Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
StumbleHIGHER EDUCATION:
Wife of UNLV president sends apology note to Rogers, regents
Steve Marcus / File photo
Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, left, shows an award to UNLV president David Ashley and his wife, Bonnie, at an exhibition in February dedicated to Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda at UNLV’s Richard Tam Alumni Center.
Saturday, June 6, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Related Letter
Sun Archives
- At UNLV, president’s wife raises eyebrows (6-4-2009)
Related Documents
- Download e-mails exchanged between Bonnie Ashley and staff:
- Nov. 7, 2008
- Nov. 22, 2008
- Dec. 4, 2008
- Dec. 8, 2008
- Feb. 9, 2009
- Feb. 18, 2009
Bonnie Ashley, the wife of UNLV President David Ashley, apologized Friday for her clashes with campus staff that have been characterized by others as abrasive, rude and intimidating.
In an e-mail to the Board of Regents and Chancellor Jim Rogers , Bonnie Ashley — who had referred to herself in e-mails as the university’s “first lady” — said she did not realize she was “causing so much distress” in her efforts to carry out her hostess duties.
“I don’t want this to be misconstrued as an apology for being a strong-minded woman, but rather to show an awareness that it must be exercised in a more temperate fashion,” she wrote.
She also volunteered to relinquish her “hostessing role” until university officials decided “what it is you do and don’t want from me as the president’s spouse.”
David and Bonnie Ashley were in Singapore on Friday for today’s commencement ceremonies at UNLV’s new satellite campus, and could not be reached for comment.
In one e-mail to staff, she demanded to see an updated party guest list “WITHIN THE HOUR,” adding, “You all are paid way too much for me to have to put up with the constant problems I am dealing with, and it’s just wasting my time.” (Download this e-mail)
In another e-mail about party food, she wrote, “I should not have to tell you this ... you do NOT argue with the first lady ... that behavior is completely unacceptable.” (Download this e-mail)
In her Friday e-mail, Bonnie Ashley said that her “main goal” was to “do my part and assist in any way I could.” When asked to take on “key hostessing responsibilities,” Ashley said, she approached the tasks “with all my zest and zeal to help with those aspects usually expected of a president’s spouse or partner.”
But she did not realize, Ashley said, that her “striving for excellence” would cause “so much distress.”
For that, Ashley said, “I am most apologetic, as in my quest for improvement I was not always as gracious as I could have been in the carrying out of those plans.”
The Board of Regents is expected to meet in August and discuss whether to renew David Ashley’s four-year contract, which runs through June 2010. Regent Mark Alden said he was dismayed that the president had gone ahead with the Singapore trip.
“I think it’s a terrible error in judgment when there’s a real question whether you’re even going to be president next month,” Alden said. “Nobody’s really happy with David right now.”
The problems for Ashley extend beyond his wife’s communication style. UNLV employees say they have long complained that Ashley himself fails to communicate well with the university community, and some system of higher education officials describe him as unresponsive when they voice concerns.
Discussion: comments so far…
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy. Additionally, we now display comments from trusted commenters by default. Those wishing to become a trusted commenter need to verify their identity or sign in with Facebook Connect to tie their Facebook account to their Las Vegas Sun account. For more on this change, read our story about how it works and why we did it.
Only trusted comments are displayed on this page. Untrusted comments have expired from this story.
No trusted comments have been posted.
Post a comment
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Discussed
- E-mailed
- Star Surveillance: Vince Neil turns 51, Criss Angel, Angel Porrino, ‘Stripped’
- Chinese company agrees to finance proposed Henderson arena
- Romney says he prevented Massachusetts from becoming ‘the Las Vegas of gay marriage’
- South Point owner Michael Gaughan’s take on ‘Vegas Stripped’: ‘I’ll give it an 8’
- UNLV basketball anxious to get on the court for big game against San Diego State
- See mug shots of 16 arrested in stolen-property police sting
- Coolican: Henderson officials out of loop on police brutality case, raising red flags
- Criss Angel denies allegations of fight with fired employee
- Lockdown at Bonanza High School called off after police capture suspect in nearby theft
- Conceptual design unveiled for Henderson Space and Science Center
Blogs
The Kats Report
South Point owner Michael Gaughan's take on 'Vegas Stripped': 'I'll give it an 8' (1 Comment)
Author relishes writing the life story of ‘larger-than-life’ Oscar Goodman (2 Comments)
Elsewhere
Landowner: All roads could lead to Uxbridge casino
Revel reveals smoke-free casino opening
Cirque du Soleil show in Sands China casino to close this month
Meet the woman behind Sheldon Adelson
The Kats Report
A sophisticated look at line-moving and dog-show handicapping from Wynn's Johnny Avello
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
How does the Chairman let all of this air out in public and in the press?
This doesn't instill confidence in the institution.
