bless Bobby, and God bless UofL.

• 40 Tirnstile // Jul 29, 2008 at 3:44 pm

  Sundell also has the $42 million grant referenced on her faculty profile page. That’s a popular number around the CEHD….still.

• 41 Shrinker // Jul 29, 2008 at 5:34 pm

  Let’s also get Shirley and Jim to ‘fess up about the whole UofL faculty shilling on TV for McConnell issue. After slapping the hands of UofL personnel who dared to send emails from their UofL accounts to Frankfort legislators on issues pertaining to their disciplinary experitse, S and J allowed medical school faculty to appear on a McConnell TV ad supporting his campaign. When confronted with this hypocrisy, the answer was 1) oops and 2) well this person and Jim and old buds. Sorry, this is not professional, not ethical and not fair. It makes UofL look very, very bad, guys.

  Makes you wonder what other Republican connections there might be (Anne? are you listening?) and how deep the vein of less-than-full integrity runs in the UofL administration.

  When can we ever have a president who is actually a SCHOLAR and not just a fund-raiser? Who has a vision other than: the more money the better? Or is that all our community deserves?

  Shirley knows better than this; she’s one of the good guys but she needs to grow a pair if she’s gonna play in the big leagues.

• 42 Blowin' in the Wind // Jul 29, 2008 at 6:01 pm

  A Canadian blog out of UBC, weblogs.elearning.ubc.ca/workplace is following this story in detail–all the WHAS from yesterday is there and they have been doing this since the start. They cover international issues, so by the time this is over U of L’s reputation will be shattered completely–and not just CEHD.

• 43 A Disgusted Alum // Jul 29, 2008 at 6:53 pm

  I have been following this story and get more and more disgusted! I was there during the Felner reign of terror. I think it was worse than anyone can imagine. I saw his sexual harrasment first hand, I saw how he treated faculty, I witnessed his absolute power and what that did to many people. It was scary, sad and very true. I too went to many people in power to let them know what was happening– to no avail. Felner also had a group of faculty and graduate students who just worshipped the ground he walked on. It was sad and pathetic. I hope they enjoyed their few years in the “sun” because now THEY are coming down too. I guess our parents were right– if you wait long enough EVERYONE will get what is coming to them. What I would like to see is a general apology from the president, board, etc. to all of us that had to live through this. I got out a few years ago– thank goodness, but the memories are still there. There are MANY silent victims of the Felner mess and we are the ones that will never have the same faith in UL again.

  I can only pray that he is understanding the damage he did to many people. I hope that for one second he is truly SORRY.

• 44 SC // Jul 29, 2008 at 7:28 pm

  I can see through this latest stream of comments, that many new voices are being heard here. I do hope everyone who endured or experienced Felner and his enablers reign of reprisals and abuse will sound off — current and former students; current and former facutly; current and former staff; and alums — it is seemingly more and more clear that we need a collective voice to force the administration to acknowledge their errors and misjudgements. Perhaps voicing yourselves here and now will be a first step to being able to organize all our voices for change. I know there are many, many more of your out there — start here, start now — demanding change and accountability.

• 45 ed // Jul 29, 2008 at 7:32 pm

  I’ve known him for years. Too many. Being sorry is not something he is even capable of, and wouldn’t be even if he were. He’s just not wired like normal people and actually enjoys the bullying.

  What amazes me more than anything, is the number of people he was able to do it to, and get away with it. And those are just the ones we’ve become aware of….imagine how many we’ll never know about.

  It’ll be over now. He won’t be able to do it to anyone again. We have that to be thankful for.

• 46 rivercity gal // Jul 29, 2008 at 7:38 pm

  All his enablers are not at U of L. A discreet look at Newburg Road and Bishops Lane is still in order.

• 47 jake // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:13 pm

  (The emails were obtained via open records requests - more to come)

• 48 anonymous statement // Jul 29, 2008 at 8:48 pm

  As one who has witnessed the workings of CEHD during Felner’s tenure, I’ve been following these conversations for awhile now and have reached a point where I feel I have to say something about what I feel is becoming an unprofessional sort of witch hunt. For starters, the fact that Felner had affectionately worded language with another man does not prove that there was anything sexual going on and to suggest such is undignified for any of us – and certainly irresponsible journalism to insinuate such in a headline. I very much appreciate the outlet that this and other blogs allow – people able to speak their mind in an anonymous fashion without fear of reprisal. However, I think it important to remember that this is essentially a gossip column wherein people are able to present conjecture and accusations as fact - without having to back it up or submit their story to any scrutiny of fact finding.

