>> ADJUSTING CAMERA. ARE WE READY TO GO?
[00:00:02]
[B. 9:00 a.m. CALL TO ORDER/PUBLIC MEETING]
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO SIT IN ON OUR BOARD MEETING, WELCOME TO YOU.WE HOPE IT WILL BE WELL UNDER [INAUDIBLE] , BUT WE HAVE IMPORTANT BUSINESS TO DO.
WE HAVE TWO ITEMS. AT THIS POINT, I'M GOING TO WELCOME THE BOARD OF REGENTS AGAIN, AND THIS MEETING WILL COME TO ORDER.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE FIRST ITEM WHICH IS THE RESOLUTION FROM REGENT HILL.
REGENT HILL, DO YOU WANT TO READ THAT MOTION?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THE WAY MY SCREENS ARE PRESENTED, IT MIGHT BE EASIER IF JEREMY COULD, AND I'LL FORMALLY MOVE IT NOW, TOO, IF I HAVE TO, IF THAT'S PROCEDURALLY NECESSARY.
>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND READ THE MOTION.
JEREMY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, I CAN READ IT.
>> ACTUALLY I'VE JUST PREPARED TO READ IT THAT'S THE WAY IN.
REGENT HILL, WOULD YOU LIKE US TO PUT IT UP ON A SHARED SCREEN?
>> SURE, WHATEVER'S EASIER. I'M FINE WITH YOU JUST READING IT.
IT'S VERY SHORT, SO I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S NECESSARY, BUT IF THE REGENTS WANT TO, THAT'S FINE.
>> CAN I REQUEST THAT WE DO PUT IT UP ON SCREEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC TO READ?
>> DO YOU NEED ME TO SHARE IT? IS THAT SHARING [INAUDIBLE]?
>> RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF REGENTS AGREES THAT,
[1. Action Item: Allow for Expiration of Employment Contract]
HAVING HIRED A PRESIDENT AND ENTERED A TERM CONTRACT, A PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION SHOULD NOT OCCUR BEFORE THE NATURAL EXPIRATION OF THAT CONTRACT.>> THAT'S THE RESOLUTION THAT REGENT HILL IS INTRODUCING.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE IT REGENT HILL, OR I CAN ASK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> SURE. I CAN JUST SAY SOMETHING BRIEFLY.
I THINK IT OBVIOUSLY IS SHORT.
I THINK IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF TO BE CLEAR WITH THE INTENT OF BEING DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THIS PARTICULAR CONTEXT IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY.
I THINK I'LL SAVE MY BROADER STATEMENT ABOUT THIS CONTEXT FOR THE DISCUSSION SECTION PRECEDING THE SECOND RESOLUTION.
HAPPY TO GO AROUND THE HORN ALPHABETICALLY LIKE NORMAL, IF YOU WANT, GLEN.
>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND RUN IT. DOES SOMEONE HAVE A MOTION?
>> OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION BY REGENT HILL AND A SECOND.
>> GREAT. AT THAT POINT, WE CAN CERTAINLY ASK FOR A DISCUSSION.
AT THIS POINT, REGENTS, AS USUAL ON ZOOM, IF YOU HAVE A DISCUSSION ITEM OR SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO SAY, JUMP IN.
>> SURE, SO IF I COULD JUMP IN.
>> I'D LIKE TO SAY THE REGENTS VOTED TWO YEARS AGO IN 2019 FOR A EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR MARK KENNEDY.
THAT WAS A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
IT'S DUE TO EXPIRE JULY 1ST, 2022.
WHERE I STAND ON CONTRACTS, WHETHER IT'S IN MY PERSONAL LIFE OR IN MY ROLE AS A REGENT, WHEN I PUT MY NAME TO A CONTRACT, I STAND BEHIND THE CONTRACT, AND TO DO ANYTHING LESS, TO ME, DOES NOT PASS MY ETHICAL STANDARDS.
SO I ABSOLUTELY STAND BEHIND THE CONTRACT, AND I WOULD AGREE WE SHOULD LET CONTRACTS RUN THEIR NATURAL COURSE.
IN THIS SITUATION, OUR PRESIDENT IS LEAVING WITHOUT CAUSE.
HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB AS PRESIDENT.
A YEAR AGO, HE WAS GIVEN HIS FIRST ANNUAL EVALUATION.