I read the "apology" email. Apparently she's full of herself, because I saw the words "apology" but did read any where that she was apologizing to anyone for her actions. That it was beneath her to do so.
WOW!!! Never before have I seen such a case of the man not wearing the pants in a relationship. This guy sounds like one of the those guys portrayed in those disgusting cuckhole videos. Fire this wimp.
No, I read it as mostly apologetic. It takes a big person to talk about mistakes they've made in the past--if she hadn't brought it up no one would know about the lesson she learned in Hawaii and how she now realizes she has to reapply it here. It takes courage to say gee, I've come across as overbearing in the past and now I've done it again. I think this note is OK. It would be too bad to have her husband's job rest on her struggles. Who of us is perfect?
As a former UNLV alumnus and one who has little or no confidence in David Ashley this note from his wife just adds insult to injury. At least when Carol Harter was president of the university her husband Michael was a contributing member of the faculty. After three years what has David Ashley accomplished? Ah yes the tearing down of UNLV's first and most historic building Frazier Hall. An act we alumni will never forget.
much ado about very little
Time for a new President
Not only is her "apology" completely insincere, all of the emails are extremely poorly written. One would expect better composed prose from the wife of a university president. In light of the recently proposed "speech code" at UNLV, perhaps her "serfs" should file a report with the UNLV police. Additionally, what does it say about the president of a university who travels out of the country at the time commencement ceremonies are scheduled?
I send an email to President Ashley a few weeks ago concerning the proposed "speech code". His response was that he would forward my concerns to a committee. He did not at any time address my concerns himself. In my email, I clearly identified myself as an alumnus of the university. As such, I felt he was doing a disservice not only to myself, but all past and present members of the UNLV community. This is further evidence of the need for a change in administration. I did not always agree with former UNLV President Robert Maxson, but he was far superior to Ashley.
In my opinion, the employees behaved just as bad as Big Bonnie. How do the employees go unnoticed for their behavior?
Words matter.
The nuance of her language makes it clear that she is responding because she has to, because the issue has been made public, not because she sincerely believes she has acted inappropriately.
And yes, it is poorly written.
Yes, she is responsible for her behaviour and what she writes. The employees should be responsible also. How about if the employee that didn't feel comfortable sticking to the budget for the skewers pays for the amount that she went over budget? At the very least, why isn't she disciplined for spending UNLV money beyond what was permitted?
Personally, I'm not a fan of Big Bonnie, but in my opinion, the emails indicate that everyone was contributing to the problem.
Wow.
A non-apology "apology." She is the spouse to a university president, not the "First Lady." She doesn't have the entire university staff at her beck and call and she is not president by proxy. She is not the Queen of UNLV.
Who cares if she play hostess for her spouse or not? It's a courtesy she might perform like any other spouse of a business person. She doesn't require business cards, a parking space, her own office staff, she a spouse of someone who is actually employed and have a role at the university.
At the very least ban her from her imaginary "hostess duties" at UNLV and ban her from contacting real working university staff. If she would like to attend an event, like any other spouse, let her attend. It won't make a bit of difference to the university, or the foundation, or the public whether she is a hostess or a guest.
Seeing that Bonnie's trip to Singapore was paid for by UNLV, I would like to see an accounting of all the extra's Ashley has gotten since being in office. I understand he/they take a lot of trips. I wonder how many UNLV paid for. He had a job he was doing in AZ I believe through his own company, now I wonder if UNLV paid for his trip there. Intereting thoughts. I also remember not to long ago he spent several thousands of dollars on office furniture and wouldn't even let the reporter take a picture of the desk.
Since the Chancellor is leaving the end of the month I say as a tax payer, lets start with a clean slate and get rid of the Ashley's also. Someone better make sure he doesn't take the desk.
Maybe UNLV can get a president that can do his job and make everyone proud of them.
It is a little late now for the egomaniac to get religion now,it is time for David and his Gestapo wife to go.
Thumper I wonder if you would have such a strong opinion if the Ashley's were black? I doubt it.
I am writing as a UNLV faculty member. For me, the issue isn't Ashley's wife, or whether or not her email "counts" as an apology.
I find it absolutely outrageous and entirely unacceptable that President Ashley AND his wife have travelled to Singapore at a time when the university is facing dire financial circumstances.
There are over 100 faculty positions currently vacant at UNLV, because the university cannot afford to fill them; operating budgets are being cut left and right; reduced course offerings are impacting the ability of students to graduate on time.
What the HELL is President Ashley doing in Singapore on the university's dime during a time of unprecedented financial crisis?
Jetting off to Singapore on the heels of a 12.5% budget cut to NSHE (which amounts to about a 15% cut for UNLV because of the state's funding formula) is offensive - to students, alums, faculty, and, importantly, tax payers.
