With all the other news lately, I have not updated WynnBlog readers about the latest lawsuit naming Joe Wiley as a defendant.
As you may recall, Marilyn Goff filed suit against Sheree Hukill, Dr. Joe Wiley, and the RSU Board of Regents alleging wrongful termination. (For the record, there is no such entity as the “RSU Board of Regents.” RSU is governed by the O.U. Regents.)
Upon the application of the defendants (Hukill, Wiley, and O.U. Regents), the case has been moved from the county court (Rogers County District Court) to the federal courts (U.S. Courts for the Northern District of Oklahoma). Further, defendants filed a motion Feb. 21, 2008, asking the court to dismiss the case for several reasons, the first of which is improper service. Big surprise.
Anyway, I will have more to say about this later, but I wanted to update readers who have an interest in the case.
126 comments
Comment by rsu student worker on March 20, 2008 at 2:51 PM
So I used to be a student worker for the department that Sheree Hukill is in charge of at RSU, and I can swear to you that President Wiley had probably no idea about Mrs. Goff getting fired. It all rest on the shoulders of the new lady that Sheree hired on two years ago to be her right hand. You had to make this person believe that you liked her, and wanted her to be your best friend, it’s really kind of sad. But what needs to happen is that the ladies that work on the first floor at Prep Hall need to come down off their high horses. My department went from having 300 active students to now around fifty. Thank goodness they are spending their federal grant of a few million right!! They really need to remember that the college is there for the students. I personally loved working with Mrs. Goff, she was a nice lady that treated us students like adults. I wont even get started on how I feel about some down there! But Mrs. Goff never did anything wrong, but work her butt off.
Comment by Lene on March 21, 2008 at 5:56 AM
Why would you think that Wiley “had probably no idea about Mrs. Goff getting fired.” When the entire affair surrounding her firing was due to her speaking to legal counsel regarding another legal action by another employee, I would expect Wiley was very aware of what was going on in that department. Since attorneys were involved in the other case, I would expect that he was watching very closely.
What do you mean by, “My department went from having 300 active students to now around fifty. Thank goodness they are spending their federal grant of a few million right!!” ?
I think it could be key to know exactly how they are spending their federal grant money.
Comment by KNOW BEFORE YOU SPEAK on March 21, 2008 at 9:35 AM
In response to the comments from the “student worker” some of the things you have said in your statement are first off, wrong, secondly, inappropriate, and third, misguided. The only department that serves 300 students is Student Support services. What are you talking about being down to 50 students???? The department Ms. Goff managed was Upward Bound…The Upward Bound Department grant is to serve approximately 85 students. You should not speak if you don’t know what you are talking about because there are serious legal matters involved here and people’s lives are in the balance. If your intention is to help, please attempt to do so in an informed manner. What lady are you talking about? Penny Pricer? Ms. Richardson? Ms. Hukill? Ms. Lundy? Ms. Collier? Who are you slamming here?
Furthermore, just to be sure that everyone is clear…Dr. Joe Wiley, was in on the firing of Ms. Goff from the git-go. Ms. Goff talked to him face to face. Joe Wiley, Michael Turner, and Sheree Hukill were all in conspiracy on this matter. As a student, it is very unlikely that you were or are in a position to know all the facts. I would ask that you please know what you are talking about before you jump in. Your comments are appreciated about the nature and character of Ms. Goff. She is a lovely person and has not deserved what happened to her. However, there are other people left under the iron fist of Ms. Hukill, Penny Pricer, etc. that are suffering badly and hanging on for dear life. Please don’t make things worse for them by adding blather to [edited].
Comment by TO LENE on March 21, 2008 at 9:53 AM
To Lene: Thank you for your comments about Joe Wiley. Yes, Dr. Wiley knew about everything going on in the TRiO Department, and simply tried to detach himself from it.
I would like for everyone to know that there is a connection between Tywone Parks, who was also a student worker in TRiO, and both the legal case involving Ms. Goff and the previous case that was settled. Tywone Parks worked for both of the women in these cases as a student worker and Ms. Hukill would not let them reassign Tywone. Ms. Hukill has always been about protecting herself first, regardless of the cost to anyone else.
If anyone wants to know, Here is how the battle lines shape up in the basement of Prep Hall:
Sheree Hukill’s friends and Defenders: Penny Pricer, Rennah Robinson, Rhonda Cox, Dorothy Mullis, Elizabeth Gordon, Letitia Richardson.
Too new to rate and don’t know which side to take:
Mike Hogan, Paul Fisher
EVERYONE ELSE IN THAT BASEMENT BETTER KEEP THEIR “BUTTS COVERED” (if you haven’t already “worked them off” per the “student worker”) It has been very necessary for several of us to be cautious in our words and behaviors. Ms. Hukill and Ms. Pricer are quite capable of vicious retaliation and personal attacks.
We (The TRiO Department) have just undergone a complete federal audit by the Deputy Director of The Department of Education, Office of Higher Education. A team of high ranking officers interviewed each and every employee and scoured every document pertaining to our programs. We trust the truth will out very quickly, possibly by the end of this week.
An additional word to the student worker…use a bit of discretion…some of what you have said is very wrong and you may not fully understand all the dynamics of what is going on down there. You have said some things that could directly implicate you in tale carrying. Be careful not to get caught in the crossfire through your obvious ignorance.
Comment by Shirley on March 21, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Lene: As one of many people who lodged complaints against Hukill, I can assure you Wiley knew about it all because I did not stop until my grievance reached his office. He is in full support of her decisions; hence, one could logically conclude he supports her methods. Therein lies the real outrage. And what of Michael Turner, perhaps the most duplicitious of all in this tragedy? As Hukill’s immediate supervisor, he turned a blind eye and deaf ear and is primarily responsible.
Comment by To Tyson Wynn on March 21, 2008 at 9:54 PM
You may not be aware that Sheree Hukill is an attorney and has been terminated from her last 2 positions. She is suing each of her former employees, of course, and they have been in the courts for years now. One of the 501(c)3 organizations, an organization that protected and sheltered women whose lives were threatened in domestic violence cases, had to close its doors because of the “mess” and legal fees that Ms. Hukill has involved them in.
Comment by friend on March 22, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Just to add another puzzle piece. In a case a few years ago there was a student, Fellman, who was wrongly expelled (supposedly Wiley et al worried that their computer system was threatened). The student sued in district court and was exonerated but I think it is interesting to note that this student also was employed in the TRIO/Upward Bound program. Wiley and his subordinates’ actions in that student’s case appeared very bizarre.
Comment by Lene on March 22, 2008 at 9:33 AM
So how much federal or state grant money goes through this TRIO/Upward Bound program? And what guidelines are in place to ensure that it is properly used and isn’t embezzled like it was at Southeastern Oklahoma Univ. in Durant several years back?
Comment by Shirley on March 22, 2008 at 12:05 PM
To Lene: Are you referring to the years when Joe Wiley was president of Southeastern?
Comment by Lene on March 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM
According to the many Daily Oklahoman news articles I read, Hibbs was president there and was convicted. I think Mr. Wiley was head of the computer dept. at that time.
Comment by ABOUT TRIO PROGRAMS on March 22, 2008 at 1:30 PM
To answer your TRiO Department questions. There are five (5) separate programs (grants) from the Federal Department of Education. The intention is that each program is to serve a specific purpose and each program is funded, entirely separately from the others. The Upward Bound Grant (Ms. Goff’s program) is to serve students in middle school and high school to prepare them for college entry.
The Student Support Services Program (Ms. Collier) is a mini Student Affairs department to provide support, both academic and cultural, emotional and financial to first generation college students who have been accepted to RSU.
The other programs, Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)(Dr. Velva Agee) and Environmental Science and Math and Talent Search (Jim Finley) are ordained to serve purposes as their names imply.
Herein lies the problem. Ms. Hukill took over the programs approximately 2 1/2 years ago and decided it would be “most efficient” to “combine” them all. She began using the money as though it was one big Santa Sack for her pleasure and micromanaged them thusly. Program Directors were forced to sign invoices and requests that originated out of her office. Program Directors were not allowed to have input to budgets or discretion in expenditures, or even in personnel or wage decisions. Hukill administrative personnel make all decisions. Any rebuttle is considered “treason” and a personal slap to Hukill or Pricer. Employees in each program were promised rewards for “observing and reporting, document, document, document” any stray words or actions on the part of the targeted Program Directors (all of whom are gone now except Ms. (Dr.?) Collier, whom I believe was the subject of the legal action against the school that resulted in the settlement.
The Environmental Science and Math program was lost this year and has not been awarded. Ms. Hukill wrote the grant that was denied for this one. The Talent Search is struggling along but has problems retaining employees. The Upward Bound Program is barely breathing and is deeply troubled. The Student Support Services Program, under the leadership (or attempted but micromanaged leadership of Dr. Collier) is prospering, showing good results with some outstanding student accomplishments, but under fire from Ms. Hukill, Ms. Pricer and a long time employee who has been promised “benefits” if she can help rid the programs of Collier. In other words…dear student…there is a great deal going on that you may not understand. We hope you will not speak again without knowing what can happen as a result of your words.
Comment by Lene on March 22, 2008 at 1:47 PM
to RSU Student Worker:
You say that, “My department went from having 300 active students to now around fifty. Thank goodness they are spending their federal grant of a few million right!!”
Yet KNOW BEFORE YOU SPEAK says, “The Upward Bound Department grant is to serve approximately 85 students.”
To both of you: On what basis are you making these statements? How would someone verify this?
Can anybody verify how many students were ON RECORD of having been “served” over the past 5 years? Is there a possibility of that department having had 300 students on paper, but only 85 in actuality?
After reading about what happened at SEOSU where money was embezzled through false student payroll claims, I am just wondering what safeguards are present at RSU to keep what happened there from happening here.
At SEOSU, there were many scams for which President Hibbs was indicted and later convicted. Over a million dollars was embezzled. The audit at SEOSU had questioned transactions involving regents, employees and Hibbs’ family. From what I remember reading, federal grant money was improperly funneled through a private university foundation.
Other accusations involved Hibbs giving loans to his family, an insurance scam involving a racehorse, purchases of computer equipment and services from a company managed by one of Hibbs’ sons.