IT WAS A TOP-RATED EVALUATION.
THE REGENTS AGAIN GAVE HIM A MID-YEAR EVALUATION IN JANUARY OF 2021, THIS YEAR.
HE HAD A [LAUGHTER] VERY GOOD MID-YEAR EVALUATION.
AS I SEE IT, THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS PRESIDENT TO HAVE TO LEAVE AT THIS TIME, BUT A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, AND HE WILL BE TRANSITIONING, BUT I WILL STAMP BEHIND THAT CONTRACT.
[00:05:05]
>> IF I MAY, WHILE I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING REGENT HILL'S RESOLUTION TODAY, I APPRECIATE THAT HE HAS BROUGHT IT FORWARD.
WE HAVE A LOT OF HIGH PROFILE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, OR AT LEAST SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, THAT ARE BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD AND ASKED FOR OUR APPROVAL, MOST NOTABLY THE PRESIDENT, AND THEN OF COURSE, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL CONTRACTS THAT WE PROVIDE, PARTICULARLY IN THE ATHLETICS REALM.
I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY, AS WELL, IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE VOTE ON ATHLETICS CONTRACTS, AND TO TERMINATE THOSE EARLY, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A VOTE ON THOSE IN THE FUTURE.
WE PAID SOME SUBSTANTIAL SUMS, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARILY GERMANE TO THIS DISCUSSION TO GET INTO THAT.
BUT I APPRECIATE REGENT HILL BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND REGENT SHARKEY'S COMMENTS BECAUSE, IN THE FUTURE, WHEN WE TERMINATE A CONTRACT EARLY FOR ONE OF THESE HIGH-PROFILE POSITIONS, I REALLY WOULD HOPE THAT THIS BOARD WOULD TAKE UP CONSIDERATION IN LETTING EVERYONE GO ON THE RECORD, AS TO WHERE THEY STAND WITH THOSE.
>> ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO WEIGH IN ON THAT? HEIDI? REGENT GANAHL, I'M SORRY.
>> [LAUGHTER] IT'S OKAY. I GO BY BOTH.
THE HIRING AND FIRING OF THE PRESIDENT IS ONE OF THE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT A REGENT BOARD AND THIS SPECIFIC CONTRACT IS ONE OF THE FEW UNDER OUR PURVIEW TO JACK'S COMMENTS.
THESE COMMENTS ARE SPECIFIC TO THIS SITUATION, BUT TERMINATING A PRESIDENT MID-CONTRACT WITHOUT CAUSE IS DISRUPTIVE AND DAMAGING TO OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF, NOT TO MENTION INSANELY EXPENSIVE.
WE'RE SPENDING 1.3 MILLION OF OUR PRECIOUS TUITION DOLLARS, OR 100,000 A MONTH FOR THE NEXT YEAR, PLUS, TO SATISFY THE POLITICAL WHIMS OF A MAJORITY ON THE BOARD, WE SHOULD BE MUCH MORE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT CANCELING A CONTRACT MID-TERM FOR NO CAUSE AND SPENDING THIS MONEY ON A BUYOUT.
THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR CU, SO I'LL VOTE YES, ON THIS RESOLUTION.
>> ANYONE ELSE WITH A COMMENT? IF THERE WERE NO OTHER COMMENTS, I WOULD ASK EFFIE TO CALL THE ROLL.
>> GLEN I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU. LAST NIGHT I REVIEWED MY REMARKS I MADE PRIOR TO MY VOTE ON THE HIRE OF MARK KENNEDY.
I STATED THAT I'D BE THE ONLY REGENT WITH A LONG CAREER AS A RESEARCH AND TEACHING FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AND I PLEDGED THAT I WOULD SERVE AS THE VOICE OF FACULTY WHEN I CAST MY VOTE FOR CU'S NEXT PRESIDENT.
I HAVE TAKEN THAT PLEDGE SERIOUSLY.
TODAY I CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS PLEDGE SERIOUSLY THROUGH A VOTE OF THE FACULTY COUNCIL, A GOVERNING BODY COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL FOUR OF OUR CAMPUSES.
I HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR THAT THERE'S A LACK OF SHARED GOVERNANCE BETWEEN THE FACULTY AND THE PRESIDENT.
OUR UNIVERSITY RUNS ON A SHARED GOVERNANCE MODEL.
