UPDATE: Benson is in, by a 6-3 vote. Regent Tom Lucero said the school isn't hiring him to teach in the classroom and isn't just hiring a fundraiser but someone who is politically well connected who can talk to legislators from both parties to try to get more state funding for CU. Regent Paul Schauer says it's time for CU to get back to teaching students. Regent Patricia Hayes (who says she didn't make up her mind until about 4 p.m. yesterday, when the regents meeting started) says it's time for the university to unite as a family. One faculty/staff speaker commented to regents that Benson isn't the greatest speaker, that she wasn't expecting an Obama, but that people were expecting a better public spokesperson for the university. Regent Tillie Bishop said something to the effect that Benson might not be the most polished diamond but with everyone working together, perhaps they could put some more facets on the diamond. The regents who opposed Benson (all Democrats) were opposed for various reasons, such as that Benson is a divisive figure on campus. Boulder faculty wanted someone who had risen from academia to help recruit and retain top faculty and students, much like 98 percent of CU's peers. Several students also wanted the search committee to reconvene. A motion by Regent Cindy Carlisle to have the committee reconvene and bring forth 3-5 finalists, including Benson if he desired, failed. More than 100 people attended the regents meeting, and about 30 people spoke. Hayes says there were also 1,250 e-mails sent just between 11 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday on Benson. President Hank Brown sat in the back observing. Student leader Charles Gilford was disappointed by the vote and said he wished more regents had taken the time to meet with students, whom they are supposed to be representing.
University of Colorado regents are scheduled to vote tomorrow, 2/20, on Bruce Benson, finalist to be CU system president. What do you think? Will the regents send the search committee back to look for another candidate?

It's not a slam dunk. Some worry that he has only a bachelor's degree. Others are upset he built his career in oil and gas. Others don't like that he funded a GOP-backed 527.

Professor Jeff Mitton said earlier this month that it has been "turbulent" on campus. He says this is yet another potential prez brought forward as a sole finalist, rather than one of a few finalists. Mary Kraus chairs the geology department, which has benefited from donations by Mr. Benson, a CU geology graduate. She is enthusiastically supporting Benson's nomination. Jerry Hauser, former chair for the Boulder Faculty Assembly, says of course everyone in the geology department is going to think Benson is the second coming. Still, Hauser says Kraus and Patty Limerick, another Benson supporter, are very well-respected at CU.

Faculty and students have already voted against supporting Benson's nomination. So far, the three Democrats on the nine-member Board of Regents are all expected to vote no on Benson.

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He's not a university president, but faculty are upset with John Lavine, the dean at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He's been in the hot seat since a columnist at the student newspaper raised questions over anonymous quotes in a piece Lavine wrote in the alumni magazine. (some might say he's been in the hot seat for a while, with the changes he wants to make to the journalism program) Now some members of the faculty have come out with a public statement and letter to Lavine saying they are "deeply troubled." This after Lavine's questionable use of the quote spawned articles in The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Note, David Protess, the professor whose investigative journalism students have helped free men on death row, signed on to both.

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On a lighter note, see the lunar eclipse tomorrow, 2/20! Watch from the backyard, or head to the University of Denver's Historic Chamberlain Observatory. Telescopes and experts available. 2930 E. Warren Ave.