An investigative reporter from the Daily Oklahoman Newspaper questioned suspicious activity at SEOSU. It finally resulted in an audit which exposed the corruption.
Comment by ABOUT TRIO PROGRAMS on March 22, 2008 at 2:19 PM
The Upward Bound Program is granted funds to serve 85 students.
The Student Support Services Program is granted funds to serve 300 students.
These are two very distinct programs. The students appears to know, as would be appropriate, the difference. Also as is appropriate, the student is no position to know and should not speak to this. The student, it appears should only speak if he/her can attest to personally being deprived of services or has been maltreated by either of these programs.
Comment by ABOUT TRIO PROGRAMS on March 22, 2008 at 2:34 PM
All the program information is public record and the records are available through the Department of Education Web-site. The programs just went through an exhaustive FEDERAL REVIEW FROM HIGHEST LEVELS at the end of February and the report is due to the RSU administrative early in April. This is public record.
Comment by ABOUT TRIO PROGRAMS on March 22, 2008 at 2:47 PM
As a former Director of one of the TRiO Programs. I can tell you that the Upward Bound program is specifically granted to serve 85 students. These students are not currently being served, per actual interviews from the students.
The Student Services Program is currently serving 300 students, as is specified in their grant.
This information is public knowledge. The student appears to be somewhat confused and may have muddled the information a bit in an already murky stream.
Comment by Lene on March 22, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Thanks for the clarification. Can you explain more about what you mean when you say that “These [85] students are not currently being served, per actual interviews from the students”? I’m not sure I understand what is involved in a student “being served”.
Comment by THE UPWARD PROGRAM on March 22, 2008 at 9:15 PM
YOU WILL NOTICE that we have explained in an earlier posting that the Upward Bound students are middle school and high school students from area schools (some schools in Tulsa and others closer to the Claremore area). These students receive help from the RSU UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM in preparing for acceptance and entry into higher education. They receive testing, academic counseling, encouragement, academic enrichment in the form of summer programs, cultural enrichment, assistance with enrolling, ACT testing, help with their Financial Aid packages and much, much more. This is explained on the Department of Education web-site if you want more information concerning TRiO Upward Bound program offerings. Some students even receive some financial incentives for being a part of the program.
There appears to be some very credible evidence that after Ms. Goff was fired, the new person, Ms. Penny Pricer, dropped the ball BADLY and students were not “served” as described above.
Comment by THE UPWARD PROGRAM on March 22, 2008 at 9:31 PM
It may interest your readers to know, if they haven’t already figured this out…the primary responsibility that Ms. Hukill was given was proper oversight of funds for all the 5 grants to RSU from the Federal Dept of Ed. She instead, chose to be a WIMP and try to win the favor of Wiley, whatever the cost. This woman has sold out every employee of TRiO for her own personal gratification and self-agrandizement. Instead of administering the grants as charged, she micromanages, bullies, has emotional tantrums, and hides. She has her “playground tattle tales” to “tell” if anyone gets out of line (These by name are Penny Pricer, Rennah Robinson, Dorothy Mullis, Elizabeth Gordon).
Several people are in line for the “firing squad” as it has become known in the Prep Hall Basement. We all know who they are…It has now come down now to whether it will be Hukill and Pricer and their crews or those of us still standing, trying to protect and maintain our program integrity.
The Department of Education investigation report should be forthcoming to Dr. Rice early in the month of April. We wait for truth to out and better heads to prevail. We have a great deal of faith in the reputation and valor of Dr. Rice.
Comment by Shirley on March 23, 2008 at 9:58 AM
To the Student Worker: I feel like someone should apologize for the indignant reprimand that followed your comment and for the suggestion that you censor the observations and conclusions you drew as a result of your employment with TRiO. Those of us who’ve had the misfortune of tangling with Sheree Hukill know that she is not above sabatoge on many levels, and her standard practice is to blame subordinates and predecessors for every mistake she makes and every problem she creates. She has coerced others to act according to her own view of the truth. Look at who got the raises and compare with who’s singing her praises. Their salaries are public record, too.
Pledge allegiance to the queen or be excommunicated, exhiled, or exorcised. Perhaps this accounts for the harshly defensive responses you received. When truth is suppressed and free speech is squelched, confusion and murky waters run deep. They flow from the top here where perception is everything, and all that’s important is what things look like on paper. The queen is a tyrant supported by higher powers, all claiming they cannot be sued for wrong doing because they can do no wrong, “Sovereign Immunity.” The hubris that’s in play here is staggering. They claim the same defense as Slobodan Milosevic and Saddam Hussein in their trials for crimes of genocide. That may be fitting as Hukill did a sanctioned cleansing of her own in the TRiO department, but one has to ask, “What are those attornies thinking? Don’t they know what happened to Milosevic and Hussein?” Figuratively speaking, I’m all for history repeating itself.
And that, dear Student Worker, is why you must forgive the obvious overreactions. They are the effect of deep murky waters turning stagnate and diseased. For whatever reason, some of us stayed in the pool too long, adapting. We all wear the stench, but tolerance for it seems to be determined by length of exposure. How long can you hold your nose before you grasp for air and either adjust or die gagging? Subtly, it becomes you. We have all transgressed; no one is correct one hundred percent of the time — not Wiley, or Hukill, or anyone posting remarks here. We all have the right to our own truths. And the truth in this matter is that we are more sinned against than sinning. We should also all be cautious of becoming that which we seek to destroy.
Comment by To those who work at RSU: on March 23, 2008 at 5:04 PM
I have been told that the higher ups keep a tight reign on employees there. I would like to know if this is true:
1. I’ve been told that RSU employees are required to never discuss their office procedures/practices with anyone outside their office and that fear keeps the employees in line with this requirement
2. I’ve been told that there have been a large number of employees that have left employment there but have been required to sign confidentiality agreements in order to receive final paychecks.
Can anyone from RSU verify this? How would a person get a list of names of past employees who have had to sign these confidentiality forms?
How would a person get a list of names of individuals who have sued RSU or threatened to do so (within the labor dept or any dept. other than the district or federal courts) and RSU has settled with them? I would like to know how much money RSU is spending in litigation or in defending itself.
That information should be public information since this is a public institution. I just don’t know what paperwork to ask for or where to go to look for it. As far as the freedom of information act, one must know specifically what paperwork to request.
Comment by To Shirley on March 23, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Shirley: What can you tell us about these programs? Has the information posted so far been accurate or is the student correct? Why do you feel the “student” is wronged? Ordinarily, the students would not be in a position to know a great deal about the federal grant process or the specifications of a specific federal grant, especially the amount of money for each grant…hmmm…wonder who is “guiding” this “student”? One person has suggested that perhaps the student could speak to personal mistreatment or lack of service that should have been provided to him/her? That would be something we would like to know. Thanks
Comment by I work at RSU on March 23, 2008 at 9:09 PM
I am still employed at RSU and I can speak only to my department, TRiO. Ms. Sheree Hukill micromanages 5 grant programs (4) now that she lost one. There have been so many good people that have been fired, bullied, pushed away and humiliated over the past 2 1/2 years since Ms. Hukill came that it is like living with mental illness to come to work every day.
I cannot speak for others at the University in other Departments. I can tell you that in TRiO, we are not allowed to even so much as request a printer cartridge or a light bulb be changed without her permission. We are forbidden to speak to anyone. We are to say only what she allows us to say.
I believe others have mentioned in this communication that a very thorough audit was just completed by the Federal Department of Education and the findings should be out and the recommendations should be presented to Dr. Rice in the next week, no later than 2 weeks. We are waiting for those results. Hopefully, there will be some changes made.
Comment by RSU TRIO Survivor on March 24, 2008 at 10:49 AM
To those trying to “be clear,” its hard if you haven’t been under her reign, as I have. It’s hard to explain if you haven’t seen the decline of student services, from helping hands, to keeping hands away from money so that she and her favorites can get paid more and travel more.
However, I think the federal audit results will show us all a lot….
Sheree Hukill has devestated the careers, futures, and ego of numerous individuals, not the least of which is Tywone Parks, but regardless, I need to say a few things.
1) Ms. Hukill (and she is not a doctor, although refers to herself as such) has no compassion or desire to help first generation and/or low income students. Before her reign of terror, student success was priority….now, she is.
2) Ms. Hukill is extremely abusive to her employees. Ms. Hukill belittles people, threatens them, and uses her physical presence to intimidate. Employees used to go home and cry, but now I think we’re just mad…mad at the loss of such fantastic programs, mad at being abused, mad at the unviersity for turning a blind eye, mad at her minons who are paid enough to ignore the abuse of their fellow co-workers
3) Ms. Hukill insists on blaming others for her mistakes, failing to admit even the most minor of infractions, using her employees as scapegoats, and ultimately using them as sacrifices.
4) Ms. Hukill’s former employer was also aware of the abuse, and continues to participate in a lawsuit in which some say Ms. Hukill lost a very important grant…and then was hired by RSU to run millions of dollars worth of grants???
5) Instead of coming in and reviewing the TRIO Programs and revamping what could be better, she decided she was better, and thus threw out 10 + years worth of work, and guess what….within 3 years she lost the Upward Bound Math/Science grant which had been in effect prior to 1996!!! Then, imagine this, said it was the prior administrations fault….that doesn’t even make sense since Brock Rutledge hadn’t been there for 2+ years….
6) Ms. Hukill makes everyone mark each and every hour/minute on their calendars, and yet, spends most of her time in “private” meetings, or spending TRIO dollars to travel around to meetings, taking friends and/or family…of course, since her partner can’t fly, she drives across country on TRIO’s dollar.
7) At this point I personally know of four Upward Bound Seniors that have not enrolled for college, have had to go to other sources and/or not complete their financial aid because the program is no longer actively helping them with college enrollment. Actually, once the program did start towards the end of the first semeseter, the students, many of which have parents that either don’t have cars are don’t care, are now supposed to find their own ride to meetings that take place ONCE per month. The average Upward Bound, and the Upward Bound before Ms. Ashlock and Ms. Goff were fired, met 3-4 times per month, and that was not counting senior meetings/outings, personal consultations, etc….and I have been given schedules from old Upward Bound programs under the direction of Ms. Goff, and so I can say with all honesty this is the truth.
