Arkansas Blog

I always figured a good ass whupping was the gentleman's way of setting things straight.
At least he's not into settling it with a gun fight which is also a long, rich, American tradition.

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Unfortunately I didn't retain a link and comments on the ATBlog are not searchable, but I would swear that, in this space, Mr. Harding promised to resign from the board once Lu's replacement was announced.

70%er, you can do the search through Google. Just put enough info in the box and you'll likely come up with what you want within the first page of choices.

comments on the ATBlog are not searchable<<

Try Techorati

Type this exactly into google:

rfhiii site:arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog

It searches his username across the Arkansas Times Blog.

Doi, ah, found it he signs here as rfhiii. In a posting from May 3, 2009 Mr. Harding wrote: "...I best serve UCA my letting my better focused way of thinking help us find the right person to lead us out of this abyss that I have helped hurl us into. Once that is done, I agree that my position as a trustee needs to be re-evaluated. I understand that my effectiveness has been greatly impaired by these past events and I may best serve UCA by simply being a caring alumnus that stands ready to help us go forward in whatever way I can help."

This is not a promise to resign. I will stop saying that Mr. Harding did promise to resign. I would just ask Mr. Harding to remember his earlier words.

Now, I think I will stop posting on this subject and let UCA get on with their mission.

Thank you, 70%er. I do remember exactly what I said. I have scheduled an appointment with Dr. Meadors for next Thursday afternoon. I also have a call into the Governor's office to try and get an appointment with him. I promise you I do not want to be a drag on this new President's efforts to get this sordid 10 months behind us. I assure you, I will do what the collective group of us decides is best for the school. Thank you for being polite.

ARK. BLOG: Thanks Rush for participating.

OK, Mr. Harding, really, really and truly this is my last post on this subject.

I sincerely believe that you had nothing but the best intentions for UCA and that Lu began his office with the same. Somewhere along the way - things happened and it became easier to skirt the rules than to comply with them. And I'm glad that Lu was able to stay in higher ed, I know he loves it, and I'm glad Ms. Anderson was able to find another job, she's an asset to any accounting function. I know all of you have come out of this chastened with (I hope) a better respect for the silly, little rules we choose to live by.

Now, I'm really done.

Thank you for that kind assessment. I never want to be a member of a "milk and cookies" board. But, we did not do the audits, the auditors missed all of that stuff until Debra led them to it. We never knew any of the accounting issues were out of whack, we have now fixed that with an independant audit committee that reports directly to the Board, the President's office has no control or say. The day I became chair, I called a special meeting and did away with trustee waivers and changed discretionary scholorships forever. I have never turned in an expense report in 18 years, I have tried to support and give to my alma mater. If a board function includes a dinner, I refuse to let them pay for mine, not once in 18 years. Where I went wrong, was my basking in the success of the school. Hubris is the most dangerous of all of men's faults and my false pride in our little teacher's college being a major player in higher ed, and athletics, and growth seduced me into hurting what I love second only to my family. When my school needed me most, I failed her. But I will not whine, I will not make excuses; I will work harder, be more loyal, be more generous, and be more humble. Thank you for your kindness, I needed it. No response necessary.

Mr. Harding,

I agree with your assessment of the "Sordid last 10 months" and Hubris is dangerous. I am a grduate student at UCA as well as an alumni from the College of Liberal Arts. I believe that you are trying your hardest to put all of this behind us, and like me, I am sure you wish nothing but the best for Lu and Mary in their new venture. However, after reading your comments on the cabin article, I was embarassed for our community. I understand that it can be stressful and even down right disheartning to be a public figure, but threatning to whoop someones a** is a shameful way of dealing with a situation. You are the second most visible person at our university. Violence is NEVER the answer, no matter what the situation. I will support you no matter what your decision to either stay or leave the board.

To the rest,

What I find amuzing is the fact that NO ONE else on campus is still discussing this drama besides you. It is a vain attempt to cause drama and get a rile out of someone, which has obviously worked for a cheap thrill. The campus has moved on and is trying to put itself back together, please let us do that. If you are not a member of the community or have never paid tuition at UCA, then kindly SIT DOWN AND BE SILENT!

Thank you,
J

Teutonic-i was trying to help that person understand the importance of getting your facts right before you call someone a crook and a thief. Of course, I do not want to resort to that, that was his choice, I gave him the three choices. And that person has contacted me away from the blog and asked to sit down with me and talk thru these issues, it has worked out for the best. You are correct that violence is never appropriate but name calling and slander are not either and sometimes you have to talk to people in the only language they understand. Thank you for your patience with me.

I'm sorry but I had to drop in on this blog and post my two cents. Little did I know two days ago when posting on the cabin. net that the Board of Trusteeman Rush Harding III would reply directly to me. Now there's an article about me, the commentator. I feel obligated and also humbled to let everyone on here know that Rush and I have exchanged emails and he is very sincere about UCA and helping it. While we each exchanged some choice words, once the veil of uncertainty was lifted we have moved forward and I look forward to meeting with Mr. Harding next week to discuss UCA and its situation. It is funny, this internet blogmosphere, where people can post behind names like Barack OBramalett and hurl insults at public figures. And it is a very strange thing when public figures reply directly to blogs, strange, but as this article says, refreshing. I am very impressed of Mr. Hardings awareness on the internet and I am extremely impressed by his commitment and dedication to our great university. I hope that this year if Rush remains on the board that he will guide us into a new era. With a new president, people will get new attitudes and hopefully this year will be a great one for the University of Central Arkansas.