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Thad
11-14-2007, 12:37 AM
TULSA, Okla. - Embattled Oral Roberts University president Richard Roberts, facing accusations he misspent university funds to support a lavish lifestyle, has received a vote of no confidence by the tenured faculty at the evangelical university.

The resolution was approved by faculty Monday and obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press. Faculty plan to distribute the nonbinding document to the school's Board of Regents and the faculty assembly at an upcoming meeting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071114/ap_on_...berts_scandal_6

nwlife
11-14-2007, 12:40 AM
It is sad what has come to this university...maybe at least it can be salvaged now the shakeup has begun.

Thad
11-14-2007, 12:44 AM
http://kotv.com/news/special/oru/

Thad
11-14-2007, 12:46 AM
*** IT"S NOT LOOKING GOOD!!!!!! ***


ORU Faculty Approves No Confidence Resolution
KOTV - 11/13/2007 9:17 PM - Updated 11/13/2007 9:24 PM
The president of Oral Roberts University has now received a vote of no confidence from the university's tenured faculty.

The resolution says the faculty approved the motion without regard to the outcome of the current lawsuit against Tulsa’s Oral Roberts University.

Professors plan to distribute the document to ORU’s Board of Regents.

Three former professors have filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Richard Roberts and the university, alleging their departures stem from their refusal to use staff and students to work on a Tulsa mayoral candidate's campaign.

They also accuse Richard Roberts of misspending funds to support a lavish lifestyle.
A spokesman for Oral Roberts University hasn't commented on Monday's vote.

For complete coverage of the lawsuit involving ORU, click here.

faithfulinlittle777
11-14-2007, 09:46 AM
Ohhh...I really shouldnt...but oh how I am....

Gee, I wander who else received a no confidence vote at Tampa...

YEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its good to be back in the saddle again...haha....:)Ill repent in the morning Thad:)haha

Thad
11-14-2007, 09:50 AM
Ohhh...I really shouldnt...but oh how I am....

Gee, I wander who else received a no confidence vote at Tampa...

YEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its good to be back in the saddle again...haha....:)Ill repent in the morning Thad:)haha

you lost me here ... no confidence vote in Tampa ?? what are you talking about ??
repent about what ???

faithfulinlittle777
11-14-2007, 10:12 AM
:)

ok...if u say so:):yourock

Thad
11-14-2007, 10:29 AM
mmmmm kay :dunno

Admin
11-14-2007, 10:35 AM
Ohhh...I really shouldnt...but oh how I am....

Gee, I wander who else received a no confidence vote at Tampa...

YEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its good to be back in the saddle again...haha....:)Ill repent in the morning Thad:)haha

:)

ok...if u say so:):yourock
Not sure here, but if you are the one that is threatening to tell something, you might need to rethink that.

We do not allow threats here.

faithfulinlittle777
11-14-2007, 11:58 AM
uhhhhh.....k.....lol...it was a joke dude...comparing the no conf vote to the arm crossing in tampa...gee whiz...guess ill have to tread carefully here...it was just a joke....my bad....lol...

Admin
11-14-2007, 01:12 PM
uhhhhh.....k.....lol...it was a joke dude...comparing the no conf vote to the arm crossing in tampa...gee whiz...guess ill have to tread carefully here...it was just a joke....my bad....lol...

If you weren't the one threatening, then you don't have anything to worry about. The original post said "If you are the one".

Thanks!

faithfulinlittle777
11-14-2007, 03:28 PM
lol...:)ur welcome:)

u must be stressed cause u used an explanation mark after the last word...believe me...i feel ya....why cant everybody just be nice and stay on their side of the room huh? u know...i never liked anyone picking on anyone either...so hows the weather where ur at...its a bit windy here..cold front coming throun monday i believe....u should go skiing in Aspen if u get the chance...very soothing and the powders great...i of course am lame at it but i like to do other stuff instead...nyways...just a recommendation....

faithfulinlittle777
11-14-2007, 03:31 PM
lol...thad i was making a joke bout the oral thing and the whole drama at tampa thats all...just kidding fella...n u need to get busy on that cd you know seriously...but nyways back to the topic...well personally i dont know..it seems as though there has been a lot of scandal with the aog group..honestly though, im not knocking them or anything im just saying....that would be my thought on your topic starter here....:)

Neck
11-14-2007, 03:38 PM
TULSA, Okla. - Embattled Oral Roberts University president Richard Roberts, facing accusations he misspent university funds to support a lavish lifestyle, has received a vote of no confidence by the tenured faculty at the evangelical university.

