Comments on: UPDATED: RSU Bit by Bit Program Headed for the Glue Factory?

By: LJP

LJP — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:04:51 +0000

The letter to Dr. Brown from Trista M. has left many questions.

First: Who he is listening to about the needs of the program the actual staff or someone else.
The number of students and number of horses has almost doubled, but yet they have the same number of staff working.

Second: What happened to – when growth happens more jobs are created.

Third: The duties listed for the director sound like they want them to live at their job.

Fourth: What are the job duties of Pam and Megan, does it include live at their job as well.

Fifth: What happens to safety and quality of classes when staff is tired from being overworked.

Sixth: Caretaker takes care of outside, does he clean inside also.

Seventh: Aren’t these classes supposed to be a fun therapeutic experience for the riders.

Eight: Why doesn’t RSU have a public meeting with the parents and volunteers of Bit by Bit and
listen to their questions and concerns. They are the ones spending time at the center and see how much there is to do. Besides class time there is alot more involved to operating a program such as this. If RSU has nothing to hide then they should welcome an open meeting.

Ninth: What happened to Dena, that helped Trista last year, was she let go.

Tenth: Who takes of the rodeo duties for the rodeo team and oversees their use of the center.

By: To Tyson Wynn

To Tyson Wynn — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:50:24 +0000

If there is no director or head instructor at Bit by Bit then who is carrying the work load. When you drive by on the highway the grounds look alot better than last year, so the the caretaker has been busy.

By: Tyson Wynn

Tyson Wynn — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:05:45 +0000

MJP,

I just want to clarify that the salary information I posted regarding Dr. Brown, which totals something near $128,000 (not to mention additional benefits like medical insurance, retirement, etc.) is his salary as Vice President for Economic and Community Development at RSU. As I understand it, overseeing Bit by Bit is just one of his duties in that position. The information was obtained through Oklahoma’s Open Books website. When I worked in higher ed, everyone was so secretive about who was paid what, though it was public information. Now that the Open Books site exists, it’s easy to see how much is ~~wasted~~ spent on some of these jokers.

While we’re on the subject, a quick search of the Open Books site indicates that:

*RSU President Larry Rice makes in the neighborhood of $205,000/yr, plus benefits, which includes a home on campus

*Tom Volturo, Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, makes $165,000/yr plus benefits

*Richard Beck, Vice President for Academic Affairs, makes $150,000/yr plus benefits

*Linda Andrews, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment, pulls down around $94,000/yr plus benefits

*It’s only showing payments of $1100/month to Tobie Titsworth, which I don’t think can be right. They might have made a decimal-place error. If that’s the case, and he makes $11,000/month, that would be an annual salary of $132,000, but that’s purely speculation since it appears the records are not accurate

*Bill R. Beierschmitt, Provost and Chief Operating Officer of the Bartlesville campus, gets $99,000/yr plus benefits

*Danette Boyle, Vice President for Development, is making around $109,000/yr plus benefits

*And the last of the executives at RSU, Mark Meadors, Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs, makes nearly $105,000/yr plus benefits

If this English major’s math is right, and I like to think it is, that’s a grant total of $1,187,000 a year—which could also be stated as nearly $1.2 million—plus benefits, that is spent on RSU’s administrators (assuming the $132,000/yr salary for Titsworth). Just thought you should know.

