While he is gone, he will make a little over $200,000. So much for how drinking too much and driving negatively impacts your life.

HUH ??????

C'Mon, you're kidding, right ????

WOW . . . .

Paid vacation that he didn't even have to earn. Can't get any better benefits than being rewarded for bad behavior. The man has talent and is an asset to UA...no question there. However, I don't get this.

If those are part of the rules and procedures of the University, then so be it. It would be more criminal for him not to take advantage of them.

Wow, a ten month paid vacation - for a DUI arrest!!! And I wonder why my kids' tuition is so high!?

A cop or firefighter would be fired because they are held to " A higher standard". See you back at work in July 2010, John! P.O.S.

Wow. Nice vacation.

Well paid drunk with perks. I should have finished my senior year, at least I could get a soft ball fine for DUI. Good luck.

so let me get this straight:

this loser is driving drunk, is caught, and instead of being dismissed, is given almost a full year off WITH PAY????

Unbelieveable.

I am speechless.

total BS...do you think a staff member would get this treatment...NOT.

This has nothing to do with your "kid's tuition". So, please stop that ignorant mantra. While I'm at a loss for the logic of this move, I also admit that I don't know all the details of the decision to handle it this way.

I do know that John Case is someone who the university should preserve and that very little in life is black and white like some of you posters like to think.

Step back and shut your judgmental mouths for a change. It may be that UA is ordering him into in-patient treatment with some serious outcome expectations and consequences if those expectations are not met. That they put him on paid leave as opposed to unpaid leave, may very well have to do with UA's commitment to his successful rehabilitation.

The fact is UA can handle this the way they choose and none of us have any right to have say so in it.

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paid leave for a DUI. Wow...

So allow us to review: Akron students relentlessly rip Kent for keeping a basketball player on scholarship after he received a DUI. Meanwhile, Akron keeps their employees on staff and pay after receiving a DUI. Hmm...

jason 12-You may judge me daily,freedom of speech.
GET OFF YOUR GRADE SCHOOL SOAP BOX !

Here...let me help you guys out...I'll say it for you
FEAR THE ROO!

There ya go, kids. No loss, no penalty. Just higher tuition and student fees, so you can pay some drunk's salary for doing zilch for almost a year.

And people wonder why nobody trusts anyone in administration anymore? Ya got one trustee scamming UA in a shady housing deal, and another dude driving drunk & collecting a paycheck. How come the common man can see the idiocy in this, but those in "higher learning" cannot??

@ Cloverfield

Dude, DUI's are the least of Kent's worries when it comes to that basketball team.

onto the article...

IMO, this was a ridiculous decision, if for no other reason than knowing the local newspaper could publish this. Bad pub. for the university amidst the opening of the new stadium. Not to mention that building is still brooding over the east side of the stadium...

@ Jason - I'm curious as to which part of DUI CONVICTION is not black and white?? And to assume that he is ordered into rehab when that was not reported in the story as punishment, is quite naive'.

What a joke

It is a matter of public record when someone is arrested multiple times for DUI. There is nothing "alleged" about it.

Jason, Are you out of your mind? Didn't you hammer a 21 year old Basketball player from Kent for a DUI? A 21 year old kid... This POS is your "vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer". Why is he being protected by LP????

Hey Jason12... Sure the U of A has a right to do as they see fit... but we as the public have a right to disagree at the blatant disregard for a fair punishment!

@Jason12

Well said...I agree.

Wow. I wonder if these Zips fans would give a kid wiht one mistake( a certain student athlete at Kent State ) the same grace they freely offer an adult executive LEADER at Akron who has his SECOND DUI arrest. The answer has been "No", wonder if the UA faithful has a double standard.

Jason..........my 12th grade edumication says your nuts........

hmm seems kind of hypocritical to me doesn't U of A have a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking and other drinking issues with students on and around campus?

I am jealous, I'd love a sweet deal like that!

after reading the news story its easy to assume Case has a excellent lawyer therefore UA is being very careful in regards to handling this situation. Case will not be on paid leave for 10 months. I see Case and UA coming to a mutual agreement for him to resign.
yes it looks bad but by law your employer can not fire you for DUI's. Do you think your job should fire you if you got a DUI tonight?

let the guy alone.....if it's his first.

Fear the roo has drank the brew

"...let the guy alone.....if it's his first..."

