From blog by Kevin Richert/Idaho Statesman, a statement by UI President Duane Nellis re: Idaho Bored of Education decision to remove “flagship” from UI designation: “I have just returned to Moscow from the Idaho State Board of Education meeting in Boise and let me tell you it feels great to be “home.” I am very disappointed in the board’s decision today to remove the word “flagship” from our mission statement. This edit does not change who we are or how we will operate going forward. We are THE University of Idaho. I agree wholeheartedly with ASUI President Samantha Perez who said today that “flagship” is a factual definition of who we are at our core. Thanks to all of you for your support and good wishes as we work through this disappointment.”  Full post here.

Question: Do you think this move by the Bored of Education has anything to do with Boise State's football dominance?

The murder of a University of Idaho graduate student quickly spurred security reviews at other local and regional campuses this fall, but little change has been instituted. To date, only Boise State University has signaled a policy shift, emphasizing security and safety over the privacy of its employees and students.  “(The) tragic set of events at the University of Idaho provides many lessons for us and we are carefully reviewing our policies, procedures and communication methods to ensure our system is as effective as it can be,” a BSU official said in an email. “Safety and the proper assessment of concerning behavior are of the utmost importance and in the best interest of security for all”/Joel Mills, Lewiston Tribune. More here. (AP file photo of murder victim Katy Benoit)

Question: What are Idaho colleges & universities waiting for?

In his blog today, editorialist Kevin Richert of the Idaho Statesman focuses on UIdaho's failure to report to Moscow police that associate professor Ernesto Bustamante had pointed a gun three times at eventual victim Katy Benoit: “Would this have made any difference? Would this have prevented this abusive relationship from ending in murder-suicide? That is unknown. And unknowable. This much is evident: U of I officials did a disservice to police, and to Benoit, by withholding evidence of a series of violent crimes”/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Now that you've had time to digest the murder-suicide involving associate professor Ernesto Bustamante and victim Katy Benoit, do you think this tragedy could have been prevented?

The New Jersey company that offered Ernesto Bustamante a job as he was being investigated by the University of Idaho for sexual harassment never called the university for references, a company spokeswoman said today. “The references he provided were not from the University of Idaho,” said April Perrone, human resources manager at Hi-Tec Systems, an aviation industry engineering and research company based in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. The assistant professor of psychology agreed to resign his position with the university effective Aug. 19, three days before gunning down graduate student Katy Benoit, with whom he had an intimate relationship. Soon after killing her, he committed suicide in a nearby hotel room/Kevin Graman, SR. More here.

Question: How did this guy slip through all the cracks?

The University of Idaho is strengthening its ban on faculty-student relationships after the slaying of a 22-year-old graduate student by her professor, who then killed himself. University President M. Duane Nellis announced the changes Wednesday in Moscow, Idaho, as the university released employment and other records of the professor, Ernesto Bustamante (pictured). Judge John Stegner ordered disclosure of the public records, which were sought by several news organizations, including The Spokesman-Review. The records, more than 4,200 files including personal Bustamante emails, were expected to be delivered to the media today/Kevin Graman, SR. More here.

Question: Did you ever — or anyone you knew — date a teacher in college? How did that turn out?

• UI releases detailed timeline in Bustamante case/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise

In response to questions from reporters, UI President Duane Nellis said former professor Ernesto Bustamante was allowed to resign rather than fired because it was “the fastest way to make that happen.” He said, “We were interested in expediting this, and that was the fastest way to get that done.” Asked if UI personnel gave recommendations to Bustamante, who reportedly had other employment lined up, Nellis said, “Not to our knowledge.” He said, “I think we acted aggressively and appropriately.” Nellis said, “We did immediately contact the Moscow Police Department.” But asked why the university didn't immediately inform the Moscow Police that the professor had assaulted graduate student Katy Benoit with a handgun and threatened her life, UI general counsel Kent Nelson said, “That was information that Katy had and did not want us to disclose it to police. … We respected Katy's wishes”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• UI reworking its ban on faculty-student relationships/Kevin Graman, SR
• Nellis: 'We must learn from this tragedy and prevent from happening again
• Nellis: 'We are honoring commitment to transparency

Question: What do you hope to learn from the release of the associate professor Ernesto Bustamante's personnel records?

The University of Idaho implemented a “strategic hiring freeze” in fiscal year 2009. It's now down 44 regular faculty and 36 staff positions, not including changes in part-timers; the total reduction in full-time equivalent employees from the general education budget is 136. Add in 73 cut from the Ag Research and Extension Services, and the total cut is 203 positions. All non-essential travel has been cut. The UI also has furloughed most of its employees. “The freeze on hiring and the reduction in travel have been important management tools, but these are short-term cuts and they're not sustainable,” Nellis told lawmakers/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• Ag research & extension suffers from budget cuts
• Bell suggests tapping UI reserves, Nellis responds they're eroded
• UI can handle short-term cuts, but there are long-term consequences
• Nellis: Needs great, and investment in higher education pays off
• UI's budget relies on a variety of sources
• UI has largest freshman classes ever in last 2 years
• Nellis: UI returns $9 for every $1 invested in it
• Budget cuts take toll at LCSC, prez says
• LCSC enrollment has grown 68% since 2000

Duane Nellis stood before a packed house at the University of Idaho on Tuesday and said he would like to finish his career by making it a better school. Nellis, 54, is the provost and senior vice president at Kansas State University, and one of two finalists for the top job at the UI. He told those who attended a 90-minute open forum the next UI president needs to stick around for a while if he is to build lasting, fruitful relationships with donors, the business community and state government. “You can’t do it if you’re only there for a few years,” Nellis said. “You need some stability. I’m looking at my next move as a president as hopefully my last move”/Joel Mills, Lewiston Tribune. More here. 

Question: Is it important to you that the new University of Idaho president stay on the Moscow campus at least five years?