I feel it is time for me to share my experience with this story. Loving Syracuse the way
I do, the way we all do, I thought I was in a unique position to maybe broker a peace
deal between the parties. I have known one of the Trustees well for over 30 years.
Plus, I had access to a couple of others. It was my intention to have them introduce me
to the Chancellor and for me to get the Chancellor and Adaw W together for a lunch.
Let's see if we can come up with a solution that both sides could live with. At this
point, I had never spoken with either the Chancellor or Adam W.
The first thing I did was call Adam W. After a couple of misses, we finally spoke.
I found Adam to be charming and more than willing to this potential meeting.
He said he just needed a bit of notice. For me, I thought one half of my plan had
been accomplished. Next, I contacted a BOT member that have known extremely well
for 32 years. The response couldn't have been colder. The message was that she would
pass my request through official channels to the Chancellors office. Keep in mind,
this is a person I had done a very big favor for with the University just a few years ago.
I explained that I needed more than that. I needed a phone call to the Chancellor. The
request was refused. I contacted two other BOT members and got even less of a
response. One saying that Kent will never meet with Adam. Well, I have had to fight
for everything I have ever got in my life so I wasn't going to just take a couple
of no's and quit. So I wrote the nicest letter to the Chancellor. Very complimentary
and respectful. I explained who I was and all I wanted was a lunch meeting. My treat.
The Chancellor never responded. I waited a few days and sent another message.
I provided the Post Standard with these messages. Once again, the Chancellor
never responded. No, thanks but no thanks. No go to hell. I guess he left his
manners back in D.C.. As i told the Post Standard, the message was clear.
Although, perception is reality.
www.niche.com
