83 responses so far ↓

• 1 Former Faculty // Aug 4, 2008 at 6:50 pm

  You need to separate these two things. As a former faculty member at UofL, I am appalled at the ways that Felner used this card – especially given budget concerns and tightening over the past year(s). That said, AERA attendance for faculty comes from travel funds that are specifically set aside given the importance of presenting research findings in peer-reviewed, rigorous venues. It doesn’t get more prominent in educational research than AERA. We need to think less about the faculty who attended this and much more about just how many layers there are to Felner’s greed.

• 2 jake // Aug 4, 2008 at 6:59 pm

  Uh, we did separate the two? Hence the use of “In addition to…” above when transitioning to the bit about the conference.

  The WHAS11 package at 6:00 P.M. is what our story is about. And once the WHAS11 story is live on the internet, we’ll link to it.

  The WHAS11 story also makes clear that those 27 attending the conference weren’t all there to present research. Many were just there to man recruitment tables during a reception.

• 3 Former Faculty // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:08 pm

  Hmmm… A bigger concern – I attended that reception – saw the crabcakes (and the semi-open bar – tickets for drinks were distributed by Felner), didn’t see a recruitment table… There was some UofL swag at the entrance – no one “manning” that space.

  What I meant about separating is simply that it should be noted that there were some faculty who attended to make the kinds of presentations necessary for attaining tenure at any research I institution. The post lumps too much of that together. It isn’t right to group those who were doing their job with a man (and possibly others) who were clearly not.

• 4 jake // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:12 pm

  It’s all about SPENDING. Especially at a time of super-insane budget crunches in Kentucky.

  It’s totally fair to lump the spending in to a bigger story– because it all involves Robert Felner.

  Anything involving Felner has to be examined. It has nothing to do with the credibility of anyone else.

• 5 Always Amazed // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:16 pm

  You can go to the following link to see what everyone was doing at the AERA conference. Looks like Felner himself was only there to host a reception. http://convention3.allacademic.com/one/aera/aera08/index.php?click_key=1&grp_id=880&view=both&multi_search_schedule_mode=scheduled&cmd=Prepare+Multi+Search&PHPSESSID=7185f198d4bc91da718dfceab535d050

  Enter “Louisville” for Affiliation.
  Seems like Felner would have had some kind of research to report on given those huge research grants he had….oh, I forgot….it was all a scam!

• 6 Awake Now // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:33 pm

  I heard that his latest squeeze Jennifer Taylor went to NYC. She did not present research nor help set up booths. Your tax dollars paid for their little trip together.

• 7 rivercity gal // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:46 pm

  The Grawemeyer Prize is given for more than education. Were similar events hosted at national meetings of the performing arts, humanities, and social sciences, or just for education?

• 8 wc // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:49 pm

  Good question about the other Grawmeyer awards. More than $8K+ is a lot for a party that is only attended by UofL faculty.

  What about all those dinners? Who were they for?

  And gifts and flowers are NEVER allowed with public funds. How did he get away with this?

• 9 Taylor // Aug 4, 2008 at 7:52 pm

  on a completely unrelated note: I had never noticed how ridiculous looking Felner’s facial hair is until this picture. ha!

• 10 rivercity gal // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:01 pm

  I just checked the AERA data on attendance/presentation at the 2008 meeting. There are actually 40 U of L people on the list. Many did appropriate presentations; many others did not. Felner is only listed as”chair” of the Grawemeyer Award reception.

• 11 Fascinated Bystander // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:07 pm

  I think Felner is now ghost writing press releases for U of L. This is such a disgrace for the University. After this Felner mess, I don’t think the University will need to worry about the state of its national reputation. I just can’t believe that they let this shit go on for so long.

  Once again, the muckety-mucks at U of L have a tin ear for how bad this story makes them sound. How can anyone now trust that these school credit cards are not being abused across the entire university–not just by Felner? Don’t they think state legislators might use this wasteful spending as a reason not to increase funding in the future? Ramsey should be fired along with all the people who enabled this insanity.

• 12 Awake Now // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:12 pm

  Look again, closely! Nearly all the papers presented are co-presented by multiple people. Collaboration is great, but if you actually count the number of different research projects presented at the conference, the number is much smaller. Citizens, is it worth sending 27 people to NYC at $38K to present a few minor papers when the rest of the university is suffering budget cuts? Some presenters just introduced people. It is a way to get your name on the program and pretend you do research.

  40? My guess is the other 13 are students. UofL doesn’t fund students to attend conferences. But it is a good way to get those numbers up!

• 13 Always Amazed // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:19 pm

  So we spent how much to have Felner hand out drink tickets for two hours at a party? And, really, couldn’t just one of his lovers tell him that his real triple chins no longer matched up with his hairy imaginary jaw line? And the research topics presented….yawn……how impressive…not.

• 14 Novena // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:21 pm

  “On Greed & Gluttony”

  Happy are they
  who have enough;
  they need no escape.

  Sad are they
  who never have their fill;
  they mimic animals.

  Satisfied are they
  who foresake greed;
  they have no envy.

  Desolate are they
  who feel the tick;
  they are bothered.

  Content are they
  who eschew gluttony;
  they feel at one with earth.

  Whether in Louisville,
  or New York City.

• 15 rivercity gal // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:32 pm

  Perhaps it is about time for the state auditor to start looking at the use of state funds in other parts of the university. I can’t believe that CEHD is the only entity playing fast and lose with federal, state, and other grant funds. The sense of stewardship seems completely lost in the leadership of the university.

