Arkansas Blog

Instead of researching similar universities for compensation plans, the UCA board just asks Lu how much he'd like to make? Where do I get a gig like that? I somehow suspect that if I waltzed into my boss's office and told him how much I'd like to be paid, he'd say "cool...when do you start your new job?"

Get off your duffs UCA board.....figuring out Lu's compensation is YOUR job, not his.

WTF??? He asked for it? The board said, tell us how much you want/think you should make? GEEZ! I think I am going to call each and every board of trustee and remind them that they are appointed to serve a state institution, which is run by state tax dollars. THEREFORE, you are servants to the tax payers of Arkansas.
Perhaps I did not shine during my short stint at UCA, perhaps I am not their largest donor, but until this Lu character is out of there, I am done with UCA. I am sure UALR or Pulaski Tech will gladly take the money I was giving UCA.
He asked for it? I am FLOORED!

LOL!

Looks like the Golden Boy has lost some of his shine.

I am so angry I'm shaking. Yes, I know my daughter's going to TECH in the fall because of the poor housing conditions for students not members of the Silver Spoon Society so why should I care? I care because I am a citizen of Arkansas and I trust education as our state's way out of poverty.

Ethics. Fairness. Responsibility. Openness. Center of Learning. For the Greater Good. Nothing.

Secrecy. Secrecy and Lies. Arrogance. Greed. Illegal actions. The System.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

So, will this little incident be referred to the local prosecuting attorney for review and possible further action. That is the norm when Arkansas Legislative Audit finds circumstances of misconduct in the real world. Isn't ALA planning to do an audit of this activity in the near future. Since the actions are admitted and the AG has ruled it was in violation of the law, seems the audit would be pretty much a formality. Or, does the high standing and good intentions of the individuals involved mean simply that they can repay the money and all is forgiven. Tell that to the city clerk in Rural City, Arkansas who palms cash payments for water bills for $5,000 or so, is caught, and repays the money. Stealing public funds is stealing public funds, regardless of intent, who performed the deed, or the amount of money involved. According to the AG, these UCA folks filched about $300,000 grand illegally. Will there be any punishment, or are they so "highly-esteemed" that public embarassment is sufficient?

I know, "Tom Coughlin" rules abound for the high and mighty. However, these are public dollars and the accountability levels should be stringent and stringently enforced.

Speaking as a newspaper person, I am so shaken that this guy was once regarded by myself and colleagues as a champion of freedom of information and for the press. Of course, he was at Tech then and hadn't been tainted by the Conway college.

Louie- who tainted who? Maybe Lu Hardin tainted UCA.

lu hardin is about to lose his cushy job and has ruined any chance to run for gov. he's got an ego like huckabee and the same brains, too

eLwood,

I see it doesn't take long for the very educated to be bored by those who never had the opportunity but want a better life for their children. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ away. You're not the first person to be bored by the masses.

During all of the drama that has swirled around UCA President Lu Hardin and "The Center of Earning...er, make that Learning, I have expected to hear someone mention the state senate campaign in Faulkner County that is beginning to heat up between incumbent State Senator Gilbert Baker (R) and challenger Joe White (D). To this point, there has been no mention by either candidate of the controversy.

Lu and UCA has profited mightily over the past six years due to the largess of Baker, courtesy of the leg's General Improvement Fund. Baker, former head of the music department at UCA, is being supported by Hardin in his quest for re-election...duh...so what else is new, huh? So far, though, Baker has remained extremely quiet about Hardin's support for his candidacy and the controversy surrounding the $300,000 payment that was given Lu (that he subsequently has returned...minus taxes, of course).

Joe White has been a long-time supporter of UCA, as has most of the Conway business community. That is good business sense, of course. However, you can bet your bottom dollar that he does not condone what has recently transpired there with Lu and the Board.

If I were White, I'd tie this controversy around Baker's neck like an albatross. I'd use some of the quarter of a million dollars or so that I had raised thus far by airing charges linking Lu and Gil and all of this crap together and make Baker spend all of his half million or so counteract it. Man, I'd have me a good time if I were Joe.

