Pilarz to step down

[mu03eng]

Blackheart sums up well a lot of what I heard and more of what I suspected. I have a feeling the basketball part was as big a factor as anything in this. There are some heavy, heavy donors that base their donations largely on MU's athletics. Donors the school can't really afford to alienate.

Additionally, there were some big expenditures on the business side of MU that fell flat on their face and a lot of the blame(deserved or not) was put on Pilarz's team.

[mu03eng]

BOT isn't without fault....they wanted an academic and that's what they got.  Apparently miscalculated how narrowly focused he really was.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

BOT isn't without fault....they wanted an academic and that's what they got.  Apparently miscalculated how narrowly focused he really was.

Actually, that's a great point. If what Blackheart said is true, maybe it just comes down to this:

- The BOT didn't know how much Fr. Pilarz emphasized academics (his real passion)

- Fr. Pilarz didn't realize all of the non-academic demands and criteria that faces the MU President.

Mix that together, and you can see how it would be frustrating for both parties.

ANNNND, to MU84's point earlier, maybe it's time MU revise the reporting structure and job descriptions. I have no specifics on this, but it can't hurt to take a look at it.

[Lennys Tap]

Actually, that's a great point. If what Blackheart said is true, maybe it just comes down to this:

- The BOT didn't know how much Fr. Pilarz emphasized academics (his real passion)

- Fr. Pilarz didn't realize all of the non-academic demands and criteria that faces the MU President.

If true, shame on both of them. What was discerned, asked and communicated in the interview? Did Pilarz hide his passion/agenda? Was the board not up front with what the job demanded? So we get a train wreck - one easily avoided with a little honesty and/or competence by one or both parties.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

 The MU Jesuit community is rather large and influential, yet he chose to live by himself in an apartment.  He had reasons why apparently.

Smoking gun alert!!!

[Tugg Speedman]

If true, shame on both of them. What was discerned, asked and communicated in the interview? Did Pilarz hide his passion/agenda? Was the board not up front with what the job demanded? So we get a train wreck - one easily avoided with a little honesty and/or competence by one or both parties.

Better question...  MU has an open Provost and President position.  This is a historic opportunity for the Board of Trustees (BoT) to pick two people to pilot the University for the next generation.

Recall that earlier this year (May to be exact) the BoT adopted a vision to raise its rankings and profile:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/marquette-university-adopts-vision-to-raise-its-profile-7t9ptd0-205675301.html

May1, 2013
Marquette University on Wednesday proclaimed a new vision for itself - to be recognized among the most innovative and accomplished Catholic and Jesuit universities in the world.

A strategic plan approved by the board of trustees calls for Marquette to raise its U.S. News & World Report ranking, as well as its profile for research and community involvement. The plan also calls for Marquette to leverage its brand through its nationally ranked men's basketball team and other athletic programs now part of the new Big East Conference.

Marquette President Father Scott R. Pilarz said in an interview Wednesday that the new vision and strategic plan were the culmination of conversations involving the whole campus community since his arrival about two years ago.

and

http://www.marquette.edu/president/documents/strategic-plan-ppt.pdf

Four months after this adoption Father Pilarz is gone.  I will take this to mean the BoT takes this initiative seriously.

So, is the BoT capable if picking the next Presidnet and Provost that can carry out this vision over the next generation?

[mu03eng]

If true, shame on both of them. What was discerned, asked and communicated in the interview? Did Pilarz hide his passion/agenda? Was the board not up front with what the job demanded? So we get a train wreck - one easily avoided with a little honesty and/or competence by one or both parties.

Let's pump the brakes on the dramatic license train.  This is by no means a train wreck.  The number of MU alumni alone that probably shrugged their shoulders at the announcement is going to be pretty high.  The number of people nationally who didn't even notice is probably staggeringly high.  This is the least embarrassing mistake the BOT has made in the last 20 years.  Obviously it's not ideal and could have been done better, but I've been in a fair number of interviews where the candidate seemed like the right fit and it just didn't work out.

[GGGG]

Let's pump the brakes on the dramatic license train.  This is by no means a train wreck.  The number of MU alumni alone that probably shrugged their shoulders at the announcement is going to be pretty high.  The number of people nationally who didn't even notice is probably staggeringly high.  This is the least embarrassing mistake the BOT has made in the last 20 years.  Obviously it's not ideal and could have been done better, but I've been in a fair number of interviews where the candidate seemed like the right fit and it just didn't work out.