A LACK OF STRONG SHARED GOVERNANCE READS MISTRUST AND THREATENS A THRIVING CU.
IF THIS CONTINUES, I FEAR THAT WE WILL LOSE OUR OUTSTANDING FACULTY, GRADUATE STUDENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND STAFF, AND WE WILL FAIL TO ATTRACT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST SCHOLARS TO OUR UNIVERSITY.
THESE PEOPLE ARE THE DRIVERS OF CU'S MISSION, THAT OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.
OUR STATE'S FLAGSHIP INSTITUTION CANNOT AFFORD TO FALL BEHIND.
TODAY I PLEDGE TO STAND ONCE AGAIN WITH THE FACULTY AND I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THIS RESOLUTION.
>> ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO WEIGH IN? [OVERLAPPING] YEAH. GO AHEAD.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. I'LL JUST MAKE A FEW WORDS AND THANK YOU FOR EVERY ONE AND THANK YOU REGENT HILL FOR THE CONVERSATION AND THE DISCUSSION.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY FOR ME TODAY IS NOT ABOUT IDEOLOGY.
IT IS ABOUT PRINCIPLES AND FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS THAT SERVE AS THE FOUNDATION FOR ME AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND AS A FIDUCIARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS REGARDLESS OF ONE'S BACKGROUND AND THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC LIES ON THE ABILITY OF OUR PEOPLE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND DISTINGUISH FACTS FROM INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC OR CONSPIRACY THEORIES.
OUR SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ARE A CORNERSTONE OF OUR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC AND OUR STATE.
OUR DECISIONS, THEREFORE, MUST BE BASED ON PRINCIPLES AND TRUTHS, AND FACTS.
THE FACTS ARE CLEAR IN THE MIDST OF UNPRECEDENTED BUDGET CUTS,
[00:10:03]
TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN SPENT BY THE SYSTEM OFFICE FOR AN ONLINE INITIATIVE THAT HAS NOT HONORED THE PRINCIPLES OF SHARED GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAKING.ALL WHILE PUTTING POTENTIALLY THE SECURITY OF OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND THEIR DATA AT RISK.
WE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY GRANTED THE POWERS WE EXERCISE TODAY.
BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES I BELIEVE IN MY VOTE WILL BE ONE OF FAIRNESS FOR THE LEAST DISRUPTION.
THE LEAST COSTLY OPTION. THANK YOU.
>> OTHER REGENTS. I'M GOING TO MAKE A SHORT STATEMENT AS A BOARD MEMBER.
IN THEORY, WHO DOESN'T AGREE WITH THE FACT THAT CONTRACT SHOULD BE GIVEN AND FOLLOWED AND CARRIED OUT.
I THINK THAT IN THEORY, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO.
THAT THEORY ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SITUATION IT'S HARD TO AGREE WITH.
I BELIEVE THAT WE'VE REACHED THE PRACTICAL REALITY AND CONTRACTS AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT DEAL WITH CONTRACTS EVERY DAY.
OUR CONTRACTS AND SOMETIMES THEREFORE THE RESULT OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR THE RESULT OF AN ENTITY TO END THEM QUICKLY AND SHORTLY DO WHATEVER THE CASE MIGHT BE.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TRANSITION.
I'M NOT SURE THAT WE HAVE ANY CHOICE IN THAT.
HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT PRACTICAL REALITIES FOR CONTRACTS EXIST AND THERE'S A BASIS FOR BEING ABLE TO END THEM QUICKLY OR HOWEVER THEY NEED TO.
MY VOTE TODAY IS BASICALLY GOING TO BE NULL.
I'M GOING TO DO THAT NOT TO REHASH THIS ISSUE AGAIN, BUT I'M GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE SERVE THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AND I THINK THE LESS DISRUPTION THAT WE CAN HAVE, THE BETTER WHAT'S BEST FOR CU.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED TO MOVE ON.
WELL, I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD SERVE OUT THEIR CONTRACTS.
I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOMETIMES PRACTICAL REALITIES AND WE'RE IN ONE RIGHT NOW.
MY VOTE IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE NOT TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS.
THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS I HOPE THAT THIS BOARD REALLY SEES THE PERCEPTION THAT THE PUBLIC IS SEEING RIGHT NOW.