I hate being negative….I hate being angry….I hate watching students suffer that are supposed to be helped…I hate watching the TRIO programs fail under tryanny…and yet, most monarchs fall, as this one will….
RSU TRIO Survivor
Comment by Glad I am gone on March 24, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Unfortunately, most of the good people have left the TRIO Programs because of Hukill, Collier and Pricer. It is a shame these women came in and destroyed excellent programs and ran off some of the best students on the RSU campus.
Comment by Shirley on March 24, 2008 at 9:59 PM
I do not know the student worker and I have been removed from the situation for over a year. As for your implication that the “student” is either not a student at all or is a student being “guided” by some mysterious “who,” please notice there’s a lot of cloaking going on. Am I not the only one using my actual name? I’m sure anyone familiar with the TRiO horror story knows who I am and what I did, some version of it, at any rate. I was a fairly early casualty who would not go quietly into that good night. While some resigned, some retired, at least one filed a lawsuit, and some stuck it out by trying to adapt, I appealed.
Others will have to speak of federal regulations and grant award amounts and “de-funding,” as I’ve rid my head of all that trivia. For me, there is a larger concern, a bigger issue than the mismanagement of federal funds — that’s a given. We all know it because we all participated in it; we had to. “Get on board or go away.”
I found the admonition by “Know Before You Speak” that the “Student Worker” was “wrong, inappropriate, misguided, and adding blather” to be reminiscent of a Hukill tirade, and that’s a big part of what I want stopped.
I don’t know if the student worker is a real student or not, but he or she should be given the same benefit of the doubt as anyone else. There are others commenting who may also be “guided.” How do we know you aren’t one?
I may not be saying what you want to hear, as possibly the student worker did not, and you may not agree with all my opinions, but isn’t this a forum for open debate? Must we all be of the same mind on every issue? Shouldn’t we afford others the courtesy we expect? Can’t we be better than Sheree Hukill, or is the damage too extensive?
Comment by Very curious on March 25, 2008 at 11:09 AM
What is Collier’s role in this. We understood she was one of the people who filed suit against RSU and Hukill. We know for a fact that she has been attacked by Hukill on more than one occasion because, BEEN THERE AND SEEN IT! What do you have on her? Seems like it may be difficult to know who is on what side, especially since Hukill pit employees against each other! What about the other: Dorothy Mullis? Elizabeth Gordon? Rennah Roberts? WHEN IS THIS EVER GOING TO BE MADE RIGHT? How will anyone how how to make it right? I hope some innocent, hard working people are not hurt even more by all this.
Just Curious
Comment by Glad I am gone on March 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Collier is just as crazy as Hukill and Pricer. Hukill has chased off numerous wonderful staff members and replaced them with her own pawns, Collier being one of them. It is unfortunate that good people like Dorothy Mullis was overlooked for a promotion, in which Hukill brought Collier on board. Wow, has that backfired for her!!! Collier has managed to drag SSS down to but claims it is all Hukill’s fault. Collier had no experience in TRIO programs before her debut at RSU and pushed away all the good students. Students did file a sexual harrassment claim against her because she treated students poorly and was very demeaning to them. This was overlooked by Hukill which what goes around comes around.
Comment by QUESTION FOR GLAD on March 26, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Did these people do something personally to you? It’s interesting. I’d like to know specifically how Collier “dragged down the SSS Program”…Do you know it for a fact or are you repeating something you heard? Is that something the Dept of Ed needs to know? What exactly did Hukill and Pricer to do that is illegal or immoral?
Just Curious
Comment by Im Still in TRiO so I know on March 26, 2008 at 1:21 PM
I am still a student at RSU and a participant in the Student Support Services Program. Before I came to Rogers, I was a participant in the Upward Bound Program. Both of these programs have been a real blessing to my life.
Several of my friends came into the UpWard Bound Program during the time Ms. Goff was there and some entered the program when she left…when Ms. Pricer was there. Ms. Goff is a nice lady who seemed to take real interest in helping students. Ms. Pricer is completely a freak. I don’t know how else to say it and I guess that is not very nice, but, my friends say she has no way to relate to us kids at all. She came in with no experience working with kids and she has no kids of her own. She is a computer programmer or something like that.
As far as Student Support Services goes, I know that Ms. Collier and Ms. Mullis treat me real good. They honestly care about me and have gone out of their way to check on me, give me money when I needed it out of their own pockets and made sure I was doing good on my grades. I have been on several trips with them and it is always a great atmosphere. I know for a fact Ms. Collier got into with some of the older students (people in the fraternity) and they accused her of “harassing” them…seems kind of strange since she’s sort of old (I don’t mean that bad..but..) and the guys saying she was harassing them are old too like 40 or something. I know for the truth that the deal there was she wouldn’t let them drink and hang out in the bar on trips.
They had a lot of loud exchanges about that..She got into it with them and with Kellie Schultz, their friend that used to work there. I never saw her do anything but good work. Ms. Mullis was good to be with to and I think they just got mad because she wouldn’t let them bully the other students and people around like that had been doing before Ms. Collier came. She is tough with them but…Hey, some of those kids are tough too and she can be a lot of fun…she just doesn’t put up with a lot of stuff and she really thinks you ought to come to class and do good on grades. She made Jenny do her speech, even when Jenny said she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t let those older boys be mentors because she felt like they didn’t set a good example and because she said they weren’t fit to be tutors til they learned to read… HA that made them realy mad and they went to Dean Turner and complained a lot about her. Dr. Turner always took their side because he was national president of the Pikes fraternity or something like that so he thought they were great. But, I don’t know all about that stuff. I can say that I don’t know why anybody thinks Student Support is DRAGGED DOWN! I am in there every day and they have new computers, the fastest on campus, there are study groups going on all the time, they take great trips, go to concerts, and are expected to behave. I think it’s great but, maybe there is some stuff I don’t know about. I don’t see how anybody thinks Ms. Collier and Ms. Mullis have pushed away the good students. I just don’t think that’s true. I’m a good student and my friends are good students. We have had some really good tutoring down there..a lot better than when Berglund and Dan Hardt were hanging out down there with their dirty mouths. Anyway…that’s my view.
Comment by Dear Glad I'm gone on March 26, 2008 at 1:44 PM
We are glad you are gone too.
Comment by OH MY GOODNESS SHIRLEY! on March 27, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Shirley: You have such hatred and angst and seem to be so emotionally invested in this situation. You say the Student services program is “dragged down” because of Collier who tries to blame it all on Hukill and you have further enlightened us that all these people are CRAZY! My goodness… You have at length talked in high flutey tones about these insane people being on irate tirades…my goodness Shirley… Wonder what the truth is. It seems to be somewhere in all of this…In the meantime…what needs to be done to make it right? What needs to be done to see that Joe Wiley, Michael Turner and Sheree Hukill get what is their just desserts? Some students say the Upward Bound Program is ruined…you seem to concentrate on the SSS Program which students say is going well. Hmmmm Shirley you must just feel awful…My goodness!
Comment by RSU TRIO Survivor on March 27, 2008 at 2:08 PM
It’s sad….just a few years ago, none of us would have been accusing anyone of pushing down the programs, because they were ran by people that LOVED them, LOVED the students…..
One common theme: Sheree Hukill’s arrival.
Keep that in mind.
I agree that Dorothy and Jody love the students, and work hard to provide. At the very least, they don’t actively attempt to destroy the program, or the self-esteem of others.
I comment Shirley for being brave enough to use her real name, and I would hope anyone that is no longer working for TRIO programs will, but those of us still invovled in some way, like me, simply can’t until the final decision is made.
So many good people now gone, but even more importantly, so many good students, particularly UB students were effort has to be made to see them, are going unserved due to elaborate spending on personal favorites of the director, such as business trips, nice office furniture, and personal gain.
Those on the side of TRIO, let’s work together. Hukill is the culprit, and I truly believe that once she’s gone, her cronies will quickly follow, and/or won’t last long among the “True” Trio Employees with love/compassion for the programs.
Comment by Shirley on March 27, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Unlike others, I’ve only posted under the one name, the one I’m not hiding behind. You have mistakenly attributed another’s remarks as mine, or you have misquoted me and misinterpreted my intent, or you can’t read. I’ve said not a word about SSS or blamed anyone other than Hukill and Turner and Wiley, and now I’m being attacked? Sounds like someone needs a little conflict resolution. Maybe you’ll get some help at the next staff development meeting. If you’re a current employee, you are certainly making things worse by getting the facts wrong. But then again, that seems to be the norm these days. You are clearly disturbed and part of the problem.
Comment by Shirley on March 28, 2008 at 3:06 PM
It seems the queen has been dethroned. OH HAPPY DAY!
Comment by So what is the connection? on March 28, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Did Hukill have ties with Joe Wiley before coming to RSU like so many have?
What ever happened in the case where Ryan Parris, the x-comptroller there accused Wiley and Tom Volturo of being involved with illegal travel vouchers?
Comment by Shirley on March 28, 2008 at 7:37 PM
It’s been reported that the queen will be pursuing “other professional opportunities,” and in related news, Cinderella found her slipper.
Comment by Shirley on March 28, 2008 at 9:11 PM
And in the end, who weeps for the queen? But more importantly, who says he respects her? None other than the subject of this blog, what a coincidence! Can we get back to him now?
Comment by RSU TRIO Survivor on March 29, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Shirley, don’t worry, you’re not there anymore,and I know you are so deeply attached to the future of those affected by those programs, and your time and effort should be greatly commended…I am sorry that there are so many rumors, and we have to continue to attach one another, as I noted earlier….Shirley, like the rest of us, is trying to support the programs, without being present…and only has the knowledge of what she saw/heard before she left, and what she sees/hears now….
Finally, however, Penny is gone, Sherre is on her way out “pursing other options” or whatever…doesn’t mean she won’t continue to attempt to savatoge any that were involved, not in making her resign, but in truth, helping expose the truth behind her “leadership” if you can call it that….
