newsobserver.com projects - Provost: Easley has 'unmatched experience' - Comments

Re: Provost: Easley has 'unmatched experience'

j1c2kp — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:09:58 -0400

Doesn't the salary increase also increase her retirement benefits? Plum deal.

Re: Provost: Easley has 'unmatched experience'

Preparedtodare — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:22:14 -0400

I am interested to know more about the Leadership program for first responders. As a former emergency service instructor for the state, I think that this program sounds like the Leadership Initiatitive that was being presentented to supervisory staff at Crime Control. This was an expensive training program that was promoted a couple of years ago, but unfortunately the senior management participation was difficult to "maintain." Leadership training should never be taken lightly. As stewards of the public trust, the State's management from the top down is based on a managerial heirarchy that is supposed to be supported by "leadership" roles fostered through experience and training. Sadly for many supervisors, there is a perception that a management position has an inherent leadership facet that is bestowed on workers who have attended certain types of training like is described in the article. True leaders are precious and can manifest themselves at any level of the "pecking order" of state (or any government). What I have observed in many years of service to the state, cut short for silly reasonsl, is that there is a fuzzy misconception that "management" and "leadership" are on the same plane in the workplace. Real leaders establish a group "willpower" to succeed and managers carry that out. Too many managers in government think that they are leaders by virute of their management title. Unfortunately they are often not equipped with the skills and experience to be true leaders, and good working people "flub" their best efforts due to misguided assumptions and expectations of the "leadership heirarchy" and they fail...and get blamed for a "superior's" ineptitudes. I have seen good people fall and be fired from a public service they love, by a management/leadership system that should support them. Hence the Crane "example", and others. Good people have been hurt by bad management in the guise of leadership ideals. This is the more to pity with all that we have seen unraveling in Raleigh. I only pray that we will have true leaders arise that can help government to manage their people and fullfill the expectations of the utlimate customer...the citizen. That's a rant, but it felt good to let it out in this forum. I have faith that the best in people can still be salvaged with tolerance and understanding as individuals and groups "work" together to achieve a common goal. When leadership falls short, then we are all losers in the game. And as far as the price tag.....? By the way..."unmatched experience" is something I would not like to be labeled with...wonderful use of words.

Re: Provost: Easley has 'unmatched experience'

ethanperry — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:02:04 -0400

Larry Nielsen is the mouthpiece, but his words smell of propaganda devised by others to explain this gift to a retiring Governor. It is similar to the propaganda devised to justify Mrs. Easley's overseas travels, at the expense of taxpayers.

I don't know what a Executive in Residence or Senior Lecturer does, or who figures it is worth $170,000. Would like to see how that job description was put together. Think I'll try to get on State's web pages to look for it.

This sounds like similar propaganda used in a local situation. The school system had Athletic Directors at each school. One retired and was replaced.
All of a sudden, the Administration decided it needed a new position of Athletic Director over all the Athletic Directors.

There are questions as to what the new position does, but one thing is for sure. It provides a supplement to the retired pay of a nice guy who once directed sports activities at one of the systems schools. I doubt you
could put that in a job description though.

NC State's Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor did his duty in trying to explain the ways of the academic world to the taxpayers who support our states universities, and those who pay the tuition to attend. By the way, isn't that interesting - the taxpayer gets to pick up tabs in both cases.

Re: Provost: Easley has 'unmatched experience'

mickiep — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:44:34 -0400

Unmatched experience as well as unmatched connections. State run institutions and departments funded by taxpayers are always avenues to high salaries for the well connected. Maybe Governor Easley will get a high paying position funded by the taxpayers when he leaves the executive mansion.

Re: Provost: Easley has 'unmatched experience'

FFC1304 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:30:48 -0400

Nielson needs to be FIRED as well! NOW!

HOW do these people SLEEP at night?

Provost: Easley has 'unmatched experience'

bniolet — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:34:34 -0400

Larry Nielsen, provost and executive vice chancellor at N.C. State, defended Mary Easley's new salary.

"Mary Easley brings unmatched experience to our students at N.C. State, and we are fortunate to have her as a member of our faculty," Nielsen said in a statement released Wednesday.

Easley, wife of Gov. Mike Easley, got a pay increase of $79,000 on Tuesday. Her new salary as a executive in residence and senior lecturer in the provost's office at N.C. State University will be $170,000.

In that job she has run the university's Millennium Seminar Series, among other duties. Her new five-year commitment with the university will expand her duties, Nielsen said. She will expand a program that will train public safety leaders, first responders and other security professionals. Her new duties also will include co-directing the pre-law services program and building partnerships with legal professions and area law schools.

"Mrs. Easley's experience in the legal profession and commitment to public service make her uniquely qualified to direct these efforts at N.C. State," Nielsen added. "Her salary is within the range of similar management and law faculty and administrators at N.C. State and other universities."