• 16 Blowin' in the Wind // Aug 5, 2008 at 8:17 am

  In addition to the legal issues in all of this, as important and not getting enough attention, are the moral issues. Several institutions passed this man on, knowing what he was; the top administrators in JCPS–some who are still, who knows why, there–interceded with the provost and president when there were efforts to get rid of him two years ago. These people share the moral responsibility for the lives wounded, the children short-changed. Who will call them to account?

• 17 Need A Leader // Aug 5, 2008 at 8:52 am

  It is becoming more clear that someone of character either on the Board of Trustees or in Frankfort must start applying some pressure if anything is going to change. U of L continues to manage this as a PR problem, instead of a serious internal and institutional control issue.

  What an interesting comparision to how this situation has been handled in Wisconsin compared to Kentucky. Wisconsin elected officials immediately called for a review of the state university hiring procedures; and the University began an internal review of the search process just days after the breaking news of the investigation. Here we are, now 2 months past — and nothing but a vague email letter promising a superficial review of grant procedures.

  This type of leadership of treating every problem or challenge as a PR matter sounds all too familiar. And all too ineffective and damaging.

• 18 Not UofL connected // Aug 5, 2008 at 9:55 am

  No doubt the administration is getting its’ ducks in a row. They will wait for results of the investigation to come out before addressing it. (So this will fester for a long time and into the next semester)

  It’s time there was put in place legislation on hiring procedures to protect those employers who risk being sued if they warn instead of give favorable references. Evidently UofL gave Felner a favorable reference to Wisc. just as RI did to UofL, and on and on.

  What utter foolishness to pass someone like this on to another set of victims when telling the truth on a reference would stopped Felner long ago. And how criminal is it to know of misuse of public monies and not report it? This passes as common practice in higher education? How many people are culpable here?

  A real investigation would go back to the first cover-up, wherever that was.

• 19 alan harbig // Aug 5, 2008 at 9:56 am

  Can someone please ask Crit Luallen to audit this mess?

• 20 jake // Aug 5, 2008 at 9:59 am

  Crit needs to audit the entire flipping state university system.

• 21 Blowin' in the Wind // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:00 am

  Well said. Higher education in this country is too often treated as if it were sacred, incapable of wrong-doing. Like every other institution, it must be accountable for its failures, as well as be lauded for its successes. No business would last with the principles and practices in much of higher ed today.

• 22 Blowin' in the Wind // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:03 am

  Crit Luallen would do a superb job auditing what is legally wrong in the system. who will audit what is morally wrong?

• 23 factsman // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:16 am

  I imagine that many universities help faculty attend conferences either for professional development or to present their work. In fact, that is good inside advertising. However, Felner used this as another resource to make friends and hurt enemies. Who consistently had travel paid for and who did not? Also, who quit asking because it was just too abusive? All resources were carefully controlled by Felner. It was not open for examination even though the faculty has a budget committee in order to be involved. I don’t think this committee met much under Felner.

  Faculty who asked budgetary questions at meetings were, you guessed it, harassed and punished. By the end of five years dissent was no more. It is a perfect model of totalitarianism. Control communication and resources. Felner ruined people by reconstructing their reputations and by starving them for resources. Others were constructed to be great and got fat off the company dole.

  This evil was supported by Jim and Shirley and they have yet to acknowledge it much less apologize.

• 24 Novena // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:51 am

  “Prison Gruel”

  I have a dream
  of lobster campanelle
  at Jack Fry’s
  drooling down my chin(s)
  warm and soft.

  I have a dream
  of rabbit risotto
  at Proof on Main
  tickling my hoary whiskers
  a luscious memory.

  I have a dream
  of Jamison lamb ravioli
  at Lilly’s
  reminding me of my sheep
  they live with my legacy.

  I have a dream
  of pollo alla Valdostana
  at Vincenzo’s
  I loved to play chicken
  now it’s solitaire.

  I have a nightmare
  beyond the bars, a hazy figure
  a tray of lead bread, boiled tires
  do I see
  a worm?

• 25 beerme // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:57 am

  Is the interim dean in Felner’s corner or is he the type of guy that help get the CEHD back on track? Who would want this job after the path of destruction this Felner guy left. Ramsey better start thinking about the future. I’m disappointed the alumni, donors,Faculty Senate, Staff Congress, Trustees, Attorney General, Crit, and CPE haven’t put more pressure on the President to be more accountable. He let this fire burn out of control

• 26 jake // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:59 am

  In fairness, it’s too early to know know if Ramsey has been pressured to, you know, act with accountability.

  This Felner situation will serve as the thorn in the side needed to force that accountability that apparently hasn’t existed before now.

• 27 Jane // Aug 5, 2008 at 11:56 am

  Jake /Blowin’ in the Wind

  You see the whole picture; Robert has left a wake of destruction in his path since Yale. He has screwed over and moved up for the past 35 years. Shame on everyone that had the authority to stand up to him and didn’t. This tyrant knows all to well what he has done and knew this day was coming, perhaps now he will be doing a lot of thinking!

• 28 Blowin' in the Wind // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:12 pm

  What is more important is that ALL the universities involved in enabling him to do what he did for so long TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND CHANGE.

