Rogers: UNLV President Ashley should be fired

By Jean Reid Norman

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 6:05 p.m.

Outgoing higher education Chancellor Jim Rogers has recommended to the Board of Regents that it fire UNLV President David Ashley.

In a letter dated June 16, Rogers said Ashley’s recent performance evaluation didn’t reflect concerns Rogers has heard about Ashley’s leadership.

Those concerns include the treatment of UNLV employees by Ashley’s wife, Bonnie; whether Ashley attended the necessary university events; the working environment at UNLV; Ashley’s connection with the faculty, students, Las Vegas community and Board of Regents; Ashley’s management style and Ashley’s response to concerns that were raised.

Rogers said he heard the concerns after spending a day calling stakeholders who had an interest in the university.

“Based on my consideration of the concerns that have been raised, I recommend that Dr. Ashley’s contract not be renewed and that you consider immediate termination of the contract as president,” Rogers wrote.

Ashley’s four-year contract is ends in June 2010, and regents are expected in August to consider extending it.

Rogers, who is leaving his state higher education post June 30, said he would make himself available to the board at any time and would appear publicly to discuss his recommendation.

“I have done what I can in good conscience do to amicably resolve this matter, but my efforts have not been successful,” he wrote.

Rogers concluded that he long ago had asked Ashley to address the problems, which have become the subject of media scrutiny.

“In my conversations with Dr. Ashley he has not identified any action he has taken to decisively address these issues, and in fact, I do not believe he acknowledges there are serious issues,” Rogers wrote.