Comments on: Administrators at VCU resign

By: VCU-er

VCU-er — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:54:17 +0000

Unless they really plan on treating other students the same, they need to revoke his degree. He should have to meet the same requirements as other students and be treated the same in regards to regulations. I doubt they would let someone keep the degree because they said they were ignorant of written VCU policies.

This is not going to just go away for the administration so they better hurry up and fix things correctly.

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:46:30 +0000

Let’s be clear about something- I am sure VCU wold like to confine these matters to this summer before students get back in force in the Fall. But these matters have taken place for years. The Philip Morris story was first posted locally last year on the Oregon Hill blog. Maybe they can be ‘fixed’ by some astute moves by the administration (and Trani’s retirement), but let’s hope they are not just swept under the rug in time for the Fall and the 40th whatever celebration.

By: Ram Fan

Ram Fan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:24:13 +0000

If I were a betting woman, I would say that Trani will step down early due to health reasons. My former boss had bypass surgery and he was never the same.

I’m sorry about Holsworth stepping down but not so much about the rest. But keep in mind they are probably not taking a cut in pay just a reduction in responsibilities and power. I still think that there are others to go. Anyone who didn’t cooperate should go or be encouraged to look elsewhere for tenure. And Monroe’s degree must be rescinded.

By: FTRea

FTRea — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:36:26 +0000

What I’m wondering about now is this: If VCU does reconsider and rescind the degree Rodney Monroe received, would the university be exposing itself to a lawsuit from him.

If he needed that degree to get his present position as Chief of Police in Charlotte, what would happen to his situation there without the degree?

So, if Monroe loses his job in Charlotte, would he have a case against VCU for damages?

By: Ram Fan

Ram Fan — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:31:37 +0000

My lawyer friends tell me that he would have a case for damages but his only problem is did he know or should he have known that officials were breaking the rules for him? Someone else mentioned that all students are supposed to know of the degree requirements and didn’t he have to sign his graduation application. If he is culpable, then he would have a hard time placing the blame completely on VCU and thereby recovering. But would VCU settle just to make it all go away?

Calculating damages would involve not only his lost salary from the Charlotte job which I think they would have to figure until his expected retirement but would involve damage to his reputation and mental health which would be harder to assess. That could become a pretty large sum.

But I still think that he played a role in the deception, so I don’t think he should be successful. However, if the case is brought in Richmond, which I believe it would, juries tend to favor the plaintiff and would likely favor the well-liked former police chief over the establishment represented by the University officials.

But would the students and alumni also have a case? I read somewhere talk about a class-action suit being filed by those groups. Has anyone heard any more about that? Monroe did avoid paying VCU for the residency required classes that other students paid for.

If VCU rescinds the degree and Charlotte doesn’t let him go, then would they be open to a suit from the unsuccessful candidates for the Charlotte chief’s job?

This could just go on and on.

By: LDP 06

LDP 06 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:55:30 +0000

Another Wilder School faculty member stepped down from his “leadership” position. When will the rest of them go?

So many are gunning for Trani. I don’t think this is his creation. He’s done other things to be certain but I think we can lay blame for this where it belongs, with the ones who have resigned their leadership posts and those who still need to do so. Let the man recover from bypass surgery!

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:02:37 +0000

Let the man retire. It i very clear that VCU needs new leadership. Did you read some of the posts at Bacon’s Rebellion? There needs to be a full house cleaning, a full audit that includes finances. Taxpayers deserve NO LESS.

By: Ram Fan

Ram Fan — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:32:43 +0000

Scott - I think you’re exactly right. John Bennett is the new head of finance at VCU - he worked in Warner’s administration. By all reports he is a man of integrity. Hopefully he will do what he can to help get the whole truth out.

It does appear that Trani has been running his own little kingdom known as VCU. He needs to retire before his legacy is completely tarnished. Let’s hope that happens soon.

What is the faculty governing body at VCU? At WVU, UR, and W&M the faculty spoke out in unity and brought about the resignation of a lot of top folks. At VCU they don’t seem as organized but maybe that is by Trani’s design so that power can be concentrated in his office????

By: Ram Fan

Ram Fan — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:00:56 +0000

Is there any new information coming out of VCU about the degree investigation or the resignations? Michael Paul Williams wrote an interesting piece in today (Tuesday’s) TD. Personally, I think that President Trani will step down at the end of the summer for health reasons. I hope he will anyway just to save his legacy before it’s too late. Not that he’s any kind of saint who is above punishment for this mess but he has had an important hand in transforming the city. Unfortunately the buildings are less than aesthetically pleasing. I think I heard someone refer to them at high rise Walmarts.