  I think there is ample evidence to suggest that Felner was and is a petty, vindictive bully, womanizing sociopath – and very likely a criminal . . . although this last charge is only an allegation at this point – and the presumption of innocence is too dear to ignore. I don’t like him, have no sympathy for him and doubt if anyone else does. However, to trash talk several others in the college who worked for him, for whom the evidence of wrongdoing is available only by anonymous personal testimonials is horribly unfair. I think anyone in the college over the past several years who is honest would admit that there have been people that did not do their jobs well, despite warnings, and deserved negative attention from above. Clearly, there never was and never is a justification for bullying, harassment, or intimidation. But the fact that Felner did his job poorly and/or maliciously is not necessarily a vindication of those who bore the brunt of his bullying, it is simply a strong indictment of a bully.

  To those who wish to name call and smear the names of others in the college, I submit that you are doing the college no favors. We all should look in the mirror and ask ourselves whether we can honesty say that we are working up to our highest ability everyday, following all of our professional responsibilities, and unselfishly contributing to the common good of the college and thereby the kids we all presume to serve. We should ask whether we earn our money by doing our best. Only those who can answer these in the affirmative would have any right to disrespect others. Then just because one has the right to be disrespectful does not mean that it should be exercised.

  Personally, I can’t answer these questions in the affirmative for myself so I’ve nothing to say about anyone in particular – but I think if we all focused on cleaning our own houses we would truly be doing what is necessary to turn things around. I choose to be anonymous because quite honestly I don’t have the stomach to be put under the microscope or to be called self-righteous. I admit that I have my own shortcomings and that is where my focus is best directed. And so are all obviously free to make your own choices about what you say and about whom you say it. I just hope that such comments are made with the honest thought of righting the ship – and not for selfish, vindictive, or opportunistic motives.

  We’ve been victimized – don’t allow that to victimization to perpetuate victimization – we’re better than that.

• 49 Dupedagain // Jul 29, 2008 at 9:14 pm

  anonymous statement,
  Are you Sam Stringfield again? If so, please leave us alone. Don’t be CEHD savior. You are one of the worst ones. Would you ever shutup!

• 50 as tall as felner // Jul 29, 2008 at 9:48 pm

  anonymous statement… hmmm

  i gotta say, i am a former student.

  the people who are upset and posting on this blog are NOT the ones who are “smearing the college”. felner and all the turds whose names you think we shouldnt say are the ones who smeared the college.

  everyone gets to make their choices, those who decided to turn against other faculty, watched students get harrassed, watched staff treated like dirt…all while they made insane amounts of money just have to deal with all this free speech.

  the college is a dump. its not a secret. its not made worse by this blog. get over yourself. everyone deserves to know its a dump and why. everyone deserves to know who the turds in the dump are. because the people who suffered suffered long and silently. its their turn now!

  i say roll it all out. the truth and all of it. time to end this ridiculous crap so i dont have to mumble when i say where i graduated from.

• 51 Righting the Ship // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:27 pm

  Anonymous Statement

  Felner is a pathological bully; but he did not act alone. Others quickly embraced the “freedom” he gave them to bully and disrespect; others who could have challenged him without fear of reprisal chose to sit silent; and yet others tried and failed to prevent his abuse (most if not all of the latter are no longer with U of L).

  If this blog, even when over the top or based on accusations or personal anger, helps to expose a serious lack of leadership in the CEHD and at U of L than it is worth it.

  I continue to be amazed that anyone would think simply because Felner is gone; that we can all just go back to work, do our best work, and life will be good. Sort of like asking a rape victim to just put it out of her mind and get back to work. For goodness sake — most of the faculty have been going to work; doing their best work; all the while they were enduring a horrific work environment.

  Unless someone wakes up and realizes the depth of the pain and discontent — we will not get past it. I wish it were as simple as you suggest - but again — I seriously doubt you were victimized by Felner — probably observed his bad behavior - but never targeted personally or professionally.

• 52 rivercity gal // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:43 pm

  Check the C-J–tonight they are parading as news what everybody has known since yesterday through WHAS and this blog. Do they have any concept of what news or investigative reporting is???

• 53 jake // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:52 pm

  Not only does the C-J NOT get it, but the writer put on the job to replace Nancy Rodriguez (she went on “vacation” for two weeks right after we criticized her, totally coincidentally, I’m sure) was supposed to sit down with us so we could bring him up to speed and share with him the hundreds of documents we haven’t yet been able to examine. That never came to fruition and now Andy Wolfson is on the job.