• 29 UL Faculty // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:47 pm

  This was a Department run like a corporation, replete with a CEO “Chairman” who justified extravagance with the same arguments as Ken Lay or Dennis Kozlowski. No excess was questioned as long as federal and other grants came rolling in with the administration claiming it’s cut of indirect costs (aka ‘the action’). It would still be happening if the Feds weren’t involved. It doesn’t require legislation to be cleaned up – just academic leaders that remember why universities exist.

• 30 Felnerfavorites // Aug 5, 2008 at 1:24 pm

  Factsman, you are absolutely right. Felner behaved like a little king; many queens, and princes around him to please and cheer him up. In the process, he created a big rift among the faculty. Any body questioned him or was on his hit list did not get a dime for travel. His queens and princes got free and fun filled trips to New York and who knows where else? Bahamas?

  Department budgets were also emptied the same way. Non-supports could not get any supplies and were told we have serious budget problems starting in January, six months earlier when the fiscal year ends.

  It will be interesting to produce a list of faculty members who went with him to New York and also a list of their presentations they made. What a shame on your slogan of social justice and equities, Mr. Felner?

• 31 Blowin' in the Wind // Aug 5, 2008 at 1:39 pm

  Just check the AERA link in one of the earlier comments on this strand. Everyone from U of L is listed there–all 40 of them and what they did while there.

• 32 I love Ed // Aug 5, 2008 at 6:43 pm

  I miss Ed.

• 33 AERA-NEWYORK // Aug 5, 2008 at 7:00 pm

  Here is a list of folks who enjoyed AERA in New York. Bobby and Sam took gentle care of them.
  Some names are quite famous, while others are not. Anyway, enjoy it.

  Also, please congratulate them as they revolutionized the education field through their research while Kentucky Children
  are waiting for funds on, No Child Left Behind.

  A great news that at least these 40 scholars are not left behind.

  1. Blackman, Orville University of Louisville

  2. Brame, Michael Millard University of
  Louisville

  3. Brown, Sherri L. University of Louisville

  4. Bush, William S. University of Louisville

  5. Carini, Robert University of Louisville

  6. Chen, Cheng-Ting University of Louisville

  7. Choi, Namok University of Louisville

  8. Evans-Andris, Melissa J. University of
  Louisville view

  9. Felner, Robert D. University of Louisville

  10. Haynes, Ray Kennard University of
  Louisville

  11. Hazelton, Blake University of Louisville

  12. Herdman, Kevin James University of
  Louisville

  13. Hinkle, Robin K. University of Louisville

  14. Hirschy, Amy S. University of Louisville

  15. Howell, Penny B. University of Louisville

  16. Hulan, Nancy University of Louisville

  17. Jung, Eunjoo University of Louisville

  18. Keedy, John L. University of Louisville

  19. Kyle, Diane W. University of Louisville

  20. Larson, Ann E. University of Louisville

  21. Lasky, Sue G. University of Louisville

  22. Miller, Stephen K. University of Louisville

  23. Mitchell, Nate G. University of Louisville

  24. Molfese, Victoria J. University of Louisville

  25. Petrosko, Joseph M. University of Louisville

  26. Rodgers, Joanna University of Louisville

  27. Rudasill, Kathleen Moritz University of
  Louisville

  28. Stiglitz, Natalie University of Louisville

  29. Stringfield, Samuel C. University of
  Louisville

  30. Sundell, Kirsten Ewart University of
  Louisville

  31. Thomas, Mary Shelley University of
  Louisville

  32. Thompson, Charles University of Louisville

  33. Tretter, Thomas R. University of Louisville

  34. Valentine, Jeffrey C. University of Louisville

  35. Vanderhaar, Judi University of Louisville

  36. Votaw, Nikki L. University of Louisville

  37. White, Jamie M. University of Louisville

  38. Winter, Paul A. University of Louisville

  39. Wolf, Jennifer Leigh University of Louisville

  40. Wyrick, Amanda Jeane University of
  Louisville

• 34 ed // Aug 5, 2008 at 7:04 pm

  all I can say is that this could not have happened to a nicer guy…I hope he rots in jail….

• 35 Robin // Aug 5, 2008 at 7:20 pm

  40 on the program; but which 27 enjoyed the $34,000 travel benefit? If all 40 are faculty; and all 40 had not received any other travel funds for the academic year — the $34,000 expense actually is not horrible, only $850 per person; however, if only 27 received the $34,000 benefit — it is significantly more than other faculty receive for travel — $1,259 per person. Faculty in the CEHD supposedly only receive $800 per person for annual travel to professional conferences — and that is conditioned upon presenting a research paper at the conference.

  Jake, what is the likelihood that either you or WHAS will be posting those invoices online for us all to see who was supported on this trip.

• 36 investigator // Aug 5, 2008 at 7:22 pm

  Official records indicate that the University of Louisville spent $1672.95 for Jennifer Taylor to attend the conference, but her name doesn’t seem to appear on that list.

• 37 Robin // Aug 5, 2008 at 7:26 pm

  Sounds like the travel records for all the administrators should be requested — while facutly are left to maintain their academic standing and professional deveopment on a mere $800 per year; adminstrators apparently have unlimited travel funds.

• 38 jake // Aug 5, 2008 at 7:26 pm

  I’ll post them on the internets at some point.

  Too swamped right now to consider it for a couple days, though.

