2008 Woodie Awards
Our View: Is the President of ISU leaving on his own terms?
Is Dr. Bowen receiving what he deserves?
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: Opinion
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News broke last week about the future of Idaho State University concerning Dr. Bowen and his retirement plans. After twenty productive years at the head of the University, it has been speculated that the Idaho Board of Education has told him "it is time for a change." If, according to someone on the board, it is time for Dr. Bowen to step down, why hasn't anyone given a reason besides the vague "its time for a change"? And even more confusing, the Board members all have positive things to say about Dr. Bowen, at least that is what's been printed.
Where is the honesty? Is the public, the students, the faculty really being told the truth about the whole situation? Board members are contradicting each other regarding the Board's earlier discussions of his retiring. Rod Lewis, at first, said he had not spoken to other Board members about the issue. Then later he said the board had informally discussed his retirement. While according to Karen McGee, there has been zero talk about his retirement.
Now McGee is saying that Dr. Bowen wants to retire and that the Board has complete support for his decision. What is really going on here? Who is covering for whom? And who really has the power and influence? It seems to be the Board in charge while Dr. Bowen sits back to see what he's been requested to do. Laird Stone, a Twin Falls Board member, claims in an article in the Journal, "there is no hidden agenda," and "this is his retirement plan."
Quite the retirement plan, yet he still has not declared when exactly he will step down as President. According to reports, he will either leave as soon as this May or May 2006. There seems to be all too much ambiguity here. The University, the Pocatello community, and especially Dr. Bowen deserves to know the truth of what is actually going on and what intentions are behind this decision
Where is the honesty? Is the public, the students, the faculty really being told the truth about the whole situation? Board members are contradicting each other regarding the Board's earlier discussions of his retiring. Rod Lewis, at first, said he had not spoken to other Board members about the issue. Then later he said the board had informally discussed his retirement. While according to Karen McGee, there has been zero talk about his retirement.
Now McGee is saying that Dr. Bowen wants to retire and that the Board has complete support for his decision. What is really going on here? Who is covering for whom? And who really has the power and influence? It seems to be the Board in charge while Dr. Bowen sits back to see what he's been requested to do. Laird Stone, a Twin Falls Board member, claims in an article in the Journal, "there is no hidden agenda," and "this is his retirement plan."
Quite the retirement plan, yet he still has not declared when exactly he will step down as President. According to reports, he will either leave as soon as this May or May 2006. There seems to be all too much ambiguity here. The University, the Pocatello community, and especially Dr. Bowen deserves to know the truth of what is actually going on and what intentions are behind this decision