Just so glad its over and we can now begin attempting to save the programs, or those there that care can. I worry about upward bound because whats left for it cares little about the kids..ETS has some great workers, andn hopefully they’ll actually do better without the false ‘leadership” they were recieving before
This is a huge step foward in our efforts to see the RSU Trio programs restored to their pre-hukill greatness….and they were great.
Comment by TO THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT TRiO on March 30, 2008 at 8:58 AM
This message was posted to TRiO survivors within our community: I am sharing here with you to show you some of the thoughts in an attempt to solicit prayers, and gravitas.
We will have to all come together to make the best of this situation.
However, we also must be practical. Dr. Rice: Has the University
taken steps to protect the integrity of what remains? Records, memos,
databases, etc can be purged, altered, and compromised. This happened
already as those of us inside know. Proving it after the fact will be
a gut wrenching process. She has experience with this and many of us
in our nievete do not. Some of us have been quite gullible.
The QUEEN has a stinger in her tail and SHE WILL USE IT as witnessed
by her history of attacks on previous employers and those she believes
wronged her. Those of you who think that acting “hurt” and “crying”
and “sulking” is an effective defense, need to consider which side you
are now on and be there with all your might. If you are going to stay
in, choose integrity.
Choose to fight for the integrity of our programs. Dr. Rice has
pledged his support. We know there is a learning curve that may never
have been embarked upon by Wiley. This school and this community
deserve better. We have excellent resources with the COE and with the
Dept of Ed. We will be in contact with Julia Tower and with Jayne
Jarrow. We all should remain in prayer for each other and our
students. The end is not here yet. We have not seen the end.
Comment by Lene on March 31, 2008 at 3:12 PM
The statement made previously, “Records, memos, databases, etc can be purged, altered, and compromised. This happened already as those of us inside know. Proving it after the fact will be a gut wrenching process” indicates a concern which I hope will be taken seriously. I hope all precautions are taken so that no documentation disappears and that back-ups are being made. One would hope that the Board of Regents or others in authority would have integrity in this matter, however, precautions should be taken in case these things are swept under the rug instead of being critically examined.
Comment by WHAT ABOUT MS. GOFF? on April 8, 2008 at 4:17 PM
To some of you still “in” the basement of Prep Hall at RSU, what is going to happen to pull all this together for the TRiO Programs? Can the Directors now be allowed to manage their own programs? Are there any program directors left? Who is in charge of these programs now? What are the chances that Ms. Goff will be reinstated? Is the report you spoke about forthcoming?
We recently had an opportunity to visit with students from the SSS Program and were told by more than one of them that they have been very active in that program and feel it’s meeting the needs of many students on campus, both academically and culturally. They seemed very supportive of the staff, including Ms.(Dr.?) Collier.
The Upward Bound Program folks have been in contact with the high school I work with and they seem to be making an effort to recruit and gear up for the summer program. I have personally met Mr. Hogram (?) and one of the counselors and was impressed with them.
As a community member, I hope for the best for the students in all this. There is quite a lot of interest out here. Hope everyone knows that. We want to see the right things done for these students and for the good people trying to keep them in good shape. Please don’t let this communication vehicle slow to a stop. Inspite of the good, bad and “blather” it’s important to keep us in on the movement of this grass roots effort to make a wrong into a right.
Comment by WHAT ARE THEY THINKING on April 9, 2008 at 9:37 AM
We understand that Ms. Hukill has been left in her position at RSU and will remain on campus for several more weeks!? Can that be true? What of the records that she has in her soul possession? WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?
What of her “friends” who had “expectations” and are now without support? Can these folks finally get past the chips on their shoulders and stop the back biting and grudge matches and try to move forward? Can they stop trying to stir up trouble and get on with actually doing a good job? specifically, the people who were working directly with Hukill and Pricer (Robinson, Gordon, Philpott) What about Dorothy Mullis who will never forget that she was not promoted and given a director position? Rumors of “coup” abound…there are as many stories of “I’ll get her if it’s the last thing I do” as there are old employees! Sounds like they need a complete shuffle of human resources in that basement to ever get past the mess. WHEN IS MARILYN GOFF COMING BACK? Is the “firing squad” still active? Are some of these folks ever going to get past the “gotcha” mindset? Honestly, can’t some of you people grow up a bit? Surely at some point the new administration is going to get purely sick of the law suit threats and constant bitter hatred. People, if you hate the folks you are working with…maybe you should move on and give the place a breath of fresh air! How many monsters have to be killed before you shut the heck up?
Comment by Anybody still interested in this on April 9, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Rogers State University TRiO Department
Educational Opportunity Center - $592,789.00 = 3,300 participants served. Contact for further info Dr. Velva Agee (vagee@cox.net)
Educational Talent Search -$298,564 = 750 participants served. contact for further info Ms. Marilyn Goff (mimigoff@gmail.com)
Upward Bound – $422,286.00 = 85 participants served. Mike Hogan (mhogan@rsu.edu) or (mimigoff@gmail.com)
Student Support – $352,150 (X 5 years) Jody Collier (jcollier@rsu.edu)
Comment by Tyson Wynn on April 9, 2008 at 3:58 PM
I would venture that the areas with Marilyn Goff listed as contacts need to be updated, as Ms. Goff is no longer employed by RSU, hence the lawsuit for wrongful termination.
Comment by Anybody still interested in this on April 10, 2008 at 7:16 AM
WHEN IS Tom Volturo going to leave…can heaven wait?
Comment by Just one more note to each of you on April 20, 2008 at 3:16 PM
It has been an interesting study in human relations to see how people responded to what I shall call the “situation” with the TRiO Programs here at RSU. The bottom line comes down to this: the way people have treated each other. At RSU we have a new slogan…It’s PERSONAL.
Perhaps, now that Wiley is gone, people won’t have to feel so personally threatened, so personally intimidated, afraid or insecure about their jobs. There are good people in these TRiO programs, just trying to do the best they can. Words have been said that have hurt. Actions have damaged people forever. There are some people left there who are hurt, struggling and yet, hopeful.
How will it begin to heal? Can anyone help us answer that? What are the plans? Surely, now, the gossiping will stop. Perhaps the constant looking out for inuendo, slight, a person to accuse, a reason to blame, a word or deed that can build a suit against you or a case against me! Please, please, can we just please stop it. Good people are struggling. Please, those of you left in Hukill’s administrative office, those of you left in the other programs that are struggling, those of you left in Student Support, and Upward Bound, can you find a way to move past this? Perhaps you have been too long in the programs. Nobody can decide that, but you. Some of you have been there a long, long time and are very frightened and critical of many things. Sometimes, it is best just to move on. Start new while you can to find a new beginning.
To some of you who left the programs earlier. It is a pity that we, each of us, lost you. There is so much talent gone. Mr. Baldridge, Mr. Finley, Velva Agee, Debra Riddle, Ms. Goff. So many other good people who either chose to leave or were terribly and wrongly drivin out. Surely Ms. Goff will now, finally receive some sort of justice in this. She is not the only person who was wrongly treated by Hukill. There were terrible things done to people that will be hurt emotionally and financially, forever because of the conditions that were allowed to fester here. Michael Turner and Dr. Wiley appear to have escaped with no problem. They are well gone.
Can you other people that were not sued or fired just take a breath, yes, you were hurt but be thankul you didn’t have to go through what some others did. Please try to be more gentle with each other…can you find some compassion and not be so hard on the people who really, really had their lives damaged!
Can you now realize the storm is passing and you need to now find a way to get the summer programs off to a great start and serve these deserving students? Can you please stop the gossiping! I have personally heard some of the most outrageous things from people who couldnot possibly know what they are speaking about. This has to stop. Can you please just stop!? Students are carrying tales of things they have little knowledge of fact to support. Staff people are talking about each other in such hurtful ways. Everyone seems to have a reason to hire a lawyer. With every slight and every hurt, a lawyer seems to be lurking around the corner to yank an end to someone’s career. How terrible.
We wish all the best to Dr. Wiley…yes, he is difficult to understand…We wish all the best to Sheree Hukill…she is to be pitied and perpetually feels she is the victim. Her history has shown that she will try to harm each of us that she feels has hurt her…perhaps she will hurt us, but…the only way to keep that from happening is for us TOGETHER to do the best we can for our students, each and every day. They are gone now. The semester is ending. There is a new day in sight. New students are waiting…just a few weeks away for our example.
Please, please let’s all stop and try to begin again. Today, April 21, is a new day. We are not monsters. We are not evil. We have just been frightened and insecure. We have acted in some less than perfect human ways. Let’s pledge together to begin again, together. We can do some really, really good things…together. Let’s start TODAY!
Comment by Anna Olson on April 20, 2008 at 4:53 PM
I would like the email address of Marilyn Goff-
I have mimigoff@gmail.com is that correct??
thank you
Comment by Contact for Ms. Goff? on April 20, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Ms. Goff’s Attorney is Brendan McHugh…perhaps you can contact her there.
Comment by Anna why don't you just try it!? on April 28, 2008 at 8:27 AM
Who are you and, if you want to contact Ms. Goff, why not try the e-mail address you have? Is there no logic and sanity left in Claremore anymore? Maybe Wylie took it with him? HA!
Comment by Marilyn Goff is needed here on April 30, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Is there any chance of having the Progress develop some interest in what is going on at RSU? Where is Marilyn Goff?
Comment by A Olson on May 6, 2008 at 8:33 AM
Would like some info on what has happened to
the Bit by Bit Program? Is it still up and
running and who is in charge?
Comment by T Coop on May 8, 2008 at 7:36 PM
The Bit By Bit program is still up and running. They have had transitions this year but all have been for the positive. The new director is Dr. Velinda Baker. They do such a good job with these children and their families.
Comment by Lene on May 11, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Anyone know who lives in that beautiful log home on the Bit-by-Bit property? Does that person provide general oversight of the Bit by Bit program, is he the gardener or what? What are his job responsibilities and does he make a salary or does he just get free housing?
Comment by A Olson on May 12, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I understand Tommy Wylie–(son of Joe) lives in
the log house-free housing-by being the grounds
keeper–His job responsibitities and salary do not know. Does anyone.