I have hired dozens of employees.  About 70% work out juts fine.  About 20% are disappointing as in they don't really meet expectations but work out OK.  The other 10% just don't work out.  It happens.

[Lennys Tap]

Let's pump the brakes on the dramatic license train.  This is by no means a train wreck.  The number of MU alumni alone that probably shrugged their shoulders at the announcement is going to be pretty high.  The number of people nationally who didn't even notice is probably staggeringly high.  This is the least embarrassing mistake the BOT has made in the last 20 years.  Obviously it's not ideal and could have been done better, but I've been in a fair number of interviews where the candidate seemed like the right fit and it just didn't work out.

If the guy you choose to run your company, school, etc. has to be canned in less than three years it was a very,very bad hire. It's not like missing on a salesman, secretary or middle management personnel. That said, if "train wreck" overstates it, apologies.

[GGGG]

Better question...  MU has an open Provost and President position.  This is a historic opportunity for the Board of Trustees (BoT) to pick two people to pilot the University for the next generation.

Recall that earlier this year (May to be exact) the BoT adopted a vision to raise its rankings and profile:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/marquette-university-adopts-vision-to-raise-its-profile-7t9ptd0-205675301.html

May1, 2013
Marquette University on Wednesday proclaimed a new vision for itself - to be recognized among the most innovative and accomplished Catholic and Jesuit universities in the world.

A strategic plan approved by the board of trustees calls for Marquette to raise its U.S. News & World Report ranking, as well as its profile for research and community involvement. The plan also calls for Marquette to leverage its brand through its nationally ranked men's basketball team and other athletic programs now part of the new Big East Conference.

Marquette President Father Scott R. Pilarz said in an interview Wednesday that the new vision and strategic plan were the culmination of conversations involving the whole campus community since his arrival about two years ago.

and

http://www.marquette.edu/president/documents/strategic-plan-ppt.pdf

Four months after this adoption Father Pilarz is gone.  I will take this to mean the BoT takes this initiative seriously.

So, is the BoT capable if picking the next Presidnet and Provost that can carry out this vision over the next generation?

They will hire a President and then let the President hire the Provost.  And my guess is that MU will even hold off on the Business Dean until the Provost is hired.

[MUfan12]

The whole basketball thing blew up in his face and he basically alienated major donors there as he tried to assert his authority by basically ignoring them which failed missably, so he just checked out from alumni functions as the relationships deterioted.  He made it clear through whispers he was not a Buzz fan as he wanted to be the big man calling the shots.  Some questioned why a t-shirt and a ride home was worthy of so much public attention and an involved external investigation that seemed to elevate the offense to major status to an eager press.  He was weakened here here as it was seen as an inexperinced or vengeful overreaction that further the damaged the university's image.

He wanted yes people in his administration...you see the trail of bodies and open spots...and the trouble his appointments have had blending in.

This part is most telling as it relates to the basketball program. Bolded parts especially.

No inside info, but I would not be surprised if Larry finds a new job soon.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Can Blackheart (or someone else) please elaborate on this?

On students?  Rules, rules and more rules.  A couple of shot glasses in your dorm room...permanent record.  Sneak in some beers...same.  Having RA's audit and ticket...same.  So underage kids head over to Victor's and a hundred or so get busted for fake ID's and underage drinking.  Wonder who alerted the police?  The students do.  But the crack down moved the behavior to other more public places of a big city. Did the admin do the right thing?  I guess...but permanent records follow you now a days....just some examples of the iron hand...instead of treating 18-20 like adults.  There is a strong feeling of dislike as a result vs. Fr. Wild who they felt they could talk to at least. Not a positive sentiment.

FFP was a typo I fixed....Freshman Frontier Program.  Great for these struggling freshman and first generation kids to assimilate into college or drop out before first fall semester.  It was one thing that made MU great in a lot of people's minds...mostly influential alums who were in it.  Related, although minor, the raising of JUCO standards for these kids.  

Now, you can say he was correct in some or all these calls in his role, but it was the way they were implemented with a mandate that irked various constituents.  And there are two or more sides to every story I know...but little things add up and take a life of their own.

[Sir Lawrence]

They will hire a President and then let the President hire the Provost.  And my guess is that MU will even hold off on the Business Dean until the Provost is hired.

