tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post116420083161627419..comments2024-02-16T09:00:32.845-06:00Comments on FromDC2Iowa: UI President Search IIIUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164295172705062152006-11-23T09:19:00.000-06:002006-11-23T09:19:00.000-06:00An investigative reporter besides looking at the l...An investigative reporter besides looking at the little gang of Wellmark friends on the Board of Regenst, should look at:<BR/><BR/>1. The contract between Wellmark and the Universsty Hospital. Is is fair.<BR/><BR/>2. The health insurance offered to Univ employees. I could be wrong on this, but it seems Wellmark is the 'preferred' insurer to the state's largest employer.<BR/><BR/>3. The low salary increase for President Skorton. Gartner says there is a letter. Does that letter contain words like 'Wellmark', 'negotiations', and 'UIHC'. Doubt it; Gartner appears to be wonderfully adapt at hiding his motives in his rhetoric).<BR/><BR/>3. Contributions flowing from places like Wellpac, Mid American, and individuals empoyed to Vilsack. In fact look into contributions to Wellmark PAC itself.<BR/><BR/>4. The papers written by Dr. Freund. Is she actually an 'industry candidate'. It sure doesn't look good that she serves on the board of BC/BS.<BR/><BR/>5. And the connection between Mr. Colloton and Dr. Freund, whom she 'had met several times'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164294206051831072006-11-23T09:03:00.000-06:002006-11-23T09:03:00.000-06:00Yes, it is important that an investigative reporte...Yes, it is important that an investigative reporter look into these connections.<BR/><BR/>Sources close to this action would not disagree with yout scenario. There are sources all over IC, however most will not talk on record.<BR/><BR/>Will anyone be able to actually verify such collusion?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164285327358772272006-11-23T06:35:00.000-06:002006-11-23T06:35:00.000-06:00Anonymous 2 and 3:I've addressed the "Wellmark con...Anonymous 2 and 3:<BR/><BR/>I've addressed the "Wellmark connection" in paragraph "1" of the blog post. <BR/><BR/>I agree that, on its face, it doesn't look good. You've added a lot more with that list of present and former Wellmark board members -- which I should have checked out, but hadn't. So thanks for that. <BR/><BR/>But in fairness to all involved (as suggested in my paragraph "1") we really do need some more digging by a good investigative reporter (or assistant attorney general!) to find out if the rejection of the final four and disbanding of the search committee, and the reported preference of the Wellmark-connected Regents for Deborah Freund is just one more piece in this jigsaw puzzle or a fully justifiable, rational and explainable coincidence. <BR/><BR/>-- NickNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08467682953748756539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164284732998216532006-11-23T06:25:00.000-06:002006-11-23T06:25:00.000-06:00bobfred:As for a UI president who "sees Iowa City ...bobfred:<BR/><BR/>As for a UI president who "sees Iowa City as a destination and not a stepping stone" you might enjoy a look at Nicholas Johnson, "Pricey Presidents' Added Cost," <I>The Daily Iowan</I>, March 7, 2006, online at http://www.nicholasjohnson.org/politics/<BR/>general/njdi0307.html<BR/><BR/>-- NickNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08467682953748756539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164284457774809982006-11-23T06:20:00.000-06:002006-11-23T06:20:00.000-06:00Anonymous 1:(a) Provost Hogan seems to be popular ...Anonymous 1:<BR/><BR/>(a) Provost Hogan seems to be popular on campus, would clearly be qualified (it seems to me), and has a lot of vocal support (such as yours) for the position. I certainly have a high regard for him.<BR/>(b) The Iowa Code unambiguously vests power to hire the president in the Board of Regents. While, as I have written on this blog, the <I>wisest</I> leadership the Regents could provide would involve giving heavy weight to campus opinion and active involvement in the process of selection, the Regents are not legally required to be "wise," anymore than they are legally required to be polite. Legally they are perfectly free to be arrogant, pick whomever they choose, and do it all in secret (up to the point that they violate the Iowa open meetings law).<BR/>(3) They have, however, now created a situation most charitably characterized as a "mess." They, we -- all Iowans -- need "a way out." Hogan is one of the more obvious ways out -- in addition to being a good choice.<BR/><BR/>-- NickNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08467682953748756539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164283820864897342006-11-23T06:10:00.000-06:002006-11-23T06:10:00.000-06:00John:My understanding is, as reported in the media...John:<BR/><BR/>My understanding is, as reported in the media, the vote was 6-2-1. Perhaps the "4" comes from the fact that 4 of the 6 were actually formal members of the search committee (I don't know that), or are perceived as "the gang of four."