THE ACCUSATION OF FIVE REPUBLICANS HIRING THE PRESIDENT AND NOW FIVE DEMOCRATS MAKING SURE THAT THE PRESIDENT ON.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS A GROUP OF REGENTS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE WORKING FOR THE ENTITY THAT WE TOOK AN OATH FOR, AND THAT'S THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, AND THAT AS WE MOVE ON TO FUTURE DECISIONS AND WORKING TOGETHER, THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR CONSTITUENT CLEAR AS TO WHO THAT IS.
IT'S THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
IT'S NOT ANYONE ELSE BUT THAT.
FROM A STANDPOINT OF HOW DOES THIS LOOK TO PEOPLE? A LOT OF MONEY AND IT REALLY LOOKS, WELL, THEY FORCED SOMETHING ON US NOW WE'RE GOING TO FORCE SOMETHING ON THEM.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER STORIES THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT, BUT THAT'S HOW WE LOOK.
IN THE FUTURE, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON OUR CONSTITUENCY.
>> OUR COMMENTS NOW PERTAINED TO THE RESOLUTION THAT REGENT HILL'S BROUGHT FORWARD WHERE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A STATEMENT BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE CONTRACT.
>> ALL DIFFERENT MOTIONS THAT YOU'LL HAVE.
>> WITH THAT IN MIND, UNLESS WE HAVE OTHER REGENTS' COMMENTS, EFFIE WE'RE READY TO TAKE COUNT HERE.
[00:15:02]
WE'RE READY FOR OUR SECOND MOTION OF THE DAY,
[2. Action Item: Approval of Transition Agreement and Release for Mark R. Kennedy]
AND THAT IS APPROVAL OF THE TRANSITION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE FOR MARK KENNEDY.THE RECOMMENDED ACTION IS RESOLVED AT THE BOARD OF REGENTS HAVING REACHED AGREEMENT WITH MARK KENNEDY TO TRANSITION THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AUTHORIZES THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS TO EXECUTE THE TRANSITION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE ATTACHED HERE TOO AS EXHIBIT A.
THAT'S THE MOTION, DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
WHO IS THE SECOND ON THAT? REGENT KROLL.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND NOW WE'RE OPEN FOR DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM. JUMP IN.
>> HERE, GALLEGOS, I GUESS I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A JUMP IN HERE IF THAT'S OKAY.
I'M GOING TO START BY SAYING THIS.
CONSERVATIVES ARE NOT WELCOME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
I LOVE THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
HOWEVER, SADLY, CONSERVATIVES ARE NOT WELCOME AT THIS UNIVERSITY.
WHETHER IT'S THE EXPRESSION OF OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE VIEWPOINT DIVERSITY, RESPECT FOR DIFFERING OPINIONS, OR EVEN THE LEADERSHIP AT CU'S PRESIDENT, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A REPUBLICAN.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY ORIGINALLY ACCEPTED BY ALL NINE REGENTS IS A FINALIST.
LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN, BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALLY, I THINK, UNDERSTAND.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS ACCEPTED BY ALL NINE REGENTS.
HE WAS QUICKLY TURNED UPON BY THE PRESSURE OF THE UNIVERSITY'S FACULTY, STUDENTS, AND DEMOCRAT PARTY LEADERS.
THE EFFORT TO HAVE HIM REMOVED HAS BEEN RELENTLESS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, INCLUDING DURING THE ELECTION OF THE NEWLY-ELECTED DEMOCRAT REGENTS.
THEY WERE UNDER PRESSURE TO REMOVE THE PRESIDENT ONCE THEY ENTER THE BOARD OF REGENTS.
THE CENSURE OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS UNFOUNDED AND UNFAIR.
KENNEDY HAS DONE MORE TO ADVANCE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE HISTORY OF THIS UNIVERSITY.
ALL THE WHILE THE FACULTY WAS SPENDING THEIR TIME TO CENSURE THE PRESIDENT WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON DEI.
THEY WERE IGNORING THEIR OWN LACK OF DIVERSITY AMONGST THEIR LEADERSHIP RANKS, INCLUDING ELECTING AN EVEN LESS DIVERSE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE NEXT YEAR WHILE THEY WERE CENSURING THE PRESIDENT AT THIS TIME.