Comment by Lene on May 12, 2008 at 4:21 PM
I did a little research. According to the Dec. 05 OU Regents’ minutes, Pres. Wiley requested permission to purchase additional acreage for RSU’s Bit -by-bit horse program which included a metal building with living quarters. He reasoned that “by obtaining this property, the institution will not have to build a caretaker house and can eliminate one storage building from its master construction plan.
My question: So why did they build that huge new log home when Wiley’s reasoning was that they wouldn’t have to build a caretaker house?
According to the 12/05 OU Regents Minutes:
ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY – RSU
The University has the opportunity to acquire approximately 2.97 acres of land next to University property for the new Equestrian Center. This land has existing structures located on it that can be used immediately for the Equestrian Center. The primary structure is a metal building, approximately 40′ x 60′. It has space for storage of equipment and tractors, and has living quarters of approximately 900 square feet to accommodate a caretaker living onsite. By obtaining this property, the institution will not have to build a caretaker house and can eliminate one storage building from its master construction plan .
The Board of Regents policy 4.13 requires the Board to approve the acquisition of all real property as required to satisfy the mission of the University.
The University administration has followed the guidelines of the Board of Regents in determining that the property is needed for future expansion, protecting and securing the perimeter of University property, is contiguous to existing University property, and will be used in conjunction with the new Equestrian Center.
President Wiley recommended the Board of Regents:
Authorize President Wiley to acquire a tract of land approximately 2.97 acres, and a metal building containing a shop and apartment in Rogers County,…
Authorize the President or his designee to obtain independent appraisals on the property with the understanding the University’s share of the purchase price will not exceed the independent appraisal or average of the appraisals;
Authorize the President or his designee to accept private moneys to pay for any difference between the appraisals and the purchase price;
According to a Claremore Progress article March 10, 2007 “The new [Bit-by-Bit] center also has a resident facility caregiver, Tommy Wiley.”
Comment by A Olson on May 13, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Do not know about job description for facility
caregiver?? but maybe Dir Velinda Baker or Pam
Switala-Equine Manager could help you. So are
saying they built a log house besides the 40×60
shed. What is in their master plan?? a olson
Comment by Lene on May 13, 2008 at 9:05 PM
I’m just curious about that really nice looking log home – is that the caretaker’s residence? It sure doesn’t look like the “a metal building with [900 square foot]living quarters” a purchase that was supposed to save money by eliminating the need for building a caretaker house.
If that log home is the caretaker’s residence, exactly what does he do in his caretaker’s position,what does he get paid (this should be public knowledge since it is state funds, right?)and what benefits come with the job? I expect that it comes with free housing?
Comment by Rennah and Rhonda and Dorothy and Elizabeth need to go on May 15, 2008 at 9:16 AM
They have brought the programs down around their ears with their evil lies, bitterness, rancor and hatred. They have sold us out
Comment by A Olson on May 15, 2008 at 12:35 PM
What positive transitions took place at the
Bit by Bit Program–does anyone know–please
inform.
Comment by to Anna Olson on May 30, 2008 at 7:56 AM
Yes, you can contact Ms. Goff at mimigoff@gmail.com
Comment by count down to GONE on June 17, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Joe Wiley will be gone by the end of the month. The TRiO Department is in complete disarray. This is your tax money folks. Does anyone care? Does anyone care that Marilyn Goff was fired after 15 years? Does anyone care that Wiley and Joe Volturo were using federal money to glorify their own cause? Does anyone care that good people are being bullied? Does anyone care that investigations turned up wrong things but Wiley wiggled out with a legalistic reply that is still not resolved and nobody can talk about it? Who cares!
Comment by A Olson on June 19, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Still would like info on the bit by bit program
and about the good person that got bullied there.
Wiley,Joe, Sharon and many more on federal money
you are right Who Cares
Comment by A Olson on June 25, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Does anyone really know what went on with RSU and
the bit by bit program–was everything wiggled out
and nobody can talk about it.
Comment by a new VP has been announced on June 29, 2008 at 6:34 AM
Rumors abound that a new VP has been announced but, nothing formal as of now. The new “man” will start in September. Joe Wiley left a mess here. He let Sheree Hukill do as she pleased. He could have not cared less about students involved in the TRiO Programs. The bickering women, the petty feuds, the tattling little nits were not his concern.
Prediction: The Department of Education was asked to investigate the situation in the TRiO Department at RSU. There was enough evidence of wrong-doing that the Deputy Chief of Higher Education and his staff came personally and stayed a full week. When they left, they made it clear there were negative findings. When they presented their report to Joe Wiley and Larry Rice, people dropped off like flies. Sheree Hukill was given 2 weeks to write the response as to how to “clean up” the mess or how to “dispose” of the “problems” and, so, in her bitterness and in tragic vindication, she responded in a way that took the programs down. Joe Wiley could not care less. He let her response speak for the University. How many hundreds of thousands? Millions? of dollars have been lost because of this? If it were not for the law suits and charges being investigated, we would already know. Shame on you Joe Wiley. Shame on you.
If Larry Rice does not do something positive about this to amend the situation with the Department of Ed, then, shame on him as well. The woman he put in as interim appears to be an honest person but has no knowledge of the true nature of TRiO programs and has little desire to know. She appears to be an honest person but quickly fell into the notion that she should “hold the fort” and keep the “status-quo” that Sheree Hukill had set in place. Why should she not? As far as she knew, Sheree was doing Gods work and Wiley certainly told her no different. What Hath God Wrought?
Comment by whistleblower or not? on June 29, 2008 at 6:44 AM
Marilyn Goff entered into mediation with RSU. Tom Volturo is running the show. It did not go well. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. The Wiley/Volturo/RSU team has firmly stood their ground and defended their well earned reputation for nastiness, lack of regard for civil rights, arrogance, and bullying. I am aware of the writing on this blog concerning the investigations of the Department of Ed. There is a strong line of truth here. Perhaps the Office of the Inspector General could help? As someone has suggested before…Does anyone care? It’s only your tax dollars and it’s only our comunity, and it’s only our school, and it’s only right? Does anyone care?
Comment by PLEASE BELIEVE THIS on June 29, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Tom Volturo and Joe Wiley are not working individually. They are a team. I’d like to know more about this Tom Volturo person and where he came from. What is his background and how many of these scandals has he “puppet mastered?”
Is anyone going to look into this? I’ve seen 3 cases now where Volturo is the guiding force. Folks, this vulture is still going to be with us…even when the doorknob catches Wiley in the rear! What is up with this? How many of our tax dollars have been spent on their mowing “machine” Marilyn Goff’s case is just downright pure evil and these guys need to be cured of this stuff in some way.
Please, please, can anybody? somebody? help us?
Comment by I read the Daily Oklahoman, not the Claremore Progress on June 30, 2008 at 9:05 PM
You ask, “I’d like to know more about this Tom Volturo person and where he came from. What is his background…” Previous to working at RSU, Tom Volturo apparantly worked as an auditor in the state auditor’s office – perhaps he and Joe Wiley became friends when Volturo helped investigate Southeastern Ok State Univ. in Durant. Just go into the archived articles of the Daily Oklahoman and read the articles about when the state and Feds were investigating SEOSU. This investigation revealed accusations against Mr. Hibbs, SEOSU’s president, of extensive mismanagement/embezzlement of funds and using his family members to funnel a lot of the university funds into his own pockets (Hibbs was convicted). The news articles that describe the creative methods by which state money made its way into Hibbs personal use is fascinating reading, it involved insurance scams, student aid falsification and redirection of that money, the hiring of family members and computer purchases from Hibbs’ son’s computer business as well as others.
I believe Wiley was director of the computer department at SEOSU at that time. A few years ago, allegations were made by RSU’s x-comptroller, Mr. Parris, against Volturo and Wiley (allegations of falsification of documents to cover illegal travel vouchers) but the lawsuit was dismissed based on the Judge’s determination that the Whistleblower Act did not protect University employees, so the allegations were not pursued.
Comment by An investigation would be nice. on July 1, 2008 at 6:24 AM
You think Marilyn Goff’s case is just downright pure evil and these guys need to be cured of this stuff and you want help?
There is an avenue that can be pursued. It is a Grand Jury investigation. Her case is just one of several at RSU over the past few years.
Also, more than just the TRIO people have complained about having no control over their own budgets and grant money, — complaints that they were required to obtain state and federal grants for their department, but then never saw how it was allocated. Talk to the previous director of the distance learning dept., the fellow who headed up the RSU Bartlesville branch, or the previous director of the RSU radio. Interestingly they no longer work there.
I think the administration’s control of the grant money is highly unusual, but even more unusual is the repeated complaint that Wiley required so many people who left the employment at RSU to sign confidentiality statements – many of these people worked in financial areas. These people were intimidated and still maintain secrecy today because of concern about legal ramifications if they violate their “confidentiality” agreement. I do not see how this is legal, yet….??
A lot of questions have been raised and a lot of people have been hurt over the last few years and there is still a lot of fear of retaliation even though Wiley will be leaving.
RSU’s presence in this community is highly political. Stratton Taylor, (the previous Senate pro-tem) – his wife works at RSU in the admin building. If I’m not mistaken, I believe that his partner, Burrage (also a Rogers Co politician) – his wife also works there. So complaining to the legislature is probably not going to accomplish much. Since the State Auditor’s office has come into disrepute with the recent conviction of one there, I doubt that going there would be much help. You could try going the State Regents, but I know that has been tried too without results. Lawsuits just get settled and no one is the wiser.
I believe our community deserves a Grand Jury investigation into the financial dealings at RSU – a much broader investigation than just the TRIO dept. Even if this new president is great, we need to know about the past and get it rectified. We all deserve answers. Things should not be swept under the rug in hopes that we are in for better times. But the community, particularly those who work at RSU, have to care enough to go for it. So far, many of the people at RSU have been intimidated or more concerned about their own job security, in spite of seeing wrongs. A Grand Jury investigation would protect those people who would be willing to talk. Until people are willing to come forward and risk their own personal comfort though, all will go on as usual and no one will be held accountable.
Getting a Grand Jury investigation can be initiated by individuals – a certain number of signatures are required on a petition. It is an avenue for individuals who suspect high-level corruption. A lot of people may be willing to come forward and tell their story if they have this kind of protection.
