so, who's following the Easley/NC State saga in the Raleigh N&O?

[zazen]

I've been very involved with the university over the years, and on the one hand I'm surprised but on the other, I see an administrative culture (that exists in all major universities, I suspect) where a lot of backroom deals are made. Many people really do believe it's in the best interest of the organization--that bringing on well-connected people attracts more money and prestige, which presumably leads to attracting better faculty and providing better services to students. I can see how they could go down this slippery slope.

I could say a lot more but I'll wait to see if others jump in.

Bowles wants NCSU board chair out

. . . "Campbell (the Chair of NC State's Board of Trustees, who was appointed to the Board twice by Easley while he was governor) was prominently featured in a two-part series last weekend in The N&O, which recounted his friendship and influence with Mike and Mary Easley. Campbell flew the governor often in his planes, sometimes for free, and bragged of his influence in getting key development permits. The governor twice appointed him to the N.C. State Board of Trustees, where he rose to chairman.

Campbell had insisted that he played no role in Mary Easley's job at N.C. State. He denied having even a single conversation with university officials or Mary Easley before she got a three-year contract at $80,000 a year in 2005, or when she received a five-year, $850,000 contract that touched off controversy.

That story changed with his call to Bowles. Bowles then phoned Oblinger, who said in an interview Thursday that he did not recall being told by Campbell that Mary Easley would be available. Oblinger said he does not deny it might have happened.

. . . . Campbell could not be reached Thursday. The Easleys have refused all interview requests.

For full b/g info, see "Executive Privilege," Raleigh N&O investigative series on former Governor Mike Easley's behavior while in office