Time to speak out

"Dougherty v. Guter" -- whom should you believe? Having lived through a remarkably similar experience precipitated by the same president of Duquesne University, I appreciate the pain and personal embarrassment being endured by Donald Guter as a result of his recent termination as dean of Duquesne's law school.

While I believe, as many do, that Dean Guter was doing an excellent job for the law school, admittedly I do not know all the facts regarding his performance. Perhaps I can provide some insight. I do know my facts.

When I received my last appraisal from the provost, he observed that my report was one of the best he had ever given to a dean. Sixteen weeks later, Duquesne President Charles Dougherty fired me on the basis that the faculty did not support my reappointment as dean of the business schools. He even suggested that I concoct a story that I was quitting.

The senior faculty member who chaired my review committee set the record straight -- that more than 70 percent of the faculty voted for my reappointment, and my retention was "the unanimous recommendation of the members of the committee."

Following my termination, I refused to go public with my "facts," driven by my desire to protect the university. Now, however, sensing this action has the unfair potential for damaging Donald Guter's reputation and that of the law school, I have concluded that doing nothing is no longer an option. I believe that I owe it to him, to the university and to the community at large to disclose the facts surrounding my termination so that alumni and others interested in Duquesne are better positioned to answer the question -- whom should they believe?

JAMES C. STALDER
Upper St. Clair