The Pride of Oklahoma

[mdeand]

David Boren has been surprisingly poor in responding to this issue. He has taken the ostrich approach to complaints.

[Snowman]

When Boren even gives quotes indicating his response to things like this is to ignore it, it is no wonder they feel he is doing nothing.

[Laramie]

When Boren even gives quotes indicating his response to things like this is to ignore it, it is no wonder they feel he is doing nothing.

In defense of President Boren, he has to evaluate those faculty members. It wouldn't be in the University's interest for him to come out making statements in the media with regards to an individual faculty member's performance evaluation.

Did my graduate work at OU, this is a very political savvy university; these matters shouldn't be handled in the media.

I don't doubt that the members of the pride have concerns; however, there's always a risk when you begin to attack someone through the media. There will be 'concerns' when you bring in a new faculty member who doesn't fit the mold of the previous 'works' of the highly regarded director like Dr. Gene Thrailkill.

[mdeand]

In defense of President Boren, he has to evaluate those faculty members. It wouldn't be in the University's interest for him to come out making statements in the media with regards to an individual faculty member's performance evaluation.

Did my graduate work at OU, this is a very political savvy university; these matters shouldn't be handled in the media.

I don't doubt that the members of the pride have concerns; however, there's always a risk when you begin to attack someone through the media. There will be 'concerns' when you bring in a new faculty member who doesn't fit the mold of the previous 'works' of the highly regarded director like Dr. Gene Thrailkill.

Resorting to the media appears to be the last resort by students and alumni whose voices have been rejected by Boren. I don't blame them. He has disregarded their concerns. The fact remains Boren hired this band director, who did not meet the search committee criteria, to kotow to a board of regent (the same who has contributed heavily to Molly Boren's art collection at OU). The quality of the band has suffered. The result is a management failure by the OU president who put personal interest ahead of the university interest.

[mugofbeer]

I will agree that band members and alum may feel they have exhausted their avenues to be heard. The attitude of the response by President Boren tells me that he doesn't really give a **** about the feelings of former band members and a lot of alumni.

I was solicited the other day for a donation to the school and I let the very nice (likely) student know that I would withhold any further donations to the school until the President addresses the issue of the Pride Band Director with some due level of respect. The attitude that he was "disappointed" the alum would spend their money on advertisements rather than donating to the school was, at best, arrogant. It's their money to spend as they like and President Boren might want to be reminded that he is paid by taxpayers and donors.

[Questor]

I didn't care for Boren's initial response, I felt like it was the opposite of political savvyness. I think there are things as a leader he could do that it surprises me he has not.

On the other hand, I think the students and alumni who are stoking the flames here have a serious lack of reality, specifically in the area related to employment laws and policies. I don't think any of them have ever had to lead people, and I think they have no idea what it takes to discipline let alone Fire someone in a large organization, not withstanding the thought exercise that there's probably not anything here that has been done that warrants that from what I have seen. Also, while they may speculate that the director is unqualified, unless someone has insider knowledge from the interview process, which would be a serious violation of confidentiality, they really have no basis to say that. Pointing out that the guy has one type of music Ph.D. rather than another makes me think these same people have never dealt with an HR organization.

Yep, the whole thing sucks. Put your money where your mouth is and leave the band. That's how the real world works.

[ljbab728]

Boren has now met with band members.

OU president meets with band members, listens to their concerns | KFOR.com

In the band handbook it states, if you do speak out, you may get booted from the band.

Boren ended up removing the section of the student handbook that had muzzled band members from speaking out.

On Monday, President Boren met many band members face to face.

[dankrutka]

Looks like this never really went away. It's a shame that after all this time and the same feeling that Boren isn't willing to do anything.

OU marching band members 'tired of being ignored' | News OK

Well, he did address the free speech issue pretty promptly.

[ljbab728]

Well, he did address the free speech issue pretty promptly.

More details about this.

University of Oklahoma president lifts ban on band members' free speech | NewsOK.com

Boren struck down that requirement Friday in an email sent to the leadership of the College of Fine Arts.

“President Boren was incensed when he learned of the band participation agreement and was disturbed that he had not been told of it by the School of Music,” OU spokeswoman Catherine Bishop stated in an email Monday. “President Boren has a lifelong history of defending free speech, and upon learning of the agreement, he immediately issued a Presidential directive making it null and void.”

[ljbab728]

More information about the meeting with Boren.

University of Oklahoma president listens to OU band members' concerns | NewsOK.com

About 50 to 60 band members were at the meeting, Graeme Biggs, a sophomore on the drum line, said Tuesday.

“I think yesterday was a big day for the band. I think Boren was really listening to us as a whole,” said Biggs, a management information systems major from Edmond. “He really seemed to take it to heart.”

Biggs said Boren told the students, “I don’t take this lightly. I’m going to make a decision by the end of the week.”

Boren confirmed Tuesday he will make an announcement on the situation this week.

[jerrywall]

OU marching band director steps down

Well now... almost feels like an April's fool story. Happy that Brian Britt is back.

[Pete]

Wow, sounds like the right decisions all the way around.

Sometimes people just don't work out, which doesn't mean they aren't good at what they do, but a bad fit for whatever reasons.

Hopefully this change will be best for all those involved.

[Laramie]

President Boren worked behind the scenes because it wasn't difficult to predict this outcome. He protected the privacy of an employee who may have better success with his new position.

[LocoAko]

Yay! Great news.

[SoonerDave]

Wow, sounds like the right decisions all the way around.

Sometimes people just don't work out, which doesn't mean they aren't good at what they do, but a bad fit for whatever reasons.

Hopefully this change will be best for all those involved.

I think Stolarik spent all the capital he had with Boren until now, and the latest allegations of incompetence combined with this "no disparagement" clause he presumably worked into the band handbook were just too much. When Boren issued his "I'm incensed" note earlier this week (or was it last?) it was clear he wasn't going to ignore the issue this time around.

Whether the non-disparagement clause was really that serious (and some would say it was, particularly if it was for students who had to take band as part of their degree program) or if it was merely a strawman to rationalize dispatching the whole issue by dispatching Stolarik, I'm delighted he's gone. While I was never a musician or a band member, I've always thought the Pride was a great ambassador/adjunct for the football program, and to see how it has suffered in the last two years was really sad to watch. It was particularly conspicuous at the OU-Texas game this year, where UT's band just dwarfed what OU put out there. With diminishing members, a "no-confidence" from the President, and another round of challenges to his ability as an instructor, Boren did what I think was smart by "deferring" a decision until the end of the week that would "put an end to the controversy," and everyone knew the only resolution would be to remove him - or to give him a chance to resign. Which he did.

Here's hoping for a brighter future ahead for the Pride!

[ljbab728]

And the timing on this is perfect. OU has an off week this week and then an away game, which will give the band extra time to adjust with the new director before the next home game. I suspect that also may have played into the suddenness of the resignation.

[Dustin]

Expect the cheers when the band comes out on the field to be deafening.

[td25er]

OU fans can stop whining like 5 year olds!!

[SOONER8693]

OU fans can stop whining like 5 year olds!!

No doubt just like you do with your mother.

[ljbab728]

A good news story here finally.

Returning University of Oklahoma band director happy to be home | NewsOK.com