It is also unnecessary, because whatever "official" duties Ashley believes he is performing while in Singapore - saying a few words at commencement? - are duties that anyone already based in Singapore and connected to UNLV could easily perform.
I would also like to see the accounting for this trip, and to hear someone explain its urgency given the current budget crisis.
I know that he will not be president for much longer, but it won't completely be at the fault of his wife. They also both know that he won't be president much longer so "let's do what we can while we are still here".
1. Let's tick off everyone but not so much that he cannot obtain employment in another state.
2. Let's take this FREE trip to Singapore.
It's done every day in corporate business. I'm not surprised.
If you were a student paying tuition in Singapore, you would expect the president of the university to be at your graduation.
The puppet master Rogers is at it again, he's creating a distraction from the flawed and corrupt process that he and the BOR intend to use to select a new chancellor. Isn't it convenient that Rogers, Alden and Geddes have found a new person to attack, Bonnie Ashley, a woman. Fellas why don't you pull your trousers up take a bow and bend over because you have just solidified your emasculation. Bonnie Ashley may be rude, but it won't cost faculty tenure, benefits and resources.
Bonnie?
What happen to Anna Ashley?
After reading these emails I can't blame Bonnie. I would be upset too. It appears she has not adjusted to the land of mediocrity, called Las Vegas.
I would love the Sun or RJ to do an investigation on why Ashley and, even worse, his wife get to go to Singapore on the taxpayer's dime. How in the world is that justified.
And, I agree that Bonnie sounds extremely uneducated.
Somebody needs to let this woman know that the role of Crazy First Lady is already taken in Nevada. The Crazy First Lady just happens to be holed up in the guest quarters of the Governor's Mansion right now! She spends most of her free time pouring over the Goobner's text messages to aging cocktail waitresses and thinking about new ways she and Jimmers can protect traditional marriage.
Somebody also needs to let Busy Bonnie know that, likewise, the role of Illiterate and Ignorant First Lady is also filled by the Goobner's soon-to-be-ex.
Busy Bonnie sounds insufferable. Could somebody at least take the time to teach her how to use pronouns? It's pretty embarrassing when the wife of the UNLV President writes like an ignoramus!
This is all much ado about nothing. Some of these commenters are simply looking for an opportunity to criticize someone in the public's eye. Sad lives finding outlet for their sad existence. Grow up.
I am very concerned about all of this. I am a UNLV employee. I will be not getting paid for 1 day a month because of the new budget for 2 years. I find this with the Ashleys absolutely unacceptable. How can this be!! Traveling at our expense and taxpayers!!!!! I will be short paychecks for two years so this can go on??? I am just sick to my stomach, what is happening here. This is absurd.
Forget about the university budget and the Singapore trip costs and all the rest of the items and focus on the substance. UNLV needs to show that it is more than just Sin City's nationally-ranked basketball college. To do so, UNLV needs a president who has vision and leadership. At the same time, the president's wife needs to have a similar vision, such as "how do I maximize my role to lend substance and creedence and results to my husband's efforts to enlarge UNLV's scholastic reputation?"
As a native Nevadan living and working in Massachusetts, I have the opportunity to experience some of the world's greatest colleges and universities --- Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, Boston College, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, UMass-Amherst, UMass-Dartmouth, UMass-Lowell, Williams College, Wheaton College, Northeastern University, Worcester Polytechnic, Holy Cross, etc., etc., ad nauseum. Many of these colleges, such as Harvard, BU and BC are nationally-ranked college hockey powers. BC is a nationally-ranked football college. MIT is MIT, the greatest research institute on the face of the earth. Not one of those colleges and universities is recognized first for its athletics, despite some being nationally ranked year after year. Until UNLV's board of regents begins to implement a vision that says "okay, we're known for basketball, now let's become known as one of the west's premier research universities, or some other discipline," then UNLV will end up with presidents of little vision and foresight, and spouses who --- male or female --- devalue their own substance.
There's no reason why UNLV shouldn't become THE premier convention destination in the west. With all the conventions going to LV, there's a whole corporate and educational sector that would never entertain UNLV as a legitimate business-education convention site because of a belief it's just a basketball college and how in the world are you going to have serious scholarly conferences there? Fair or not, that's the typical reaction. I don't wish the president or his wife ill, but the regents need to decide whether UNLV is to be a basketball power that is also a college, or a college that is also a basketball power. Right now, it's on the wrong path, and UNLV has so much potential!
mr23257:
Excellent post, and I totally agree with you!
Alden said. "Nobody's really happy with David right now."
I am not David Ashley's fan. But Mark Aldan, what do you mean by "nobody"? The world IS composed of more than you and Jim Rogers, I hope you understand that. Your talk is extremely condescending, disingenuous and manipulative.