The resolution was approved by faculty Monday and obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press. Faculty plan to distribute the nonbinding document to the school's Board of Regents and the faculty assembly at an upcoming meeting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071114/ap_on_...berts_scandal_6

When you do bad things bad things follow.

Now that is reaping what you sow.

If they preach sow a see and God will give you 100 fold in return.

Then we need to preach right back at them for a 100 fold bounty for what they have sown....

faithfulinlittle777
11-15-2007, 10:52 AM
i agree neckstar....one reaps what one sows

Thad
11-15-2007, 10:59 AM
((((((( BOMBSHELL)))))))


**** Arguement Breaks out at Meeting With ORAL ROBERTS! ****
Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts asked for a second chance in front of faculty members who days earlier cast a "no confidence" vote against him.

Televangelist Oral Roberts, who recently returned from semiretirement in California to the 5,700-student school he founded, called the emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon with tenured faculty members, sources told The Associated Press.

Richard Roberts told faculty members that he did not want to be president of the university forever but that if he would step down now, the public would think he was admitting to wrongdoing, said Donald Vance, a professor of biblical languages and literature who attended the meeting.

Richard Roberts has been on temporary leave, fighting accusations that he misspent university funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle.

Toward the end of the hours-long meeting, sources told the AP, Oral Roberts asked the faculty who were willing to forgive and start fresh to stand up.

When a few faculty members wouldn't stand, Oral Roberts asked one of them, " 'Are you not ready to start over?' " Vance said.

"The faculty member said, "I don't know what that means -- to start over," Vance recalled.

Oral Roberts responded, " 'I would think that would be obvious.' "

After that, Vance said, the professor stood up and said, " 'No, Chancellor Roberts, it's not clear. Are you asking us to rescind our three motions?' "

Vance said Oral Roberts dropped the matter and asked the faculty to sit down.

An ORU spokesman declined to comment on the meeting late Wednesday.

The "no confidence" resolution, passed Monday, stated that faculty approved the motion "without regard to the outcome of the current lawsuit against the university."

The faculty passed two other motions: a vote of "confidence" in Mark Lewandowski, the school's executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, "with regard to his call for greater faculty governance and transparency of university finances" and the desire of the faculty to have a greater role on how university leadership is selected.

Accusations of lavish spending by Richard Roberts and his family are detailed in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed Oct. 2 by three former ORU professors.

Richard Roberts and his wife, Lindsay Roberts, have denied wrongdoing, and Richard Roberts has said the lawsuit amounts to "intimidation, blackmail and extortion."



A court challenge



Also on Wednesday, ORU and four administrators sued by the former professors asked the court to either throw out three subpoenas that the professors delivered last week or review the documents that the subpoenas re quest and then give any documents relevant to the case to the professors.

ORU and the administrators also want the court to ban the professors from publicly disseminating any documents uncovered by the subpoenas, the court filing says.

The professors asked for documents that might substantiate the report that they claim lost them their jobs.

ORU and the administrators also want the court to ban the professors from seeking further information about "the irrelevant allegations of wrongdoing" by ORU and the administrators.

The professors "are using the guise of this lawsuit to attempt to uncover information in hopes to further their public smear campaign against" ORU and the administrators, the court filing says.



ORU accreditation




Meanwhile, ORU's liaison at a regional accrediting corporation said a recommendation by peer reviewers for a follow-up accreditation visit to ORU in two years is not precedent-setting.

Follow-up visits and reports for reaccreditation usually are due within two to three years, said John Taylor, the director of the Higher Learning Commission's Program to Evaluate and Advance Quality.

The review of ORU's leadership, governance and finances would not, by itself, determine whether ORU keeps its accreditation, he said.

Peer reviewers who visited ORU last week recommended that the school be reaccredited through 2012-13, beyond the two-year mark, he said.

"When the team goes back in, it will look to find progress," Taylor said. He declined to explain how the reviewers want ORU to improve its leadership, governance and finances -- areas brought into question by the wrongful-termination lawsuit.

Beyond the plaintiffs' claim that they lost their jobs for handing over the report to regents, the lawsuit alleges that the ORU and Oral Roberts Ministries boards were negligent in overseeing the university and its administrators.




http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.asp...1_A1_spanc54174

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 12:56 PM
((((((( BOMBSHELL)))))))


**** Arguement Breaks out at Meeting With ORAL ROBERTS! ****
Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts asked for a second chance in front of faculty members who days earlier cast a "no confidence" vote against him.