• 39 Midfielder // Aug 5, 2008 at 7:32 pm

  Sometimes meetings exist for the purpose of padding everyone’s CV. “I’ll sit through your BS if you sit through mine” and the organization fosters this travesty. At one professional organization’s meetings that I attended (three in a row), the same three people from UofL presented the same EXACT presentation. First, it could have been presented by a single person, as there was no independent work by three separate people. Second, it was work that had been done by none of the three presenters. Third, there was no value-added to having the other two present in any way; they simply each said a different part of the talk…presto chango: three “presentations” on three CV’s three times!

  At one meeting, someone (not from Education but from COB) commented that these professional meetings were, essentially, paid vacations, that she intended to attend a few presentations and then tootle around town visiting sites, since her airfare had been paid.

  Others make it a practice at “professional meetings” to stay out until the wee hours drinking and partying, unable to attend early morning meetings the following day or being groggy. The trip is a “perk” handed out to “friends of the family” and Felner is not the only perpetrator. The less seriously scholarly the field, the more this happens (making Education particulary vulnerable). Another quote: “meetings are the only time I get to party with my UofL colleagues.”

  This practice could be curbed if preference were given to NEW work, standards prohibited presentation of the same material at subsequent meetings of the same group and if the expectation were that material should either be new empirical data or substantive new theoretical work.

  If a professional organization makes a practice of accepting the large majority of papers submitted, IT IS NOT A QUALITY MEETING!! It may have value to the attendees in career advancement (mostly schmoozing to find the next job, establishing quid pro quo’s for who sits on the review committee for who’s grant in an exchange of promises of mutual support), but this should not be what Ramsey is arguing for in his press release about UofL scholarship.

  Of course, how would be know? He isn’t one!

  The very saddest thing to me is having it brought home that, truly, there is no one who respects the UofL faculty: not the legislature (“faculty only work part of the year”), not CPE (“double your output with fewer resources, just work smarter”), not the administration (“crap grievances”), not the staff (“arrogant jerks who don’t care about students or teaching”), not the students (“do I have to know this for the test?”)

  And even worse, maybe it’s deserved now and again.

  Why and how have we let this happen? When did the faculty become the most expendable constituency of the university?

  And what can we do to regain our self-respect and theirs? Why are we so craven? And do WE really have, as the poster said, “fire in the belly?”

• 40 rivercity gal // Aug 5, 2008 at 8:12 pm

  Unfortunately too many of the academic professional organizations have annual meetings that fit midfield’s description. Not only that, they have become job mills for those struggling for a first position or seeking a change. This has been going on for a very long time…

• 41 Please wait a minute... // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:19 pm

  I’ve been following this blog since this news broke, and have nodded sadly at most of the posts detailing Felner’s various misdeeds. I cannot imagine anyone at this point still failing to recognize the full and almost unbelievable extent of the damage he has caused. With that being said, I think it is an atrocity that some people (I assume out of completely understandable anger) are posting things that malign innocent individuals.

  AERA-NEWYORK– do you personally know all of the individuals that you chose to list on your above post? Because if you do, then you also know that several of those individuals are hard-working graduate students who paid their own way (perhaps supplemented SOME by $200 or so from the GSC) to New York on meager student incomes. Others on the list are fine faculty members who were there to present quality research and most certainly have never been on Felner’s “in” list. Your post seemed to imply that all 40 people on that list were in New York, buddy-buddy with Felner, living high on U of L’s (and all taxpayers’) dime. That is a horribly unfair insinuation.

  Following this blog has been therapeutic for me, as someone who is on the “wronged by Felner” list, and I am certainly not looking to open myself up to some of the flaming that has occurred here.

  Still, I do not understand how calling out innocent individuals (links to faculty bios, many of the names on the list in the above post) is helpful in processing this whole horrible trauma for our college. Jump all over me if you will, but I do hope people pause before making these kinds of posts. I could not keep reading and seeing the names of individuals who I know well (and know to be on the “right” side of this whole mess) mentioned casually in a way that would imply negative things to those that do not know them.

• 42 Robin // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:26 pm

  Please wait a minute

  You are correct, there are several listed among those 40 who were not on Felner’s “favored” list; and probably did not receive the same monetary support that others received; and should not be lumped with the others.

  The list though is relevant considering the administration has already defended the expenditures by stating how large the delegation was that traveled to New York to represent U of L. But I agree it is misleading since I suspect not everyone among those 40 received equal financial support. As was typical with Felner.

• 43 jake // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:28 pm

  Like my story said, 27 of those on the list were paid for by UofL…

• 44 Please wait a minute... // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:38 pm

  I do understand the relevance of the list, as U of L is trying to justify the money spent based on the number of attendees. It is just adding insult to injury in this whole situation to see some of the good people who have helped me weather my own particular difficulties with this man now being unfairly “lumped in” with others that happily played Felner’s game. Because of this, I felt compelled to post.

  Jake, as always, my hat goes off to you for your spot-on accurate, responsible reporting of this whole story. My issue certainly was not with your reported facts but rather with the insinuations in some of the posts. Thank you for again stating the facts.

• 45 Give us a break... // Aug 5, 2008 at 11:20 pm

  To me, unfair distribution of resources and excessive spending in a time of severe budget cuts are the issues in this story.

  There are people on this list that well deserved their paid trip to AERA and NYC (including some hard-working students). There are others on this list who got a free trip to NYC because they are (sigh, I guess that should now be “were”) Felner’s favorites. Some of his most devoted followers are not on this list. Didn’t they get to go to NYC with Bobby????