Then, if I were Joe White (when I got elected), I'd use my considerable good will with the Governor to seek new appointees to the Board and begin to resurrect UCA's good name.

It's the secrecy from the get-go that gives the game away. When you know something's perfectly legal and dandy, it never occurs to you to hide it.

If Lu Hardin's obviously willing to sneak under the radar in THIS matter, illegally as it turns out, he'll do it again and again in other matters and other jobs.

Hope CBM is right about this ending Lu's hopes for Governor.

Plus, I'm not interested in hearing the "wonderful" things Lu's done in Conway. Even Hitler gave the world the Volkswagen.

Spin all you like. Hardin's been revealed as a crook and a liar.

C'mon people you didn't see this coming? All those ads about Lu having the purtiest campus in da south, and how that fountain sure looks nice. It's all about him. He's elvis and luCA is Graceland. He spent taxpayers money meant to educate on promotions, and his counterpart built a fellowship hall at the Govna's Mansion. Enough!

Someone should look into Baker using students (who happened to be working at time for UCA offices) in his campaign commercials that were shot this week. Also, people should look into baker's fundraiser and see if uca employees or supplies were used to setup and tear down the fundraiser...

lu should be ashamed....

I think that the universities used are not considered comparable. UCA is classified as a IIA institution while UofA, Ole Miss, and Miss State are all R1 institutions. The median presidential salaries at IIA institutions median is 226,000 including salary supplementals across the country. The AAUP issue a report every year about salaries. http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/comm/rep/Z/ecstatreport2007-08/.

The average faculty pay at these "comparable institutions". UofA (76,000), Ole Miss (70,800), Miss State (68,600) and UCA (55,700). If the Board is going to use those institutions for the President then the faculty are way behind at UCA.

If this is true, I hope they fry him in the Rush Harding Fountain after which it is enamed to the "Who needs any public trust fountain", which is what those two have done - breach the trust of the public. Not only has he breeched the law apparently, he has lied to the media and the community about it. Since Lu is more of a politician than an academic, I have a feeling the PA in Faulkner County will magically find no wrong doings even if Lu broke laws that would get any of us time down at Varner, not having him down at the county court complex on Parkway Street in Conway with the Monday morning plea crowd where the crook belongs.

Each year it gets old having to renegogiate a contract. The Board directed Chairman Sims to discuss terms of a long term contract with Lu. Mr. Sims was negogiating an employment contract with THE key employee, the terms were not set or concrete, negogiations are still in the works. The potentially agreed upon amount that had yet to be ratified finally by the Board was approximately 50,000 less than what we understand is paid at the UA. University administrators advised the Board that since the compensation was deferred it did not have to be made public. Most on the Board insisted it be done publicly but were convinced it was appropriate to not do so - an admitted big blunder. My friend, Dr. Stanton, was adamant that in light of the situation with faculty benefits/raises the timing was not appropriate. Max has detailed the situation exactly. Joe White is a former board member. For the conspiracy buffs, sorry, he is my lifelong friend and we are business partners in several ventures. Joe is one of the finest men I know and he inspires me constantly to be a better man. I and my family are supporting him in the election. Gilbert Baker has been good to UCA and I appreciate it. I negogiate contracts with key people all of the time and it is not unusual to start negogiations by asking, "We want you to be here long term, what do we need to do for you to stay, be happy and be motivated?" That starts the process and it is massaged from there to conclusion.

Each year it gets old having to renegogiate a contract. The Board directed Chairman Sims to discuss terms of a long term contract with Lu. Mr. Sims was negogiating an employment contract with THE key employee, the terms were not set or concrete, negogiations are still in the works. The potentially agreed upon amount that had yet to be ratified finally by the Board was approximately 50,000 less than what we understand is paid at the UA. University administrators advised the Board that since the compensation was deferred it did not have to be made public. Most on the Board insisted it be done publicly but were convinced it was appropriate to not do so - an admitted big blunder. My friend, Dr. Stanton, was adamant that in light of the situation with faculty benefits/raises the timing was not appropriate. Max has detailed the situation exactly. Joe White is a former board member. For the conspiracy buffs, sorry, he is my lifelong friend and we are business partners in several ventures. Joe is one of the finest men I know and he inspires me constantly to be a better man. I and my family are supporting him in the election. Gilbert Baker has been good to UCA and I appreciate it. I negogiate contracts with key people all of the time and it is not unusual to start negogiations by asking, "We want you to be here long term, what do we need to do for you to stay, be happy and be motivated?" That starts the process and it is massaged from there to conclusion.

