"How Can This Be?" - Fessio Dossier
Wed, Mar21, 2007 - Category: University
Many are asking that question in light of Fr.
Fessio's sudden dismissal and mandatory removal from
campus.
AveWatch Dossier on Fessio:
+ Fessio reported as primary contributor to AMU's "Climate of Fear"
+ Fessio had $240K "off balance sheet" passed through personal bank account
+ Fessio banker-friend implicated in Ave Maria student loan violations
+ AMU still without accreditation after 4 years of Fessio as Provost
+ faculty leaving disgusted (1,2) and student enrollment falling significantly
+ Board-sponsored study suggested that Fessio or Healy resign years ago
+ Fessio reported to make promises/hires without proper authorization
Fessio, as Editor of Ignatius Press, is self described as a close personal friend of Pope Benedict and "The Pope's Publisher". Catholic news outlets have called Fessio "the most powerful priest in America today".
UPDATE, 9:15pm - The Florida News-Press (full story) -
"Father Joseph Fessio said he had no indication before today that he would be asked to step down as provost of Ave Maria University. “Obviously, I think it was a mistake, but I am not in charge,” he said. Fessio said he was asked to a private meeting this morning with chancellor Tom Monaghan. At the meeting, Fessio said he was asked to resign his position with the school, clear his office and leave campus by the end of the day. “I asked for a reason but was not given one,” Fessio said.
UPDATE, 11:30pm - Fessio to Florida's ABC-7 News:
"I do think this is a mistake. If you disagree with management, management wins. I didn't realize I had disputed with management. There were no events or incidents that took place that could have brought this on so I’m puzzled."
UPDATE, 3/22/07, 4:30pm
+ Would it even be possible for the Provost of any other university or college to be fired and banned without so much as an explanation? Click below for perspective.
+ Despite all the speculation in the mainstream press the past 24 hours... - "Fessio said his comments about homosexuality in the California Catholic Daily article (3/20/07) or on Mohler’s Web site (2/2/07) were not the reason for his dismissal." He also restated his bewilderment on the reasons for dismissal - "I thought we were working well together" (Naples News, full story)
UPDATE, 4/10/07 - It appears that the Fessio firing may be tied to his handling of the AMU Admissions Department
AveWatch Dossier on Fessio:
+ Fessio reported as primary contributor to AMU's "Climate of Fear"
+ Fessio had $240K "off balance sheet" passed through personal bank account
+ Fessio banker-friend implicated in Ave Maria student loan violations
+ AMU still without accreditation after 4 years of Fessio as Provost
+ faculty leaving disgusted (1,2) and student enrollment falling significantly
+ Board-sponsored study suggested that Fessio or Healy resign years ago
+ Fessio reported to make promises/hires without proper authorization
Fessio, as Editor of Ignatius Press, is self described as a close personal friend of Pope Benedict and "The Pope's Publisher". Catholic news outlets have called Fessio "the most powerful priest in America today".
UPDATE, 9:15pm - The Florida News-Press (full story) -
"Father Joseph Fessio said he had no indication before today that he would be asked to step down as provost of Ave Maria University. “Obviously, I think it was a mistake, but I am not in charge,” he said. Fessio said he was asked to a private meeting this morning with chancellor Tom Monaghan. At the meeting, Fessio said he was asked to resign his position with the school, clear his office and leave campus by the end of the day. “I asked for a reason but was not given one,” Fessio said.
UPDATE, 11:30pm - Fessio to Florida's ABC-7 News:
"I do think this is a mistake. If you disagree with management, management wins. I didn't realize I had disputed with management. There were no events or incidents that took place that could have brought this on so I’m puzzled."
UPDATE, 3/22/07, 4:30pm
+ Would it even be possible for the Provost of any other university or college to be fired and banned without so much as an explanation? Click below for perspective.
+ Despite all the speculation in the mainstream press the past 24 hours... - "Fessio said his comments about homosexuality in the California Catholic Daily article (3/20/07) or on Mohler’s Web site (2/2/07) were not the reason for his dismissal." He also restated his bewilderment on the reasons for dismissal - "I thought we were working well together" (Naples News, full story)
UPDATE, 4/10/07 - It appears that the Fessio firing may be tied to his handling of the AMU Admissions Department
A reader shares this for the sake of perspective:
+ Traditionally, the Provost is the chief academic officer who is given broad powers over academic affairs since the intellectual life of students/faculty are his primary concern. He usually answers directly to the President, and is usually given authority to decide matters of secondary importance, including day-to-day decisions.
+ Fessio was fired mid-week in the middle of the semester. Monaghan and Healy had to know that firing in this manner would significantly disrupt academic life as finals (and graduation for some) approach.
+ What happens to the students taking (paying for) a course offered by Fessio this semester?
+ Fessio lives in a cabana on AMU's campus. His mandatory and immediate removal from campus also made him, the Pope's publisher, homeless.
+ Traditionally, the Provost is the chief academic officer who is given broad powers over academic affairs since the intellectual life of students/faculty are his primary concern. He usually answers directly to the President, and is usually given authority to decide matters of secondary importance, including day-to-day decisions.
+ Fessio was fired mid-week in the middle of the semester. Monaghan and Healy had to know that firing in this manner would significantly disrupt academic life as finals (and graduation for some) approach.
+ What happens to the students taking (paying for) a course offered by Fessio this semester?
+ Fessio lives in a cabana on AMU's campus. His mandatory and immediate removal from campus also made him, the Pope's publisher, homeless.