  Jake, are there any videos of Robert partying in NYC?

  Shirley, did you receive any irate letters from other Universities because of Robert’s behavior at AERA this year? Or did you reprimand him so strongly about his performance in Chicago last year that he was on his best behavior? I guess he had to resort to passing out drink tickets rather than bad-mouthing his colleagues from other universities.

  Hi ed.

• 46 rivercity gal // Aug 5, 2008 at 11:24 pm

  Perhaps I am wrong, but I doubt the insinuations were intended. The entire situation is so awful that people don’t realize the unintended results of something like the lists. I am not at U of L and I can separate the sheep from the goats, but many others cannot. Those who have been wounded in this affair need to vent their anguish; those who have not need to be careful not to make the situation worse by appearing to put everyone in the same boat. Having said this, the Felner disaster is that, a disaster, and all the universities involved should be brought to account for their irresponsible actions in passing him on.

• 47 Tirnstile // Aug 5, 2008 at 11:27 pm

  Everybody probably knows my thoughts about this general story by now….but this particular strand has a couple of holes.

  Regarding the 40 mentioned above, I would think that, mathematically, a few of them have probably been among the Bobby Bashers we’ve been reading regularly. “AERA attendee” does not necessarily equal being “in the family.” Perhaps some went only for a day or two, to do their business and then get back to work at the CEHD. Of course, there were also some familiar names listed who I’m sure were sitting with Bobby in first class….

  This also was an expensive conference. My hotel room was well over $200 a night and we all know the price of airfare. And regarding the “party,” the CEHD may have got off cheap. My institution was first quoted a cost of more than $25,000 for our reception – but luckily got the bill trimmed drastically without giving up too much quality. And, we had over 200 guests (mostly grad students, faculty and alumni) in attendance. Whether or not the CEHD had that type of response, or instead just Bobby and a bunch of blonde eye candy is another matter.

  Bottom line, I’m sure that many of the credit card accusations are probably right on target. But I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over AERA.

  p.s. Shave the “beard,” Bobby.

• 48 wc // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:43 am

  AERA New York–Hey, it is true. Stop posting whole lists of names of people whom you do not know. Lots of these people are grad students, and many more are those who paid OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS to go to this meeting and present their research.

  What is important is that some non-academics who went to the conference but did not present research (i.e.,Jennifer Taylor) got their entire trip paid ($1600+) to go to NYC while some faculty paid out of their pockets to present research.

  There were extreme inequities all during the Felner years with respect to resources. If you were “in” you got travel money and research assistants. If you were “out” you did not.

  It is totally understandable why so many assistant professors pretended to be “in” all those years. Their careers were at stake.

• 49 Midfielder // Aug 6, 2008 at 7:19 am

  For me, the key question: with Felner becoming such an extreme liability to the University in so many ways (even if grievances and letters of complaint were considered unfounded, they have to be responded to) and given his bringing in, in the grand scheme of extramural money, less than really big grants, WHY WAS HE BEING PROTECTED?

• 50 Give Me a Break, Part 2 // Aug 6, 2008 at 7:30 am

  Something keeps falling under the radar screen: The faculty hires, some of them the beneficiaries of perks and conference trips, who attained their jobs through non-standard hiring practices. People with no research or publications, people with Masters degrees hired into positions that are PhD level, and locals without substantial academic records hired in at ranks and salaries substantially higher than peers who went through a national search to compete with others for their positions. When is someone going to finally call the game on that situation?

• 51 ed // Aug 6, 2008 at 7:49 am

  Hi, Give Us A Break…and all,

  I’ve been on the sidelines a bit. Reading everything, but not posting. Not being from U of L, I don’t have much to add regarding others’ culpability. It has sure been some huge can of worms, though. And I continue to feel for all of you. As if it’s not bad enough to have “just” had to endure Felner, you’ve had to deal with Bobby wanna be’s. It’s as though they multiply like those Trivets from the old Star Trek episode. Just not as cute.

  That said, it seems someone has posted using my name (post #34). Although it’s true that I want the low life to rot in jail….I didn’t post that. I have no idea why someone would do that….or even bother to do that…but they did.

  Going forward (not to be confused with Looking Forward) I’m hoping you’ll know when it’s me…and when it’s not.

  They say imitation is the finest form of flattery. So…thanks, other ed, I’m flattered. But, I’m still scratching my head over why you would bother. Go ahead…use your own name….say what you want to say…..we’re all friends here. Besides…when we get to that sandy island and start drinking those umbrella drinks, we don’t want everyone to start seeing doubles, do we???

  Note to self: Remember not to look at Bobby pictures too early in the morning or on an empty stomach. Holy Crap!!!! Talk about skin crawl!!!!

  The Real ed.

• 52 Midfielder // Aug 6, 2008 at 10:34 am

  Give Me A Break: This is something that would not have been possible if Felner were not protected somehow from the normal oversight regarding new hires. Same thing with the credit card: there are rules and procedures for these things and they are rigorous. Why and how was Felner not held subject to them?

• 53 Novena // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:02 am

  “Jailhouse Confessional”

  FEAR IS TRUTH:
  They knelt down before it.
  FEAR IS TRUTH:
  No dissent permitted.
  FEAR IS TRUTH:
  Threats, my spear and spur.
  FEAR IS TRUTH:
  It suppresses, gleefully.
  FEAR IS TRUTH:
  My weapon of mass destruction.
  TRUTH IS FEAR:
  If recognized and fought for.
  TRUTH IS FEAR:
  “Do not be intimidated” (1 Peter).

