Redfern: Let's end the sale of board of trustee seats

For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005 CONTACT: John Kohlstrand (614) 466-9036 or (614) 595-4936 Redfern: Let’s end the sale of board of trustee seats House Democratic Leader Chris Redfern unveiled legislation today that will eliminate the pay-to-play system involving trustee seats at Ohio’s public colleges and universities. Redfern’s proposal would bar individuals from being appointed to a board of trustees at a public college if they made a political contribution to a political party or a candidate for state office in the previous year. Trustees would also be prohibited from donating to political campaigns until a year after leaving their post. “After 12 years of complete one-party rule, Ohioans see an arrogant system of pay-to-play in our roads and bridges, in our state’s investments and in the attorneys we hire,” Redfern said. “This arrogance also appears to have infected our colleges and universities.” “Our colleges and universities are crucial to the future of our state’s economy and should be overseen by men and women of the highest credentials,” Refdern said. “Instead, trustee appointments are being doled out to the biggest political donor or as a reward for political loyalty. That must end.” Redfern, who holds bachelor’s and masters degrees from Bowling Green State University, noted the appointment of Tom Noe to the BGSU Board of Trustees and, later, the Ohio Board of Regents. Noe – now under investigation for the possible theft of millions from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation – does not hold a college degree. He is, however, one of the biggest donors to Republican causes in Ohio. “Was Tom Noe appointed a trustee because of his depth of knowledge of higher education or his campaign cash? The evidence suggests it was the latter,” Redfern said. Major Republican donors have also been appointed to other boards of trustees. At Ohio State, Trustee Dimon McPherson has given more than $54,000 to Republican causes over the past ten years. Trustee Douglas Borror has given more than $150,000 Redfern’s unveiled his legislation as Ohio State University students held a rally to urge Brian Hicks to resign his post as trustee. Hicks, Governor Taft’s former chief of staff, pleaded guilty in July to ethical violations after he failed to properly compensate Noe for two stays at his $1.3 million Florida vacation home. -- 30 –