ONLY AFTER MY QUOTES IN DENVER'S TWO LEADING NEWSPAPERS HIGHLIGHTING THIS HYPOCRISY, AND THE HOW BAD IN THE DENVER GAZETTE, HAS THE FACULTY COUNCIL BEEN ASKED TO WORK ON THEIR OWN LACK OF DIVERSITY.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THEIR TIME WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SPENT ADVANCING DEI IN THE LEADERSHIP OF FACULTY COUNCIL, RATHER THAN FIGURING OUT HOW TO REMOVE THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT WHO HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO MAKING THE CHANGES WE ALL DESIRE.
I HOPE CU BECOMES A WELCOMING PLACE FOR ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING CONSERVATIVES.
IT WILL MAKE THE UNIVERSITY A BETTER PLACE, AND TIME WILL TELL. THANK YOU.
ANYONE ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT?
WHO HAD THEIR HAND UP? REGENT GANAHL. REGENT GANAHL.
>> YOU HAVE A CHANCE IF YOU WANT TO GO, YOU CAN. IT'S FINE.
>> IT'S OKAY, GO AHEAD. YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP FOR A SECOND.
>> I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TROUBLE OURSELVES WITH THE ILLUSION THAT MARK KENNEDY'S FIRING IS ABOUT ANY GREAT FAILING OR FUNDAMENTAL ERROR IN LEADERSHIP.
MARK KENNEDY IS BEING FIRED [NOISE] FOR THE HIGH CRIME OF NOT BEING A DEMOCRAT OR LEFT-WING ACADEMIC TO A NEW BOARD MAJORITY, WHO MANY DAYS FORGET THAT THEY SERVE THE STUDENTS OF CU AND NOT THE DNC.
IN THIS CASE, THEIR NEED TO GRIND PARTISAN AXIS WILL COST TAXPAYERS,
[00:20:01]
STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. IT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.>> I GUESS WITH REGARD TO THIS RESOLUTION, THE ENTIRE CONTEXT, I'LL SAY THIS.
THIS RESIGNATION IS NOT JUST A RESIGNATION, IT IS A FORCED RESIGNATION RESULTING IN A SHAMEFUL $1.36 MILLION BUYOUT AND WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY BECAUSE OF THE FIVE DEMOCRATS WHO NOW CONSTITUTE THE MAJORITY OF THE CU BOARD OF REGENTS.
WHY IS THE NEW BOARD MAJORITY FORCING SUCH A RECKLESS DECISION NOW, NOT EVEN FIVE MONTHS INTO THEIR TERM, RATHER THAN ALLOWING FOR A GOOD-FAITH DETERMINATION AT THE END OF THE CU PRESIDENT'S CONTRACT NEXT YEAR? BECAUSE THE FIVE DEMOCRATS ON THE BOARD CANNOT BEAR THE PRESSURE FROM THEIR LIBERAL POLITICAL BASE.
AFTER ALL, CU PRESIDENT MARK KENNEDY WAS A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN TWO DECADES AGO, AND MANY LIBERALS ON AND OFF CAMPUS WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM FOR THAT.
FUNDAMENTALLY, IT'S THAT SIMPLE. WE ALL KNOW IT.
EVERYONE FOLLOWING THIS ISSUE KNOWS IT.
IT MAY AS WELL BE SAID OUT LOUD.
TO BE CLEAR, I DO NOT DENY MARK HIS LEGAL RIGHT TO A CONTRACTUAL SETTLEMENT.
I TAKE ISSUE WITH THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITIES UNQUENCHABLE THIRST TO REMOVE MARK NOW, AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE.
COLORADIAN SHOULD TAKE NOTICE OF WHAT THE DEMOCRATS DID HERE TODAY.
WE WILL LOSE OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY IF VOTERS CONTINUE TO ELECT DEMOCRATS MORE INTERESTED IN APPEASING THE WOKE MOB THAN IN DOING WHAT IS RIGHT. I'LL END IT THERE.
I WASN'T PLANNING TO, BUT SINCE SINCE IT FEELS LIKE THE TEMPERATURES ARE RISING A LITTLE BIT.
I JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS OF THE EXEMPLARY SERVICE THAT CU RECEIVED FROM SEVERAL, MANY FORMER REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS, INCLUDING HANK BROWN, JOHN BUCKNER.
WELL, BRUCE WAS NEVER ELECTED, HE WAS CONSIDERED A POLITICAL ANIMAL.
