I have been following the budget cut stories out of UND. As a former executive adviser to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, I am saddened to see the mismanagement of budget cuts by Interim President Ed Schafer. His lack of emotional intelligence is obvious.
I admit I have skin in this game. My daughter is Meganne Masko, UND music therapy program director, who is leaving the university at the end of the school year for another job.
Schafer implied that he knew the reasons Masko is leaving. Nothing could be further from the truth. He did not take the time to visit with her personally.
Beyond that, he has no regard for how he sounds defending his decisions. He may have been governor and secretary of agriculture, but he has never been in academia. To hear his arrogance, one only has to listen to his defense of his salary. Not a bit of humility.
I know of few executives who would stand up and tout their worthiness to a group of individuals losing employment.
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I was recently in North Dakota and except for the individuals we have learned to know and love, we are appalled at the disregard for education. Schafer is hell bent on ignoring the gifts of those who are different than him. How the people will grieve because of six months of abuse. I support those in liberal arts who suffer at his hands.
I suggest that the people who have the most to lose have been the most grace-filled. I am delighted to see Masko and her family move forward. Toxicity reigns under Schaefer.
Caryn Evans
Des Moines, Iowa
