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Brems returns to president's post at UCAT

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Anonymous | 9:47 p.m. Oct. 15, 2009

That is a LAME headline. You should change it...because this is a big deal and no one will read it with that on the top

The Fox | 5:10 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

is back in the hen house.

Anonymous | 7:01 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Shame on you sederburg! bad mouth an organization that you are a part of publicly but not say anything to them.

Comments continue below

dark knight | 7:30 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Rob Brems would be a great leader for UCAT.

Annonymous | 9:12 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

I find the boards action short-sighted. I don't care if they think Brem's wasn't given a fair shake. UCAT has fought for 15 years for its own board and now they undermine its public credibility?

Ship_One | 10:14 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Rob Brems would be a great leader for UCAT? His previous leadership certainly shows greatness in ethics, integrity and acting in the best interest of Mountainland and UCAT. Rob's best interest is his own at public expense. What a farse--and skipping protocal?! UCAT Board, show on ounce of courage. This guy has shown his true colors to the independent auditors and USHE. And you think this will bode well for the greater good???

jumper | 10:20 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

You've GOT to be kidding

UcAT | 10:46 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

UCAT is joke--seriously, they have had what five presidents in the six years they have existed? There is no leadership there...

sederberg | 10:48 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Thank you for advocating for those of us who supported the resignation of Brems.

Responsibility | 10:51 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

There was no responsibility taken EVER. Audit was independent. This was an inside job/hire. Second candidate must have been pretty bad if they were willing to take this man with this record to represent them!

Scam | 10:53 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

How selfish. Bring your trash back to the organization? You didn't do any favors the first time with the PR and findings. Put your ego aside and let somebody with a record of integrity lead.

Mark Walker | 11:15 a.m. Oct. 16, 2009

I totally and unequivocally give my support to Rob Brems as the new UCAT President. He is a man of integrity and ability and will greatly enhance the quality and availability of technical education in the state of Utah. We are fortunate that he was willing to offer his leadership again. I have known Rob for several years and speak from personal experience about his character and qualifications. I applaud Mr. Bingham and the UCAT Board for being fair-minded and far-sighted enough to choose the person they felt was the most qualified for the position. Never since the time of UCAT ‘s creation in 2001 has there been a greater need for work-related training in our state. Rob is the man for the job. Good luck President Brems!

cesqy | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 16, 2009

UCAT and the State Board of Regents (SBR) have been fighting over the educational mission and money since UCAT was formed years ago. This is more about a thumb in the eye to the arrogant SBR who entertained Brem's resignation (when they were in control). Last year, state law was changed to make the UCAT board independent, but the cronyism and inefficiencies are still rampant throughout the UCAT campuses. We pay the UCAT administrator's way too much when in reality they're just technical high schools.

uhmmmmm... | 2:26 p.m. Oct. 16, 2009

Mr. Sederburg as a voting member of the board should not have waited to raise his objections until after the candidate he did not like was chosen. Would he be raising the same procedural issues if Bouwhis was selected?

Terrible decision | 5:01 p.m. Oct. 16, 2009

This tells us a lot about UCAT and the lack of integrity of the UCAT board of trustees.

This man misused thousands of tax dollars and admitted it. How can you bring him back with all of this baggage???

Give someone else a chance to lead. We have plenty of qualified candidates to choose from.

Protocol | 7:31 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

An ethics violation has been committed in the selection process. A lot of underground work has been done to see that Brems was put back in and the Trustees have an obligation to scrutinize for the best interest of UCAT. Is anything remotely questionable ever a good idea?

annonymous | 8:03 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

I am unfamiliar with the Ucat. What does Ucat stand for? I know Rob Brems has been appointed President. It doesn't matter how great a President he will be - He Resigned before, apparently he was forced out, allegations of corruption? Was he investigated? Is it true? It is sad our society has become numb to what is Right & Wrong, and he is endorsed again? Is there any accountability or consequences? It sends a message that we as a people are accepting corruption as acceptable. Good Luck with this one Ucat! Integrity & character of your Leader is in question!

UCAT at its worst! | 9:40 a.m. Oct. 17, 2009

UCAT offers: No credit, shady course offerings, records that can't pass an audit, large salaries for underqualified personnel, hmmmmmmmm. Am I surprised?

Someone WAKE UP the legislature!

anonymous | 8:02 p.m. Oct. 17, 2009

If Taxpayers money was misused by Rob Brems to craft his own retirement, he should not be given a second chance at this job!

ucat employee | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 18, 2009

The rank and file employees of UCAT are dedicated good folks...they work very hard to help students get jobs...they absolutely care.

Please don't judge them harshly.

Those of us in the day to day system are just as sick aboout this and hope the general public will scream.

Most of his support comes from his former employees at USOE, MATC, SLATC/TATC, and his school district friends from BATC. Add up the votes...not hard to see how he got in...corruption plus the chronyism can't be stopped.

Anonymous | 11:18 a.m. Oct. 19, 2009

George Washingtion, "Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder, "Cowardice asks the question" Is it safe? Consenses asks the question is it popular? Character asks is it right? Know this while your circumstances are beyond your control, your character is not.

A friend of Rob's | 11:34 a.m. Oct. 19, 2009

I am saddened by some of the comments berating Rob and the UCAT system. Unfortunately, many of you don't know the whole story and believe everything you read in the papers. Rob absolutley did not misuse public funds, and he certainly made no such admission. The retirement/severence package was crafted by the MATC board in a legal and ethical manner - with the former Commissioner of Higher Ed in attendance (Richard Kendall). The other findings were essentially non-issues. One was a simple mistake - discovered and corrected with full disclousre before the above mentioned audit took place.

UCAT is a wonderful organization which does a lot of good for a lot of people. Rob Brems is a fine and decent man who would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. His forced resignation in 2007 was nothing short of a witch-hunt orchestrated by Sederberg's predecessor. I hope the public will see this for what it is and give Rob the chance he deserves.

Thanks

Great | 8:28 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Is anything questionable ever a good idea? This situation, unfortunately, WAS questionable. Some improprieties (intentional or not) were found. Now UCAT has leadership that is questioned by USHE, legislators, campus employees... how is that in the best interest of this struggling organization?

Nothing like falling on your face in that first step. The lack of leadership will cause UCAT to continue to falter. Amidst potential budget cuts, this is a real slam to morale...

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