Message from the President
FSU News

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

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