Televangelist Oral Roberts, who recently returned from semiretirement in California to the 5,700-student school he founded, called the emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon with tenured faculty members, sources told The Associated Press.

Richard Roberts told faculty members that he did not want to be president of the university forever but that if he would step down now, the public would think he was admitting to wrongdoing, said Donald Vance, a professor of biblical languages and literature who attended the meeting.

Richard Roberts has been on temporary leave, fighting accusations that he misspent university funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle.

Toward the end of the hours-long meeting, sources told the AP, Oral Roberts asked the faculty who were willing to forgive and start fresh to stand up.

When a few faculty members wouldn't stand, Oral Roberts asked one of them, " 'Are you not ready to start over?' " Vance said.

"The faculty member said, "I don't know what that means -- to start over," Vance recalled.

Oral Roberts responded, " 'I would think that would be obvious.' "

After that, Vance said, the professor stood up and said, " 'No, Chancellor Roberts, it's not clear. Are you asking us to rescind our three motions?' "

Vance said Oral Roberts dropped the matter and asked the faculty to sit down.

An ORU spokesman declined to comment on the meeting late Wednesday.

The "no confidence" resolution, passed Monday, stated that faculty approved the motion "without regard to the outcome of the current lawsuit against the university."

The faculty passed two other motions: a vote of "confidence" in Mark Lewandowski, the school's executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, "with regard to his call for greater faculty governance and transparency of university finances" and the desire of the faculty to have a greater role on how university leadership is selected.

Accusations of lavish spending by Richard Roberts and his family are detailed in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed Oct. 2 by three former ORU professors.

Richard Roberts and his wife, Lindsay Roberts, have denied wrongdoing, and Richard Roberts has said the lawsuit amounts to "intimidation, blackmail and extortion."



http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.asp...1_A1_spanc54174

Thad,

You can't believe everything you hear and read...especially in the Tulsa World. They have continued to spread misinformation and have a very liberal bias.

Dr Vance was interviewed on the radio live this morning (KFAQ Talk Radio--Tulsa 1170 am) and he said very forcefully that the Tulsa World NEVER talked to him and they have got this story WRONG. He said that a local AP reporter called him and asked him about the meeting. He said that it was tense at times but there was a lot of freedom to express opinions. He also said that Oral Roberts DID NOT ask the profs to reconsider their vote. That it was confusing at first but was clarified that the rising vote was simply a vote to forgive and be willing to start fresh....with or without Richard...they then stood again in affirmation of this.

It is also interesting to note that the reporter confirmed to Dr. Vance that the Tulsa world NEVER contacted him to get the story straight either! Bottom line, they did what they do best...propagate half truths and outright lies to further their bent....they never even attempted to get this story right...sounds like some folks I know....

Vance also said that there was absolutely NO argument, simply open dialog that was tense at times due to the nature of the meeting and the "new openness to speak their mind" among them,...and that the meeting was VERY HEALTHY!

Just thought I'd try to correct the misinformation left by our city's less than stellar news paper

Thad
11-15-2007, 01:02 PM
I'm only posting what YOUR local News is putting out there.
you are saying there is NO Scandal going on?? That RR is not in trouble?

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 01:09 PM
I'm only posting what YOUR local News is putting out there.
you are saying there is NO Scandal going on?? That RR is not in trouble?

No I am not saying that...

What I am saying is that the quoted professor was on one of our talk stations this morning upsert over the fact that the Tulsa World published this story and in his words, "They got it wrong and they didn't even try to get it right."

The story in the world is not anything near what actually happened...this coming from a professor that has been interviewed on the radio at least twice this week and he is NOT in Richards corner....he is on record as saying he doesn't support him at this time!

The fact remains that if you are reporting what our paper reported...you are propagating a lie...I listened to the whole interview this morning LIVE AND UNEDITED...and Dr. Vance was not pleased wirth the Tulsa Worlds lies...

Just because my local news put it out there doesn;t make it right for YOU to tell the same lie Bro.....a lie is a lie and I thought it might do you good to know what was really going on...

But of coarse.....you don't usually care about the truth now do ya?:tease

revrandy
11-15-2007, 01:16 PM
I read an article today that Said Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar and Kenneth Copeland were all on the Board of Regents at ORU...Seems like all three are being investigated... and somewhat tied in with ORU...