• 54 Postman Rings2x // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:06 am

  Let’s not get distracted totally by ugly pictures and counting beans folks….I was happy to see most sticking to the key questions/issues. How could this mess been allowed and supported for so long.?
  Where are the Trustees? They need to learn from top universities and commissioning immediately an independent investigation not controlled by Ramsey or his Provost.

  Generally you place those who were remiss and involved on administrative leave (without pay) while integrity is restored.

  Let’s focus on witnessing for those in CEHD who can’t risk it. Some went to AERA and detest Bobby so like Robin notes, not all sold out, a few were clever to sustain their careers in that hell.
  Of course the top clique was there and they can be ID by salaries posted, undeserved cases most of them.

  Let’s stick to the most pressing, imagine you have to work there this fall because the Trustees are still asleep…$#@#!#@!

  We have evidence that the interim is closely linked with Bobby and should resign. He might, he has integrity I hear. We know he is not qualified like the rest of the Leadership impaired team in the last year.
  While legitimate faculty go through the scrutinies of peer review before getting promoted and tenured, we know factually that many in his inside clique that participated in the hostilities and reprisals were hired without due process and the rest manipulated the system to hide their lack of scholarship earlier, that the top echelon of the college now ….incredible!

  . Good luck getting a job elsewhere where procedures are respected…the lot of you.

  We know why you might try to hang on as long as possible, BUT without Bobby…what will you do? where can you run?
  You have been found out and now I imagine you will try to kiss up to the next dean and hope we forget. Not likely, run now for there are still faculty with integrity in the house who will speak out when their safety is finally respected.

  The provost would not do that when we tried to alert her and Ramsey, in fact, they compromised those who tried to alert them.

  So careful with the interim who is being forced in
  and can only exacerbate the situation, let’s have the resignation or fire the 2 enablers at the top,
  and help the college recover. It needs and outside dean now.
  Remove the rats now and sing about the low spark of the high heeled boys (and femmes).

  BTW Factsman, you stole my earlier name blogs ago but I like what you and others have been noting that it’s like having a twin, keep it up.

• 55 Blowin' in the Wind // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:33 am

  There are some distinguished retired deans across the country who might be willing to take on the challenge of transforming the CEHD, for perhaps a three-five year period, if there are changes at the top and support from the CEHD faculty and a new administration. Beyond something like that, I don’t see how it is possible to bring peace and renewal to U of L (not just CEHD).

• 56 wc // Aug 6, 2008 at 6:14 pm

  ed,

  It is extremely disturbing that someone would use your name on the blog. I do not want to stop trusting the blog and bloggers. I recall when reading that dishonest post that it didn’t sound like the ed I know. It sounded mean rather than clever. I just thought you were having a bad day.

  I think it is perfectly reasonable to name names of people who have been ruthless in their bullying. (If you do not want to be named in a blog, then act right.) However, posting lists of people’s names is hurtful to the overall cause. It makes the writer come across as a bit nuts. And some of the posts have been tiring in their extreme remarks, and that makes me less interested in reading.

  We can be totally honest on this blog, so why not be?

• 57 rivercity gal // Aug 6, 2008 at 9:36 pm

  Evening, Jake and friends. Check out the C-J. Late breaking update for tomorrow story — three checks for a total of $450,000 made out to the Rock Island Center deposited in a Louisville BB&T account.

• 58 jake // Aug 6, 2008 at 10:07 pm

  What’s most awesome is that the Jim Ramsey said this was all a bunch of crap.

• 59 Always Amazed // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:05 pm

  Is there an equivalent to the KY Educational Professional Standards Board that monitors higher ed credentials and ethics either at the state or national level?

• 60 SheWho // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:37 pm

  Whoa–Felner COULD go to jail :-)

• 61 SheWho // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:39 pm

  What’s with Word Press not letting me post?

• 62 jake // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:40 pm

  ? Your comments are hitting just fine.

• 63 SC // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:52 pm

  Sounds like his attorney is trying to broker a deal — but surely he can’t buy his way out of this — “oh I am so sorry I stole $450,000. Let me write you a check for that, just a little misunderstanding”. It will destroy my faith in the justice system, if he can just pay back the money and all is forgiven.

• 64 Aliceann // Aug 6, 2008 at 11:57 pm

  I want to say up front that I am not at U of L, but I find the abuse that went on there so unbelievable and hope that this investigation can bring to help to the people who were obviously singled out for abuse.

  I thought it was interesting that Felner was a finalist for the provost at Western Michigan. According to their website (http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2008/04/038.html), “Each candidate will focus his or her remarks on “Promoting academic leadership that engages students, ensures shared governance, develops research partnerships and prepares lifelong learners.” There will be a question-and-answer period following each talk, and those attending also will have an opportunity to interact with the candidates at a post-presentation reception.”

  Given the comments here and the obvious pain that has been caused, one has to wonder about the content of that speech. It is interesting to note that he wasn’t offered the job.

• 65 ed // Aug 7, 2008 at 6:32 am

  Blobby, Blobby, Blobby,

  I’m peein’ my pants!!! Let me see if I have this straight. You actually deposited money into a local bank account? Say it ain’t so!!! Where’s the imagination, Man…where’s the challenge??? I SO had you figured for a Cayman Island account guy. Maybe you won’t let me down, and those are yet to turn up. You’re just making this way too easy, Blob. Next we’ll hear you were driving that corpulent butt around with a license plate that said STEALIN !!!!!

