Take a deep breath. Smell that? It’s wasted donor money.
The university, specifically President Dr. Jesse Rogers, has spent $84,000 in funds from the MSU Foundation over the last 10 years on flowers.
About $75,000 of that went to Lola Pitzer, a florist in Caddo. Pitzer’s relationship with Rogers began to bud when he became president in 2001. Since then, Pitzer has been appointed to the museum advisory board and has received the lion’s share of MSU’s flower business.
Last week, The Wichitan ran a story detailing spending on floral arrangements by Pitzer. It pointed out that she was paid out of the University Activity Fund, a discretionary account controlled solely by Dr. Rogers. It also noted that Pitzer does a substantial amount of decorating work at the museum. Anyone remember Lynn Moran? She’s a board member who was also paid to do decorating work at the museum.
Rogers denied any conflict of interest in the situation.
The story was met with some criticism from the MSU community, particularly on thewichitan.com. Some commenters said something to the point of, “Oh, The Wichitan is up to its old tricks again – lambasting the university for its financial choices. When will those staff members just leave poor Jesse alone?”
Well, folks, the money paid to Pitzer was at the sole discretion of Rogers. And no bids were taken on the work. She and Rogers are friends, according to him.
So whom would you say is to blame?
It is not this publication’s mission to crucify the president. But the president is necessarily responsible for the financial choices of the university. And this choice, to award a conflicted, distant florist with $75,000 in repeat business, was irresponsible.
Donors may be curious how much of their money is being poured into Pitzer’s pockets.
The florist’s charges weren’t outrageous, to be honest. Local florists contacted by Wichitan reporters said they would have charged comparable rates for the work. But that’s not the issue at hand – the issue is whether we needed so many damn flowers in the first place.
It seems reasonable to pay $50 for flowers at a nice dinner. Maybe even $100 if it’s super ritzy. But one of Pitzer’s charges was for $3,908 for one event.
Only in some elitist, aristocratic world would this expense seem reasonable. That could have paid for so many scholarships for so many needy students.
Instead it was spent on the reproductive organs of plants.
It’s absurd.
As we speak, the university is looking for ways to save money. This is a time of austerity for most, but a time of prosperity for Pitzer.
It’s time to wake up and smell the roses – while it may be bright and sunny for Rogers now, choices like this could cast a cloud over his presidency.
Michael • Apr 26, 2012 at 8:11 AM
“Michael is a poor example of an MSU student.”
Julie–er, I mean “Mike,” you just paid me the biggest compliment I’ve received all year!
Mike • Apr 26, 2012 at 7:21 AM
If they make so much money, then I CHALLENGE them to return all funds received from MSU. That will never happen…probably spent on beer parties. I’ve always wondered whether those liquor store ads were appropriate for a university newspaper. Wichitan pays nothing for the requests. Why don’t you keep a running tally of all the requests you make and publish them along with the amount you supposedly paid for them? Michael is a poor example of an MSU student. He needs to transfer to somewhere more his type, like TSU.
Mike needs to do his research • Apr 25, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Hey Mike did you know that the Wichitan makes money on ads and is almost self-sufficient? The reason the paper goes to print is because of advertising. Because advertisers PAY for spots in the paper, just like in the TRN.
Also, public information requests, as I’ve heard, have been paid many times by the Wichitan. Do your own research before bashing.
Michael • Apr 26, 2012 at 6:37 AM
Pay no attenton to “Mike”. He’s a stooge for Propaganda–er, I mean, Public Information and Marketing. In fact, “he” is probably Julie Gaynor.
For years it was nothing fluff and university-friendly propaganda from the Wichitan (“PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN. EVERYTHING IS FINE. WAR IS PEACE. SLAVERY IS FREEDOM. 2+2=5.”) Finally the Wichitan starts doing real journalism and all the self-important big wigs on campus from the Greeks to the administrators in Hardin Hall absolutely freak out. I love it!
GOD BLESS THE WICHITAN! LONG MAY SHE REIGN!
Mike • Apr 25, 2012 at 8:35 PM
Instead of the back and forth with Dr. Rogers about whether it is a conflict or interest or not, why not actually check the law? I think you probably did, and found it wasn’t a conflict and conveniently left that part out, just so you could “crucify the president”. How about some details on what the $3904 was for? Or did you do that and find it appropriate and conveniently leave that out as well. And if you think that “could have paid for so many scholarships for so many needy students”, you need to go back to remedial math 101. What I would have questioned out of all this is why are we paying close to $1000 on flowers at Board dinners? They are the bosses…are they really impressed with or require flowers to be provided at these meals? Why do we feed them anyway? The same with staff parties…why have them and why so many flowers? You could have come up with a story that means something. You chose to show your bias and hatred for the President instead. The University could save a lot of money if they just eliminated the Wichitan, along with their constant public information request that are likely costing thousands in supplies and staff time. Now THAT would provide enough money to provide scholarships.
Michael • Apr 25, 2012 at 6:44 AM
Word up. Keep the pressure on him.