Thad
11-15-2007, 01:16 PM
that was pretty harsh - no need to Dialouge with you if you think i am purposely lending a hand to Tulsa world. I think you need to complain to them not me

dizzyde
11-15-2007, 01:32 PM
No I am not saying that...

What I am saying is that the quoted professor was on one of our talk stations this morning upsert over the fact that the Tulsa World published this story and in his words, "They got it wrong and they didn't even try to get it right."

The story in the world is not anything near what actually happened...this coming from a professor that has been interviewed on the radio at least twice this week and he is NOT in Richards corner....he is on record as saying he doesn't support him at this time!

The fact remains that if you are reporting what our paper reported...you are propagating a lie...I listened to the whole interview this morning LIVE AND UNEDITED...and Dr. Vance was not pleased wirth the Tulsa Worlds lies...

Just because my local news put it out there doesn;t make it right for YOU to tell the same lie Bro.....a lie is a lie and I thought it might do you good to know what was really going on...

But of coarse.....you don't usually care about the truth now do ya?:tease

I don't think that was called for, he reprinted what was in a newspaper, now he supposed to be all-knowing and have the spirit of discernment over every thing that he sees in print? That is ridiculous! How is he supposed to know what papers in different parts of the country are supposedly slanted?

Thad
11-15-2007, 01:39 PM
I don't think that was called for, he reprinted what was in a newspaper, now he supposed to be all-knowing and have the spirit of discernment over every thing that he sees in print? That is ridiculous! How is he supposed to know what papers in different parts of the country are supposedly slanted?


I agree dizzy- Exactly my thoughts

I was Shocked at Triumphant- never knew him to have this kind of attitude

pelathais
11-15-2007, 02:03 PM
I agree dizzy- Exactly my thoughts

I was Shocked at Triumphant- never knew him to have this kind of attitude
I think he may have some antipathy for the local paper. The whole thing is a local thing for him thus he may have a completely different take because he has to listen to the local stations and outlets as they compete against one another with all of their attendant hype. He just sounds like someone who is burned out with the story- again something probably only another local could really understand.

I hope T1's emoticon means that he was trying to tease with that last statement. He's usually good humored.

Thad
11-15-2007, 02:09 PM
Yea, most of the time he is good natured.

and most of the comments from the community seem to be nagavtive against Richard and Lindsay Roberts.

It could be partly from Tulsa world forming their opinions but not altogether. the community has known about a lot of things for years so this just seems to confirm it

revrandy
11-15-2007, 03:09 PM
I know my Dad had a flat tire one day on a Two lane road and Richard Roberts drove by him and didn't offer to help....:D

philjones
11-15-2007, 04:21 PM
I agree dizzy- Exactly my thoughts

I was Shocked at Triumphant- never knew him to have this kind of attitude

Thad,

you should also keep in mind that T1 has some pretty close connections to the university through staff and former staff of his church. I think he is simply wanting to set the record straight AND get your goat a little bit a the same time.:whistle:whistle

Thad
11-15-2007, 04:43 PM
Thad,

you should also keep in mind that T1 has some pretty close connections to the university through staff and former staff of his church. I think he is simply wanting to set the record straight AND get your goat a little bit a the same time.:whistle:whistle


O I see- well it's the board of regents that are wrangling not Thad.
Did they not want RR out or not ???? where is RR if there is no trouble?

Sherri
11-15-2007, 04:51 PM
I'm so glad Ashley graduated before all this hit the fan. She had a great experience at ORU, but she knows of several inconsistencies. She had a good friend that was very closely involved with the Roberts family, so she probably heard too much inside stuff. And NO, I will not share any of it on here!!:tease

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 04:59 PM
that was pretty harsh - no need to Dialouge with you if you think i am purposely lending a hand to Tulsa world. I think you need to complain to them not me

Oh now now thad...don't git yer panties in a wad....

Just this morning the same prof that was quoted in the article you posted went on a local new talk station to try to set the record straight...I was just trying to continue the favor...keeping in mind that this same prof has already said publically he is not for RR coming back at this time...and was also one of the ones who spoke against standing the first go round because they were unsure if standing was tantimount to changing the no confidense vote...

yet this man was angry at the bias and false report printed in the TW...I passed that info along.

I was going to leave it at my original post until you came back at me with this "I was just posting your papers stuff" line...too many times that comeback is an excuse to say, "You can say what you want but the paper said it and that makes it right for me to re-say it" yada, yada....

If you want to know how I would have responded if you'd said what you did in the original post....I would have said, "Thanks Thad for setting that straight. I know how these media people can be and most of the time they do slant it for sure. I am glad that prof went on the talk show to set it straight and I appreciate you keeping me from spreading false things as well.."