  But, I’m a fair guy and must give thanks where thanks are due. Instead of costing tax payers a bazillion dollars for a 6 month investigation, your considerate placement of bread crumbs will probably wrap it up in about 2. And I’m convinced that a barrel of oil has come down so much over the last few weeks because people are home reading Jake’s blog instead of driving. So damn much to be thankful for. In spite of what many here think, I say you’re a stand up guy.

  Hugs,

  me

• 66 The Big Issues // Aug 7, 2008 at 8:00 am

  Hey, Man!

  Thanks for the alternative picture of Blobby Felner. It is a change. This one should last us until we see pictures of him in prison garb, which we are all looking forward to.

  I can’t tell …. is that the “Got Felner?” shirt that his minions in the College of Ed produced?

  The C-J keeps using that outdated photo of Felner posing as Beach Boy Brian Wilson in one of his LSD funks in the late 60s.

  Do you think they will let Felner have “Just for Men” in prison, or will he have to settle for Kiwi Shoe Polish for his hair and beard?

  Oh, wait … I’ve just been told that he already uses Kiwi Shoe Polish on his hair and beard.

  Except … it didn’t cover the beard very well in this “new photo.”

  The other photo you were using presented him as Jabba the Hutt in a cheap suit. I guess he thought it would make an appropriate impression on the yokels in Wisconsin.

  The “new” one presents him as Jabba the Hutt’s fatter, older brother in a cheap Cards shirt with an even worse dye job.

  And what’s the deal with Ramsey’s comb over?

  Dude, the hair, like your integrity, is gone. The only people you are fooling are the Board of Trustees and the Faculty Senate.

  I suggest that you shave it all off … grow a goatee …. use some of Felner’s Kiwi Polish to dye the goatee black ….

  and either start training for the UFC or apply for a clerks job at Ear-Xtacy.

  Your gig at UofHell is “not for long,” to quote Blobby.

• 67 Not UofL connected // Aug 7, 2008 at 8:35 am

  Tell me Felner is NOT going to be allowed to simply pay back the money! Hopefully he can not borrow against any home equity until an investigation into how he bought and sold homes is done.

  “Mishandling” money meant to benefit children is damn low, particularly when the need is so great. Here’s hoping he’ll pay it back honestly and still go to prison if he’s guilty.

  A guy who moves money around, siphons off some, has moved from job to job, is apparently a real con artist, does not stop at a mere $464,000 (or whatever it is) in one or two instances clumped together. He has a history.

  University people are notoriously naive and trusting of each other, but in this case, Dr. Ramsey owes an explanation for his comments to the press (video WHAS 11) where he made light of breaking the law–something to the effect that everybody does it sometimes. THAT was shocking. He would do himself some good if he came forward soon to make a statement (of shock, concern or something) instead of hiding out. This is not going away.

  Jake, is this going farther, deeper and with more money than UofL?

• 68 Give us a break... // Aug 7, 2008 at 8:49 am

  Is that UofL’s new version of one of the Ten Commandments?

  Thou shalt not steal unless you promise to give it back if you’re caught….

  I would think that at a “premier research university,” it would be more like:

  Thou shalt not steal unless you do a clever job of covering it up…

  No wonder Bobby had to leave.

• 69 Bed-Stuy Guy // Aug 7, 2008 at 8:50 am

  “The buck stops with the guy who signs the checks.”
  –Rupert Murdoch

  “Cancelled checks will be to future historians and cultural anthropologists what the Dean Sea Scrolls and hieroglyphics are to us.”
  –Brent Staples

  “So to make those checks better, I used to steal lollipops and sell them at school.”
  Method Man

• 70 Not confused ... // Aug 7, 2008 at 9:23 am

  UofL does keep the dirty laundry quiet. International programs over the past ten years….. now that would be a story to tell.

• 71 le gardien // Aug 7, 2008 at 9:26 am

  I am retired UL faculty member with 35 years at the university. I wish to point out that the current president & provost are a vast improvement over their immediate predecessors. Further, on a personal level Shirley is one of the nicest people you could ever meet; too nice. Like most academics (myself included) she accepts people as being honest. She is ill equipped to deal with con artists like Bobby.
  I have never met Ramsay, and he clearly has no record as a scholar; and he does not pretend to be a scholar. My concern with him was his announcement a few years back that his first priority was a new baseball stadium.
  That statement tells all. UL is trying to be jockstrap U & a research I university. Dubious goals. With limited resources, guess what suffers–teaching. The thinking is that strong athletic teams attract students. Maybe so, but what kind of students–party animals or scholars??? There is such a lust for research I status that the university will tolerate all sorts of mis behavior & even supply the legal help if the researcher is bringing in enough research $$$ to put “points on the board” toward the goal of research I. Being able to speak understandable English is not even necessary.
  To summarize, Shirley is a person of integrity; she is much more respected that Carole G. Unfortunately she is too nice a person & can not seem to make hard decisions to “cut somebody off at the knees” when that needs to be done.

• 72 jake // Aug 7, 2008 at 9:28 am

  I’m not sure if you folks actually pay attention to what’s on this website or if you have to be directed to check the front page– which updates with 10-15 stories per day, but you should start checking. You’re constantly missing out on the newest details (and photographs).