I can't imagine a Business Dean hire before a new Provost, so I agree with your "guess."

[Dr. Blackheart]

Smoking gun alert!!!

I don't know what you are alluding to specifically here, but I can guess from earlier comments in the thread...and I didn't mean to imply that if so.  I have never heard any talk of that personally. I know people are looking for a scandal because of the timing, but I think it just had come to this point more than anything.  Who wants such a struggling and disillusioned leader in place?

Transition timing is prudent, maybe not for a CEO, but for a priest. It also saves some face.  This is a big hit for the Jesuits as the likely replacement will be a layperson. It is clear from that press release that he won't be making any decisions, however.

[Tugg Speedman]

They will hire a President and then let the President hire the Provost.  And my guess is that MU will even hold off on the Business Dean until the Provost is hired.

Yes on the order.  So, the next year MU will have three new people in these critical positions.  Using the adoption of the May 2013 vision as their mandate.

Is the BoT up to the task?

P.S. Once the new Business Dean is chosen, a new business school building is coming.  Think Google-like open architecture.

[4everwarriors]

Dollars to donuts the next prez is a lay person.

[Coleman]

If the guy you choose to run your company, school, etc. has to be canned in less than three years it was a very,very bad hire. It's not like missing on a salesman, secretary or middle management personnel. That said, if "train wreck" overstates it, apologies.

There's plenty of Fortune 500 companies who go through more than 1 CEO in 3 years.

[Coleman]

Agree with comments the next guy is a layperson. Kind of a shame, end of an era. We have had a some excellent Jesuit presidents, people like Raynor and Wild.

If they decided to go the Jesuit route, do you think this guy has a shot?  http://www.marquette.edu/executive-vp/profile-hendrickson.shtml

[MerrittsMustache]

Agree with comments the next guy is a layperson. Kind of a shame, end of an era. We have had a some excellent Jesuit presidents, people like Raynor and Wild.

If they decided to go the Jesuit route, do you think this guy has a shot?  http://www.marquette.edu/executive-vp/profile-hendrickson.shtml

Hendrickson has a twin brother who also became a priest?! If my sons pulled that off, they'd have the proudest grandmothers in the world!

[ATL MU Warrior]

Agree with comments the next guy is a layperson. Kind of a shame, end of an era. We have had a some excellent Jesuit presidents, people like Raynor and Wild.

If they decided to go the Jesuit route, do you think this guy has a shot?  http://www.marquette.edu/executive-vp/profile-hendrickson.shtml

Holy crap!  I knew this guy and his family growing up!  We are from the same hometown, but went to different high schools.  Hung out with him only a few times while at MU as I went down the party path and he obviously did not...

That would be something.

[mu03eng]

There's plenty of Fortune 500 companies who go through more than 1 CEO in 3 years.

Apple went through 3 in 4 years in the mid-90s

[jesmu84]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/marquette-tribune-calls-on-father-scott-pilarz-to-explain-departure-b99105517z1-225056182.html

[mu03eng]

They will hire a President and then let the President hire the Provost.  And my guess is that MU will even hold off on the Business Dean until the Provost is hired.

+1

[JuniorCardigan]

On students?  Rules, rules and more rules.  A couple of shot glasses in your dorm room...permanent record.  Sneak in some beers...same.  Having RA's audit and ticket...same.  So underage kids head over to Victor's and a hundred or so get busted for fake ID's and underage drinking.  Wonder who alerted the police?  The students do.  But the crack down moved the behavior to other more public places of a big city. Did the admin do the right thing?  I guess...but permanent records follow you now a days....just some examples of the iron hand...instead of treating 18-20 like adults.  There is a strong feeling of dislike as a result vs. Fr. Wild who they felt they could talk to at least. Not a positive sentiment.

As a current student I definitely agree with this. While he did try to stay connected with the students by sending out the fairly frequent emails, I got the feeling of disconnect as well because punishments for something like having a beer in your dorm room gets you a pretty hefty fine, at least for a college student. I also have a house that freshman just seem to congregate outside of (can't really do much about it, living on kilbourn), we don't throw parties, and DPS showed up and questioned us 4 nights in a row to the point where it seemed like we were being harassed. I guess that's why I don't really see Fr. Pilarz in all that good of a light, regardless of if he was the one in favor of such strict discipline policies.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

I vote for Flaherty.