THE key employee? Really? President Hardin is A key employee no doubt, but the claim that he is THE key employee shows why there is a problem in the first place. I don't see a conspiracy; I see a lack of respect for the real key employees at UCA----the men and women who plant flowers, cleans buildings, help the faculty teach, and do the daily paperwork. Which is really THE key employee at any place over the course of a year----the President or the trash collector? Chances are the garbage folks are missed long before any administrator.

Oh yes, rfhiii, y'all are all good people who've either been innocently led astray or the victims of rabid, common Arkansans who don't understand the nuances of your great work. If over-all goodness can negate individual acts of rule/law breaking...I should never get another speeding ticket and be able to tell the IRS to kiss my ass.

Clearly you don't get it.

While Lu is considered a 'key' employee by the Board of Trustees, is he anymore key to the day to day operations of the university than say the cop who unlocks the buildings in the morning, the admissions secretary who opens all the applications, and the person in the Registrars office who enters grades? No. Does he lead strategy? Yes. The problem is this: UCA is a taxpayer supported enterprise, and as such the public gets insight into it's day to day operations. While a university presents a unique situation - they perform tasks that require some level of competitive secrecy (research related activities/etc), it is important that expenditures for highly public figures are public and transparent. When you're Luther Hardin, and you go on TV into people's home telling them about UCA on a daily basis, it is imperative that the community understands that no shady dealings occurred. What Lu should have done is this: tied his pay to faculty raises or other quantitative items. Is giving him a pay raise above and beyond what faculty get always bad? No. Is doing it in secret and in a fashion that leaves a bad taste in peoples mouth a good idea? Never. Lu's done UCA good, but he can't cheat the system because of it. Frankly, while Lu is getting the attention, I guarantee there are other university presidents skimming the pot - Russellville is a good start Max B (Robert Brown's an asshole of the first order and is shadier than Lu ever thought about being, he's just not gotten called on it because he's a out of sight/out of mind kind of fellow, which Lu isn't).

Also Rush H., I probably shouldn't have been as rude about the pretty fountain with your family name on it (I know it's given me a decent share of fun when I had business on the UCA campus back over the past few years). You gave a lot of money to a good cause (and thus earned a fountain!), and you come into the hornet's nest and are willing to share your viewpoint. That's more than we can say for many others with less busy and less engaged lives than yours.

I guess we'll soon hear that someone dropped some mo' cash at the Centu of Earning to get this story whiped from the headlines - too. BTW...Zelda, I've got a crush on you.

"Each year it gets old having to renegogiate a contract."

I'm sorry, but isn't serving on a board of trustees a public service? If your duties are getting "old", there is an easy solution - resign and let someone else handle the important job of safekeeping public money.

"The Board directed Chairman Sims to discuss terms of a long term contract with Lu. Mr. Sims was negogiating an employment contract with THE key employee, the terms were not set or concrete, negogiations are still in the works."

What exactly is the "key" mission of UCA? Fund raising or educating students?

"The potentially agreed upon amount that had yet to be ratified finally by the Board was approximately 50,000 less than what we understand is paid at the UA."

Wow. So UCA is a comparable institution to the UA? What about in faculty salaries? I'm sure studies have been done to make sure UCA faculty salaries are in line with UA faculty salaries, correct?

"University administrators advised the Board that since the compensation was deferred it did not have to be made public."

Is it typical of the UCA board to take legal advice from administrators?

"Most on the Board insisted it be done publicly but were convinced it was appropriate to not do so - an admitted big blunder."

Who was trying to convince them and why? This is PUBLIC MONEY, not some good ol' boy network. Oh, I forgot, this is Arkansas we are talking about. Our powers-that-be treat public money as if it is their own. Thanks for confirming our worst fears of what goes on behind closed doors in our public institutions.

