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Vote Demands Garrison Resign

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Posted: 3:23 PM May 14, 2008
Last Updated: 3:33 AM May 15, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com

32 comments

A | A | A

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia University faculty votes 563-35 to demand president resign over degree scandal.

The vote came during a rare special meeting intended to send President Mike Garrison a message about his future at the state's largest university.

Last week, the Faculty Senate voted overwhelmingly to demand Garrison resign over his administration's handling of a master's degree scandal involving the governor's daughter. Garrison has refused.

A meeting of the group known as the University Assembly hasn't been held since 1977.

While the number who have gathered falls short of the agreed-upon quorum of 909, the group voted by voice to proceed informally.

At least six motions are to be considered, including the resignation motion from last week.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: WV Citizen on May 17, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Sharon, It's about time the whole state realizes what these people are. School or ethics traning won't help their problem, they are dyed in the wool thieves and liers. This is how they got to where they are now. Do some inquiring around Morgantown, people know them and will tell you. They just know how to play the role of a human, when inside they are raving like wolves seeking to find another opportunity. Voters please make a change our state can't take any more of this, vote for Russ Weeks this fall before it's to late..

Posted by: annoymous on May 17, 2008 at 09:29 AM
If this incident was a punchline to a joke, it wouldn't be so insulting. The fact that it took place tells one that there are probably far worse underhanded deals going on within all parts of our State government. The fact that the Governor hasn't weighed in with his opnion makes you wonder if he hasn't "stepped in it" and is trying to keep the smell off himself. He had no problem popping off with the Rodriguez fiasco nor any other issue that dealt with the integrity of WVU. I guess we'll have to wait until it's time to debate his job performance in the General election. He can't hide forever.

Posted by: Just Wondering on May 17, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Has the company she works for asked her to "step down" from her position? Seems to me that she knowingly misrepresented herself to that company...which is usually a reason for dismissal.

Posted by: reader on May 16, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Why should Garrison resign? He was probably just following orders from someone higher than him - like maybe Gov. Manchin. I wouldn't give up a cushy high paying job, would you? Those who think he should resign are probably jealous of his position. He needs to come clean and tell all. If he is found to have acted wrongly in his decision about the Bresch degree, he should not be given the chance to resign, he should be fired.

Posted by: Mike on May 16, 2008 at 03:24 PM
I for one will not be donating to WVU this year or any other year. This is a Slap in the Face to students who earned their Degree. And the Parents who paid hard earned money for their children to attend classes at WVU. But I suppose you have to be a Politican to Cheat the real students and parents. To the Real Students you have nothing to be ashamed of. You paid your dues hold your heads up high.

Posted by: Jennifer on May 16, 2008 at 03:19 PM
And yet Manchin still won the democratic vote to possibly become Governor again. I think that the great Governor needs to go along with Garrison. Don't expect anymore great things from WVU as long as Manchin is governor. He spends more time controlling that school than he does working for the state...ya know the job he was voted in for

Posted by: Pablo on May 16, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Before Mr. Garrison's departure, could I please get a master's degree in economics, a B.S. in chemistry, and perhaps a B. A. in mathematics? I understand they are free for the asking at WVU.

Posted by: WV Fools paradise on May 15, 2008 at 09:13 PM
The good ol' boy system is alive and well. One more reason to get rid of PaPa Jo

Posted by: Sharon on May 15, 2008 at 07:27 PM
It us unbelievable that Mr. Garrison as the head of WVU considers it OK to allow anyone to receive a diploma they did not earn. And why has this diploma not been revoked from the governor's daughter? She is more guilty than anyone as she contrived to lie her way to a position that she knew, her Mom and Dad knew and the university faculty involved knew she did not deserve. What a blemish on our wonderful state. I feel Mr. Manchin has been a fantastic governor but this situation has created distrust for him and his family. All of the involved knew precisely what was taking place and the only ones that have my respect at this point are the ones who have already resigned. Mr. Garrison needs to take an Ethics class from some school of higher learning and the governor and his family need to enroll as well!

Posted by: Doug on May 15, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Pete, The voters of this state had better realize this before it's to late. We have a chance this fall to correct this mistake..

Posted by: Debbie on May 15, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I would like to know when Manchin's role in this will be investigated.

Posted by: annie on May 15, 2008 at 10:57 AM
First to "Bob"- I find your post hard to believe as Marshall has NO degree in law. Nice try though. I'm hoping your degree is not from Marshall judging by the grammar in your post. Second, Garrison needs to go. He is bringing the school and the value of my hard-earned degree down daily.

Posted by: Hey Bob on May 15, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Sorry, but there is no way you went to college. "stoled"? But, I agree with you. If she graduated with a Law degree from Marshall there should be an investigation. This girl must be very important because she is the first graduate from that fine institution with a law degree. Shheeeesh.

Posted by: Fred on May 15, 2008 at 10:08 AM
His resignation is the only way there can possibly by any closure to this, but the repercussions will last for years. Everyone knew when he was "appointed" he had no experience or qualifications for the job. Between this, Coach Rod, now the Coach Huggins ordeal, the millions in lost donations, when will it end? Only when he's gone.

