I would like to inform the Bangor Daily News that the University of Maine System faculty are not the only party that shares an important interest in what goes on in the University of Maine System. The BDN didn’t mention the other employees of the system who are committed to students’ needs and keep the campuses operating. They are very much part of the direct relationship and deserve mention.

An even greater point was neglected in the article that goes to the core of higher education. That involves the board of trustees’ financial management of the system and the funds they have appropriated. The board of trustees has spent so much money on projects, when they should have developed policies and found ways to invest and endow the campuses to support existing facilities and activities. The campuses should only be able to obtain part of the interest from these endowments. The board of trustees has been reckless, particularly with future development and building/addition construction, and with disciplining campus administrations over these issues. I didn’t see the faculty protesting about the millions being spent like monopoly money on the business building and the Performing Arts Center. The upkeep costs are great as well and are always down-played. Some of the faculty have encouraged this brick-happy, stacking behavior.

Walk through the first floor of Alumni Hall on the Orono campus and look at the five-six future development projects on the wall that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Hide your wallet!

In light of this, think of the hundreds of employees who have lost their positions. Finally, (J. Michael) Orenduff was chosen by the board of trustees and he acted on its behalf. Orenduff’s actions reflect the board of trustees’ will, and now it’s trying to make it look otherwise. The BDN even quotes board of trustee member Ms. Collins saying, “He was (Orenduff) in more ways than one head and shoulders above the rest.”

The faculty’s and other employees’ disagreements are with the board of trustees not the chancellor. Orenduff’s departure will not resolve the basic problem of financial management of the system. John Warpeha Orono