David Gearhart and I grew up together in Fayetteville. We go all the way back to kindergarten.
Dave and his wife, Jane, were classmates of mine at Fayetteville High School, where we graduated in 1970. Later, Dave and I were in law school together at the University of Arkansas. I think highly of Dave and Jane, both of whom I’ve admired and respected since the days of our youth.
By almost any standard, Gearhart has been a successful and accomplished leader at the University of Arkansas. He has built a record of achievement for which there is much to be proud.
But in the past year, Gearhart has been tested like never before by the long-running saga and the public fallout surrounding the sizable budget deficit in the university’s Advancement Division. He has borne the bulk of the heat and criticism arising out of the discovery of the university’s budget problems.
Criticism, whether warranted or not, “goes with the territory.” After all, the chancellor is the responsible officer at the university’s flagship campus.
Being chancellor is a high-profile position, one of the most “political” jobs in Arkansas. That means accolades come your way at times and Gearhart has earned and received plenty since taking the helm at the university.
But being at the top also means harsh criticism and unyielding media scrutiny at other times.
It’s easier said than done, but as hard as it is to endure, one in a position of public leadership simply can’t take criticism or media scrutiny personally, even if he or she deems it to be patently unfair or beyond the pale.
An engaged, inquisitive press is a good and necessary thing. The university should embrace this notion. And our state’s open records law is essential to the public’s right to know what’s going on at public institutions. It fosters accountability and transparency.
Just about everyone agrees the budget woes are unacceptable and the university must do better. The university says it has taken steps to make sure this never happens again.
Let’s hope so.
Some feel university officials have been overly defensive and not open or transparent enough in reaction to the budget deficit. I get that. But they should get a chance to learn from this and do better the next time adversity strikes.
Here’s the important thing; Gearhart remains popular and well-respected in Arkansas. Most who have been critical of him still believe he's the right person for the job as chancellor.
That’s what counts and it should comfort and nourish the chancellor for the road ahead.
The university has little justification to blame anyone but itself for the turmoil or for the hard questions some have asked during the past year. It wouldn’t be right or smart for the university to shut anyone out now. I hope the chancellor will reach out to those who have disagreed with him.
To do so would be the mark of a statesman and a shining example of good public leadership.
Most in the Arkansas media have been balanced in reporting and commenting on the university. But our statewide newspaper has been relentless and largely repetitious in its criticism of Gearhart. It’s their First Amendment right to do so.
When it comes to the relationship between our statewide newspaper and the university, most readers would prefer the newspaper be neither a lapdog for, nor an attack dog against, the university. Instead, it should be a vigilant and objective watchdog. Report on and scrutinize the university and Gearhart all you want. Offer commentary on the university and the chancellor’s job performance as you see fit.
But don’t wage an endless war against the university and don’t call for the chancellor to step down. That’s simply not warranted and would not be in the best interests of the University of Arkansas.
No one wants their work or career to be assessed at its lowest ebb. None of us are perfect and we all have setbacks. We all want our job performance to be judged by our entire body of work. By that measure, Dave Gearhart has done extremely well as chancellor. I’m betting even better things are ahead.
The university’s future is bright. Gearhart is working harder than ever to show he’s worthy of the state’s continuing support and deserving of the public’s trust and confidence.
It’s time to move on. We must if we want the university to be all it can be for our state and our students.
WOODY BASSETT IS A LIFELONG FAYETTEVILLE RESIDENT AND A LOCAL ATTORNEY.