I've sent the following letter to Western Carolina University officials Clifton Metcalf and Bill Studenc. Metcalf is vice chancelor for advancement and external affairs; Studenc is senior director of news services. In a telephone interview last week, Metcalf declined to disclose the whereabouts of $40,000 in Gannett Foundation gifts that CEO Craig Dubow directed to WCU for endowed scholarships. Citing university policy, Metcalf also refused to say whether the money went to the Craig and Denise Dubow scholarship fund on this page. Also, foundation Executive Director Tara Connell has not responded to my requests for information. WCU is a public university, prompting this:Dec. 12, 2008
Clifton Metcalf, Bill Studenc
Western Carolina University
Cullowee, N.C.
Via e-mail
Clifton and Bill:
Pursuant to North Carolina's open-records laws, I am seeking access to all public documents relating to the Gannett Co. Inc., the Gannett Foundation, Gannett Chairman and CEO Craig Dubow, and other Gannett employees and representatives.
My request includes but is not limited to any public documents concerning contributions by the Gannett Foundation to the Western Carolina University Foundation, including any contributions to the Craig and Denise Dubow scholarship fund.
I am requesting an expedited response, and look forward to your reply.
Jim Hopkins
Editor
Gannett Blog
I've been skimping on my church contributions this year. I wonder if I can get the Foundation to make up for my reduced generosity? Oh, that's right: They only do that for C-suite employees.
ReplyDeleteSilly me.
Jim, should you not include maybe another request, using, "US CODE TITLE 5" laws> If Western Carolina, is receiving any types of federal money. Their is a good possibility, that the F.O.I could also be used.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea, rmichem!
ReplyDeleteDid you note the curious language in the Craig and Denise Dubow scholarship award program on that university web site. Money from it can only be given to people living in three North Carolina Counties. According to the 2000 Census, there were about 24,000 families living in those three very sparsely populated and overly white counties, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. North Carolina is not a rich area, but the median sale price of a house in Cashiers is more than $600,000. So who are these people getting these scholarships for comfortable B average work? Vanderbilts?
ReplyDeleteThis is from the University Web site:
"Craig and Denise Dubow. Craig and Denise Dubow have established an endowed fund to provide scholarship support for deserving students at Western Carolina University. This scholarship provides support for full time undergraduate students from Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania counties who demonstrate financial need and maintain a B average."
These are among the richest and most sparsely populated counties in the state, which has a median income of $31,029, and is 75 percent white. There are 8 million living in North Carolina:
ReplyDeleteAccording to the 2000 Census:
Jackson County (where Cashiers is located) 8,587 families, 86 percent white. Median income $40,876.
Transylvania County, 8,660 families, 94 percent white, median income $45,579.
Macon County, 8,902 families, 97 percent white, median income $37,381
When you started this a week ago, I thought this was probably just a clerical error, and the university credited Dubow with the gift endowment, when it should have been the Gannett Foundation. Now I am not so sure. The university has had a chance to correct its documents, and has not done so. So what is going on here? Yet another ethical lapse from the corporate mafia who have taken over this company?
ReplyDelete9:51pm:
ReplyDeleteJackson County: Median income $40,876.
Transylvania County: median income $45,579.
Macon County: median income $37,381
Ummm - yeah - vanderbuilts...
"demonstrated financial need"
we can gripe all we want about the G Foundation having different rules for C-level execs, but they do, so get over it.
Why did Caddyshack come to mind just now?
ReplyDeleteI planned to go to law school after I graduated, but it looks like my folks won't have enough money to put me through college.
My years of watching the teevee tell me that rich people who feel guilty about something throw money to make themselves feel better. Better to throw someone else's money, if ya can.
The MPJ scholarships do not take financial need into the equation: Scholarship winners will be chosen on a competitive basis and without regard to family financial circumstances, gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
ReplyDeleteReading this page, it looks like Gannett has nothing to do with choosing the winners - NMSC vets the applicants and picks from the ones they like.
http://tinyurl.com/5ftf4r
Wouldn't it be a better idea that they offer scholarships up to the employees they just laid off. Might help some go back to school in a different field. Dubow, have you ever thought about that?
ReplyDelete