Since this is a business trip (UNLV's Singapore campus graduation ceremony), I figure it's paid by NSHE. Has Mark Aldan, a Regent that approves budget, not approved Ashley's trip? Why now critize Ashley for taking the trip? Mark Aldan approved it for God's sake!
Mark Aldan is a hypocrite, and a henchman for Jim Rogers. Those NSHE soon-to-be hasbeens are doing everything they can to divert our attention away from the "fix was in" for the new NSHE Chancellor, Dan Klaich, who is a lawyer, like Jim Rogers, and has no knowledge with Higher Education, like Jim Rogers. Look where Jim Rogers's leadership took us?
Jim Rogers must answer questions about the knighting of Dan Klaich, instead of smearing Bonnie Ashley. We already know Jim Rogers, Richard Carpenter, and Mike Richards are threatened by strong women so please don't bother us with your own incapacity and fear. Answer the questions about the national search of a new Chancellor, or lack of. Tell us why.
The heck with the regents, she should send an apology to Tori Klein.
Rogers bullies everybody.
His own TV stations NEVER carries a negative story on him even when he "quit" his job as chancellor. The rumors of him being a bully with his employees are famous.
Rogers bullied out the 1st president and dumped on her to get her to leave.
This president is his personal pick. I guess there is no such thing as loyalty in Rogers world.
Now they want to use the "bully" excuse to get rid of this president because the president's wife is a bully.
They should turn this into a TV comedy show.
I think considering Rogers and the current board of Regents one has to be a total idiot to accept the job of being president of UNLV.
During this term Lord Rogers and the current puppet board of Regents, they have could not done more harm to higher ed even if they had a plan to do so.
Hopefully after Rogers leaves, the board of Regents can actually start doing their job.
There first order of business is to come up with a plan to undo all the damage that Rogers has done.
holy cow.
I dont know which is funnier:
a. the fact that the university president's wife is such a stupid, intolerable @#%$*.
-or-
b. the fact that there is paid unlv staff that are responsible for coordinating parties at the president's house.
If "big bonnie" is as smart and capable as she seems to think she is, then she should be able to throw a party for 39 people without leaning on paid staff - and she should be able to do it for a lot less than $700. THat's like $20 / person. Crap, i can do it for less than $70. Throw some effin' burgers on the grill, get some BBQ Lays and root beer. Costco cookies for desert if you really want to get crazy. Done.
Any snobs who think that it is beneath them can piss off. I have a feeling that most of the attendees would actually enjoy the change of pace of a down to earth party.
Is it any surprised that UNLV is the lowest ranked university in the United States? They should just close it given what an enormous embarrassment it is.
RE jpc:
"Crap, i can do it for less than $70. Throw some effin' burgers on the grill, get some BBQ Lays and root beer. Costco cookies for desert if you really want to get crazy. Done."
Hey that sounds like a great time to me, love those Costco's chocolate chip cookies! Have room for one more? I'd be happy to bring some deviled eggs, (80) enough?
Apology not accepted, classless "first lady."
Take a chill pill and lets take a look at what is really going on here:
1. This woman sounds exasperated and at the end of her rope because she has had to deal with incompetent state employees:
a. She had to spell out simple multiplication to the morons who work at UNLV
b. She was not told that invitations were sent out IN HER NAME with the wrong date
c. She had to beg employees to follow through, and to keep her up to date with events IN HER OWN HOME
2. Finally, lets look at how much this 'expertise and professionalism' costs the tax payers of Nevada (compiled from the names on the leaked emails--Thanks Tori!!):
a. Tori Klein makes $60,510
b. Christian Hardigree makes $119,116
c. William Boldt makes $277,680
d. Do the math! (Total: $457,306 in case you are a state employee)
This is really more of a commentary on the Nevada state worker pool. Any feedback of state employees is considered abuse in the state system. These employees are EXPENSIVE and INCOMPETENT, and without Bonnie Ashley they have no accountability!
To Nora B.
You obviously have no idea what you're talking about.
As a UNLV employee of one year, I have run into some employees who don't give a darn and yes are skating along on the state's (your) dime. However, most employees here work extremely hard and love their jobs and now will be asked to do more and make less (while companies such as NVEnergy and Cox Cable raise their rates - but I digress).
I happen to know of some of Mrs. Ashley's antics and I happen to know at least two of the employees you mentioned. Both employees I know fall into the category of hard workers who love what they do and where they do it. Mrs. Ashley on the other hand is rude to everyone and only thinks of herself and what benefit she can get and who to get it from. She doesn't care what you make, she treats everyone the same. You would be shocked at the breadth and depth of the unprofessional behaviour that she has displayed while I've been here - what you have heard of is just the tip of the iceberg.
Before you speak against these employees I encourage anyone to find out the truth.
To Bonnie Ashley: One doesn't automatically get respect - they earn it by treating others the way they want to be treated.