Below is a link to an opinion letter by Lori Edgeworth that appeared in the Thursday, March 25, 2010 edition of The Independent Collegian. Ms. Edgeworth served The University of Toledo (UT) for over 26 years in a number of Student Union positions including Student Life Director, a position funded by student fees. In April 2009 her position was abolished without notice by the Jacobs administration and she was terminated for lack of work. During Ms. Edgeworth's tenure at UT, she was very popular with students and received a number of awards and recognitions for her service to students. She also appears in several UT videos that are still aired regularly at UT.

Ms. Edgeworth makes some valid points in her letter concerning truth spins by President Lloyd Jacobs, M.D. and his HR VP Bill Logie. When she asked why her daughter's tuition waiver was terminated, Bill Logie is quoted as replying that it would be illegal for UT to continue tuition waivers unless the employee retires or dies. In other words, the dependents of terminated employees cannot receive tuition waivers. Ms. Edgeworth says that other universities in Ohio grandfather in tuition waiver for dependents of employees. Regardless of what other Ohio universities may do, UT has continued tuition waivers for former administrators who neither retired nor died. For example, the UT exit contract of former UT President Dan Johnson (when he stepped down as President) includes a provision that his grandchildren will receive full scholarship including tuition for four years and on campus room and board. Although Dr. Johnson was UT President for less than 5 years, his grandchildren will receive tuition waivers plus free room and board, whereas Ms. Edgeworth's daughter lost her tuition waiver when Ms. Edgeworth was terminated after 26 years.

So it is illegal for UT to continue tuition waivers for the children of terminated employees, but legal to extend tuition waivers plus free room and board to the grandchildren of a former President. There are two sets of rules at UT, one for high level administrators and another for the rest of the campus. Over $1.5 million in bonuses are paid to top UT administrators while over 100 employees including Ms. Edgeworth are terminated. Different rules for different people, like one set of rules for Wall Street and another for Main Street.

It is all very logical.... Animal Farm by George Orwell is the blueprint and strategic plan for The University of Toledo.