  Basically, it’s time to just forget about the C-J digging anything of substance up. The once great paper of record is only focused on the bottom line. Forget journalism.

  You know there’s a problem when I’m offering to GIVE all of my research to the C-J and the paper totaly blows me off only to regurgitate what other outlets report. I did all the work for them and they still didn’t take it. You’ve all seen the materials I’ve published. You know it’s juicy. And you know the C-J could have done an amazing job.

  Oh well.

• 54 marie // Jul 29, 2008 at 10:57 pm

  Dear Anonymous Statement,
  Point taken (very much to heart).
  But imagine doing all that you described: working to the best of your ability, bringing enthusiasm and energy to your job, loving the university setting and the constant opportunity for growth and learning, enjoying good interactions and collaborations with coworkers and clients, but your departmental managers see nothing of this.
  Statistics don’t faze them. The burden of proof is entirely on you so you document virtually every move you make and maintain an above average work record. But you are on thin ice and all your hard work is taken for granted. You are not permitted any input regarding any aspect of or the carrying out of your own job. You excelled in your field before you came to UofL; at first you feel that once your boss becomes familiar with the quality of your work, she will have faith in you. Years later as you are ready to leave, shattered by a false evaluation that you have documentation to refute; urged to respond and promised serious consideration, your response is ignored and you are told by a “conflict-avoidant” director that your supervisor “never trusted the work” and that he “wants her to be happy.” Presenting “conjecture” without having to back it up or submit it to any scrutiny of fact finding is what passes for “supervision” at the University of Louisville!

• 55 Steve // Jul 29, 2008 at 11:42 pm

  You go, gal. One of the reasons the evolution of this story is so compelling is that it demonstrates why newspapers are declining and credible blogs are on the rise.

  The definitive eulogy for the newspaper industry wil lament the complacency of reporters and editors fueled by a historic lack of competition and a systematic corporate unwillingness to read the writing on the wall — specifically, the titanic effect of the Internet in the new information age.

  This was as predictable as the decline of gas-guzzling trucks. But Gannett, Knight-Ridder, etc. just kept blithely ambling toward Armageddon.

  The truth might have set them free, so it’s rather ironic that an industry in the business of truth-seeking and truth-telling would be so deeply delusional.

  It’s a hyper-competitive, new Darwinian day in journalism, thank goodness.

  Ony the strongest will survive. And the distinctions will become increasingly obvious among reporters who seek to get in and out of stories without kicking ass & taking names — and bloggers who have some fire in their bellies and seek to make a difference.

• 56 Flag // Jul 30, 2008 at 12:02 am

  re: Righting the Ship’s comments - If one takes a look at the ongoing behaviors and bullying actions of some other Deans at UofHell, there will be obvious parallels to what CEHD has had. That leads me back to the top - Provost and President. Fix it at that level or we all can just expect more of the same old same old.

• 57 Righting the Ship // Jul 30, 2008 at 12:52 am

  I agree with you Flag. Organizational Culture begins at the top — it is particularly ironic that Dr. Ramsey has criticized the General Assembly frequently for their lack of leadership and interest in good policy — but clearly, he can not see that his leadership exhibits the same lack of sustainable policy justification he laments when it adversely affects him.

  I am constantly amazed at the lack of self-reflection of so many in leadership and influential positions. Somewhere we have gone terribly wrong in higher education, business, government.

• 58 Ed Springston // Jul 30, 2008 at 2:45 am

  From righting the ship:

  “I am constantly amazed at the lack of self-reflection of so many in leadership and influential positions. Somewhere we have gone terribly wrong in higher education, business, government.”

  Well said.

  I wish anonymous posters would start this same type conversation about the local government administration and our “Mayor for life.”

  There are as many scandals and abuse of power as anything involve din this Felner and U of L situation.

  Problem is no one has the guts to stand up and help right that ship either.

• 59 wc // Jul 30, 2008 at 6:45 am

  Anonymous Statement may be right in her sentiments. Still, if those on the Leadership Team had not been mean, vindictive, and unprofessional towards those on Felner’s enemies list, then their names would not come up. (Some names on the LT have NOT come up!) To be honest, there are many more names of people in the college who stood by and watched people get hurt and did nothing. Many ducked their heads inside their office doors when one of RF’s enemies walked down the hallway. Many more people were afraid to speak up and do what is right, and those people are not being named. Just the cruel folks who laughed and partied when they had the power to hurt others. So, the message of this new era is that if you do not want your name smeared on a blog do not hurt others. Blogging can serve an incredible long-term purpose of keeping people from attacking others.

