This is the text of an email a buddy of mine, who is a former student body president at Tech, forwarded to his distribution list today. Feel free to ignore this or jump in on the email action and copy and paste.

Details after the jump...

All,  

I rarely get involved in politics but the recent appointment of John Steinmetz to the Texas Tech Board of Regents by Governor Perry has motivated me to take action.  Below is the letter I am sending to all parties involved – the offices of Chancellor Hance, Senator Bob Duncan, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (in charge of the Senate) and Governor Rick Perry. 

Unfortunately Texas Tech did not have much if any say in this process, however the Chancellor should still hear what we have to say.  The State Senate still needs to approve this appointment before it is final and while it is unlikely this body will go against the recommendation, there is a chance it will do what is right and just in order to preserve the process.  I believe it is important for all parties to hear from as many constituents as possible.  If you are so inclined, please take a few minutes to forward this email to your like-minded contacts and send your thoughts to the following (feel free to send my letter as your own):  

Chancellor’s Office chancellor@ttu.edu  

Senator Duncan’s Office Janis.McCutchin@senate.state.tx.us  

Lt Governor David Dewhurst’s Office via web http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php  

Governor Rick Perry’s Office via web http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact/  

Dear Sir/Madamme,  

Over the past 24 hours I have received countless phone calls and emails from Texas Tech alums who are all gravely concerned, as am I, with the announcement of John Steinmetz to the University’s Board of Regents.  It is with great concern that I write this letter as it appears politics won out over the needs of Texas Tech University.  For years I have admired and been mentored by many members of the Board of Regents. 

Until yesterday, the people who held this position were without question successful and experienced leaders who earned the privilege of guiding the University, ultimately giving back more than they ever received.  All of this changed with the thoughtless process leading to the appointment of John Steinmetz to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents.  

Let me be clear this is not a personal attack on Mr. Steinmetz.   Had Mr. Steinmetz followed the proven path (all you need to do is read the bios of the Board members at Tech, UT and A&M to realize the normal appointment process was not followed) to this position then I would have no issue.  The concern now is that the legions of motivated and devoted Tech alumni who one day hoped to serve their University in this role will realize such prized accomplishments are not earned based on merit but rather based on political connections.  

Adding to my concern is that when this appointment was raised last year there was tremendous outcry and thus the effort subsequently ceased.  Apparently that was just a smoke screen in the hopes it could be pushed through under the radar at a later date – and this is exactly what happened.  

The sacred institutions of the appointment process and the entire University have been damaged and must be repaired.  While harm has been done, there are avenues to reconciliation.  The State Senate should not confirm the appointment.  Mr. Steinmetz could also decline the appointment thus putting the University above personal motivations.  Whether either of these scenarios occurs is beyond my control and depend solely on whether the Senate or Mr. Steinmetz is willing to do what is right and needed to salvage the entire process.  

Please feel free to contact me directly should you wish to discuss further.

Sincerely,

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