TO PILE EVERYTHING ONTO PARTISANSHIP, I THINK ISN'T FAIR AND DOESN'T BEAR OUT.
JUST LOOK AT THE PAST 15, 20 YEARS OF CU'S HISTORY WE'VE HAD A SERVICE FROM THOSE FOLKS THAT I JUST MENTIONED THAT BROUGHT A GREAT DEAL TO THE UNIVERSITY THAT WE BENEFITED FROM.
I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. I WISH MARK ALL THE BEST.
I'M GLAD HE WAS MADE WHOLE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.
>> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT REGENT CHAVEZ, THE ONE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS YOU MENTIONED AND THE ONE TODAY IS, THE MAJORITY ON THE BOARD OF REGENTS WAS A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY, AND WHAT HAS CHANGED IS NOW A DEMOCRAT MAJORITY.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT'S WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD ON TO THE COMMENTS MADE BY REGENT CHAVEZ.
WE'VE BEEN SERVED WELL BY MANY PRESIDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW AND A FEW WEEKS TO NAME A NEW PRESIDENT, AN INTERIM PRESIDENT.
I HOPE THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AS A BOARD AND COALESCE AROUND AN INDIVIDUAL.
BECAUSE WHILE WE'VE BEEN WELL-SERVED BY PRESIDENTS IN THE PAST, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PARTY LINE VOTES THAT HAVE GONE BOTH WAYS.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS PUT IN ON A 5-4 VOTE, AS REGENT GALLEGOS POINTED OUT EARLIER.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I HOPE, AND I'M EXTENDING TO YOU MY ASPIRATIONS THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AROUND IT.
FUTURE PRESIDENTS THAT IS NOT SIMPLY INSTALLED ON PARTY LINE VOTES.
>> DO WE HAVE OTHER FOLKS THAT WOULD LIKE TO WAY IN BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE HERE? AS BOARD OF REGENTS, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE CHAIR.
MARK, I WORKED WITH YOU THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
I KNOW HOW HARD YOU WORKED, I KNOW SOME OF THE QUALITY STUFF THAT YOU DID.
SOME OF IT WILL BE LASTING FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB, AND WITH THAT AS YOU MOVE ON,
[00:25:04]
[BACKGROUND] [LAUGHTER] I KNOW THAT YOU WILL HAVE SUCCESS IN WHAT YOU DO.[BACKGROUND] YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED.
WE'RE GETTING OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS WHAT IT IS.
I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE CONTRACT.
WE AS A BOARD WE NEED TO HONOR THE CONTRACT, AND AT THAT POINT, WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
I HAVE BEEN AMAZED BY THE HIGH ROAD THAT PRESIDENT KENNEDY HAS TAKEN.
I THINK HE STILL CARES VERY MUCH ABOUT THIS UNIVERSITY.
HE WILL LEAVE HIS LEGACY AND MANY OF THE THINGS THAT HE HAS HERE.
AS A BOARD MEMBER, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE START TO TRANSITION TO A BOARD THAT'S GOING TO, AGAIN, LOOK OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OUR CONSTITUENTS, AND THAT'S THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, NOT PERSONAL INTERESTS OR NOT POLITICAL INTERESTS.
FOR ME, IT WOULD BE GOOD IF WE STARTED TALKING IN TERMS OF QUALITY OF THE CU EDUCATION, THE TYPE OF RESEARCH THAT WE WANT IT TO BE TURNING OUT, THE STUDENT SUCCESS, AND THE DIPLOMAS THAT CHANGE STUDENTS' LIVES, AND THE TYPES OF DIPLOMAS TO GET THEM INTO THE WORKFORCE, THAT CU IS OPEN TO EVERYBODY, THAT CU CONTRIBUTES TO THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT WE'RE ABOUT HEALTHCARE ALL OVER THE STATE OF COLORADO.
WE'VE BEEN VERY LACKING IN TERMS OF WHAT IT IS THAT MAKES THIS A GREAT UNIVERSITY.
REGENTS WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT STUDENTS, AND ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY, AND OUR PROFESSORS, AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.
I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE EVERYONE HERE THAT WE MOVE TO DO THE BEST WE CAN WITH POLICY J4, WHICH IS WHAT CONSTITUTES OUR CONSTITUENTS IS THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
WE NEED TO PUT THESE DISCUSSIONS AND THESE EFFORTS BEHIND US.