Comment by A Olson on July 1, 2008 at 2:19 PM
How many RUS employees have been paid off and keep
quite out of fear. Your right not just the trio,
how about the bit by bit program??Pam?? and
former director– thats all being swepted under
the rug. Should really start asking questions
about that situation.
Comment by Tyson Wynn on July 2, 2008 at 8:47 AM
A Olson,
It seems to me that you may have some info that you could share about the Bit by Bit program. Why not help me out a bit…
Comment by I read the Daily Oklahoman not the Claremore Progress on July 2, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Okay, you said to ask questions. I have a few: Is anyone employed there related to Joe Wiley or any other well-paid state employee from RSU or otherwise? Who is the care-taker at the RSU Bit-by-Bit program, what are their qualifications for the job, what are his/her duties and what is he/she paid from the RSU or Bit-by-Bit budget, (including perks such as house and/or vehicle?)? About how many hours does this person work care-taking the facility and does he/she also happen to also work for a construction firm that gets state contracts? Also, who is living in the new log cabin on that facility grounds?
Has any horse that was heavily insured died mysteriously? (I think I remember reading an article regarding the Hibbs investigation at SEOSU in Durant where that was reported to have happened.)
Comment by Tom Volturo? on July 2, 2008 at 3:36 PM
What do we know about this man?
Comment by THE INTIMIDATOR on July 3, 2008 at 4:15 PM
If anyone is interested in some detail…Volturo seems to have a “history” of lining up low paid, easily intimidated women to carry out the will of Joe Wiley and Volturo is the ultimate string puller…the money bag guy. Anybody want to comment on that? You know it’s true…come on Tom..jump right in and said it ain’t so. Who you gonna go for now Tom? Some other weak woman who is afraid to stand up against RSU and you and Wiley? Big bad boys…who you gonna go for now?
Comment by Like to Know on July 4, 2008 at 6:14 PM
I would sure like to know what Mr. Volturo and Mr. Joe Wiley have to say about what the old RSU comptroller (Mr. Paris) accused them of doing. All that stuff about getting illegal travel vouchers and changing the documents and all. It seems to me that when a person in a taxpayer-funded job who has a hold on the money bags gets accused of financial fraud, then the accused person ought to have to give an answer to the tax payers and someone ought to investigate and see if it is true.
Comment by Fellman, Goff, several others on July 4, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Yes, Volturo has been behind the scenes in several cases. Pretty man Turner has not enough brain cells to ignite a fight. He only “looks” the part and will carry forth quite well in Wiley’s old haunts. Beware the Vulture Man. He already has designs on the ring leader of the RSU Save TRiO bit…he is circing as we speak.
The OIG has pistol at the ready…let’d see what happens folks…let’s hide and watch. It’s sickening is what it is. We are not done with Wiley until Volturo is gone
Comment by Office of the Attorney General Department of Education (OIG) on July 6, 2008 at 6:27 AM
There is someone who knows but is very afraid to speak and will only do so under a subpoena
Mr. Brock Rutledge, the former Executive Director of TRiO Programs. Afraid to speak..got it? Volturo is the snack in the basket. Anybody care?
Comment by We agree about Volturo on July 6, 2008 at 6:32 AM
As we understand it, Volturo has been behind settlement negotiations in each and every case since Wiley took control here. Folks, more than one person is afraid to say a word about any of this. “Things” happen to people. Ask Hibbs, ask Paris, Pam, Brock, Fellman, Lawless, Jan, Goff, go ahead, if you can find them…ask..but, they won’t talk. As long as Volturo is there, they won’t talk. Is Mark Meaders someone trustworthy? Who knows…he’s under Volturo.
Comment by Wiley is too busy on July 6, 2008 at 6:38 AM
Wiley is never the hands on guy. Volturo does the “paper work” Wiley is the mouth. This stinks big, big time. There are things in the Financial Aid office that smell to high heaven. We have tried to trigger an investigation but somebody, somewhere has “blocked” every attempt. Boren? Volturo? seems to be higher somewhere…not sure… I don’t think we know the half of it. One half we do know has to do with Volturo.
Comment by Wiley is too busy on July 6, 2008 at 6:39 AM
Some of you better be aware that Volturo can get your but fired. People fall off around that place life dandruff…has anyone noticed? Look at the DOE report…47.3% of the personnel turned over in 2 years? Hmm…. Anybody want to look at HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT? We can recommend a good lawyer!
Comment by I'm still here but worn out on July 6, 2008 at 6:54 AM
This week we heard a rumor that Jim Finley was contacted about the possibility of taking over the reins of the Executive Director of TRiO position. Anyone else hear that? If he does, he knows where the skeletons are buried, however, not sure what he would do with the Volturo situation. One thing is sure, there are some women in that office that have bad cases of gossip, back-stabbing and down right nasty little close minded crapola. Every document, every phone call, every conversation goes through Rhonda Cox and Rennah Robinson. It’s their party and it’s their friends. If the department of ed defunds these grants, Rhonda, Rennah, Dorothy, Elizabeth…all of you are going to be in the same boat as the rest of us…shoeleather on the street lookin for a hand up and a hand out. Keep it up ladies. see who else you can run off. Read the report and weep. Just because you have played your little minor role of “under dog” for Dr. Schoenefeld and for Linda Andrews and oh, poor you, poor you! Go lay down and let your pups suck why don’t you! Your petty little sniffing and pouting and piousness is nothing short of pitiful. We could be working together to try to save the programs. No, you’d rather get rid of people you know very little about whose efforts and investments in this thing you couldn’t hold a candle to. Stop the petty undermining and try to help us why don’t you? Maybe if Jim comes back he can help since he does know now at least who can be trusted.
Comment by No wonder the administration does not hold TRiO in high regard on July 6, 2008 at 9:07 AM
With all the gossip and running to the VP office to complain every time someone gets their little feelers hurt…no wonder the administration is sick of them. Dorothy Mullis says she is so hurt because she has been passed over so many times for promotion. Rennah and Rhonda believe it is so wrong that people with “degrees” get to do all the “fun” stuff and they have to do all the work. How sad for all of you. Keep whining and keep running up the hall and see how long anyone wants to put up with you. It looks like you have pretty much done it all in already. Isn’t there something of a higher nature that you ladies could contribute to this situation or are you just such “useful idiots” that you can’t get past your own little petty selves? Pray for guidance, pray it’s not too late.
Comment by Don't waste your time or your breath on July 6, 2008 at 9:12 AM
These little close minded fools don’t have a clue. They have caused problems for years and don’t have the intellect to understand what is being said here. Ask Velva Agee, ask Jim Finley, ask anyone who has been in positions of leadership how difficult it is do get anything past these “watch dogs” as someone earlier so aptly phrased it. Very good, very good analogy! We have been seeing suggestions posted here for some time that people try to come together and pull the programs out of the frying pan. So sad to see this bickering from the same old group that has been the problem all along. Save your breath. They are either too stupid, too ignorant or too messed up to take the higher ground.
Comment by Yes, I've heard on July 6, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Although Jim Finley has retired, people come out of retirement all the time. Don’t forget Wiley supposedly “retired” also, and Jim has a wife with her own agenda who would obviously support such a decision. It’s also true that Wiley enjoys wide-spread bipartisan protection. Of the seven findings in the DOE report, in a letter dated June 6, 2007, I informed Wiley as well as the governor, both U.S. senators, Congressman Boren, and the state regents about three of them and about the hostile work environment, as well as warning that this behavior would only result in more litigation and liability on the part of the university. I also wrote Oklahoma’s attorney general, but apparently “corruption” is out of the scope of his office. Wiley’s cartel also seems to have the Tulsa World, the Claremore Progress, the Post Master, at least one judge, and local law enforcement officials covering his backside too. From all accounts, Wiley is untouchable and above the law. It is an outrage and chances are we’ll never see justice. Lots of folks care, but this is one we may have to leave to a higher power. The good news is that what goes around really does come around. Just ask Sheree Hukill and Penny Pricer. Without a doubt the evil doers will get theirs, but we probably won’t get to see it. Oh, by the way, does anybody know how one goes about getting into The Good Old Boys Club of Oklahoma?
Comment by Need someone from outside OK on July 7, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Higher Ed officials influence millions of dollars and hold positions of strategic authority. For instance, the State of Oklahoma Council of Bond Oversight is a 5-member board responsible for the approval of all borrowings (millions of dollars) by state agencies — highway projects to higher ed funding. Look at some of the previous appointments to this board: Joe Wiley, (RSU Pres.), Pam Williams (wife of NSU Pres.,) Claudia San Pedro (had worked for the State Regents of Higher Ed). Tom Volturo of RSU is a member of the OK Accountancy Board which oversees licensed accountants and CPA’s. Joe Wiley was also one of three members on the Claremore Ethics Board.
Though prominent Higher Ed officials have a great deal of influence on strategic committees that impact their own industry, oversight of Higher Ed is limited. In fact, a judge in Rogers Co. ruled that the Whistleblower Act does not protect University employees. http://web.archive.org/web/20030906063630/http:/ardmoreite.com/stories/062203/edu_whistleblower.shtml and the legislature removed its mandatory audit requirement of Universities in 1993 after influence from Higher Ed lobbyists.
If I had concerns, I would not expect results from most state officials; I know that complaints have been made to the Governor, the Board of Regents, the office of the State Auditor, and other local and state politicians but I’ve never seen any results. If you or others have serious financial concerns, start a list of names and departments. Once you have a list of names of individuals who would be willing to give evidence, I would contact multiple federal investigative departments and consider initiating a grand jury investigation, always keeping master copies of all documents that come into your possession. Documentation should include a condensed version of concerns, including times, dates, names and events and should not include personal feelings. These local people as well as this website host might also be interested in your evidence as they’ve indicated their own concerns in the past:
Jason Murphy jwmurphey@hotmail.com (State Rep., House Dist 31 – wrote an article complaining that the Regents for Higher Ed are issuing millions of dollars of bond projects without the approval of the legislature.) http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/is-this-why-college-tuition-costs-keep.html
John Wiley, editor of the Oologah Lake Leader (he’s written numerous articles critical of universities’ actions and other government waste.) http://www.oologah.net/
R. Fent (has argued against the appointment of members of the Council of Bond Oversight and Ed Kessler, Common Cause Oklahoma is named in articles as complaining about state funding projects.)
http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=1697187
http://www.okhighered.org/leg-info/2003/update-06-11-03.pdf
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=ok&vol=/supreme/2003/&invol=438184
Comment by Probably have to be approved by Volturo to get in the GOB clue around here on July 7, 2008 at 12:07 PM
and…you probably have to be really GOOOO friends with several dunderheaded women so you can use them to get what you need done in the trenches! Oh, not to mention to have them take the fall for you when the crap hits the fan! There’s that…!
