Malcolm X’s “By Any Means Necessary” maxim apparently has nothing on Clemson University’s need for national respect.
Already under fire for exorbitant administrative raises, Tigertown was rocked again today by the release of several internal memos that lay bare the school’s naked obsession with becoming a U.S. News & World Report “Top 20″ University.
And while obsessing over excellence isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the degree to which one news magazine’s ranking criteria appear to have driven almost every decision at Clemson is truly frightening.
Obtained by FITS, these documents show just how methodically school officials broke down the U.S. News’ rankings – and sought to appropriate funds and set other administrative and academic priorities accordingly.
“One of the most important management decisions affecting U.S. News rankings is the allocation of scarce financial resources,” one of the memos states, before concluding that “we will prefer investments that advance multiple inter-related criteria over investments that advance single criteria.”
“Not every expenditure is a Top 20 investment,” the memo continues, “and some expenditures are critical even though they have no direct impact on our U.S. News ranking. We will permit ourselves to make non-Top 20 investments if they pass scrutiny, but we will not pretend they are advancing our drive for Top 20 status.”
Another memo outlines the involvement of one of Columbia’s most liberal PR firms, Chernoff-Silver – which had day-to-day oversight of the PR campaign associated with the “Top 20″ drive. It also details the involvement of one of South Carolina’s top political consultants, Richard Quinn, who along with Chernoff-Silver was responsible for the “legislative effort” associated with the “Top 20″ drive.
Conveniently, no mention is made of how much money either Chernoff-Silver or Richard Quinn was to be paid for their efforts – or how much the larger “Top 20″ drive absorbed in administrative time and resources.
The memos date as far back as 2001, though, meaning this has been a “daily” obession for nearly a decade.
According to the 2009 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Clemson ranked No. 61 among all colleges and universities, and was No. 22 in the nation among public universities.
The University of South Carolina ranked No. 108 among all schools, and was No. 52 in the nation among public universities.
WEB EXTRAS
By franksboy April 23, 2009 at 11:57 am
Jim Barker – OBSESSED – NO say it isn’t so! – Not Jimbo, the guy who does push ups in his Tiger Suit – Not Jimmy, the tight fisted fighter who holds his staff to a minimum – Not Jamie , who understands the value of a taxpayer dollar and would fall critically ill before passing out ludicrous salary increases to retirees (Helms), Daughters of BOT, heavy handed intimidators (Steadman) – No, President Barker couldn’t be obsessed with Top 20 status or, as we really prefer – centerfold in a Liberal Political Digest – that has one benefit – publicity to the President of the University.
And, we all want and need that. To HECK with the employees of the University who suffer in silence everyday – intimidated by a bunch of heavy handed, ill prepared PhD’s who love to tell everyone around them “I’m a GD Hardass!!” – ring any bells??? – as their favorite counseling tool.
For God’s Sake, go ahead and get to this Top 20 mess – spend the money – hire the publicists, trample whomever is necessary – just get there and stop this madness!!
By lodger_cu April 23, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I am guessing most that take issue with Barker and his drive to improve Clemson have spent most of their personal careers in academia or in failing companies. What is wrong with having goals, holding people accountable and paying them well if they meet those goals or exceed them?
Barker is doing the right thing by driving this initiative to become a well thought of school. If not it will be slow progress over decades to achieve the prestige.
By rjennings April 23, 2009 at 5:04 pm
You call it a “daily” obsession for nearly a decade yet could only find 6 memos? What an obsession! I believe it is YOU who are obsessed with Clemson. Ya know, I would hate Clemson too if I were you. It must be hard taking the beating they give you in most every sporting event anyone cares about. You kill me!
By fitsnews April 23, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Jennings, You’re so bitter!
BTW, we had a concierge in Charleston on our last visit named Jennings. He was to die for!
-FITS
By franksboy April 23, 2009 at 6:10 pm
lodger – you are 180 degrees and a long, long distance from the facts.
I can only speak for myself and a few other disillusioned Clemson Alumni – of which, none are out of academia or failing companies – basically, we have backgrounds that range from large farming, relatively prosperous contractors to a list of very successful private and public companies.
And, we all overwhelmingly support setting lofty goals, holding people accountable and rewarding them for real performance.
THAT IS NOT THE CASE!! This group of Administrators have been and are rewarded for just being there – and,mostly for being there for Barker when he needs facts muddled or completely mistated to cover another financial blunder, failure of public trust or people management blunder.
Clemson is, and has been a very well thought of school. As any institution, Clemson needs to continually change with and for the times which she has always been able to do before Jim Barker, during Jim Barker and in many ways, in spite of Jim Barker. Ol’ Jim wants the publicity and the spotlight.
