Bat Rally protestors fight against president’s new home
By Haley Dake
“This is what Democracy looks like!” cried the hundreds students and faculty as they gathered in protest on the sidewalks of 29 Park Place Tuesday evening to voice their opinions about the University-funded $1.2 million residence that will now temporarily house President Roderick McDavis and his family.
Due to a bat infestation that arose in February of this year, the President and the First Lady Deborah McDavis were driven out of their residence at 29 Park Place.
Ohio University president Dr. Roderick J. McDavis and First Lady Deborah McDavis will soon relocate to a new home. The change in location will cost the university $1.2 million. During a time where students are struggling to get by financially especially with rising tuition, the McDavis family gets a new home.
The moving situation is occurring because of an infestation of bats in the couple’s current home. The president and first lady have to live on-campus in their home as stated in their contract. Now the new home will be off-campus, so why does the university have to finance this? They shouldn’t be financing this. The Board of Trustees raised McDavis salary last August to $465,000 with an additional $85,000 bonus. The real kicker is Deborah McDavis is on salary at Ohio University as well. She makes $30,900 a year after a 3 percent raise in 2013.
President Roderick McDavis and First Lady Deborah McDavis are set to move into their new house on 31 Coventry Lane, which will cost the university $1.2 million.
Ohio University publication Compass released a statement announcing the Ohio University Foundation’s agreement with an undisclosed leasing company Thursday evening. The statement said if the Foundation Board of Trustees agrees to the agreement, the $1.2 million will come from “unrestricted working capital.”
After a recent “invasion” of President Roderick McDavis’ home, the McDavises have temporarily relocated from their residence at Park Place. While it was reported that the invasion was one of bats, some students have been raising eyebrows.
“Invasion? The only thing that’s been invading this campus lately is a whole lotta ice and winds that rip through my soul. Is anyone noticing the timing here? Where are these ‘bats’? I’d love to see one.” said freshman Hannah Summers before labeling McDavis, “The President Who Cried Bats.”
Opinion: Protest of McDavis’ pay raise should be aimed at the Trustees
By Austin Linfante
October 2, 2014
Photo courtesy of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
President Roderick McDavis’ open office hours on Tuesday revealed two things: McDavis seems to be very defensive about his salary, and that talking to him about administrative pay is a waste of time.
McDavis’ open office hours — the first since he received a $35,000 pay raise in his salary — was reported by TheAthens NEWS to be filled with tension. However, the level of tension in McDavis’ office in Cutler Hall is up for debate; students protesting McDavis’ salary stated that he allegedly screamed and pointed fingers at the students, while the university and administrators feverishly denied that he treated anyone with disrespect.
At the surface, this is reasonable, right? It’s generally considered rude to bring up one’s salary to others, as it’s no one’s business but the person getting paid. Not to mention that bodies like Student Senate are still actively criticizing his pay, to the point where the Senate created a committee and filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to go into detail to criticize his salary.
I’d have sympathy for him, but he’s not just the average, overlooked worker. President McDavis is a public servant that operates a public college funded by state tax dollars and has a public payroll. His salary is open to the public and discussed because of this, and it’s part of the responsibility of being in a position such as his. He doesn’t get to enjoy the privilege of keeping his salary personal because the students and state government that fund it are more than just customers using a business.
But sadly, this will never be realized. McDavis will continue to defend his giant salary as a personal part of his life for the duration of his presidency. If that’s the case, why do students keep on going to him to complain about it?
When people against presidential pay raises argue, they usually bring up how Kentucky State University State interim president Raymond Burse gave up $90,000 to give two dozen KSU workers a living wage. Burse is a remarkable man in this sense, but almost all university presidents are not. It’s almost foolish to keep on asking for McDavis to forfeit any salary raises to aid students or faculty.
Effort should instead go towards the people that award him with the constant pay raises: the Board of Trustees. Sure, they don’t have the open office hours like McDavis does, but it is more logical to give out your concerns to a Trustee and just risk that they don’t listen than to go to someone who is guaranteed to not listen. Just don’t go to the student trustees on the Board, though; they still don’t have voting rights.
It is, of course, good to see that there is activism against something as controversial, for both at Ohio University and the whole nation, as increasing college president salaries. But given the circumstances, the activists are protesting in the wrong direction.
AVW Newstime Comedy: President McDavis holds door open for board trustee, gets huge bonus
By AVW Newstime
October 1, 2014
Photo courtesy of Ohio University Libraries
Athens – Bill Hilyard of Ohio University’s Board of Trustees reports that President Roderick McDavis, who was walking with him to brunch this past Sunday, opened the door to the café and allowed Hilyard to go in first.
“He just stepped ahead a pace and opened the door for me. It was the most courteous gesture!” At this point, Hilyard reportedly pulled out his checkbook and started hastily scribbling six-digit numbers all over it. “It’s just like, what a guy! You know?”
During brunch, Hilyard is reported to have sent out a group text to the other trustees, letting them know what had just occurred. Keith Wilbur replied, “NICE!!”, followed by David Wolfort’s, “McDDDDD!! He’s da boooooombbb [bomb emoji].”
“He’s always doing stuff like this. That’s just the kind of guy he is!” Wolfort then received a text. “Oh, gotta peace [sic]. RodMan’s meeting us at T-Bell for dinner.”
Trustee Peggy Viehweger agrees. “He totally remembered my birthday last month, so when his raise went up for vote at the meeting, I was like, ‘Heck yeah!’”
Board Chair Sandra Anderson says she used to be skeptical about his pay raises and bonus checks. “I thought maybe giving him a raise every year is a little bit excessive, and the bonus checks might be slightly gratuitous, but I heard he’s bringing donuts to the next meeting!”
When reached for comment, President McDavis, while holding a box of donuts, said, “This is the essence of Ohio University. Doors opening and… wait. I open doors for my colleagues, just as this institution – uh, this FINE institution aims to open doors for… thousands of eager young minds, thirsting for knowledge. Yeah, that sounds good. Use that.”
This article was written by Joe Kalavity. Follow AVW Newstime on Twitter: @AVWNewstime
Ohio University presidential chief of staff Becky Watts has announced she is taking a position with the Ohio Board of Regents and will be leaving OU at the end of May.
In a letter to faculty and staff, OU President Roderick McDavis states that Watts will begin her new role as associate vice chancellor of P-20 Initiatives with the board on June 4.
Serving as McDavis' chief of staff and special assistant, Watts often is quoted as OU's chief spokesperson in the news media.
Read more from The Athens NEWS or from The Post.
Related topics: Ohio University | OU Administration
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