Comment by A Olson on July 7, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Bit by Bit program a good job with the kids–but
not how a former employee was treated-(offered a payoff)and intimidated to keep quite. Read Lene May12th and May13th. Care taker is son of Wiley
qualifications-how many hours-what is he paid and
from what budget???The steel bldg 40×60 is being used for what(equipment or ???)Things sure needed
to be handled different.To bad more people don’t
ask questions.
Comment by Intimidation Rules the World - It's Personal! on July 8, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Hey red on the head…thought you’d wise up that the tall blond boy from TCC would “man” ipulate you! Weak little nit that you are.
Comment by TRIO saver on July 10, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Who is the red head and who is the boy? And where does that comment fit into this blog?
Comment by To TRiO Saver on July 14, 2008 at 7:36 PM
The Red head knows who she is and shows her colors. The boy wishes she was one.
We have further information. Little Tommy has torn up the log house mansion.
Nobody cares about TRio. It’s easier for Stratton Taylor to tell them take the money and let the heat go away. They have bigger issues.
Whaz nu? Secretaries have been moving money and running things at that school for as long as some of us have been alive. They can buy anybody for $30,000. Don’t believe it? Check the payroll records for State of Oklahoma…Public Record…just like the DOE report. Wiley wins again. Tom Volturo wins again. Tom saved Joe once and looks like he stayed around to be sure it happens again. Tom gets reeeel good money for this stuff… Way to go Tom! Have you considered converting to Church of Christ? Looks like that’s the only way you will ever get out of Hades!
The
Comment by To A. Olson on July 14, 2008 at 7:40 PM
You have been right on. The Bit-by-Bit “bit” was right on. Her husband still there? Is he scared? Some people aren’t so easily frightened. Where’s the money? Check the Foundation…heard this before? Women are placed strategically in big responsibility, low pay places…Check the Foundation…check under the desks…wearing a skirt? Did you ever hear the expression “useful idiot?” Check it out. Someone else said it really well…”it’s personal…and it’s pitiful!”
Comment by To A. Olson & Lene on July 14, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Lene and A. Olson. Volturo has pulled Wiley’s butt out of the fire once again. Volturo came from the Office of State Finance…Hibbs took the fall and the race horse died. The money is being funneled through the Foundation…that lady will be the next to fall…we predict. Watch out…the vulture is circling. Love the “USEFUL IDIOT” term…Communists are not the only horrors that seems to have slithered away.
Comment by To A. Olson & Lene on July 14, 2008 at 7:54 PM
OK Try this again…The red-head still works in TRiO. The man girl is a former TRiO Department employee who works at TCC. They have no idea what they are dealing with. The Dept has had it. The word on the “street” is that the ladies better keep on tanning and having their nails done since there won’t be any jobs down there at all in less than 6 months. Go on ladies…keep fighting on the wrong side. Maybe your tan will help you get a job elsewhere. You won’t find a job where you’ll be able to take your GED or your high school diploma and get a job where you can control $8.M…Maybe you can go get a job with Wiley, if you are Church of Christ.
Comment by To all of you that really care on July 14, 2008 at 8:01 PM
If Stratton Taylor has any smarts at all or any integrity for that matter, he will help Rice clean this mess up…all the messes. Not bloody likely though. It will take Rice a long time…at best!
It’s too late for TRiO.
Comment by To all of you that really care on July 14, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Tyson…on #84 is that supposed to be GOB CLUB? or Clue? What does that say?
Comment by You get the kind of government you deserve on July 14, 2008 at 8:07 PM
We have asked questions and we hear that Wiley’s son kept dogs in that beautiful mountain lodge home the University paid for. The dogs have torn the place up and trashed the whole thing. Is there anyway to get that guy out of there? This is outright criminal. People are sick and tired of being scared, intimidated, and threatened. What kind of politician is this sorry Stratton Taylor that would be part of this crapola to put a person like JOe Wiley in here? I’m not from Claremore but..who would want to be. If you people have been living with this so long…you know the deal…you get the kind of government you deserve. This is just sickening. I’m sick of all of it.
Comment by To TRiO Saver on July 14, 2008 at 8:16 PM
They know who they are and they know that they have tried to intimidate and coerce people at RSU before. Kathy Hoppe was threatened…anybody remember her? The “man” girl threatened rearrange her face. Kathy left town…in a hurry. The red-head and the Man-Girl have been part of the group that has run off at least 23 people in the TRiO Department. Read the report…47% of the staff run off in 2 years…There is more than one bad actor in that basement of preparatory hall. You are so right…they don’t have a clue of what they have pulled down on their heads. GET A JOB ELSEWHERE WHILE It’S NOT TOO LATE…Word on the street is TRiO is HISTORY!
Comment by for Dr. Rice on July 14, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Dr. Rice, this is to you. We know you are too good a man for this to be on your shoulders. We know for a fact it was dumped on you and we know who did it. There are major players and there are, as they say, “useful idiots” It doesn’t matter. The facts are, the TRiO Programs do serve a great need. They have caused problems because they have been mismanaged. If you will pay attention to the DOE Report and let us help you and support you. We will show you where the snakes are. You have to have faith. We know you are under a great deal of pressure right now and there are many of praying for you. Please don’t give up on TRiO. Please understand that Sara Schoenefeld is not helping you, she is hurting us right now. She is mislead and it’s getting worse. Please keep the faith. We know your personal concerns and we know your heart is hurting. We are with you and will be faithful. Joe Wiley has left you with a mess and Volturo will not help you. Pray for wisdom, pray for guidance. Don’t give up on good people. The Lord wil show you the right way. We are hopeful about Toby. It will take a while but we are with you. Please don’t give up on TRiO.
Comment by RSUSAVETRIO on July 14, 2008 at 8:37 PM
It’s not that big a mess. It can be straightened out. Just let the Program Directors manage their grants as specified in the grant. Move the secretaries out of positions that allow them to make decisions about money, purchases, travel, hiring and personnel. That’s what they do now…The Directors, people that are legally responsible, have had their authority undermined and usurped. TRiO is not the only department at RSU where this has happened. It’s a shame. People are hurting and people are afraid. Until the people who are legally responsible are given back their authority, it’ll continue to get worse.
Comment by hick from the sticks on July 14, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Where is Marilyn Goff and why is she not back at work? Marilyn Goff, Mike Hogan, Jim Finley, Velva Agee, and even Jody Collier could clean that joint up in a heart beat if given half a chance. What is the deal? Looks like this crazy, one horse (one dead horse?). The administration doesn’t care how much they are sued. They probably have 8 million in law suit insurance…they don’t give a ratts patoo who sues them. They have good insurance. Wiley has put it to good use and it’s served them well. Until it hurts Wiley, ya’ll can just whistle past the grave yard…or hope the Vulture man don’t git ya.
Comment by what are you doin? on July 14, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Some of this needs to be said…let it be
Comment by Lene did you see? on July 14, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Lene did you see the DOE report? What do you think? Do you think the Doe has some idea? Did you know that Wiley told them to shove it where the sun don’t shine? How do you feel about that as a tax payer? I didn’t like it one little bit and speaking of “bit” how do you like that FACT that Wiley’s slug of a son of a…son…has torn up that beautiful house they built up there and those disabled kids are cheated out of their money. furthermore…what do you think of Wiley telling the Dept. of ED they would rather not have the TRiO Grants? Does anyone realize how many students at RSU and across the state are given aid through this grant? Just in scholarships alone in one department $43,000 was given this year… Each student got from $400 to $2,000 and that’s not chicken feed. Joe Wiley says bend over and kiss it adieu!
Comment by Got another question for ya on July 14, 2008 at 8:52 PM
seems like some folks here know a thing or 2. I have heard today that there was a problem, just before Wiley left that “debarred” or “hung up” the Federal Work Study funds because of “questionable” accounting…anybody know about that? Seems like another Volturo deal to me. Who is the Financial Aid man and what is his role in this?
Comment by on the insurance matter on July 14, 2008 at 8:55 PM
We heard there have been so many suits filed, pending and settled that RSU is one of the BIG customers of a certain “insurance” group and nobody is going to get stung AT ALL except those litle guys of us who are still hanging in there hopeing for the best. We do hope for the best from Larry Rice. Lord, please be with us. Satan is strong, and probably Church of Christ!
Comment by the man-girl on July 14, 2008 at 9:00 PM
The man-girl threatened me too. supposedly was going to “wipe the ugly smile off my face” we are not the only ones…who cares…she’s gone…god ridance. The administration knew and did nothing. Michael Turner did nothing. Michael Turner was supposed to oversee TRiO…didn’t happen did it? We just recently learned the pipeline went straight from the office of the TRio Administration office to Michael Turner…straight to the lateral lines…There’s not a chance in heck they you ladies will be helped now. It’s too late. You caused trouble too long and were too cute by half.
Comment by I asked and got told on July 14, 2008 at 9:03 PM
I asked questions and was told where I could put it. So did Marilyn Goff, Pariss, Alan Lawless, Pam, and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on.
Comment by To Shirley, Lene, A.Olson on July 15, 2008 at 5:22 AM
we have been advised that Stratton Taylor pulls the strings. Is that so? Anybody know about him really? There has to be more here than we know. One thing we have seen pretty clearly is that there is somebody bigger than Dan Boren covering that nasty Wiley rear. Maybe big daddy, DAVID BOREN? RSU is under the OU Regents. I don’t know folks…we may be in some trouble here. People have been threatened and people have had some frightening experiences. What’s up with this place anyway? Where does one go to root out administrative evil?