"I negogiate contracts with key people all of the time and it is not unusual to start negogiations by asking, "We want you to be here long term, what do we need to do for you to stay, be happy and be motivated?" That starts the process and it is massaged from there to conclusion."

Irrelevant. Government is not a free marketplace. Everyone is negotiating over public money. If you want to pay a key employee of your own in private business a ridiculous amount that is fine, but please think about whose money you are spending in your role as a public servant.

Someone's gonna get an ass whipping out of this yet!

I would take your outrage seriously if I had ehard one of you complain about what the UA pays a football coach.

I would put more stock in these comments if the head hog basketball coach salary worried you.

I would listen closely if the odd blend of public and private at UA that is used to avoid FOI laws had created the same outrage on our little blog.

It bothers me more what we pay the coaches than the fact that UCA got caught up in a guy who seemed to have the place moving in the right direction.

I am not defending Lou.....I am saying look at the hypcrisy that you never "shook with rage" as you looked at what we were paying the idiot Houston "texting my girlfriend" Nutt.

Why does this bother you so much and the Frank Broyles empire never did? Simple question but a fair question?

I can assure all of you that I understand the value of working folks, they are the backbone of our country, our economy, and, of course, institutions like UCA. I am sorry, but the President is an essential employee. Yes, UCA is approaching the UA in terms of appeal to students, test scores, retention of African American students, a fun environment - I am committed to getting us there on faculty salaries. It is customary to take advise on issues from Administrators when one of them is your lawyer and the other one is your CFO and the other practically ran Higher ED for almost a decade. Of course, the mission of UCA is educating students, you just have to deal with stuff like employees and contracts. Sorry to be rude but, duh, it gets old every year because everyone always wants more money, it doesn't get old because I am lazy or tired! Ya'll are the toughest folks I have ever known, but I will keep trying to do this right. I am sorry for how screwed up this mess has gotten. As for the "ass whipping" bring it on; call me on 907-2000 and you can whip this old man anywhere you would like, I will come to you. I am 54, overweight, bald, short but I would love to see if I can hold my own with you, anytime, any place, in public, in private.

Strange has a point. Was Nutt's gratuitous windfall paid with public funds?
If so (and heck, maybe even if it wasn't), given that the payout Nutt received makes Lu's money look like a meager sum, there should have been equal amounts of outrage (if not more) up and down the state about the abismal lack of leadership at UofA over that charade. Something makes me think if Nutt, Sugg or others involved had higher political ambitions (and the same political background as Lu) we might have seen a bit more of this outrage. Oops, did I just accuse some folks here of having a political bias? My fault...of course that would never be the case.
Don't get me wrong, Lu and the UCA board were completely out of line. And the discussion is relevant. But let's not pretend that politics aren't also at play here.

Check out the Ms. Arkansas program. Ms. UCA was the only contestant with another person in her photo. Guess who? Of course, Lu. The shameless self promoter just can't get enough of himself. Vickery where are you when Lu needs you?

MarvinG - damn right politics are at play. Sadly, the Nutt situation should have called for more heads to roll, including that of the UASYS board and president, especially if even one public cent, not Razorback foundation 'private donations' went to the scummy deal that was brokered. Hired the next day by Ole Miss after getting a nice fat canning from UA? The stench from that sorry deal will be smelt for years coming out of the NW corner of this state.

Rush H - it makes sense to write the president a long term contract - do it right and you'll save a ton of trouble later. A university isn't much different than a business, so deferred comp (or a resign bonus if legal, pay it up front and tie it to staying 6 years) and such make sense (since you can't really give stock options or something of that nature to tie compensation to business performance as measured by the market). What also makes sense is doing it pubically, tying intra-term raises/etc to faculty/staff pay increases (everyone gets a raise or no one gets a raise except for position switches/etc - the president isn't different), and creating pre-defined performance metrics that are used to qualify what happens at the next contract round. Doing it behind closed doors and acting shady? Not a good idea, especially when you go on TV to remind us you are the 'Center of Learning' (or in every speech you give to the point that the students mock the phrase because it is constantly fed to them by the administration).