By: MJP

MJP — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:20:04 +0000

I am absolutely outraged at this latest move by Dr. Brown and the admin at RSU to once again strongarm the Bit by Bit program. I am going into my 3rd year as a volunteer, and unfortunately have seen 3 different directors/staff members pass through the program. They did so not beause they didn’t like the work, families, or volunteers. Instead, Jana, Velinda Baker, and Trista Milliman were “in love” with the program and were dedicated unselfishly to the entire family at Bit by Bit. They all gave way over 200% to every aspect of this wonderful and much needed community program, and would have continued to give of themselves had they been given the proper respect and authority they all deserved by the RSU administrators. I met with Dr. Brown on one of his “required” visits to the facility I’m assuming was a fact-finding mission. He asked several questions of me as a volunteer and even inquired of my suggestions for program improvement. It was perfectly clear to me that Dr. Brown knows NOTHING about this program not to mention about horses, or therapeutic riding benefits. Once I gave him my 2 cents of where I believed he should improve the program, he indicated to me that one of his intents was to make Bit by Bit a part of the education curriculum at RSU, or some such nonsense. Dr. Brown acted completely ignorant to the needs or operations of such a complex therapeutic program, but boy did he do a lot of writing on his little pad of paper he was carrying that day-obviously just an act. Now, let’s get down to the real issue at hand which is not rebellious directors or staff members. It is all really about the almighty $$$$$! That’s right, if the allegations are true about Dr. Brown’s $11,000/month salary from Bit by Bit I say he’s the one that needs to be terminated. If this is true, the way I see it is that Dr. Brown and Dr. Rice are stealing funds from the program that are designated strictly for Bit by Bit, and not for their own pockets. How sinful is this that a person with absolutely no experience or knowledge of a therapeutic riding program be put in charge to micro-manage into the ground, and then open his hand for the $11,000 paycheck. How do you spell MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS??? Even if they did have solid knowledge of a therapeutic riding program, if they were honest, honorable men how could they be allowed to pad their pockets from an already financially stressed non-profit entity? Most of Bit by Bit’s budget comes from direct donations and from partnership grants with the Oolagah School system. I’m sure there is no line item written into those grants that indicate an $11,000/month salary from some absent “dude on the hill.” Come on, let’s get real about this! I wonder what the OU Board of Regents are doing about this mess, if anything. As volunteers, staff, students, and most importantly families of our riders collectively we must take a stand for change and truth. For such an important matter, we should all take a little time to make our thoughts and feelings heard for the sake of Bit by Bit, Trista, Jana, Velinda Baker, and most importantly all of the riders we are trying so hard to help. Make a point today, this minute, to contact all of the OU Board of Regents members who oversee RSU and make them hear our voices. As for being present for the beginning of classes this season, should we stand together in support of the entire program and not participate, or should we make a presence for the children stronger than ever? When everything is said and done the most important aspect of Bit by Bit is service to children/adults who NEED this program a whole lot more than we do.

By: Tyson Wynn

Tyson Wynn — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:38:39 +0000

Well, I don’t think they’re scared of me. I don’t have any power to do anything about them and their ways (of I would have done it long ago). They do, however, seem to hate me bringing attention to their deeds. I think you’re safe to say I’m not their favorite person, and that’s the impression I get when I’m on campus and I get accosted by President Rice’s secretarial staff. The big issue, though, is why does this stuff keep happening at RSU? The answer that makes the most sense to me is that it keeps happening because they keep getting away with it. When people finally say enough is enough, your non-answers are not good enough, and we want a full accounting of everything going on in OUR school, things will change. The entire Oklahoma higher ed system is so incestuous that it’s like uncovering a rat’s nest, wherein the rats all cover each others’ backs. I personally believe that if and when the top is blown off the higher ed problems in Oklahoma, it will make the county commissioner scandal seem like playground games, and I know others who share that opinion. And the bottom line is this: if they are lily-white, a full accounting will only vindicate them and prove I am nuts, so why not go for it?

Rice’s column in Sunday’s Progress was basically the Word document Ortolani sent to me with some tweaks and no real answers to any issues that matter. I’ll add it to the top of this post.

As for your questions, I doubt they have hired anyone yet. Given the current issues, expect a big announcement when they locate someone willing to step into the mess.

Regarding Dr. Brown, you’d have to ask him.

Classes are scheduled to start Sept. 15.

And, I don’t really think the issue is lack of funds. Seems to be a lack of willingness to spend the funds they have, but it would take some transparency to see where all of Bit by Bit’s money comes from and goes to.

