Nice article by Junior Bridgeman & Frank Minnifield calling out Emily Bingham and all the others' trying to undermine the University. It's a nice piece by people who actually care about the University and our community, and not by these supposed "Trustees" spoon-feeding Matt Jones and the Courier Journal on any dysfunction they want to hear.
Former UofL Board Chairs on Last Week’s Board of Trustees Meeting
By Junior Bridgeman & Frank Minnifield
By now many people are aware that last week the University of Louisville Board of Trustees met in a
contentious meeting where some Trustees publicly voiced a lack of confidence in James Ramsey. As
former chairs of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees we are saddened that the Board has
devolved into the entity described by the local press. The embarrassment to the University and to all of
those who have served as Trustees is significant.
Differing opinions are normal for most governing boards, but good people can disagree and debate
serious issues. The behavior, however, on display last week was incredibly harmful to the University of
Louisville. It potentially damages the school’s reputation and alarms prospective students and donors
about the future. It also hurts alumni who have graduated from this institution.
The University already faces a challenging public policy environment. It has suffered 15 cuts to its state
appropriation since 2002, and will likely face two more in the upcoming biennium. We believe it is
impressive that the University has achieved such remarkable progress in the face of these budget cuts.
Shrinking resources and other challenges require the Trustees to work together with the administration
to continue the advancement of the University and to avoid diatribes that potentially dissuade donors
from investing and students from enrolling.
As former Chairs of the board, we appreciate the need for confidentiality during closed session and the
fiduciary responsibility of each board member to the University of Louisville. Recently, far too often,
information discussed in closed session—which is confidential—shows up in media Twitter feeds before
the Board has even reconvened to open session. As past board chairs, we value transparency, but draft
information and candid discussions in closed session are not for public consumption.
Now, contrary to what some current board members will say in response to our opinion, we are not
writing about Jim Ramsey. We are alumni of the University of Louisville, and this is about our alma
mater. Board dysfunction erodes all leadership no matter who is the president.
The University of Louisville offers a world‐class education to students from all walks of life, many of
whom are from right here in Louisville. It is important that the Board of Trustees remains laser‐focused
on expanding educational access to Kentuckians of all socio‐economic backgrounds, rather than
distractions by petty trustee politics.
People will always disagree. But, we call on those with personal political agendas to leave them at the
door because it is our opinion that in their quest to hurt Jim Ramsey they are hurting more seriously the
entire University community. The damage being done today by these trustee antics have colored
perceptions that will last a long time. How in the world can we recruit the next president – whenever
that becomes necessary – when all the good candidates are reading about this Board of Trustees and
the squabbles that leak to the media? Would you leave your job to relocate here? We think not.
Junior Bridgeman served as Chair of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees from 2003‐05. Frank
Minnifield served in that same capacity from 2011‐13. Both are alumni of the University of Louisville –
Bridgeman, A&S, ’75; Minnifield, A&S, ’95.
Former UofL Board Chairs on Last Week’s Board of Trustees Meeting
By Junior Bridgeman & Frank Minnifield
By now many people are aware that last week the University of Louisville Board of Trustees met in a
contentious meeting where some Trustees publicly voiced a lack of confidence in James Ramsey. As
former chairs of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees we are saddened that the Board has
devolved into the entity described by the local press. The embarrassment to the University and to all of
those who have served as Trustees is significant.
Differing opinions are normal for most governing boards, but good people can disagree and debate
serious issues. The behavior, however, on display last week was incredibly harmful to the University of
Louisville. It potentially damages the school’s reputation and alarms prospective students and donors
about the future. It also hurts alumni who have graduated from this institution.
The University already faces a challenging public policy environment. It has suffered 15 cuts to its state
appropriation since 2002, and will likely face two more in the upcoming biennium. We believe it is
impressive that the University has achieved such remarkable progress in the face of these budget cuts.
Shrinking resources and other challenges require the Trustees to work together with the administration
to continue the advancement of the University and to avoid diatribes that potentially dissuade donors
from investing and students from enrolling.
As former Chairs of the board, we appreciate the need for confidentiality during closed session and the
fiduciary responsibility of each board member to the University of Louisville. Recently, far too often,
information discussed in closed session—which is confidential—shows up in media Twitter feeds before
the Board has even reconvened to open session. As past board chairs, we value transparency, but draft
information and candid discussions in closed session are not for public consumption.
Now, contrary to what some current board members will say in response to our opinion, we are not
writing about Jim Ramsey. We are alumni of the University of Louisville, and this is about our alma
mater. Board dysfunction erodes all leadership no matter who is the president.
The University of Louisville offers a world‐class education to students from all walks of life, many of
whom are from right here in Louisville. It is important that the Board of Trustees remains laser‐focused
on expanding educational access to Kentuckians of all socio‐economic backgrounds, rather than
distractions by petty trustee politics.
People will always disagree. But, we call on those with personal political agendas to leave them at the
door because it is our opinion that in their quest to hurt Jim Ramsey they are hurting more seriously the
entire University community. The damage being done today by these trustee antics have colored
perceptions that will last a long time. How in the world can we recruit the next president – whenever
that becomes necessary – when all the good candidates are reading about this Board of Trustees and
the squabbles that leak to the media? Would you leave your job to relocate here? We think not.
Junior Bridgeman served as Chair of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees from 2003‐05. Frank
Minnifield served in that same capacity from 2011‐13. Both are alumni of the University of Louisville –
Bridgeman, A&S, ’75; Minnifield, A&S, ’95.
