In a letter not becoming of a university president, Jeffrey Bullock announces Dubuque's decision to "step away" from a potential partnership with SJ(C?) and the city of Sitka. I don't blame UD for not wanting to proceed, but was surprised by the spirit of Bullock's letter, which engages in blaming "some SJC Board members" and city officials for the partnership's failure, while holding up Dr. Dobler as an ethical visionary and someone to be admired.
Really? It leads me to conclude that President Bullock was never able to fully appreciate and understand the complexities of what transpired here.
You can read the letter in its entirety below:
June 7, 2010.
To: The University of Dubuque Community
From: Jeffrey F. Bullock, President
Re: UD/Sheldon Jackson Partnership Status
I am writing, separately from my Summer Update letter which you will receive this week, to update you regarding Sheldon Jackson College (SJC) in Sitka, Alaska. I have sincerely appreciated the conversations and trips with members of our Board, cabinet members, and DNAS faculty while exploring the opportunity to take an extensive look at the possibility of a relationship between Sheldon Jackson College and the University of Dubuque.
It is clear to me, however, that our expectations for this project differ quite significantly from the expectations of some members of the Sheldon Jackson Board and, most particularly, the leaders of the City of Sitka. In my discussions with both groups, I have tried to lay out a roadmap for a long-term, vibrant, and renewed educational operation at Sheldon Jackson College. I have tried to demonstrate that UD was committed philanthropically, through a designated donor gift, to finish the restoration of a key building - Allen Hall, to develop an academic program plan, and to work through the Sheldon Jackson College Foundation which would help structure finances and provide opportunities for traditional and non-traditional programs, particularly to serve Native Alaskans. Granted, the nature of our program proposal was to begin small, understand the market, and then to grow as the opportunities were identified, rather than to replace one former model of educational enterprise with a similar model. The program model in our proposal is one that we have tested, tried, and implemented here at UD; and a model that we believed we could have implemented in Sitka.
It is clear to me, however, that the expectations of some members of the SJC Board are not in alignment with our plan which is, of course, their prerogative. It appears that they aspire to have an entity take over the SJC campus and, in effect, run it as it was previously run. Obviously, we do not believe this is the right way to pursue education in Sitka, but it is their campus and, as trustees, that is clearly and rightly their decision to make.
It is also abundantly clear to me that the officials representing the City of Sitka have absolutely no intention of trying to 1) understand our proposal, or 2) understand the very competitive nature of Higher Education. Truthfully, this is the most discouraging aspect of my disappointment. To go from a verbal commitment of significant dollars to what in effect amounts to a “maybe in the future” type of arrangement clearly illustrates, for me anyway, that the City officials do not understand either the importance or necessity of a private/public partnership in this regard. It also gives me great pause when I consider working with the City in the future. I have learned that if there is one constant in the very competitive business of Higher Education, it is this: Independent schools cannot compete with Regent or State-supported schools without the tangible support of their local and regional civic and political leadership. Alaska is full of state-sponsored education. There is a reason, then, why private schools such as UD are not in abundance in the State of Alaska. We absolutely could not find a way to mount a successful program in Sitka without both the financial and political support of the City officials.
I am proud to say - and I know that we all share in this sentiment - that, over the last ten years, the University of Dubuque has grown from an enrollment of under 600 to nearly triple that figure. Our annual operating budget has increased several-fold. We have added significant numbers of faculty and staff at a time when most colleges and universities are experiencing reductions in force, and the financial impact we have made to our local community has grown exponentially as well. Though not on the same scale, we had hoped to make a similarly positive impact in Sitka and, by extension, throughout Alaska. Unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the conditions for programmatic growth and expansion on the SJC campus, or in the City of Sitka, do not exist in a way that would allow us to be both credible and successful.
Regretfully, we must at this time step away from the table.
Finally, I would like to also say that it has been a privilege to work on this project with SJC President David Dobler. David has comported himself in both an ethical and visionary way during a very difficult time in the history of SJC. He has endured ridicule in the community, derision in blogs posted by former disgruntled members of the faculty and staff, personal financial sacrifice and an uncertain professional future all for the purpose of trying to identify a new future for SJC. I, for one, both admire and respect him.
Know that we do wish the members of the SJC Board the very best as they chart out the best plan for Sheldon Jackson.
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7 comments:
It will certainly be interesting to hear the latest from the SJC board. A year ago the word was that after August they would liquidate if there were no good prospects to take over the school. Well, that good prospect is now out, so what now?