Comment by To Shirley, Lene, A.Olson on July 15, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Wiley reads the blog every day folks..
Comment by anybody know about the Office of Inspector General? on July 16, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Is anyone willing to go anonymously to the Office of the Inspector General? OIGHOTLINE.com
What do we need to do? What if we don’t have proof? Does anyone have anything that needs to be reported? Not sure how it works. Maybe we all better just go along to get along.
Comment by anybody know about the Office of Inspector General? on July 16, 2008 at 9:13 PM
On item #3 above to “Know before you speak”
Did the Department of Ed report answer anything for you? Do you now believe that Dr. Wiley had anything to do with Marilyn Goff’s firing. Do you now believe that the Administrative Office of TRiO needs to be cleaned out and this woman Wiley put in there now is wrong headed and causing further damage as she is led by Wiley, Cox, Volturo, and Robinson? Check it out. The DOE report is open records. The DOE, after all, is reponsible for oversight of the money and they aren’t happy if we read the report correctly?
Comment by The OIG is interested on July 18, 2008 at 5:32 AM
The correct e-mail address for the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Education is OIG.hotline@ed.gov
Phone:1-800-MIS-USED
Please friends. Something needs to be done. I can tell you the problem at TRiO is Joe Wiley commandered the setup of an “Executive Director” in an administrative office to control all things TRiO. Joe Wiley then only had to control the “Executive Director” Sweet! Worked like a charm. Joe Wiley and Tom Volturo controlled 8.3 million. Every decision made on money had to do with how it would look on Volturo’s bottom line.
Someone said it earlier…a great big Santa Claus “sack full of money” Take all control away from the Program Directors and give it to a silly minded woman that is easy to manipulate…Sweet!
Make sure she has 3 or 4 “secretary” watchdogs to be sure nobody causes trouble. sweet!
In Oklahoma, there’s not a thing that’s going to be done. TRiO is not the only problem at RSU. Ask the Police Chief, ask the Bit-By-Bit program, ask ask ask…won’t do a bit of good.Nobody cares.
Comment by There is one missed detail on July 20, 2008 at 9:29 AM
There has been a person overlooked in the Joe Wiley, Sheree Hukill, Tom Volturo screw up.
That person is Linda Andrews. Because you have been talking and have not caught all this…The deal is…Rice, who knows nothing from anything about TRiO, asked Sara Schoenefeld to come in and just said “there are problems but I don’t know what they are!” Ok, so she needed a friend to help her out. Linda Andrews had just been asked to serve as interim VP. There is literally nobody else left in the RSU administration…they have all flown the coop so…she was a logical choice…one problem…Linda Andrews knows nothing from anything about TRiO…only that there are problems. Enter Rhonda Cox, Rennah Robinson, Dorothy Mullis…The people who stand to lose their jobs because the TRiO Admin office (Sheree Hukill’s oversight, police station) will be abolished if the Department of Ed gets its way. The “women” you have been refering to closed ranks and began to undercut and set up those left in the programs that they want rid of…running to Linda Andrews to cry and whine. They (Cox, Robinson, Mullis) make decisions that are not within the scope of their authority and undermine with all their might. Let’s hope the OIG comes in soon to stop this mess. It’s awful what some little people can do and feel justified.
Comment by if enough somebodies on July 21, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Would love to have a meeting with all of us that care about this and invite Rice to sit in…he seems pretty “scared” himself…doesn’t know come’er from “sick em!” Does anyone know that there is NOBODY running the show over there?
There is NOBODY! They hired some guy for Academic Dean or VP…never have seen the man nor has thee been an announcement to staff about his name or anything about him.
There is nobody left in the Student Affairs area…the career person, ADA officer, Student Affairs Coordinator, all gone..quit…one student over there to make name tags and a secretary…that’s it.
Toby Titsworth is supposedly coming in September…Gawd let it be true…still same old problem…they don’t know TRiO and Volturo is still holding the money bag… that’s a problem.
Comment by Need someone from outside OK Says on July 23, 2008 at 3:46 PM
The rumored problems at RSU have indeed mushroomed. Many of the complaints I’ve heard center around questions about proper expenditures and oversight of grant funds — not just in the TRIO department. The problem that I see is that as long as the “rumors” are not backed up with a face, name, dates and facts — then nothing can be done. If you have facts of financial wrongdoing or documents that have been altered, then you can do something; suspicions and hurt feelings mean nothing. If you have these facts and have signed a confidentiality statement (which I’ve heard is not legal for the college to require — I don’t know) you should still talk to someone in authority — I would suggest someone in the federal government. If you know of several people who you believe have evidence of wrongdoing, you might all seek the legal advice of one person who might be able to put several of your puzzle pieces together and determine if anything can be done.
I know that complaints about RSU have been made to the Governor, the Board of Regents, the office of the State Auditor, Stratton Taylor and other local and state politicians but I’ve never seen any results.
The only other suggestion I have is to consider initiating a grand jury investigation. Also, take your facts to the Media (but don’t bother with the Claremore paper); look up the fellow who investigated SEOSU back in the 1980’s. I believe he is still working at the Daily Oklahoman.
Comment by job posting on July 23, 2008 at 11:07 PM
We notice the Executive Director position for TRiO is posted. Interesting. They are calling for the exact qualifications they were looking for when they got Hukill (pronounced Heeuuu kill)
At least a masters in Education (apparently k-12 will do?) expertise in managing several complex budgets…interesting…This is exactly what the department said BETTER NOT HAPPEN! So, Volturo is planning on getting another dumbody in there that he can punch around and once, again…the program directors are up a creek without a paddle, responsible for funds they have no ability to control. Interesting job posting..
Comment by so this is to Larry Rice on July 23, 2008 at 11:12 PM
If you don’t know anything about something…and something (TRiO) is in trouble and you go in and start riding rough over everybody and acting like the new sheriff in town…and you let Volturo tell you the law when Volturo was the law breaker…you deserve everything you got coming to you. Just learned today, the hard way, that Wiley is still running that show (through Volturo and Linda Andrews) It’s just like all of you have been saying…it’s true.
Comment by another report - the RSU response on July 23, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Hey Tyson or some of you RSU TRiO People…we heard the DOE report was out…we saw it but..here is the question…wasn’t there supposed to be an answer from RSU? It looks to us as though the Department of Education said “You Will do” on some things…did RSU DO these things? Another question…we heard RSU did response and it is not available through “open records” Is there anyway for us to see it here? Mr. Tyson Wynn…whadda ya say? Can we get your help on that…there’s the proof in the puddin right there folks. Looks like Dr. Rice still has quite an uphill learning curve if the snakes haven’t been cleared out and he is under their tutelage…hmmmm… looks like a rocky horror picture show to me for Rice!?
Comment by to "another report is out" on July 23, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Didn’t you mean to say the report is NOW available through open records…instead of “NOT” available? Shouldn’t it be available? If not…that’s a problem!? right?
Comment by Oh Joe say it isn't so on July 23, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Just to keep score. In TRiO let’s remember 47.3% of the staff has turned over in 18 months…there are 2 directors left…one that came the same week as the feds, the other is threatened everyday…I mean it…threatened with firing every single day…count it again…every single day! Just so you know. Rice has already shown himself to know NOTHING ABOUT TRiO. The consumate politician…we all had OBAMA like hopes for him…OH JOE SAY IT ISN’T SO…The Messiah has come and gone and us poa folks is still down har in dis basement suckin da mold
Comment by plain and simple on July 23, 2008 at 11:28 PM
the reason for misused grant funds is that directors don’t have options. Tom Volturo blocks and rearranges every single bit of change that comes in or goes out. Literally, not one dollar goes or comes without Volturo’s hand on it. Even those of us that know better can’t do anything at all about it and Rice quotes Volturo if you question any decision. It’s not good folks…not good.
Comment by Hey Tyson just fyi on July 23, 2008 at 11:31 PM
The is no “Board of Regents” for RSU. Boards of Regents control community colleges and Jr. colleges. Rsu is under the authority of the University of Oklahoma Regents. I believe you refer to the Oklahoma State Regents for HIgher Education which is the legal governing body for all Universities in the state. Just fyi
Comment by we have evidence on July 23, 2008 at 11:46 PM
We have the evidence. We gave it to the Department when they were here and it is being shared with the OIG. Don’t understand what is happening now…???? It’s been 4 months and we haven’t heard the response from RSU. What is wrong with this picture.
Comment by Thanks for the lesson on July 24, 2008 at 7:52 PM
To Joe Wiley: We will never forget you and the lessons you taught us: how to dodge a process server; how to swoon over a pawn whose name you couldn’t even pronounce all because you admired the way she treated people, badly; how to get yet another pawn appointed your replacement so as to further cover your behind; and most of all, thanks for reminding us how ugly arrogance is. Thanks Mr. Virtue of Education for teaching us that it won’t take much to be better than you.
Comment by can you help get the report? on July 24, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Can anyone get the response of RSU to the Department of Education’s report? Mr. Tyson Wynn has made the preliminary report of the Department of Education available to us but, what of RSU’s Response. Is it true that it is available? Mr. Wynn do you know how to request it through the open records act? Won’t you please do that?
I don’t understand why people have not filed a “hostile work environment” suit. Looks like the right lawyer could pick something like that up in a heart beat? Anybody know a good lawyer that is not in RSU’s hip pocket?
Comment by can you help get the report? on July 24, 2008 at 9:22 PM
What about Brendan McHugh? Seems some folks have mentioned him? How is that working out? Anybody know? Some of us would like to jump in, just scared and don’t really know how.
Comment by A Olson on July 26, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Still wonder about the bit by bit program, and when you ask where & what the money was spent on
Boy you better watch out. thats one sure way to
lose your job and a payoff to keep your mouth shut. dogs in the log house-just wondering what
else- and who is checking on that??? And why don’t
people come forward the file a “hostile work
environment suit” You bet a good a lawyer could
really go to town. If the people are gone from RSU
jump in there.
Comment by Tyson Wynn on July 28, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Comments on this post are now closed. You may comment on the updated post here: http://tysonwynn.com/2008/07/28/joe-wiley-lawsuit-update-7282008/