Developments
Mon, Feb26, 2007 - Category: Miscellaneous
Two weeks ago, Ave Maria School of Law and AMU
officials held press conferences to announce the
closure of AMSL in Ann Arbor, and the subsequent
opening of another law school in Ave Maria Town, Tom
Monaghan's south Florida real estate venture.
Monaghan's action, interpreted by many fence-sitters
as "premature", did much to galvanize opposition to
his governance.
This post summarizes several Ave Maria developments since then:
+ Update: AMU Chair Resignation
+ News stories from other media
+ "The Root of the Problem"
+ Update: The Hypocrisy of Size
This post summarizes several Ave Maria developments since then:
+ Update: AMU Chair Resignation
+ News stories from other media
+ "The Root of the Problem"
+ Update: The Hypocrisy of Size
Update: "Another AMU Chair
Resigns"
AveWatch recently reported on the resignation of Ave Maria University's Chair of the Department of Sacred Music. It was said that she left based on "principle", due to an inability to select her own music. Since then, we've received corroborating reports that offer a different take on the story behind the resignation; this version paints a more bleak picture of the corridors of AMU. These reports have not been confirmed by AMU; the lack of transparency in Ave Maria enterprises is such that they will not even release the names of the AMSL Board members who voted in the recent decision to close the Michigan school. The Music Chair's resignation is confirmed, however.
Diana Silva's departure is now thought to partially originate from an institutional decision to pull funding for her and her choir. Apparently, Fr. Fessio (AMU Provost) brought Silva to AMU ("on a whim") without much input or approval, making promises of having "a national choir" with an initial budget of $6 million. Unofficial sources say that AMU is running a $14 million deficit, and that Fessio was forced to give up his "expensive fantasy." Silva lacked doctoral training, and was replaced by an existing faculty member with a PhD. Silva's loss reduces the Department to 2 full-time professors.
Other AMU Department Chairs are said to be "on the job market".
Articles From the Mainstream News:
Sun., 2/25/07 - NaplesNews - "Florida vs. Michigan: Ave Maria law school not a game to them"
Wed., 2/21/07 - NapleNews - "Provide more panther land or face suit, wildlife group warns Ave Maria"
Editorial - "The Root of the Problem"
AveWatch has received a number of comments recently. An excerpt from one seemed to concisely capture the root of the problem:
1) Tom Monaghan's sole-proprietorship model imposes duty to him that supercedes all other institutional duties, to the point that "deference to Tom" is inseparably bolted to "the mission" . Monaghan secures loyalty by ensuring that people are financially indebted to him rather than by securing it through humble gratitude and recognition of other's talent, their self-sacrificial dedication to the common mission, and their hard work. He manages the independent non-profits that receive his philanthropy as a single conglomerate through an "Executive Team" that he leads; this may violate non-profit law. Monaghan accomplishes all this by donating back to himself (i.e. from his Foundation, which he controls, to the Law School, of which he is Chairman)
2) Too many Ave Maria employees, Board members, and students willingly accept Monaghan's easy money to fund their pet Catholic project or personal interest AT THE COST OF having any concern for their co-worker's treatment or the collective health of the institution (community) to which they belong. The deception is that their personal project or goal is so utterly important and necessary "to the Church" that any means can be used to secure said project/goal.
Update: "The Hypocrisy of Size"
Comments were added to this AveWatch story from Catholic Florida businessmen, supporting the contention that Ave Maria Town contains significant aspects that violate the principles promulgated by the new book of a prominent AMU professor -
"I guess a small Catholic family-run business just didn't fit with their plans [at AMU]."
AveWatch recently reported on the resignation of Ave Maria University's Chair of the Department of Sacred Music. It was said that she left based on "principle", due to an inability to select her own music. Since then, we've received corroborating reports that offer a different take on the story behind the resignation; this version paints a more bleak picture of the corridors of AMU. These reports have not been confirmed by AMU; the lack of transparency in Ave Maria enterprises is such that they will not even release the names of the AMSL Board members who voted in the recent decision to close the Michigan school. The Music Chair's resignation is confirmed, however.
Diana Silva's departure is now thought to partially originate from an institutional decision to pull funding for her and her choir. Apparently, Fr. Fessio (AMU Provost) brought Silva to AMU ("on a whim") without much input or approval, making promises of having "a national choir" with an initial budget of $6 million. Unofficial sources say that AMU is running a $14 million deficit, and that Fessio was forced to give up his "expensive fantasy." Silva lacked doctoral training, and was replaced by an existing faculty member with a PhD. Silva's loss reduces the Department to 2 full-time professors.
Other AMU Department Chairs are said to be "on the job market".
Articles From the Mainstream News:
Sun., 2/25/07 - NaplesNews - "Florida vs. Michigan: Ave Maria law school not a game to them"
Wed., 2/21/07 - NapleNews - "Provide more panther land or face suit, wildlife group warns Ave Maria"
Editorial - "The Root of the Problem"
AveWatch has received a number of comments recently. An excerpt from one seemed to concisely capture the root of the problem:
1) Tom Monaghan's sole-proprietorship model imposes duty to him that supercedes all other institutional duties, to the point that "deference to Tom" is inseparably bolted to "the mission" . Monaghan secures loyalty by ensuring that people are financially indebted to him rather than by securing it through humble gratitude and recognition of other's talent, their self-sacrificial dedication to the common mission, and their hard work. He manages the independent non-profits that receive his philanthropy as a single conglomerate through an "Executive Team" that he leads; this may violate non-profit law. Monaghan accomplishes all this by donating back to himself (i.e. from his Foundation, which he controls, to the Law School, of which he is Chairman)
2) Too many Ave Maria employees, Board members, and students willingly accept Monaghan's easy money to fund their pet Catholic project or personal interest AT THE COST OF having any concern for their co-worker's treatment or the collective health of the institution (community) to which they belong. The deception is that their personal project or goal is so utterly important and necessary "to the Church" that any means can be used to secure said project/goal.
Update: "The Hypocrisy of Size"
Comments were added to this AveWatch story from Catholic Florida businessmen, supporting the contention that Ave Maria Town contains significant aspects that violate the principles promulgated by the new book of a prominent AMU professor -
"I guess a small Catholic family-run business just didn't fit with their plans [at AMU]."