I really hate to pick on Marc Strauss, the only Northern Illinois University trustee who will talk to the press right now, but this doesn’t wash:
“We acted swiftly upon learning of the possibility of impropriety, and I instructed the NIU Police to launch a thorough investigation,” [Eddie] Williams [who is executive vice president of the Division of Finance and Facilities] was quoted as saying. “We are waiting for the police to conclude their investigation. We look forward to receiving the findings in the very near future.”
The NIU Police Department also falls under the Division of Finance and Facilities, and Strauss said he could see why people might be concerned about a conflict of interest.
“It would be different if the allegations were against the police,” he said. “But the allegations aren’t against the police[.]”
Really? Anybody can see that as the investigation travels up the food chain, NIU Police will come face to face with its own boss. Why would you put your police department in that kind of position?
And any attempt whatsoever to justify even the appearance of a conflict of interest is a really bad move — especially if it turns out, as suggested by the resignation/nondisclosure agreements, that a cover-up of misconduct may be involved.
Try again, NIU trustees! An investigation from outside is the only correct answer.
2 comments
Comment by Kerry Mellott on August 18, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Of course an outside investigation is the only way. Not even a state agency, I’m afraid, is qualified due to potential conflict of interest. NIU uses federal funds (various grants, etc.) and I bet that qualifies the mess for a federal investigation. Likely the US Attorney for the region. Perhaps the FBI.
Mr. Strauss has so far been the ONLY trustee willing to talk to the press. Too bad for the rest of them. Its their job to watch over the public’s funds invested in this state, tax supported university, but like Penn State Trustees, they seem unwilling to get out in front of this public relations (at least) disaster. They should be the first ones publicly calling for an external investigation.
During this time of economic crisis statewide and nationwide, even globally, there is no room for “business as usual”. NIU is going to find its donors, its students and parents, and the public at large has no patience for the way they are handling this situation. I hope they wise up real fast. NIU is an important entity to DeKalb County and the Northern Illinois region and needs to do its best to resolve this problem openly and transparently.
Comment by yinn on August 19, 2012 at 10:41 am
I see that the next Board of Trustees’ Meeting is September 20, but I hope they don’t wait that long. Seems a special meeting would be in order.
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