Alumni and Friends of VMI:
Cyber Corps Numbers: 603
VMI board backs Bunting
Sunday, August 29, 1999
BY CALVIN R. TRICE
Times-Dispatch Staff Writer
LEXINGTON -- Virginia Military Institute's board of visitors
voted yesterday to let Superintendent Josiah S. Bunting III
"off the rat line."
The unanimous vote to adopt a resolution stating
the visitors' belief the superintendent did no wrong broke the
board's formal silence surrounding a state probe into Bunting's
spending of his discretionary fund.
"You, your wife and your family have been subject to some
rough and unfair treatment," board President Bruce Gottwald
of Richmond said to Bunting after reading a prepared statement.
"It's time to let him off the rat line."
Bunting said after the board adjourned that the resolution was
gratifying.
"This expression by the board makes me feel vindicated, and
is a real source of comfort . . . from the people I work
for," he said.
"It obviously is a difficult thing, when one's integrity is
publicly questioned for a period of time and when one is barred
from commenting on it."
Questions raised during a routine audit in the spring about
certain expenses -- such as sums for flowers and books -- charged
to the six-figure superintendent's allotment triggered in July a
full look at the account by the state auditor of public accounts.
As required by law, the state auditor turned a report over to the
state police for that agency to conduct its own investigation,
which will determine whether Bunting illegally used the account
for personal gain. That investigation is under way.
Although a small portion of the superintendent's discretionary
fund is considered public money, it is not taxpayer-generated but
is auxiliary money raised on the VMI campus. State law requires
that it be used to further the school's mission and not for
personal gain.
The board took its vote yesterday after two days of closed-door
meetings that included discussions on Bunting's performance and
open sessions yesterday morning, which alternated with two more
closed meetings. After several hours of closed discussions, about
1 p.m., board members stood up inside a conference room in VMI's
Preston Library and gathered near the back to vote on the
resolution.
Gottwald read a prepared statement saying the board had been
"discussing and reviewing the discretionary expenses of
[Bunting] that have been the topic of much interest in the press
recently."
"Based on our review, we have concluded that all of these
funds have been spent in the best interests of VMI and its
mission," Gottwald read. "There has been no intent
whatsoever of personal gain to the superintendent.
"Therefore, the board today expresses its complete and
unanimous confidence in General Bunting, in his integrity, in his
leadership and in his dedication to the education of the young
men and women of the VMI Corps of Cadets."
The more than a dozen board members unanimously assented. Board
member Charles B. Lindsey of Alexandria had left the meeting
during an open-session period before the adoption of the
resolution, school officials said. Lindsey left after remarks
made by VMI Alumni Association President F.E. Deacon III.
Along with heads of the Keydet Club and the VMI Foundation, which
provides much of the money for the superintendent's fund, Deacon
had spoken to the board of his support for Bunting.
"General Bunting has performed magnificently during a
difficult period of time in the school's history," Deacon
said during an interview, referring in part to the institute's
court-ordered admission of women. "VMI is a much better
school under his leadership."
Basketball Challenge Fund - A Correction: In
last week's update information was provided about the Basketball
Challenge. A number of our participants indicated that the e-mail
address I provided for John Kemper was incorrect. I've checked on
this and the correct e-mail address is: jkemper@wradams.com. Sorry
for any confusion. Now you have no excuse for not getting behind
the challenge and sending in a few bucks.
New Look for the Web Site: Be sure to check out
the VMI web site. It has a new and improved look to it. Really
nice job. Address is: http://www.vmi.edu/
Listen to Football Games on the Web: Speaking of
VMI's retooled web site...it appears that we can listen to
football games on the web! This is too slick. Go to http://www.vmikeydets.com/ftbllisten.htm
for instructions.
Rugby Anyone?: I noticed the following posting
in the VMI Electronic Turnouts. Seems one of VMI's own is making
a name for himself in the rugby arena.
Thu Sep 2 18:52:01 1999
To all--Dan Lyle '92 has two page spread in 6 September Sports
Illustrated (mine came today)--go to the Scorecard Section. Dan
is a professional rugby (union) player in the UK. Having lived in
the UK for 2+ years, I can state that his success is quite
amazing. UK Sunday Times has named him one of top 25 players in
the world. Bert Graham '74
Cyber Chats: I was talking to one of our Cyber
Corps participants the other night and he mentioned that we
haven't had a cyber chat for some time. How true. So, sometime
during the next couple weeks I'll pick at date and time for an
interactive cyber chat. These typically take place on Sunday
evenings.
Cyber Gear Orders: I've begun receiving some
orders for Cyber gear. Keep 'em coming.
Cyber Editorial: During the past couple months I
have received numerous phone calls and e-mails about different
goings on at the Institute. Some are about the honor code, some
about the administration, some about barracks life, etc. While I
am certain that everyone cares about the Institute, I am
uncertain as to whether all who voice their opinions are truly
engaged or merely letting off steam. I think it is crucial that
we all keep abreast of what's going on at the Institute. But it
is equally important the we voice our opinions in a constructive
manner. The large majority of us have regional directors. They're
listed in the back of each Alumni Review. If you want to know
what's going on and/or you would like to voice an opinion, call
them, e-mail them, visit them or write them and let them know. We
should become involved in selecting our regional directors and
holding them accountable for representing our individual and
collective views. Again, this should be done constructively and
with reason. I say this because, in my humble opinion, I think
some alumni want to micromanage what's going on at the Institute
and in barracks. Our regional directors are not micromanagers.
Just one man's opinion.
So, become involved. If you don't know who your regional director
is...find out and touch base. Attend your chapter meetings. Touch
base with YOUR officers of the Alumni Association. Contact a long
lost BR. Carve out a few minutes a week or an hour a month and
dedicate it to the Institute.
To get a flavor of what some folks are thinking you may want to
visit the Electronic Turnouts at:
http://www.rtp.opensystems.com/vmi/postedturnouts.html
I certainly don't endorse all that's posted on the Turnouts, but
it does present an alumni pulse of sorts.
OK, OK, I'm off the soapbox.
That's it for this week.
BEAT Richmond!
Yours in the Spirit,
RB Lane '75
Last Updated: October 11, 2009
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