Clyde
Dobler is a tool and it seems like this fella is, as well. They are cut from the same cloth so I cannot say I am at all surprised.
Tools of destruction!
Jeffrey Bullock was "Doblered". Wish he would wise up.
According to a Sentinel article, the head of the SJC board - and city officials - are puzzled by the response by Bullock, because it seems so out of proportion to their correspondence. The board had asked for more clarification of Dubuque's plans. The City had lobbied for money for the SJC Library to be bought by the State of Alaska and had been making good faith efforts toward a partnership. Yet Bullock pulled out with a very critical letter.
Why?
I suspect that the major factor is that the board of SJC no longer took Dobler's word for things and actually started asking important questions. Bullock's response is probably due to communication with Dobler rather than from the actions of the board and city. Remember, the relationship between SJC and Dubuque is due to a pre-existing relationship between Dobler and Bullock. Bullock arranged for Dobler's honorary doctorate after Dobler served as a conservative moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA. Bullock's last paragraph, which seems to canonize Dobler, is a slap at anyone who might think to question him or his allegiances.
Yet, as we know locally, Dobler has burnt bridges for years, whether it be with the city, the Yukon Presbytery, the North Slope, or with the people who worked for him. A charismatic preacher, it becomes clear after a while that he can be highly vindictive and that he keeps things so close to his chest that it becomes impossible to find if his plans have any substance or are just fantasies.
David Dobler = Dark
D - Deceiver
A - Asshole
R - Ridiculous
K - un-KNOWING
Darth Vador has once agin deceived top officials. It is clear that the University of Dubuque does not know the whole story regarding the SjC situation. It seems as though only people who were notified that there jobs would be gone in two days know the whole story. "The evil one" Dobler had brainwashed the board of trustees and has once again worked his evil magic on the University of Dubuque President. The city has made a wise choice not to affiliate themselves with Sheldon Jackson. I mean, of course, who would want to work with David Dobler?? David Dobler is a person who is convincing to large crowds, he is a expert in public communication and knows how to convince people. However, what has he accomplished?? He has brought Sheldon Jackson to the ground, and I expect the the same for the the Presbytery of Alaska. This man still owes people salary money that he has yet to repaid. He is a man that is selfish, rude, deceiving and for some reason powerful. Of course he would pin the struggles of Sheldon Jackson on the city, it's just a cover up for his own mistakes. As he continues to build his own house on money that others have recruited for the once so called, "sheldon jackson college. Why can't people see that this man is nothing more than bad news? However, I do believe that eventually enough people will catch on to his evil ways. This is a man who has single handedly brought down a college. He is stealing money and his telling lies to all that will believe him. As stated before, this man is an expertise at making people believe in a mission. While he may continue to succeed in his own personal world, he has lost the bigger battle. The University of Dubuque deciding to affiliate with SjC has made me happy. David Dobler must now look for other option, other people to deceive, other people to lie to. The story between Sheldon Jackson and the University of Dubuque has gotten enough publicity to reach the Chicago Tribune. Dobler has succeeded in pinning the problem on the city, and once again has used his "Dobler Dog Shit" method to convince people. However, let me change it up, imagine that you are David Dober.. How would you like to walk the streets of Sitka knowing how many people you have negatively affected. Theres a reason why this man walks around with his head down all the time. He lives with a curse. He's smart enough to know what he has done. There is no possible way that this man lives a peaceful and happy life. The sooner that people figure out Dobler's methods and strategy the sooner that this world becomes a better place. He is a menace, a criminal, a liar, a thief, a punk, and a straight up IDIOT. Do I have any sympathy for this man? NO! However, just like the movies, the bad guys always LOSE! It's only a matter of time before this man is put in a worse position than he is already in. As for the once called Sheldon Jackson, I hope for the best. As for Dobler, I hope for the worst. The University of Dubuque has made a wise choice. The best possible situation for sheldon jackson is to get rid of DAVID DOBLER.
If Mr. Bullock would have taken the time to listen to the "disgruntled former employees of SJC" perhaps he would know why they were "disgruntled". If he is reading this, I would like him to know that NONE of the employees were given exit interviews....of course.. because they would mostly be negative and its best to keep those things under the rug, right? When just a few weeks prior to closing, it was stated that there was a rumor going around that SJ was going to close...and it was said in what they called "rumor control" that this was not true. Then all the employees are gathered into the chapel for a meeting...no one really knows why...only to be told that they would be unemployed the next day. CRAZY!
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