THEY'RE DISRUPTIVE WITHOUT A DOUBT, AND THEY TAKE AWAY FROM THE WONDERFUL PLACE THAT ALL FOUR OF OUR CAMPUSES ARE AND THE TYPES OF STUDENTS THAT THEY TURN OUT IN THEIR DIPLOMAS.
THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO GET BACK TO.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? AT THIS POINT, EFFIE, WILL YOU TAKE A ROLL CALL?
>> TO BE CLEAR THIS MOTION [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M PRESENT. WITHOUT THE CONTRACT
>> I'M SORRY I COULDN'T HEAR YOU.
>> TO BUYOUT THAT, THIS IS WHERE THE CONTRACTUAL BUYOUT, YES.
>> YES. TO CLARIFY THIS IS FOR THE TRANSITION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT.
>> I'M SORRY, REGENT HILL. SORRY I'M HAVING TROUBLE HEARING, COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?
>> YES. TO MAKE MORE CALLS AS WE RESOLVE THIS. YES.
>> STAND BEHIND THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT THAT WE VOTED ON TWO YEARS AGO.
YES. I WILL STAND BEHIND IT AND MAKE MY CALL.
>> THAT'S EIGHT TO ONE, PASSED.
>> MOTION PASSES. AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE PRESIDENT KENNEDY AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A STATEMENT OR TO GIVE SOME COMMENTS.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY, THE FLOOR IS YOURS AND YOU CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.
>> I WOULD JUST SAY THAT IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO WORK WITH YOU AND THE MANY HARDWORKING PEOPLE THAT HAVE ADVANCED CU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DELIVERING ON OUR MISSION TO DISCOVER, TO REACH, TO SERVE, AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT THINGS MOVING FORWARD AND WE'RE AT A POSITIVE TRAJECTORY.
DEBBIE AND I STAND READY TO SUPPORT THIS UNIVERSITY IN
[00:30:03]
ANY WAY WE CAN AND KNOW THAT CU WILL CONTINUE TO DO GREAT THINGS IN THE FUTURE.THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR TO BE HERE AT CU.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT KENNEDY.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS , COMMENTS THAT ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE BEFORE WE BRING THIS BOARD MEETING TO A CLOSE?
>> I'D LIKE TO JUST MAKE A QUICK COMMENT, [SPANISH].
MARK, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
I BELIEVED IN WHAT YOU HAVE STOOD FOR AND THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE DURING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BETWEEN COVID AND SO MANY ISSUES THAT HAVE COME FORWARD TO THIS UNIVERSITY.
YOU HAVE BEEN A PRESIDENT WHO HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION, AND DIGNITY, AND STRENGTH.
I APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH AND I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AS YOU MOVE FORWARD.
>> ANY ANYONE ELSE? BEFORE WE ADJOURN I WOULD LIKE TO READ A STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD WHICH TALKS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR DECISIONS THIS AFTERNOON, BUT ALSO SOME STEPS IN THE FUTURE.
THE BOARD OF REGENTS APPRECIATE SMART KENNEDY SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
THE TRANSITION AGREEMENT WE APPROVED TODAY MEETS OUR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO HIM.
THE BOARD AND PRESIDENT KENNEDY SHARE THE COMMON GOAL OF WHAT IS BEST FOR THE UNIVERSITY.
SELECTING A PRESIDENT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS THE BOARD OF REGENTS PERFORMS. THE BOARD WILL PROCEED DELIBERATELY BUT EXPEDIENTLY TO MEET OUR IMPERATIVE.
WE WILL SELECT AN INTERIM PRESIDENT SOON, REFINE OUR SEARCH POLICIES AS NECESSARY, AND PROCEED WITH THE SEARCH.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD THE BOARD IS COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AND CONSTITUENTS.
WE HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL FIND A LEADER WHO WILL ENSURE THAT CU CONTINUES TO MEET IT'S MISSION AND SERVE OUR STUDENTS IN OUR STATE.
WITH THAT, UNLESS THERE IS OTHER BUSINESS, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING.
>> MOVED BY [INAUDIBLE] SECOND BY [INAUDIBLE].
>> UNOPPOSED [INAUDIBLE]. MEETING IS OVER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS BOARD.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.