<BR/><BR/>- NickNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08467682953748756539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164268566640795082006-11-23T01:56:00.000-06:002006-11-23T01:56:00.000-06:00Let's look at some connections:Teresa Wahlert: boa...Let's look at some connections:<BR/><BR/>Teresa Wahlert: board member of Wellmark (past); President of Mid American<BR/><BR/>Marvin Pomerantz: current board member of Wellmark; CEO of Mid American<BR/><BR/>John Colloton: Past CEO Univ Iowa Hosp; Current board of Wallmark<BR/><BR/>John Forsyth: CEO Wallmwark; Past regent<BR/><BR/>David Neil: former regent; current board member of Wellmark (even briefly resigned as Wellmark member so he could vote on an issue as a regent)<BR/><BR/>Dr Amir Abisser, whose wide Lisa Arbisser was formerly on the board at Wellmark<BR/><BR/>And finally good buddy of the whole gane, Michael Gartner.<BR/>----<BR/><BR/>That, my friends is a hall of shame of conflict of interest at best and corruption at least.<BR/><BR/>Can you believe the regents of the University of Iowa are this corrupt?<BR/><BR/>Where is our attorny general to investigate?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164256962463191782006-11-22T22:42:00.000-06:002006-11-22T22:42:00.000-06:00The real issue here is the attempt to get a sweeth...The real issue here is the attempt to get a sweetheart deal for Wellmark with the Univ of Iowa Hospital.<BR/><BR/>That was the goal with 2 Wellmark officials on the Regents in the past.<BR/><BR/>And now the favored presidential candidate was an 'insurance-industry' candidate.<BR/><BR/>Who is promoting Gov Vilsack's presidental run? Gartner. Wahlert. Wellmark exec Forsyth.<BR/><BR/>Look at the Wellmark board. <BR/><BR/>Connect the dots. Follow the money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164247457994761332006-11-22T20:04:00.000-06:002006-11-22T20:04:00.000-06:00As a new search procedes the context has changed; ...As a new search procedes the context has changed; 1) a new Democratic legislature with a new Democratic Governor. 2) a new Democratic House and Senate at the federal level. 3) a new local Congressman who campaigned on a pledge to work towards a single-payer health plan. <BR/><BR/>This last election could be seen as a rejection of belief-based government and a return to evidence-based government. That has significant implications for research institutions.<BR/><BR/>We need a President whe sees Iowa City as a destination and not a stepping-stone, who has a global perspective and understands the potential of this state and this University to shape the future of this country.R F Lattahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04265656861616591240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164243013838850722006-11-22T18:50:00.000-06:002006-11-22T18:50:00.000-06:00Has NO one figured this out yet? Three sitting pr...Has <B>NO</B> one figured this out yet? Three sitting provosts at major universities with medical schools... There are not too many people that meet this description, folks.<BR/><BR/>Provost Hogan applied for this position and was a finalist.<BR/><BR/>He has the broad trust of faculty, students, staff, and citizens of the State of Iowa and meets the qualifications for the job and more:<BR/> <BR/>*He has <B>experience</B> leading the University, including its vast and complex health science mission. <BR/><BR/>*He has <B>a proven track record</B> in fundraising.<BR/><BR/>*He understands the core importance and value of a high quality liberal arts and sciences education, and how it contributes to preparing workforce leaders of tomorrow and thus contributes economic development.<BR/><BR/>Has anyone bothered to ask him about this? I doubt if the candidates had to sign confidentiality agreements (or would need to -- the candidates have all of the discretion on these matters).<BR/><BR/>He may not know that he was a finalist, but I bet the committee (which is now leaking like a tire that ran over a saw) would confirm. <BR/><BR/>Hogan may be the only qualified person who can or would lead the University at this point. He is probably the only one with the honesty, integrity, and lack of political obligations, alongside a deep appreciation for and understanding of the institution. He could start tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-1164213111376207292006-11-22T10:31:00.000-06:002006-11-22T10:31:00.000-06:00My understanding is the vote was four to suspend t...My understanding is the vote was four to suspend the search and disband the committee two votes to continue with the process and one abstention which adds up to seven regents out of nine. Is that correct and if so why did two regents not participate in an important decision?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com