Administrators at VCU resign

Another development in the ongoing story about VCU’s summer of discontent is covered by inRich.

Four high-ranking administrators at Virginia Commonwealth University have resigned their positions amid increasing turmoil within the university’s leadership.

Click here for the rest of the article.

Obviously, VCU has been under some pressure to deal with the aftershocks of the Rodney Monroe degree flap and matters to do with Philip Morris. It seems the process is going to be gradual, rather than a swift move. What’s next?

One big question remains: Does VCU have to cancel Monroe’s degree, in order to restore its credibility? Is that what it will take?

Update: For VCU’s statement on the personnel moves, click here.

Update II: Click here for “Fifth VCU official resigns” at inRich.

Posted in VCU, RVANews-news

9 Comments.

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.

VCU-er @ July 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
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.

Scott Burger @ July 23rd, 2008 at 6:46 am
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 And Monroe’s degree must be rescinded.

Ram Fan @ July 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 am
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?

FTRea @ July 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
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.

Ram Fan @ July 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
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!

LDP 06 @ July 25th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
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.

Scott Burger @ July 26th, 2008 at 7:02 am
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????

Ram Fan @ July 26th, 2008 at 7:32 am
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.

Ram Fan @ July 29th, 2008 at 11:00 am