For others benefit, I've linked to an older article about pay from the UCA Echo (student paper). Goes into a bit of detail about how other administrators pay and how it compares to the statutory limits defined by the Ledge.

Nutt had a buyout clause in his contract with UA. He played the UA cleverly to get it, perhaps with inside assistance. Anyway there's been a good house cleaning at UA. Perhaps UCA needs one too.

I would take your outrage seriously if I had ehard one of you complain about what the UA pays a football coach.<<
strange

It must be difficult to arrive late at the party. The subject of UA fu-ball pay has been debated almost endlessly on this site. I hope it never gets discussed again. Get a technorrati link and search the AT website with key words. You should find no less than a 100 hits on UA coach's pay.
Sheesh!

Rush, your opinion of the faculty sounds like it cam from Senator Pat Geary.

Win had more integrity than this greedy SOB.

Excuse me, "working folks." That includes staff, parents, all those common people. Count de Money would say, "Pull!"

Isn't Rush Harding and Joe White business partners in Rush-Hal Properties?

Rush-Hal is a company that just happens to grow and make more money as enrollment at UCA grows.

Rush-Hal owns rental properties and of course, UCA college students are among their renters.

Anoncow, your comments are very valid and I agree that everyone should do better if the leader is doing better. If things get tough, the cuts should begin at the top first. That is how I run my business and I am on the record that if cuts are made, the President and VP's get their share first and potentially a larger percentage than faculty and staff because they have more to start with.
I have not intended to do anything shady. It is now part of the public record on this matter that I was not for doing any of this privately. I have attempted to withstand the barrage of insults and answer truthfully any thing anyone wants to know. I don't know who any of you folks are. I have given you my identity, my phone number, my address, offered you my tax returns, tried to offer sincere apologies for not handling this better, agreed that this was an idiotic way for this to all of happened, given assurances of better procedure in the future - what else can I do? I am embarrassed that I don't know who Pat Geary is, I have a very high opinion of our faculty and consider them one of our primary assets. I did not coin the term "working folks," the poster prior to my statement was saying I was out of touch with the majority of people. I grew up in Clarendon, my parents taught for 70 years combined, I had three jobs in college, I have no silver spoon. Joe White is not a partner in RushHal Properties. Yes, all businesses in Conway do better when UCA does better. Restaurants sell more food, real estate companies sell more real estate and rent more apartments, sales tax numbers climb and there is more money for parks and city services. Companies like HP relocate to places like Conway with a growing vibrant University. I have to go to work now. Feel free to call me there or I am willing to meet with any of you in person.
I admit this is one huge blunder, I am sorry, I will try and do better, I do respect our faculty a great deal, I have never experienced anything quite like this, are many of you always this angry about everything, I will do my best to try and keep you in a better mood related to UCA or anything I am involved in in the future.

"Win had more integrity than this greedy SOB."--ben-there

Oh lord.

"...As for the "ass whipping" bring it on; call me on 907-2000 and you can whip this old man anywhere you would like, I will come to you. I am 54, overweight, bald, short but I would love to see if I can hold my own with you, anytime, any place, in public, in private."--rfhiii

Can I come when y'all meet up...to watch, of course. Too decrepit to kick ass...simply for greedy, rule-breaking university presidents. Now, mess with my dogs...

Can you tell us, Rush, that the Board has never done anything like this before (since you've been aboard)? And, I'm referencing conducting the public's business in private/without public record? Is every dollar that y'all have sent Lu's way in the public record? Did any other 'connected' UCA employees not go through the hiring process mandated by state rules/laws/regulations/etc. Did any other employees bypass that process? Do you think it's right that state resources are used to support an otherwise private foundation...like the UCA Foundation? Wouldn't it be better to either completely separate the two or open up the Foundation to the scrutiny that comes with public funds?

"I admit this is one huge blunder, I am sorry, I will try and do better, I do respect our faculty a great deal, I have never experienced anything quite like this, are many of you always this angry about everything, I will do my best to try and keep you in a better mood related to UCA or anything I am involved in in the future."
by: rfhiii

When you are in a hole, STOP DIGGING! A most important concept...feller.

