Oral Roberts President to Take Leave

Source: ABC News

Oral Roberts University president Richard Roberts has asked the school's board of regents for a leave of absence amid accusations of lavish spending at donors' expense and illegal involvement in a political campaign.

On Wednesday, Roberts, 58, said he would continue in his role as chairman and chief executive of Oral Roberts Ministries.

"I don't know how long this leave of absence will last, but I fully trust the members of the Board of Regents," Roberts said in a statement released by the university. "I pray and believe that in God's timing, and when the Board feels that it is appropriate, I will be back at my post as president."

An Oct. 2 lawsuit filed by three former ORU professors says they were wrongfully dismissed and alleges the spending at donors' expense, including numerous home remodels and a senior trip to the Bahamas for one daughter on the ministry's dime.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3741430

Now you'll have more time to actually do something helpful for the university. For instance, you could touch up that gawd awful gold paint on your outer space campus buildings. Or, better yet, change the color to something more current.

Perhaps you could use your newly found time to sell off some of the trappings of the good life you and your family have, and donate the proceeds of the sale to those who truly are in need. There are millions of Americans without health insurance, for instance.

Or, you could just play more tennis at Southern Hills.

Does anyone really care what that low-grade moron does or what happens to that diploma factory? Roberts is simply displaying typical repub right-wing bible thumper behavior. What a joke it is to consider that so-called university or that goon as part of the US higher education system.

I have a husband named University President Roberts"

"I have sinned against thee." --- JImmy Swaggert

that an acting president has been appointed. He is an alumni, long-time regent, and pastor of the politically active mega-church across the street from the university. Some of the allegations in the suit involve the christian school operated by his ministry. He is said to be controlling and to have had aspirations regarding heading the university since the mid 80's or so.

I've posted earlier on DU speculating that this suit really is an internal power struggle. Lots of reasons to suspect that if you understand the relationships to the plaintiff law firm. Seems that is looking more and more likely....