  Also Anonymous: I suspect that no one on this blog cares whether or not RF was gay. The jokes that he might now enjoy prison are just jokes in the Stephen Colbert sense. As I read the remarks, no one is anti-gay here–as much has been made of his wives and girlfriends. Most of us also do not even care that he stole money. What we care about is that he damaged lives, careers, and spritits of many people who used to love their work.

• 60 wc // Jul 30, 2008 at 6:51 am

  One more thing. I think it is fascinating–this re-writing of history. Now everyone “didn’t like the guy.” I keep hearing more and more people say this.

  Well, I for one am proud now to be on Felner’s Enemies List.

• 61 Rose // Jul 30, 2008 at 7:28 am

  To anonymous statement:

  It is absolutley appropriate to question Felner’s relationship with Schroeder…and it has nothing to do with whether the relationship was a gay/straight one. Their romantic relationship may have inhibited one of these individuals (and perhaps some other males/females) from coming forward with information about this criminal behavior…or worse, forced the complicity of individuals. Look at the language in the emails…”For the sake of our families and our friendship.” The fear of being outed is scary, I’m certain…and Felner seems just the type to exploit that fear.

  The relationship also renders is highly likely Schroeder knew everything Felner was up to. They are clearly confidantes…and more.

  If this had been a male/female relationship, the CJ would have been all over it. This relationship is absolutely relevant…and bravo to WHAS and Jake for running with it.

  Again…it is not about gay or straight…it is about Felner having power over this person and how he was able to exercise it.

• 62 ed // Jul 30, 2008 at 8:24 am

  As I’ve said before, but should repeat for new posters, I’m a bazillion miles away from U of L. My history with little Hitler was years ago and very personal. I came here simply, and solely, for the thrill and satisfaction of watching him go down in flames. And I am totally enjoying that.

  Over the weeks, however, it would have been imposible for me, and insensive of me, not to be drawn in to the what went on at U of L during his reign of terror. His ability to hurt….on multiple levels….is just so sad.

  For whatever reason, people in leadership positions there climbed into bed with Bob (sorry for the mental image, folks). Perhaps it was about money….or power…or even that it was safer and easier to be with him, rather than against him. Some level of self preservation.
  But, for whatever reason, they did do it. And, from reading your posts, some took to it quite well…even growing to enjoy it.

  For posters now to chide others for bashing and trashing the others on his team, even though it may be well intentioned….is really quite short sighted. In the real world, the law would never ignore anyone who aided and abetted a criminal, so why would you suggest it happen here? Those “others” may not have actually stolen money (but who knows?). They did, however, join in the extreme abuse and torment of innocent people, even if they did it by turning their heads…..if I’m reading these posts correctly. How could any clear thinking individual suggest that those folks be left alone? Do you think that any future rebuilding of the university could even begin with such rot still in the foundation? Not a chance.

  Bobby was certainly the tumor, and he will soon be removed. But, there are apparently a number of infected nodes. Are you suggesting those be ignored and left in?

• 63 Love the 'Ville, Not UofL // Jul 30, 2008 at 8:27 am

  “Death on Cardinal and Brook”

  Hollow creatures,
  Like vultures on road kill.

  They party
  While CEHD burns.

  Money moves them,
  Grants their cover and scam.

  They laugh,
  Fear is their shield.

  Cowardly animals,
  They kill the spirit.

  In the name of tinsel glory,
  They hide their deeds of death.

• 64 Tirnstile // Jul 30, 2008 at 9:43 am

  snap snap snap snap

  tambourine tambourine

  snap snap

• 65 ed // Jul 30, 2008 at 9:47 am

  P.S.

  The use of the term “witch hunt” earlier is, in my opinion, a grossly inaccurate characterization of what is happening here. History has shown those hunts to be the result of nothing more than unfounded hysteria, fear and ignorance. Little more than an extension of mob mentality.
  Innocent people suffered and were killed there in, what today would likely be classified as mass murder.

  To suggest that is what’s happening here is (again, in my opinion) and attempt, in one sweeping motion, to totally discount the reality of what actually took place there. Bobby’s clan is not a bunch of innocent victims being pursued by an unruly and unthinking mob, controlled by blind ignorance.

  In fact, these are people whose lives were directly hurt, ruined and, likel