It seems the Board of Regents once again is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the Regency universities. The most recent topic is the committee that was formed to discuss the now infamous proposed changes in Regents policy.

A news release from Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves dated Sept. 28 explained the manner in which the proposed changes will be discussed. However, Joint University Advisory Council members have raised concern about how the Regents circulated this information about the discussions. The release was sent to Regents, the three Regency university presidents and the media.

The Regents’ mailing list left out some very important people, namely the three JUAC representatives who were designated as consultants to the committee. As the Regents’ four-paragraph news release was the first official word on how the committee will review the proposal, this mishandling of the situation might be a fateful sign of things to come.

The proposed policy changes would greatly diminish the power of the Regency university presidents and make them more accountable to the Board. Although the presidents will be involved in the discussion, their hands are basically tied.

Interestingly enough, the committee includes Regents Chairman Carol Burns and Regent Harry Wellbank, who appear to be two of the major players in the entire policy proposal. The Regents are the cause of the problem and their deep involvement in the reviewing committee looks to make them part of an satisfactory solution.