By Kyeland Jackson —

Tensions broiled during the University of Louisville Board of Trustees annual meeting.

Trustee Craig Greenberg accused U of L Foundation Chairwoman Brucie Moore of ignoring demands leveled by the university. Moore fired back.

“Craig, If you want to continue with this discord, I mean, that’s your prerogative…You guys need to tone it down and let us do the work,” Moore said.

Board of trustees Chair Larry Benz issued the demands last week on behalf of the university. Days before the demands, relations between the university and foundation were reportedly well.

“By 9:30 Monday morning I was called by Chairman Benz, that if i didn’t do ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ by 2:30 in the afternoon, he’s going to file a lawsuit…I will not be bullied like that,” Moore said.

Benz’s demands include hiring a forensic auditing firm to review the foundation’s books. Greenberg reminded Moore of her approval, in line with the board weeks ago, to threaten the foundation with litigation.

“Things have changed,” she said.

Since Benz issued demands, Bob Hughes stepped down as foundation chair, James Ramsey resigned as foundation president and Kathleen Smith retired from the university. Smith remains employed as the foundation’s assistant secretary.

Moore supports an audit of the foundation, planning to chair Benz on a committee to review its finances. ULF donors prompted the audit, threatening to pull funding from the foundation and university if it did not hire a foreign body to audit its books. Those donors account for more than $76 million in endowment assets.

SGA President Aaron Vance questioned the foundation’s prior commitment to appoint a student on ULF’s board. Vance has said foundation business increasingly affects students, validating need for a student liaison on the endowment manager’s board. Moore said the foundation still wants to appoint a seat for students as well as faculty.

 

Initially, Thursday’s board meeting began tame. Trustees approved finances, academic degrees and changes to personnel documents without trouble. But trustee Marie Abrams voiced disapproval on the vote for the board’s new slate of officers, citing the lack of women nominated. Moore agreed.

“I’m offended that there are not any women on this slate,” Moore said.

Hughes and Enid Trucios-Haynes echoed their dissent, calling for progressive acts and transparency. Though Abrams and Trucios-Haynes abstained, and Moore and Hughes voted against it, the vote for new officers passed.

Board of Trustees Officers:

  • Larry Benz – Chair
  • Craig Greenberg – Vice Chair
  • Steve Campbell – Treasurer
  • William Summers – Secretary
  • Bruce Henderson – At-Large
  • Will Armstrong – Staff Constituent
  • Leslie Strohm – Legal Counsel
  • Trisha Smith – Assistant Secretary
  • Harlan Sands – Assistant Treasurer

University of Louisville Police Chief Wayne Hall reported to the board, citing safety initiatives deterring crime on campus. Students’ sense of security were smashed after sexual assaults struck near campus. Three suspects have been arrested since then.

The U of L foundation’s next meeting is Friday at 9 a.m. Decision on whether the foundation approves a forensic auditor may be finalized then.