By: To Tyson Wynn

To Tyson Wynn — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:37:31 +0000

Is RSU that afraid of you that people are scared to make comments on your site?
The comments Pres. Rice make in the Claremore Progress still did not address the trouble that the Bit by Bit program is having. Have they hired new people for the open positions yet. Where are the ones willing to teach part time and are they going to use them. Has Dr. Brown ever taken the time to help in a class or help get horses ready like the volunteers do. WHEN do classes start? The paper had a picture in it and also said they were ready. If money was donated for a part time instructor (aprox. $3,000.00 for 9 Mos) would RSU use it to hire someone. Maybe a fund needs to be started at a local bank to collect enough to pay for someone. I for one would donate to it.

By: JR

JR — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:42:41 +0000

I feel sorry for all the people who continuously get hurt by their RSU involvement. But until people are willing to put their own welfare on the line and be willing to defend their fellow man when they see a wrong being committed, people will continue to get hurt.

If you know something is wrong you shouldn’t “overlook” it for the “better good”. Too many people are closing their eyes and not wanting to get involved. I’ve seen too many times where someone is wrongly accused or mistreated and their “friends” disappear into the shadows and find some reason to find fault and look for a reason to explain this person’s mistreatment. That’s how victimizing continues.

You might lose your job, your scholarship, your benefit – but if you won’t defend someone else who is wronged, someday it will be you and you’ll wish others would speak up.

My advice is, Don’t just complain – do something. If you have documentation of a wrong or are suspicious of things – take it to someone who cares and who wants to see things righted. I think this reporter here probably is a good one to go to.

By: A concerned parent

A concerned parent — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:47:54 +0000

When the staff sees the progress of their students
and how much they can improve in 9 months of riding it touches their hearts as well as the parents. How are they treating the staff members left trying to hold everything together. I sure they are having a hard time with all that is going on. Stress can be very bad!!!!!!! for your
health!!!!!!!!!. I pray they are being treated fairly and not having it taken out of them. Those instructing the children have hearts that are getting stomped on along with the children. Trista was very good with the children along with the other instructor, and care a great deal about their needs. And in todays ecomony I’m sure they need their jobs, as small as their income may be. I pray that someone will get to the bottom of what is taking place at RSU and put the children needs first instead of the ego of this Dr. Brown.

By: VLC

VLC — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:38:01 +0000

I am a concerned parent as well as a committed volunteer. I have 2 children who were supposed to participate in the program again this year as well as a son and myself who volunteer weekly.

This program is awesome and clearly benefits the children who are involved. It also is a program unlike many where the parents actually see the progress first handed–sometimes it may be the first words of thier individual child may have ever spoken and the parents get emotional. Sometimes is can be that the child needs sensory input or imporve their motor skills and by doing all this on the back of a horse they are successful with the aid of the instructor and the volunteer staff.

My son- who suffers from many issues such as:
Non verbal learning disorder
Visual perception problems
Central Auditory Processing (Temporal lobe)
Verbal and Oral apraxia
Sensory Intergration Disorder
Fine Motor Delays
Dyspraxia
Gross Motor delays

All of these areas are addressed in many ways which has assisted my child to make progress. They child doesn’t think of it as therapy but as enjoyment. Many of these children receive multiple hours of therapy a week and it is stressful for them and their parents.

Now with Trista being removed from the postion many children whom cannot deal with change very well will suffer the consequence. It is them who will be hurt–Not Dr. Brown or RSU.

The entire population of Bit by BIt-whether volunteers, students, or volunteers need to band together and stick this out and make sure things are investigated throughly because something is definitely fishy. Something has to be done.

THank you for listening.
concerned parent/volunteer

By: Just a citizen

Just a citizen — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:15:30 +0000

I read the newspaper and hear talk in the community about this program. Are you saying
ALL that come to your website could have trouble.