If you would have said that...instead of questioning me the way you did...I would have just said, "Your welcome" and moved on....

Am I a RR fan...no not really...but at the same time I hate to see anyone convicted and for the most part executed before they even have a chance to have a fair trial....That's him...That's me....and That's you....I hate to see this execution before the facts are even in stuff for anyone....

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 05:00 PM
I'm so glad Ashley graduated before all this hit the fan. She had a great experience at ORU, but she knows of several inconsistencies. She had a good friend that was very closely involved with the Roberts family, so she probably heard too much inside stuff. And NO, I will not share any of it on here!!:tease

I appreciate you for that integrity....

I am sure there is a bunch of stuff...but I hate public opinion trials.

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 05:03 PM
I don't think that was called for, he reprinted what was in a newspaper, now he supposed to be all-knowing and have the spirit of discernment over every thing that he sees in print? That is ridiculous! How is he supposed to know what papers in different parts of the country are supposedly slanted?

Because I told him...

Go back and look at the progression of the posts again....I said what happened witht he talk show...and he comes back at me with ,"I got it form your paper....are you saying there nothing to it....." I said what i heard on the live interview by the prof that was mis-quoted....

Thad then turned it on me like I did domething wrong by trying to set the record straight....where is the ire for that?

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 05:07 PM
I agree dizzy- Exactly my thoughts

I was Shocked at Triumphant- never knew him to have this kind of attitude

BTW, what kind of attitude...

It has always ticked me off when posts are made as facts that are really quoting hearsay..oft times right out lies...that's not an attitude, it's just doing the right thing.

I gave you the opportunity to say, "Thanks for setting that straight before it went any further"...and you turned it back on me...

I just want you and all to know that no matter where it comes from...a lie is a lie....when someone calls it out, you should be thankful instead of trying to make some excuse to keep it going...

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 05:10 PM
I think he may have some antipathy for the local paper. The whole thing is a local thing for him thus he may have a completely different take because he has to listen to the local stations and outlets as they compete against one another with all of their attendant hype. He just sounds like someone who is burned out with the story- again something probably only another local could really understand.

I hope T1's emoticon means that he was trying to tease with that last statement. He's usually good humored.

I have a vested interest in the University because both my wife and I are presently in the Masters program at ORU...so there is some emotion for sure.

Secondly, I have little tolerance for the propagation of half truths...

Thirdly, I am sick of the story on the level that all this judgement is going on with little evidence. And it doesn't help when the media in our town prints things as though they were true that are not...according to the man they claimed to be quoting who says they were wrong and never talked to him!

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 05:13 PM
Thad,

you should also keep in mind that T1 has some pretty close connections to the university through staff and former staff of his church. I think he is simply wanting to set the record straight AND get your goat a little bit a the same time.:whistle:whistle

Thank you for your great insight here...you nailed it completely!

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 05:15 PM
I gotta go....be back later on...

Thad
11-15-2007, 05:17 PM
The articles are for public consumption.

You have the right to state your opinion just like everyone else


I have little opinion either way just posting the from the news outlets


God bless you too "T" :bubble

triumphant1
11-15-2007, 08:27 PM
The articles are for public consumption.

You have the right to state your opinion just like everyone else


I have little opinion either way just posting the from the news outlets


God bless you too "T" :bubble

This is the problem I am having here Thad...I didn't post MY opinion.

I posted what was reported here LOCALLY (THIS MORNING) by the THE PROFESSOR quoted in the article.

AND THAT PROFESSOR SAID THE ARTICLE WAS BOGUS!!!!!!!!!

Now you can post lies from non-credible news reporters till you are blue in the face....but at least back down from being "Mr. breaking news frontman" if the report turns out to be a false one!:hanky

Other than that...God Bless ye and keep the faith!

Thad
11-19-2007, 06:23 PM
***NEW ARTICLE IN TULSA WORLD- PROPHECY GIVEN TO RICHARD ROBERTS! ***



Six months ago, an out-of-state minister known for prophecy told Oral Roberts University President Richard Roberts he would go through a "major storm" but would come through it. The minister also said, "When you enter your 60th year, you'll step to a new level of ministry you've never known," Roberts recalled in an interview with the Tulsa World. Roberts celebrated his 59th birthday on Monday and then began his 60th year, six weeks after three former ORU professors filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination and alleging the Roberts family has misused ORU and Oral Roberts Ministries money and resources for themselves.