By the way, a decade has passed in this “drive for prestige?” Result, Clemson had prestige, still has prestige and will continue to build prestige if the Barker gang doesn’t destroy her with the misuse of funds, playing to favorites and ignoring the plight of the people that keep the University running.
I would trust in the knowledge that those 6 memo’s are only a small sampling of incriminating communications, directives and records or actions that do exist in the administrations carefully covered files.
By lodger_cu April 23, 2009 at 8:39 pm
franksboy – I am very confused. What is disdainful about Barker’s memos? I’ll be honest and say I only glazed over them, but nothing jumps out as being disgustingly wrong or over the top.
As for misuse of funds, the only place that doesn’t occur is in a small business. Point being when it isn’t your money one is less likely to penny pinch. I’m sure the misuse of funds occurred before Barker, after Barker and at all other universities in this country with over 50 students.
Clemson was just a well thought of school in the south. Barker has helped expand that thought beyond the Mason-Dixon line.
In short, I don’t see anything wrongful in Barker’s actions, but people who are afraid of succeeding and what it takes to succeed.
By calftiger April 24, 2009 at 9:08 am
When you find something newsworthy… get back to us. As for you Franky, if you can’t take the heat, get the heII out of the kitchen. You are a fine example of what’s wrong with this country. Excellance and acheivement have no place in a socialist environment. And…. that is your goal. When everyone is mediocre, then life will be fair. Does us all a favor and hop on a plane to Cuba and take Sean Penn, Barbara Streisand and Alec Baldwin with you.
By Sad, But True April 24, 2009 at 9:56 am
I’m betting that this is not that unusual. Universities pay a lot of attention to US News and World Report rankings because prospective students, parents and alumni (donors) pay a lot of attention to them. Administrators will admit privately that the rankings are, for the purposes of evaluating true academic excellence and rigor, pretty much meanlingless. Yet they ignore them at their peril. Not always a big fan of Clemson, but in this case they are not alone. I believe USC had a very public goal about climbing the USN&W list a few years back when Sorenson arrived.
By franksboy April 24, 2009 at 9:56 am
lodger – After a tour with the US Army, I interviewed with several companies, some well above the Mason Dixon Line, and found no lack of respect, knowledge of or resistance to my degrees from Clemson University. My first job was with a Company based, and I was based, far above the Mason Dixon Line. the people selecting me were very knowlegeable and appreciative of Clemson, my peers and subordinates were very well aware of Clemson and equally impressed with the School’s reputation. Jim Barker was barely in grade school at the time. Clemson has grown in the public’s recognition and knowledge as has all other Institutions (want to check how many people had heard of Gonzaga) Mom & Pop enterprises, off beat sports teams – because of 2 things – TV and the Internet – Barker and his crowd have had personal growth because of being associated with Clemson. The 6 memo’s – no, I find nothing repulsive either – There are far worse things that are being revealed on this Administration and, likely, soon, very many others. But, the realtively old – 6 memo’s – are certainly indicative of more than a “let’s do what’s best for the University, the Students, the Alumni, the Taxpayers of SC and the University Employees” go – instead focusing on the “things” that would score highest in this magazine’s very questionable opinion.
I have to agree with you that Barker’s actions are exactly what it takes for “him” to succeed. Get himself publicly recognized, surround himself with a totally dedicated to him Staff (no better way than to find the ones that will trade ethics for pay increases, perceived power and freedom to pillage and use those more vunerable at will), create an atmosphere where you are completely guarded against those who might question your tactics or management.
Obciously, mismanagement of funds is prevalent throughout the Country. We see that in every institution, agency and most Companies to some degree – and, the problem with that Statement – it is also done at Clemson – first, is it OK at Clemson because it’s done at other places – but, my real concern there, is that it’s done at Clemson at the direct expense and emotional destruction of Clemson Employees whom, for the most part, are highly capable, highly dedicated to the University but, for a myriad of reasons have fell out of favor of “someone” – the most disgusting reason is resistance to propostions of “favors” that some Dept Head has taken offense to and set out to drive the person(s) out of their job. These victims and many others who have put their souls into their jobs at Clemson – and,the major way of retalliation – being to withold any monies, no raises – and, without creating false documentation to indicate some bogus poor performance – they are simply lied to – told that there is no money available –
The 6 memo’s by themselves are – not the case against Clemson Administration – the methods that are veiled in the wording of those memo’s are indicative of the thought process – and, that is personal glorification for publicity on a National Level.
