In the hopes of freeing up more work time for Kansas University’s leader, KU has hired a part-time driver for Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little to take her to and from some out-of-town appointments.
The university hired Robin Moore, a retired Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy with 32 years of law enforcement experience, to serve as her driver, said Mary Burg, executive assistant to the chancellor.
He will make $20 per hour start Sept. 10, and will serve on an as-needed basis. Burg said the university said the times the chancellor would need a driver could vary widely, but the university was preliminarily estimating that he would work 15 hours per week.
“We’re trying this out. We’ve never done this before, so we don’t know how many hours this will end up being,” she said.
The driver will be primarily for trips to and from Kansas City, where the chancellor spends at least one day each week at KU Medical Center.
This week, however, Burg said Gray-Little has spent more time in Kansas City interviewing executive vice chancellor candidates for KUMC.
The chancellor will still drive herself to and from all appointments in Lawrence.
Not all trips to Kansas City will require a driver, and he will be used primarily when the chancellor has more than one appointment in a day, said Jack Martin, a KU spokesman.
Regent Ed McKechnie, of Arcadia, said regents have been working with university CEOs on time-management strategies that can help them be more productive.
With KUMC and KU’s Edwards Campus in the Kansas City area, he said, the regents suggested Gray-Little hire a driver so she could work while in the car.
“We’re not paying (the chancellor) to circle the block 20 times looking for a parking spot,” he said.
He said regents do encourage Kansas State President Kirk Schulz and Fort Hays State President Ed Hammond to make use of university aircraft to cut down on travel time, though neither has a driver.
KU’s chancellor has been working long hours since taking the job in 2009, he said.
“I think the chancellor inherited more opportunities for improvement than Kirk Schulz inherited,” McKechnie said.
Officials at KU’s regional peers in the Association of American Universities — the University of Iowa, the University of Missouri and Iowa State University — all said that they do not employ drivers for their university leaders.
But Martin said Gray-Little had heard from peers at the University of Texas-Austin and the University of Virginia who did use drivers.
A UT spokesman said an employee of the president’s office had job duties that included, but were not limited to, driving the president to some meetings and events.
Burg said the university hired Moore without posting the job, something that the university’s human resources department allows, she said.
She said the university was looking for a person with a certain maturity level, someone that the university felt comfortable overhearing confidential conversations and someone with law enforcement experience.
For some trips to the airport in Kansas City, KU had been hiring a car service for the chancellor at $100 per hour.
“At least for the airport travel, that’s going to save some money,” Burg said.
Comments
oneeye_wilbur 8 months, 3 weeks ago
I think this a good move and more importantly from a security and safety standpoint. She should not be subjected to being alone during evening hours returning from the K C area.
classclown 8 months, 3 weeks ago
You watch too many movies.
KRichards 8 months, 3 weeks ago
I agree that I would rather have her working during the hour and half round trip between the med center and Lawrence. If you can pay someone 1/10 of what she is making, go for it.
Cant_have_it_both_ways 8 months, 3 weeks ago
All well and good but $20/hr for a driver? Jez... I guess money does grow on trees at KU.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Yea, I'd bet they could get some pizza delivery kid to do it for minimum wage.
Cant_have_it_both_ways 8 months, 3 weeks ago
And they should.
MartyT 8 months, 3 weeks ago
I made c $15-$20/hr at Pizza Shuttle, and that was the late '90s.
$20/hr is a really bad wage for someone with that much professional experience....
Cant_have_it_both_ways 8 months, 3 weeks ago
How much freekin skill does it take to drive a car? It is an entry level job at best...jez...
DillonBarnes 8 months, 3 weeks ago
No, it's not an entry level position. When you spend a lot of time and money searching for a position like Chancellor, you want to protect that investment. Hiring someone off the street and paying them $7.50 for this position will probably not get you someone who has the experience necessary to be a professional driver. I can bet you that $20/hour is much lower than many other professional drivers make.
This is a pretty common sense hire and should save the University money in the long run.
DoubtingThomas 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Will the Deputy be in full uniform with a sidearm? This sounds a lot more about security for the Chancellor than efficiency. Why not an unarmed Professional Chauffeur? They must have their reasons.
DoubtingThomas 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Will the Deputy be in full uniform with a sidearm? This sounds a lot more about security for the Chancellor than efficiency. Why not an unarmed Professional Chauffeur? They must have their reasons. What happened to VIP Parking places? Circling the block 20 times looking for a parking place sounds a little far fetched to me.
kernal 8 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't recall seeing a VIP parking space at a major hospital since handicapped parking spaces were mandated.
The_Big_B 8 months, 3 weeks ago
But when the truth is ridiculous, you have to make up something to say ... even if it sounds more ridiculous. Yeah. I'm thinking the secretary calls KU Med and says she's coming, save her a spot.
Stupid lies indicate a recognition that the action being taken is stupid and inexplicable.
DoubtingThomas 8 months, 3 weeks ago
This site is acting up. It posted what I tried to edit twice. I flagged the shorter post for removal.
notwhatyouthink 8 months, 3 weeks ago
It said he was retired so no he won't be in uniform since he doesn't have one.
hip_gma 8 months, 3 weeks ago
I think this is a great idea! The driver can focus on the driving and the chancellor can focus on her work and not have to deal with the traffic or crazy drivers.