  CLICK HERE for the latest Felner story.

• 73 UofL Faculty // Aug 7, 2008 at 5:45 pm

  That is simply nuts–to compare Cant Make a Decision to Save My Ass Shirley Willihnganz to Scholar Leader Carol Garrison.

  Garrison was a real talent and a loss to UofL.

• 74 El Indio // Aug 7, 2008 at 9:45 pm

  Well, le gardien, Shirley was nice to Felner and the crew of cretins who helped him systematically torment many talented and enthusiastic senior and junior faculty in the College of Education and Human Development.

  She was not so nice to those who were victimized by Felner’s predations.

  The worst decision Carol Garrison made during her time at UofL was to appoint Shirley as acting Provost. The second worst decision she made was to recommend Jim Ramsey for acting President.

  Even by your own analysis, neither Ramsey nor Shirley are up to the task of running a university.

• 75 Postman Rings2x // Aug 7, 2008 at 10:19 pm

  Hey le guardian. whose rear are you guarding? I can tell you with absolute certainty Shirley was not only dumb but complicit in this nightmare, which by the way folks, is still set to go on another year for the poor intimidated faculty in the college and students.
  She was not only remiss but tried to cover up the crimes….let’s ask about how much she paid to have an outside investigation pretend they were investigating the vote of no confidence and what it took from us?
  There are faculty who lost their careers and students. Give us a break.

  Can’t believe the resignations are not on the table…

  Will the Trustees Please! put them both on leave and allow Kentuckians the courtesy of an independent, fair investigation?

  Please Frankfort, stop the bleeding, another fall semester like this hurts our students at UofHell, those they will teach and the institution.

  Ok how many want to send their kids to CEHD this fall?
  Ring Ring.
  Do your job!

• 76 UofHell Escapee // Aug 8, 2008 at 2:56 am

  Hey le gardien—Willihnganz might be your buddy, but apparently you should have gotten out more during your 35 years at the UofHell.

  Shirley is a fool. More than anyone else at the UofHell, she is responsible for the fiasco that Felner and his “losership team” have made CEHD. She was warned of Felner and his past escapades before he was hired. She tolerated his abuses of faculty, staff, students and policy. In doing so she facilitated the destruction of lives and careers as well as the reputation of the CEHD and the university. Integrity? She’s just doing the bidding of her buddies, the Molfese’s.

  Shirley is out of her freakin’ league in that job, only in Kentucky, where cronyism rules, would someone so ill equipped for academic leadership be placed in that role.

  Granted she’s more qualified for her job than Ramsey is for his, but I reckon that ain’t sayin’ very much now is it?

• 77 OldProf // Aug 8, 2008 at 6:27 am

  If UofHell Escapee is correct that Shirley is just doing the bidding of her buddies the Molfeses, then it follows that Felner was also in league with them. What is known about the Molfeses’ activities in these events?

• 78 SC // Aug 8, 2008 at 9:50 am

  Another CJ article — this one by Nancy Rodriquez says Felner didn’t file any of the conflict of interest forms required for funded research projects. Pretty obvious example of asking the fox to guard the hen house.

• 79 wc // Aug 9, 2008 at 7:43 am

  I doubt the Molfeses are involved in this story. They are permitted to be friends with Shirley W., aren’t they? Yes, Shirley probably protects them. The Molfeses gave money to the College of Education.

  Of course, if you make $175K and do not have to teach or be accountable for much of anything, then giving a big check to the CED is pretty easy to do. I think we could all agree to give thousands back every year if we made that salary for a job with no requirments.

• 80 Dollars and Sense // Aug 10, 2008 at 2:22 pm

  le gardien:

  “Being too nice” is just another form of fear. Fear is just another form of not doing anything lest we lose what we have. Fear of losing what we have is just another form of lacking integrity.

• 81 Always Amazed // Aug 10, 2008 at 4:30 pm

  Eunjoo Jung – your vita states “Research Faculty ,The Center for Research-Based Educational Improvement and Assessment. (Research faculty). 2006-present”

  So what exactly did you do in that capacity? What school district did you work with?

  Kristin Sundrell, you wrote “The Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk (JESPAR), a nationally recognized, peer-reviewed empirical journal edited by Drs. Stringfield and Sundell,
  NCLB Center affiliated faculty, will devote a special issue to NCLB and NCLB Center research.”

  Where is the issue? Where is the research? Did you write the proposal, Anne sends the money, and then, oops, you didn’t ask anyone if they were doing the research?

• 82 Wait a Minute // Aug 10, 2008 at 8:00 pm

  Always Amazed: Are you accusing others of claiming work that was not done? The two examples do not seem exactly linked to Felner’s work. For example, that silly journal can certainly devote an issue to NCLB, but that does not necessarily have to do with Felner’s grant. If things are invented, then it appears as if the facts presented are not trustworthy. What gives?

• 83 Always Amazed // Aug 10, 2008 at 9:42 pm

  I am not accusing anything. I am asking them to support/defend statements, word for word, that they made in their own work. Isn’t that something PhDs are used to doing?

  The $694,000 grant in question is titled the The Center for Research-Based Educational Improvement and Assessment (aka NCLB Center). And how exactly are the two examples I gave not directly linked to Felner’s work? Must I really connect the dots for you this way?

  You are absolutely right that something appears to be not trustworthy, but I’m afraid it’s not the facts.

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