ORU helper had to study quickly
ORU helper had to study quickly
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By John Estus
Published: January 16, 2008
TULSA — Mart Green learned nearly everything he knows about Oral Roberts University in just 45 days.
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Total overhaul planned
It's extremely rare to replace an entire governing body at a university, said an expert on higher education.
"I can't recall anything quite comparable,” said Doug Lederman, editor of Insider Higher Ed, a higher education publication.
Work on a new set of ORU bylaws began at Tuesday's regents meeting, Green said.
The bylaws will address what Green said was one of the biggest strings attached to his family's donation: ORU's agreement to a change from leader-based governance in which the Roberts family wielded much power to the new shared governance structure the Greens proposed.
"When one person has dominated an institution like that for as long as the Roberts have, it's very hard to have an independent board,” Lederman said. "It seems like if we (the Greens) are going to have a shot at restoring the institution's credibility, they're going to need a different board.”
University founder Oral Roberts will be a member of the new board of trustees and remains ORU's chancellor. His son, former ORU President Richard Roberts, told The Oklahoman his family's acceptance of a lesser role at ORU "has been quite difficult,” but that the family members have given the Greens' proposal their blessing.
Three current ORU regents eventually will be appointed to the new board, according to the proposal.
"It's been very hard for the founders to go through this,” Green said. "But we've enjoyed getting to know them over this process and appreciate them allowing this to happen. It's a tough thing to do when you're in their position.”
Green said he plans to visit Oral Roberts, 89, at his California home a few times a year if the university's founder isn't able to attend meetings of the board of trustees.
Richard Roberts resigned as ORU president in November amidst a scandal that broke when a lawsuit was filed against him and ORU.
The lawsuit contained allegations he misused university money for personal use.
He has repeatedly called those allegations untrue.
University regents on Monday gave him the title of president emeritus, an honorary title with no authority.
Strengths, weaknesses
Green said he found in his review that the faculty and students were the university's strong points, and the leadership and governance were the weak points.
He said the university had a "founder's governance” that didn't encourage involvement from others.
"That just didn't make sense,” Green said.
"In all of human nature, when we're involved in something, we put more of our heart and soul in it.”
Green pledged more transparency and said everyone's voice will be heard at ORU under the new governance.
He also said he will soon instruct his attorneys to meet with ORU's attorneys to discuss settling the multiple lawsuits ORU is facing.
Three professors at the university sued, alleging wrongful termination in October in the lawsuit that contained the allegations lodged against Richard Roberts.
Also, two university students and a former ORU accountant later sued.
The students' lawsuits claim they were being deprived of their educations.
Meanwhile, the accountant claims the Robertses ordered him to falsify accounting documents to cover up improper spending.
Putting a team together
Since he didn't know much about higher education governance, Green said he sought help from across the country.
A big boost came from the nonprofit group In Trust, which helps religious schools establish effective governance. One of In Trust's governance mentors, Bob Cooley, attended Monday's regents meeting and is among a large team Green assembled to help him prepare the proposal.
"I'm not an educator, but I just go and try to find the best and bring them in,” Green said.
Attorneys and a financial officer for Hobby Lobby also helped the family put together their proposal, Green said.
"For 45 days, we got a lot done,” Green said. "But that's how you do it. You put a team together and get people who are experienced. That's what the board was real impressed with.”
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