Andini 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Thanks ljworld. I now have Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston from The Bodyguard stuck in my head.
budwhysir 8 months, 3 weeks ago
the article says they dont want her driving around for an hour looking for a parking spot??? in KC at KU Med???? There is a parking garage and the staff has its own parking area that is reserved... doesnt she have her own parking spot?
The_Big_B 8 months, 3 weeks ago
When they lie, it sort of makes the decision look even worse.
Can people at KU just not tell the truth?
Is this an institutional trait?
Or is this decision just so silly, that they are compelled to make up ridiculous stories to try to defend what cannot be defended.
RoeDapple 8 months, 3 weeks ago
"Secret Police" . . . isn't.
budwhysir 8 months, 3 weeks ago
There goes this years tuition hike...
Silent_Dave 8 months, 3 weeks ago
“We’re not paying (the chancellor) to circle the block 20 times looking for a parking spot." Isn't she like 80? She should have a handicap placard.
hedshrinker 8 months, 3 weeks ago
apparently 55 or so looks like 80 to you, and even if she was 80, that wouldn't automatically make her handicapped...I know several 80 year olds that can walk and especially do stairs better than I can (I who am closer to Chancellor's REAL age).....wake up and pay attention, Dave.
ironhead80 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Like I said in a previous reply! hedshrinker should apply, seems like he likes the word hedshrinker, for some apparent reason??
by ironhead80
rumor_man 8 months, 3 weeks ago
She's 67
The_Big_B 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Special treats for special people. The person in charge of your University cannot drive 40 miles to her reserved parking space?
Let's not call him a "driver" ... I prefer "Coachman".
classclown 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Frankly I think they're starting the process of taking the old gals' keys away. Easing her into it. "We'll just have him drive you long distances on the highway." Then soon it will be a good idea to have him drive her around town as well.
Next thing you know they'll say she can't drive anymore and will pay to have a chauffeur drive her everywhere whether she is on company time or private time.
classclown 8 months, 3 weeks ago
And of course that will set a precedent. Every chancellor in the future will be entitled to a personal chauffeur during his/her tenure there. And probably in retirement as well.
hear_me 8 months, 3 weeks ago
If previous chancellors had spent one or more days a week at KU Med, maybe KU Med would not have experienced its recent turmoil.
classclown 8 months, 3 weeks ago
The_Big_B
Let's not call him a "driver" ... I prefer "Coachman".
August 31, 2012 at 10:19 a.m
========================================
I thought a coachman was the guy that hung on for dear life on the back of the coach and then would open the door and put the steps in place for the riders to enter/exit the coach.
scopi_guy 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Will he carry her to the Piggly Wiggly?
Kidding aside, sounds like a good idea to me. Makes sense.
rumor_man 8 months, 3 weeks ago
This is the "pc" way of saying she has gotten behind the wheel one too many times after drinking too much at fundraisers.
beatnik 8 months, 3 weeks ago
robin is a good guy and i think he's a bargin at $20. per hour, would assume he has driving skills and a carry permit
DoubtingThomas 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Deputy's Character was never in question. Retired after 32 years service speaks volumes.Excellent Officer of the Law no doubt.Just seems like overkill for a "Driver".
CWGOKU 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Give the driver some KU basketball tickets in case he gets pulled over...
JackMcKee 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Seriously? What a time to be in Lawrence, KS. Worst City Commission ever. Worst Governor ever. And worst chancellor ever. Anyone remember when the Big 12 was imploding and Bernadette was pleading with Nebraska and Colorado to stay in the Big 12, then she just sat around with a deer in the headlights look and sent Bill Self out to do her job? God that woman is a mess.
1southernjayhawk 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Jack, you are just a real positive guy. You must be a pleasure to be around.
JackMcKee 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Brownstain. Cramwell. Do-Little. What do all three of these people have in common?
JackMcKee 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Besides catchy nicknames.
Eddie_Haskell 8 months, 3 weeks ago
No. I did not like that Driving Miss Daisy movie.
oneeye_wilbur 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Most are just jealous. Face it, driving around Lawrence is no carnival, but to KC is a nightmare. She should not be alone in the car at night. Simple as that!. As for the deputy, that person does have the right for "concealed and carry" . The weapon can be onboard.
What I would want though is the job to drive Shade. I'll do that for $8.50 an hour if he provides the car.
hear_me 8 months, 3 weeks ago
The chancellor is responsible for academics, the KU Med Center complex, and athletics. (Athletics and KU Med could have used more scrutiny in the past.) She has a lot on her plate and should have a driver.
irtnog2001 8 months, 3 weeks ago
With the tecnhnology available today there is no need to drive her anywhere. And if they need the Chancellors personal assistance at KU Med just what do the high paid administrators at KU Med do to justify their exorbitant salaries? To kill two birds with one stone KU should pay back the state for all of its assets and just privatize. KU becomes the elite private institution it wants to and Kansas budget problems are over.
Liberty275 8 months, 3 weeks ago
OK. Charge me an extra penny next year if it will protect her and allow her to work more efficiently.
merrill 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Good for KU for creating a job!
$20 per hour isn't really a lot of money. Not in this century. That would be about $37,000 - $40,000 a year. Will that buy a home anywhere in Lawrence,Kansas? = likely not.
Would that support a family in Lawrence,Kansas? barely to not any longer.
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