Roberts is on a leave of absence as president while ORU's board and independent auditors investigate the allegations. After the investigations, the board will decide if Roberts returns to the presidency. He continues to work as chairman and CEO of the ministries. He doesn't expect to be president forever, although he thinks now is his season in that role, he said. He sees himself taking on a spiritual leadership role at ORU, "be it chancellor
or whatever." His father, 89-year-old ORU founder Oral Roberts, is currently chancellor.

Richard Roberts said he has a hard time imagining the university without a Roberts.

"I'm the face; I'm the voice," he said.

Roberts thinks the ORU president ought to be someone "deeply immersed" in the evangelistic, healing ministry that created the university and someone who has "the call of God upon their life to be the president." Roberts and his father don't want to see the university split from the ministries or taken over by "the money people," in fear that such steps would point ORU toward becoming a secular college, Roberts said. ORU Provost Mark Lewandowski said he thinks professors are "intensely committed to defending the mission of the university" and ORU would not lose its Christian focus without a Roberts at the helm.

In the late 1980s, then-President Oral Roberts asked four people -- including one pastor and two seminary deans -- if they would consider being presented to the board of regents as possibilities for the presidency, Richard Roberts said. All four turned him down. At that point, Richard Roberts had already started his career, first working as his father's longtime assistant. He went on to found World Action Singers and then accompanied Oral Roberts to ORU faculty and deans' meetings and City of Faith construction meetings "so I could learn (about ORU) in case the call of God was on my life."

He wants to provide his daughters from his marriage with Lindsay Roberts with the same exposure to ministry, and he said they are already integral parts of it. Jordan, 22, graduated from ORU, and Olivia, 20, and Chloe, 18, withdrew from ORU this semester after the lawsuit was filed. Roberts said the younger two daughters hope to return as students.

"I don't want to push any family member into any role," he said. "I have no idea if the call of God is on anyone in my family after me."

He doesn't think Provost Lewandowski has been called to be president, he said.

Lewandowski, also the executive vice president of academic affairs, offered the board of regents his resignation on Thursday, saying that if Roberts remains as president, he could not "in good conscience serve under his leadership."

Lewandowski's letter to the board chairman described a "culture of fear" promoted by Roberts' management style and said Roberts has not addressed ORU's increasing debt.

"If ever there was a power play, that was what that was," Roberts said in response to Lewandowski's letter. "I am saddened to see that he wants to be president of the university himself."

Lewandowski declined to respond to Roberts' assertion.

Roberts said he loves the Lewandowskis but was shocked and saddened.

Lewandowski said earlier: "The faculty, the administration and the students love and appreciate Richard as a person, but we feel that it's time for a new leader and a new era at Oral Roberts University."

Lewandowski called for professors to take on governance at ORU and run the college, which he thinks they're more willing and prepared to do than a year ago. Accreditation representatives who visited ORU this month also called for stronger faculty governance, he said.

He has sensed excitement on campus, especially among employees, and "optimism that our greatest days are in front of us," he said.

On Monday, a quorum of tenured faculty voted "no confidence" in Roberts as president -- without regard to the outcome of the lawsuit and without judging ORU's or Roberts' guilt or innocence. They also voted "confidence" in Lewandowski's "call for greater faculty governance and transparency of university finances."

Lewandowski said: "The reason for my offer to resign is I didn't see the board of regents looking out for the best interest of the faculty and the students. It became apparent to me that someone had to speak on behalf of the faculty who very courageously made a statement of no confidence."

Roberts said that if the board chooses to keep him as president, he would have an open dialogue with faculty every two weeks and would bring about change at ORU.

"I believe if I'm given a second chance, I'll have an opportunity to do a lot better job and have not only a better relationship with the tenured faculty but with all faculty," he said. He has been president since 1993.

His "heart," he said, is not to perpetuate a "culture of fear," as Lewandowski wrote.

"If that's the perception, then I am wrong for allowing that perception to be there," Roberts said.

It's natural for some employees to fear their bosses, he said, and "when you're a strong leader, sometimes you give off an aura that you don't intend."

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.asp...1_A1_hAcco43533

triumphant1
11-19-2007, 06:26 PM
Roberts and Lewandowski on opposite sides is bad news for Richard...it would appear that The Tulsa World did get this article right...

The way this thing is going I have serious doubts if richard comes back...but for sure the school will be better...

Thad,

There is another article in yesterday's paper where Richard answers some of the allegations....it is interesting as well.