"The Board Member doth protest too much, methinks."

(with apologies to William Shakespeare.)

For years now, a growing number of my constituents have been of Italian descent and I've come to know them well. They have honored me with their support and with their friendship. Indeed I can proudly say that some of my very best friends are Italian Americans...These hearings on the Mafia are in no way whatsoever a slur upon the great Italian people. Because I can state from my own knowledge and experience that Italian Americans are among the most loyal, most law-abiding, patriotic, hard-working American citizens in this land. And it would be a shame, Mr. Chairman, if we allowed a few rotten apples to give a bad name to the whole barrel. Because from the time of the great Christopher Columbus up through the time of Enrico Fermi, right up until the present day, Italian Americans have been pioneers in building and defending our great nation. They are the salt of the earth, and they're one of the backbones of this country.

-- Senator Pat Geary

I can assure all of you that I understand the value of working folks, they are the backbone of our country, our economy, and, of course, institutions like UCA.

-- Rush

Zelda, I am not sure about folks being hired without posting a position but I am sure that has been done. When the President feels someone is right for the job, he moves. Brad Teague, who is universally thought of as a quality hire, is an example. I don't think it is required to advertise every position, but I am not sure. Of course, the packets of info sent to all of the media are rife with allegations of insider deals that are well documented. The President is a people person and he acts quickly while doing what he thinks is best for the University. I can not remember in the eighteen years I have been on the Board any vote not being public, that is why the Board and I were questioning (as evidenced by the recently released memos) why it was being done that way. It is not right for public funds to be used for private purposes. We thought the discretionary fund could be used to supplement salaries, we were wrong, will not happen again. If I "protest to much" I have never known people so hard hearted that a sincere apology is not sufficient to merit simply a chance for redemption. And if you stop digging you suffocate, so I will continue to dig. If you would rather, I will "no comment," but I am just trying to give you some insight as to what really happened and why.

Usually I avoid thanking public officials for their mere presence in public discussions...well, anymore than I would than any other human for their time/effort (which is always)...but that doesn't mean I don't understand that a public figure who willing steps up to public discourse is an anomaly. So thanks, Rush, for acting like you understand the importance of and the obligations of someone in your position. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

But, and referencing this remark: "...I don't think it is required to advertise every position, but I am not sure..." I'm surprised that after all those years you don't know the responsibilities/rules of your office. (My intent is not to nitpick...I am simply astounded.) Even if you hadn't known it before these last incidents, you should have known by now. The University has, after all, two attorneys at its beck/call. And y'all hire people all the time.

Plus...I thought Lu had a Phd...until the recent news accounts. I'm not one for thinking a degree (or several degrees) is required for every official position; but a university president is probably one that deserves such an obvious sign of seriousness about education/learning. But these are just my opinions.

I have been told numerous times that there is no state requirement to advertise for every position. I have never asked to see the statute, I will ask to see it tomorrow. I am a little gunshy to say anything in absolute anymore after being told in a memo one moment that something did not need to be done publicly and then on the same night see printed where one of the three names on the memo then declared I may have violated the law. We have to be able to rely on information provided to us my administrative people and we should have the right to think it is accurate. We must rely more on Tom Courtway. The President is an attorney and he led Higher Ed for almost a decade. I have a major in Math and English and never have set foot in the Business department. Some Presidents do every little detail by the book ( Wyn, John Smith) Lu often fires from the hip and depends upon his people skills and personality to get him to the finish line. I prefer a "get it done quickly" type approach to everything but this experience has been very humbling and I have re-evaluated the importance of dotting each i and crossing each t. Thank you and please feel free to call me at anytime. Your comments have been very helpful and I appreciate your passion on this issue.

Zelda, the answer to your question is that UCA has its own policy/guideline with regards to hiring guidelines. UCA is not required to post for every position. Under previous presidents we always did, our policy was ammended in the early 2000's to include the words "when appropriate." To qoute, "all tenure and tenure-track academic positions and all non-classified staff positions will be filled by national searches when appropriate and will make use of a search committee." The previous policy was worded exactly the same except for the words "when appropriate."