Letters & Opinion
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
As an alumnus and former academic staff member of the UW-SP community for 26 years, I am appalled at Chancellor Bunnell’s behavior and seemingly irresponsible fiscal management at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.
I don’t believe any past chancellor at UW-SP was involved in a criminal hit-and-run vehicular offense (while possibly under the influence of alcohol). If this is not reason enough to remove her from her office, I question some of her reported spending habits (ie. $568 Stevens Point Country Club membership in 2008, $576 Neiman Marcus replacement of a table cloth ruined at her residence after a party. She might have been able to purchase one a bit cheaper at Big Lots). Are these expenses to the taxpayers and our students absolutely necessary in these times of global economic hardship?
All three of my children have either attended or graduated from the UW System, and they have all worked extremely hard to raise money through part-time employment to pay for ever-increasing tuition and student activity fees. It seems like someone in your leadership capacity could set a better example for our struggling students than you have while Chancellor at UW-Stevens Point.
I am copying this message to alumni, friends and faculty at UW-SP and would encourage them all to cease donating any funds to the UW-SP Foundation until the Chancellor’s removed from her administrative position (hopefully under voluntary conditions in light of her recent criminal offense with a university vehicle).
I fully support the Student Senate’s decision of a 15 - 0 vote of “no confidence” to have her removed from office. I served under leaders in the Chancellor’s Office like Lee Sherman Dreyfus and Jack Ellery, and frankly Ms. Bunnell, doesn’t even come close to their level of selfless dedication to the UW-SP mission and support of higher education.
Please don’t take personal offense, but Chancellor Bunnell belongs on Wall St., and not at the leadership of one of our country’s top universities, the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.
Sincerely,
Gregory J. Orlowski
Communication, BS, 1980
