Contracts & Contacts

Contracts were in the news last week, according to reports in "the papers" (i.e. the digitals).

First, The Southern Illinoisan reports: Newspapers sue SIUC, hope to obtain contracts: "The Anna Gazette-Democrat, its publisher, Jerry Reppert, and The Southern Illinoisan have sued Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Chancellor Walter V. Wendler in response to a denied Freedom of Information Act request on April 12, when "the university unjustly rejected a request for copies of employment contracts for Wendler, as well as SIUC President Glenn Poshard, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director Mike Lawrence, former SIU President James Walker and Paul Simon Public Policy Institute visiting professor John Jackson."

The Southern Illinoisan became a plaintiff in the lawsuit after the university rejected the Anna Gazette-Democrat's appeal of the decision, said Southern Illinoisan Publisher Dennis DeRossett, who believes "strongly in the public's access to public records and public documents," and disagrees "with the case law that was cited to deny the request." The information should be released and the case law should be clarified. The public's right to know is the basis for our whole democracy."

In another contract deal, Caleb Hale reports SIUC contract talks at standstill: "Contract negotiations between Southern Illinois University Carbondale faculty and administrators have reached an impasse in three general areas [according to] Lenore Langsdorf, speech professor and SIUC Faculty Association spokeswoman. Both sides have agreed to several facets of a new contract over the summer but remain stuck on issues concerning pay, tenure and promotion and a 'fair share' clause, which would require all tenured/tenure-track faculty represented by the union to pay dues."

Local biz blogger Peter Gregory predicts there will be a strike over the "shared governance" issue. I think Peter is wrong about Wendler being "completely unethical." Perhaps he will define "unethical" in his (or this) comments section.

Speaking of unethical, The Southern also reported on the John A. Logan revised policy on hiring family members. Family members of trustees, administration and full-time faculty and staff would be excluded from employment at John A. Logan College.

Apparently Board (and family) member William Kilquist complained about newspaper coverage of the hiring policy discussions and comments made by members of the public on The Southern Illinoisan's online edition. "There have been some articles in the newspaper - pressure by the newspaper - and in my opinion, The Southern Illinoisan has no corner on morals and ethics. And in my opinion, the blogs are yellow journalism at its best," Kilquist said.

I hate that Bill-Kil paints all blogs with the brush of yellow journalism, when he's clearly referring to Southern Illinoisan columnist (and independent blogger) "Nepotism at JALC" blog.

Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes.

How about a case of local wine, instead! Twelve bottles of wine from 12 different local wineries. Mailed wherever you want. A good idea, considering the less restrictive rules for selling wine reported by the Wall Street Journal.

An ethical contract will be necessary. Or the clink of glasses making contact.

That's it for this post.

Still working on the ShawneeNet Wiki in two platforms: a PHP version (more text) and the Wiki.Com version (more graphic). A wiki is extremely organic -- and ethical. Readers are welcome to add or edit pages. . . . Or contact me for moral support.