Posted by: Chad on May 15, 2008 at 10:07 AM
The apple didn't fall far from the tree when you look at Manchin and his daughter. They believe that they don't have to answer to the law and play by the same rules as the rest of the citizens of the state and students at WVU. I am a WVU grad and I'll be putting my checkbook up until Garrison resigns or is removed.

Posted by: Trina on May 15, 2008 at 09:51 AM
For Bob- That's not the same thing. That's a different story and one you should take up elsewhere. There's no comparison with the two.

Posted by: college grad on May 15, 2008 at 09:44 AM
REALLY! In the grand scheme of all that is going on in WV and the US, does this matter at all. WVU needs to wipe the degree off Manchin's daughter's record-which they probably have- say oops and sorry, and move on. I also feel that the media has really given this more airtime than it should have. I am sure there is better, more needed news reports out there.

Posted by: Uh on May 15, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Bob, Marshall doesn't have a law school. And someone cheating to graduate isn't the same thing as the school knowingly awarding a degree to a politician's daughter regardless of qualification.

Posted by: Sharon on May 15, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Umm Bob...I can not imagine anyone stealing a test from you...much less passing with it. I think it does not take a genuis to see why the school did not investigate this...just someone who can read, spell and use proper grammer. And I am confused to why Hardesty name is not in all this mess.

Posted by: Tim A on May 15, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Jason, pal, it all has happened at WVU since Garrison came aboard. He is the point man for LOTS of unethical happenings at WVU. I know one thing - family just decided last night that the two twins will not be going to WVU and instead we take are scheduling a tour of OSU campus and plan to meet with counselors there for my boys. I want them to get an education from someplace where it counts. The heck with WVU so long as Garrison is there.

Posted by: Janette on May 15, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Mike, we know that she didn't turn it down and was a big part of it, so was the governor it runs in the family.. It's no wonder this state is last in integrity or intelect. Most of the citizens must like it too they voted for this crap. I don't care if I'm the only vote Russ Weeks gets it will be there. This is only the tip of the iceburg, it's no wonder WV is last in the nation. I challenge ever voter in WV to show the country what you are and change this controlling corrupt government.

Posted by: mmr on May 15, 2008 at 08:13 AM
I agree with Jason, Garrison just became president of WVU. He was not the leader when this event took place. I think that David Hardesty should be held responsible as he was the leader of the school at the time Heather was awarded her Masters/Non-Masters degree. This is just another example of how we jump to conclusions in this state and wish to blame whoever is handy. The degree was granted without full completion based soley on the fact she is Joe Manchin's daughter. The rest of us have to pay and earn our degrees. I think Garrison should stand his ground as he most likely feels that he is not responsible for this mess. I wonder if the no confidence vote is because he did not continue to cover this up? That makes me believe maybe we should not have confidence in the staff of WVU...???

Posted by: Anonymous on May 15, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Bob - Nothing probably happened if your complaint was as poorly written as your comment. In my experience at Marshall, any kind of academic dishonesty is taken very seriously. I also don't think Marshall offers a degree in law.

Posted by: mike on May 14, 2008 at 09:41 PM
What does this also say about the governor's daughter? Is she dishonest? Wonder if she's like her dad?

Posted by: Bob on May 14, 2008 at 09:34 PM
I don't think this is fair because Marshall University did the same thing to me when a girl stole my test and cheated and still got her degree in Law. Yell, in law. So why not cheat lie steal and get by with it. I sent it to the Doctor's and Dean's of Marshall and nothing was done to her.Please tell me why she got her degree and nothing done to her? Why not check this out and see what you come up with? If needed i still have the test papers that she stoled and put back in walls mail box.

Posted by: MILTON on May 14, 2008 at 06:07 PM
WHO CARES???? MILTON HAS NO WATER!!! WHY??

Posted by: EC on May 14, 2008 at 04:56 PM
THE FACULTY DOESN'T GET IT! HE IS A MANCHEN CRONY AND THE PEOPLE OF WV GAVE HIM A STAMP OF APPROVAL TUESDAY! PEOPLE THERE NEED TO FACE UP, WEST VIRGINIA IS A SOCIALIST STATE.

Posted by: a reader on May 14, 2008 at 04:53 PM
With that great of a vote, how can Garrison stay? If you can't have the support of the university behind you, how can you stay? It will only be worse for hime to stay. He needs to get out while he can. Maybe Heather can get him a job at Mylan.

Posted by: WV Res on May 14, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Hurray for them! They should hold Garrison accountable for this mess. This is WV corruption at it finest. If they don't do anything, it will tarnish WVU forever. I wish they could do something about getting Daddy Joe to resign too.

Posted by: Scott on May 14, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Informal, meaning non-binding and merely symbolic. This puppet is staying behind his desk. Uncle Geppetto-Manchin says so.

Posted by: Pete on May 14, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Finally, people are beginning to realize that Garrison is nothing more than a Manchin cronie. They are all crooks and liars. Manchin, his family and friends have been a blemish in the eyes of people from his hometown for many years. Garrison must step down!!

Posted by: Jason on May 14, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I don't care for WVU, but didn't Garrison just become president? Why should he resign? I don't think he should take the blunt of the responsibility for something he was not directly envolved in. Please enlighten me. I just don't get it.

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