By Pam April 24, 2009 at 11:25 am
Franky, you are missing the point. When I read the memo’s I saw a commitment to improving graduation rates, keeping students enrolled, exploring why students might not progress and complete a degree. What in the world is wrong with these ideals and efforts to help students. I even saw on one of them a statement about doing what’s right and funding the right thing even if it did not make a different to a rating. So where’s your anger from? Who wants to be average?
By lodger_cu April 24, 2009 at 1:53 pm
franksboy – If Barker did not graduate from Clemson I could see many of your points, but he did graduate from Clemson. Are you saying he is running the university he graduated from into the ground for his own personal gain? Maybe he is a liar who has deceived many of us into thinking he wants what is best for Clemson. Maybe I am moron for following this man into the dark abyss. If the day does come that we all become aware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing then I will step up and say I am one of the many idiots who followed this man.
By Plantation University April 24, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Clemson’s top 20 obsession was a smoke screen to enrich the top Clemson administrators. They have no ideals or desire to improve the education of the students which is the mission of a university. Barker, Helms and their cronies have $ signs in their pupils.
Shame on you Barker and Helms
By franksboy April 24, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Calf tigger – ???????????? Socialist Environment?????????? Undoubtedly you landed in California as the only place that can stomach off the wall dizzy rants with no facts, reason or thought behind it.
After spending a long career in the Private Sector where I and my peers were judged and rewarded for excellence and results. I want excellence, growth and total success for Clemson University – and, I want there to be an Administration that stands for excellence, dedication, effort and results in every phase. BUT, not at the expense of having an environment of harassment, humiliation, abysmal lies to the employees/public/alumni – which has and is happening within this Administration.
If you even partly understood the words you’re saying – you would be embarassed to have submitted the statement –
Nothing I have said has even hinted at a Socialist Environment – I lived through a career directing Tier one Suppliers to the Automotive Industry – survival there isn’t for those who want to be mediocre or with a total dedication to creating results. But, I’ll tell you this Sport, we did it in an honorable, fair environment for our people and our customers. We didn’t lie – take from the lower level to provide for the Staff – nor, did we pay for the fact of just being there – bring people back from retiring to pad their pockets with State money – or set our targets on some liberal magazine ranking.
Pam – nothing is wrong with what you said – as a matter of fact – those are the things that a University should be focused on – but, the reason for focusing is to do it for the students, for the parents and for the folks who support your school – not, some place in the ranking of a magazine that no one pays any attention to – except the Administation when they want to tout their magnificence.
However, my anger, I prefer to say disappointment in this bunch at Clemson is their methods of making their goals. And, their very quick hands when it comes to accepting and running with lofty rewards while abdicating principles, honor and truth.
lodger – I see your point but, I don’t see the fact of graduating from Clemson being anything in his favor. He has many people that graduated from Clemson that are trying to make a career at Clemson who he is ignoring, punishing and screwing over every day – and, telling them to enjoy it – or hit the road. no bad performers – just people that are capable – have failed to comply with some (Clemson educated) PhD “advances” – or did not fall on the “right” side of a discussion – or showed a level of intelligence and common sense that intimidated a Dept Head. –
And, California Boy – I don’t mind a young man taking a pot shot at me but, do prepare your self and put forth some type logic in your statements.
By Notafan April 27, 2009 at 2:36 pm
What about waiving out-of-state tuition for excellent candidates from other states? That means South Carolinians are subsidizing the education of out-of-state students. Why is Clemson a public school if their main purpose is not to educate South Carolinians?
And please don’t tell me the majority of the student body is from of SC… that may have been true 10 years ago. I work here so I know.
By franksboy - get a life April 29, 2009 at 12:14 am
franksboy (or is it Mr. Bednar?) – get a life. You have way too much time on your hands. Do something worthwhile.
By franksboy April 30, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Now who is impersonating little ol’ me? and why? I will make an effort to post longer and more often in my quest to do something worthwhile.
I’ll certanly support Mr. Bednar’s facts as he presented them and challenge anyone to show any errors.
And, whether this is Caltigger or your “life partner” – you still aren’t thinking and submitting any sensible statements. Maybe y’all should just get on back in bed, smoke your whatever and enjoy the California way of life. We have too much work to do over here to worry with you.
And, that priority is curtailing the total ravaging of Clemson University for the sake of Jom Barker and Company’s political ambitions, stop Kelly’s partying while Clemson falls and at least slow his ASSOCIATE from checking out the new female students that happen to step within his reach. He does have a hard time keeping his hands in his pocket and zipper in the up position.
Seems this effort to make themselves immune to the Law is a last ditch effort to keep all of the waste products under cover – let’s hope it the courts do what is right. Seems this was not a successful tact back in the 1890′s when Clemson flooded the neighbors land – let’s hope the modern day Courts are just as effective against this behavior.