- Research in motion: Florida State to introduce new addition to vehicle fleet
- $100,000 to 'FSU-Teach' will boost training of math, science teachers
- FSU's online MBA, graduate education degree programs ranked among nation's best
- FSU Foundation appoints vice president for constituent programs
- Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of construction for new College Town development
- From the Internet to your ears: Student entrepreneurs are hearing success with 'Wordio' smartphone app
July 15, 2011
The Faculty Senate ad hoc committee that I appointed in May has completed its thoughtful and thorough review of the Koch Foundation Memorandum of Understanding. This report as well as my recommendations were released today.
The report concluded that:
- The university maintained a high level of academic integrity in the 2008 search process for the faculty positions in the Department of Economics.
- Faculty hiring to date associated with the agreement has been appropriately governed and managed by FSU faculty and administration.
Additionally, the report provided recommendations regarding improvements to internal processes for future gift agreements.
Simply put, the integrity of the university's hiring process was maintained. Future donor agreements will continue to support stewardship but will not include language related to external evaluations as part of the annual review of the faculty.
You may be aware of Progress Florida's petition regarding the Koch Foundation gift. Enclosed is my response to Mr. Mark Ferrulo, Executive Director, which was provided to the media late yesterday.
"If we wish to ensure the future of public education and the future of this nation, it is extremely important that our discourse and debate be based on fact. Presented with a statement given as fact that Florida State sold off its hiring decisions, I am not surprised that Progress Florida collected a number of signatures. But, the facts are that we have not done so, and we would not do so. I am confident that the independent faculty review will demonstrate that Florida State hired top scholars through a hiring process that was fully governed by our faculty."
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or feedback.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Barron
President
Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committee Review Report
- Summary (PDF)
- Full Report (PDF)
Letters (PDF) from President Barron to the:
- Dean, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
- Interim Dean of the Faculties
- Vice President for University Advancement