Harter blamed for losses

Jennifer Knight

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 | 11:16 a.m.

Some of Nevada's wealthiest philanthropists have withdrawn millions of dollars in planned support from UNLV and will continue to do so if Carol Harter is not removed as president, a prominent estate attorney said Tuesday.

"I have personal knowledge of tens of millions of dollars withdrawn in support and future intended gifts because of Carol Harter," said Jeff Burr, chairman of UNLV's planned-giving committee and an estate-planning attorney for some of Nevada's wealthiest residents.

Burr said Harter's effect on an already narrow donor pool began to bother him after he noticed that an increasing number of wealthy benefactors were pulling their support.

"There are several donors who say they won't give money as long as (Harter) is president of the university," Burr said. "It's not unusual to have one or two disgruntled people, that's normal. But when the list starts growing, it is cause for concern."

Don Snyder, former UNLV Foundation chairman and president of Boyd Gaming, said that any problems with donors revolve around three people -- gaming executive and donor Stanley Fulton, who initiated the complaint in a July 31 letter; Burr, Fulton's lawyer, and Cliff Findlay, who is related to Burr.

"If you track (this problem) back, I think you'll find that it all links back to the selection of the basketball coach," Burr said.

Charlie Spoonhour was hired after a four-month search to replace Bill Bayno, who was fired in connection with repeated NCAA violations.

UNLV heavily recruited former University of Kentucky coach Rick Pitino, who later informed school officials he was not interested in coaching the Rebels. Pitino accepted the head coaching job at the University of Louisville.

Findlay, a car dealer and a former UNLV basketball player, pushed for UNLV assistant coach Max Good to replace Bayno.

"I think the way they treated Max Good was almost inhuman," Findlay said. "The community is definitely divided, as are the regents, over Carol Harter."

Findlay said the treatment of Good was only one issue that caused him to question Harter's leadership.

Snyder said that the welfare of the university should not rest on any single issue.

"It is not healthy to the university even five or 10 years down the line because it won't reflect well when we try to hire good people," he said.

The issue of Harter's fund-raising record first came to light when Fulton wrote regents on July 31. In the letter, Fulton harshly criticized Harter's performance.

A flurry of letters followed, including those that complimented Harter's relationships with donors.

Two letters addressed a confidential meeting involving four UNLV Foundation members.

Another letter from Fulton, released Tuesday, said he discussed the confidential meeting only after Snyder talked to Harter about the matter.

"At the beginning of the meeting, all agreed that any opinions voiced would be held in confidence," Fulton wrote in his letter to regents Monday. "Contrary to that agreement, however, Don Snyder disclosed to Dr. Harter those opinions, which were expressed openly, but confidentially."

Harter this week has received about 10 new letters of support from donors, such as millionaire media mogul Jim Rogers, gaming executive William Boyd and developers Tom Thomas and Peter Thomas.

Harter is also receiving letters of support from UNLV students and faculty, say university officials.

Harter has raised more than $140 million during her six years as president. Her supporters turn to her record of maintaining consistent growth, of bringing the university to the level of a Research II institution -- a classification that adds prestige -- and for completing 16 major construction projects.

But some donors say Harter's attitude toward them is ultimately hurting the institution, Burr said.

Other sources described Harter's dealings with donors as "arrogant and cliquish."

Harter was out of town Tuesday and could not be reached for comment. But in an earlier interview on Monday, Harter said she is deeply disturbed by the allegations brought by Fulton's July 31 letter and is working to mend their relationship.

The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet Aug. 16 in Reno, and the situation involving Harter could come up when her salary is discussed.

Regent Tom Weisner, who also sits on the UNLV Foundation board, said that the matter could be discussed during a review of Harter's salary. Harter has already received a favorable review by regents and is up for a $6,346 raise, which would raise her annual salary to $201,000, making her the most highly paid college president in the state.

"Dr. Harter had a positive evaluation in June. Her record is very strong," said Jane Nichols, chancellor of the Unversity and Community College System of Nevada. "I think this is easy to take out of context."

There has been talk among regents of tabling the salary item until donor complaints involving Harter can be resolved. Nichols said that regents Chairwoman Thalia Dondero will decide soon on how to proceed. Dondero could not be reached for comment today.

Fulton also named Christina Hixson of the Lied Foundation and the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation as another UNLV benefactor unhappy with Harter.

Neither party would comment publicly about the matter, but a letter written by the Reynolds Foundation said that their decision not to donate $25 million to UNLV's College of Business was due in part to institutional leadership and decisions made by the Board of Regents.

The list went on to include Findlay, who Fulton said, "pulled 10 cars from the Athletic Department." In the letter Fulton referred to Harter's treatment of Pitino's wife.