Tom Luxsox Coins

Note Unc

Why N.C. State doesn't deserve this

Imagine you are the head of a large department in a vastly larger company. Your CEO comes to you and mentions that the company chairman's wife is looking for a new job. "She'd be a great fit for your department," says the CEO.

What do you do?

Well, you hire her, of course.

That, apparently, was the decision made by the administration of N.C. State University last year. As the Raleigh News and Observer has reported, the University hired Mary Easley, wife of then-Governor Mike Easley, for a plum job planning a lecture series and developing a research center.

While Mary Easley is certainly qualified for the job, having taught as a law professor at N.C. Central University, the whole thing looks a bit sketchy when you consider that the chairman of N.C. State's BOT - the intriguingly named McQueen Campbell - is a close friend of the Easley family.

This should constitute something of an embarrassment for Easley and Campbell, but I don't see how this qualifies as a scandal for anyone at N.C. State.

Provost Larry Nielsen has taken the fall for hiring Mary Easley, resigning his post last week. And now Chancellor James Oblinger is being taken to task by the N&O for failing to come clean about the whole situation.

But what, pray tell, was Oblinger supposed to do? Tell the Chairman of his Board of Trustees, "Thanks for the suggestion, but I think we'll pass"? Send a nice note to the governor's wife thanking her for her interest in working for the University?

Of course not. When powerful trustees speak, chancellors listen. They have no choice in the matter, a fact that has been made clear in countless political dust-ups over the years.

Like it or not, the UNC system is a creation of the state, and it is subjected to all the whims and wishes of state government. Public universities are inextricably linked to state politics.

Given all of the corruption that has been uncovered among state lawmakers in recent years, it's actually quite remarkable that the UNC system has largely avoided becoming a repository of patronage jobs and DOT-style favoritism.

If this is the most egregious example of political interference in higher ed that we uncover from the Easley years, then I'll consider it a credit to the UNC system.

In the meantime, stop blaming NCSU for the sleazy deeds of its political overlords. It's hard to stay clean when you're swimming in dirty water.

Article originally published at http://www.collegepulse.net/2009/05/why-nc-state-doesnt-deserve-this.html
Copyright 2009 - The College Pulse Network - CollegePulse.net

About the Author

Eric Johnson is the Public Editor of The Daily Tarheel, the independent student newspaper of The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a CollegePulse.net contributing writer.

The College Pulse Network is composed of young media professionals from across the United States who give commentary on current events and how they affect the world's newest generations.

Hakeem Nicks UNC $99.99 Hakeem Nicks UNC - Wall Decal

Julius Peppers UNC $99.99 Julius Peppers UNC - Wall Decal

UNC Greensboro Logo $89.99 UNC Greensboro Logo - Wall Decal

UNC Jersey Material Shower Curtain $44.99 Please Note: This item is made-upon-order, therefore requires additional processing time, which is reflected in the estimate above. 72 x 72 (standard shower size) football jersey material shower curtain with school logo. Does not include hangers or vinyl backing.

Franklin Sports UNC Uniform Set $81.06 Team: North CarolinaIncludes: A molded helmet, upgraded mesh jersey, polyester team pants, integrated shoulder pads, chin strap, iron on number kit, helmet decal kitMaterials: Polyester, mesh, plasticRecommended for ages 7-10Note: Helmet should not be used as protective equipment in football or any other sport

2010 UNC/Duke/NC State $9.34 2010 UNC/Duke/NC State 2010 UNC/Duke/NC State

Note $10 Note

UNC Charlotte - Starter Mat $27.08 UNC Charlotte - Starter Mat UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - Starter Mat - Size: 20" x 30

UNC Charlotte - Baseball Mat $33.88 UNC Charlotte - Baseball Mat UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - Baseball Mat - Size: 29" round

UNC Charlotte - Basketball Mat $25.38 UNC Charlotte - Basketball Mat UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - Basketball Mat - Size: 29" round

UNC Charlotte - TAILGATER Mat $144.38 UNC Charlotte - TAILGATER Mat UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - TAILGATER Mat - Size: 5' x 6'

UNC Charlotte - ULTI-MAT $169.88 UNC Charlotte - ULTI-MAT UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - ULTI-MAT - Size: 5' x 8'

UNC Charlotte - Football Mat $33.88 UNC Charlotte - Football Mat UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - Football Mat - Size: 22" x 35

The Adventures of Unc' Billy Possum $12.76 The Adventures of Unc' Billy Possum is part of the "Bedtime Story-Books" series.

UNC Magnet $5.99 UNC Magnet Magnet Officially licensed magnet can be used indoors or outdoors. This is a round magnet with the University of North Carolina logo on it. It is weather resistant and can be placed on a variety of magnetic surfaces. Proudly made in the USA

The Note $6 The Note - Kevin Hammond

UNC Charlotte - All-Star Mat $50.88 UNC Charlotte - All-Star Mat UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - All-Star Mat - Size: 34" x 44.5

UNC Charlotte - Soccer Ball Mat $25.38 UNC Charlotte - Soccer Ball Mat UNC University of North Carolina - Charlotte - Soccer Ball Mat - Size: 29" round

Woman's College of UNC, Greensboro, North Carolina $24.99 Woman's College of UNC, Greensboro, North Carolina - Premium Poster

University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels $89.99 University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels - Wall Tapestry

UNC-Charlotte 49ers Green Arch Hooded Sweatshirt $31.99 UNC-Charlotte 49ers Green Arch Hooded Sweatshirt Size 5XL Green

UNC-Wilmington Seahawks Green Arch Hooded Sweatshirt $27.99 UNC-Wilmington Seahawks Green Arch Hooded Sweatshirt Size 3XL Green

UNC-Asheville Bulldogs Royal Arch Crewneck Sweatshirt $26.39 UNC-Asheville Bulldogs Royal Arch Crewneck Sweatshirt Size XX-Large

UNC-Asheville Bulldogs Royal Arch Hooded Sweatshirt $27.99 UNC-Asheville Bulldogs Royal Arch Hooded Sweatshirt Size X-Large

UNC-Asheville Bulldogs Royal Arch T-Shirt $16.99 UNC-Asheville Bulldogs Royal Arch T-Shirt Size Large