Donor seeks Harter’s ouster

Jennifer Knight

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 | 11:12 a.m.

A high-powered philanthropist who wants to remove UNLV President Carol Harter from her position sent Nevada's Board of Regents a second letter today that he says further supports his criticism of the president.

Former Anchor Gaming Chairman Stanley Fulton, who wrote the regents last week, contended in his first letter, dated July 31, that Harter is driving away at least three important benefactors, costing the university millions of dollars.

In the second letter, Fulton says that he tried to deal with his problems with Harter prior to writing the first letter. He met with three university fund raisers in a private and confidential session, but the opinions expressed in the meeting were disclosed to Harter.

"I think regents will find that the letter speaks for itself," Fulton said.

Fulton during an interview Monday night would not comment on the contents of the follow up letter. He did say, however, that the letter further explains his criticisms of Harter.

But other prominent university donors have recently rallied around Harter. Bank of America President George W. Smith wrote regents to commend Harter on the completion of 16 major construction projects. He also praised her fund-raising efforts; Harter has raised about $140 million during her six years at UNLV.

Regent Steve Sisolak said university system officials are trying to sort through the situation.

Harter's ability to raise funds, however, has never been an issue, he said.

"I think the board's been happy with her fund raising," Sisolak said. "My feeling is that Mr. Fulton has concerns, and we would like to address them. But there are all these other people singing her (Harter's) praises."

Harter said Fulton's correspondence disappoints her.

"I'm just very surprised by it," she said. "It saddens me a great deal that Stan felt he had to write such a letter. I had what I thought was a wonderful relationship with him."

Don Snyder, Boyd Gaming president who also chairs the UNLV Foundation, said it is "fundamentally wrong for a benefactor to even think he can wield that type of influence over an organization or its governing board."

Snyder recounted a private meeting with Fulton in a letter to regents.

In the letter Snyder accused Fulton of suggesting that certain donors should get special treatment such as having "a full-time staff person to manage just that one relationship, chartering planes when the donor wants to go to a sporting event and providing tickets and whatever else the donor wants or needs."

Fulton said that Snyder's allegations are false. He said he never demanded anything, and claims he has two witnesses who will attest to that.

Fulton's unhappiness with regarding Harter's performance began shortly after he donated $6.7 million in startup money for the International Gaming Institute at UNLV. The project was delayed several times and ultimately exceeded its original budget. He said spent $1.2 million more than he had anticipated.

After the gaming institute building was completed, Fulton's sister told him that a palm tree was obscuring his name, which had been placed on the new building. Fulton said school officials promised him the tree would be removed within a few days.

"It seems to me like it was months before it was removed," Fulton said. "I expect people to be honorable."

UNLV officials say they required a permit to remove the tree, although it was removed as soon as possible.

Chancellor Jane Nichols was in Las Vegas Monday to review Fulton's allegations. Nichols could not be reached for comment, though Board Chair Thalia Dondero said university officials have made no conclusions in regard to Fulton's claims.

"We've been talking about it among ourselves all day (Monday), but we haven't made any decisions," Dondero said. "Hopefully we can get to the bottom of his concerns and try to get him back (as a donor)."