Sure.

Because the first offense of falling asleep over your steering wheel while intoxicated is okay, as long as you don't do it again.

This sentiment is EXACTLY why we have repeat offenders.

If he agreed to rehab and/or other medical treatments, UA's policies or his contract may allow him this time. Once a problem is considered medical, you must be very careful to just fire someone.

The article indicates the recent arrest was his second DUI...first one in Shaker Heights and the more recent one in Macedonia.

Dr F John Case has a drinking problem. Did he reveal that when he was hired? There are ramifications to the situation, I am sure. I don't think that Proenza's decision was the right thing to do . . . . a very bad public image is the result. Something like this cannot be kept private.

rmk/akron

Dont be hating this guy! Ask your boss for this type of benefit! We all could use this in our wage package. I dont drink but could learn how for 10 months off with pay.

Most folks I know who've suffered duis have suffered financially. A lot of employers fire people for missing a lot of work. If UA wants to keep this guy so bad, why not UNPAID leave? Most companies ( and my organization) have zero tolerance for drug and alcohol abuse.Especially when the person obviously had the problem before taking the job.It'd be nice to have a 10 month paid vacation. Just stop at your local pub, down about 12 drinks, then put everyone's life in danger by driving your car.

Actually, people can be fired for getting DUI's if they work in public service. I am a teacher and would lose not only my job but my teaching license if I ever got a DUI.

Earlier this year we read about an Akron School teacher who had her 4th DUI. Maybe DUI policies for teachers vary by district or school?

Ron - i was thinking the same thing - if U of A wanted to keep him why not UNPAID leave - doesn't seem right that he is making that much money to begin with then gets a DUI and is making it without working.
They may be more to the story but Akron U would be smart in letting the public know what they are thinking - because obviously from the post here the public isn't happy with the whole thing!

U OF A SLASHES COSTS
by T. Totaller

In an attempt to lower salaries and still increase staffing, the University if Akron announced that it will replace John Case with four graduates of the Oriana House Drunk Driving Program who each would make $45,000.00 per year.
UA trustees approved a recommendation from President Luis Proenza that the hires be made and then immediately be granted administrative leave with pay. Proenza stated that such move would result in a net savings of $40,000 per year to the university while insuring that the school would not be deprived of the services of nonstudent substance abusers
"We all have to tighten our belts a little. Our plan is to pay more drunks for less pay. We want the most for the public's money."

Louis, can I work for you, pleez!

So wrong on so many levels, why is common sense not taught at a College institution, apparently the public sector is devoid of any real penalties for poor behaviour. PAID LEAVE...they hire an alchoholic and he is compensated...tell us U of A what other transgressions has this guy committed, i'm certain he didn't just drink while only in his car...check the office files for bottles !

No wonder I can't afford to go to UofA.

Unfreakinbelievable!

Wow, I can't get a beer in the new AU stadium, but you can run the finances and be convicted of DUI and get 10 months off paid. WTF. Boycott the stadium.

@gain some & Jason...

Thanks for the enlightened comments. It's easy to think that UofA is insane to keep paying this guy after multiple DUI's, but it is not uncommon for employers to provide alcohol abuse intervention for a employee struggling with addiction. Each employer has their own stipulations...whether the employee attends work or not, whether they are paid, what happens if they fail, etc. Since this is medical information, it is private and CANNOT be discussed publicly.

This isn't a vacation for him...he's been publicly humiliated and his job is most likely on the line. I hope he works through his problems.

I wonder if a part-time faculty member would have been extended the same courtesy? There was an article published today in The Chronicle of Higher Education about the inequitable treatment of adjunct & contingent faculty.

See:
http://chronicle.com/article/An-Activist-Adjunct-Shoulders/48348/

Here's another one in Inside Higher Ed:
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2009/09/10/maisto

Learn more at http://www.newfacultymajority.info

Mebbe Mr. Case is plannin' on a carreer change. One more DUI and he'll be eligible for Akron's Fire Chief position.

Just to clarify, this guy has never been convicted of OVI. He has had a reckless operation conviction and is presently charged with OVI.

Most likely, this guy has a bigger problem that is going to require some serious rehab. To be where he is in life he appears to be an otherwise responsible person and we should all hope he is successful in rehab.

That all being said, those that criticize his actions and the University's decision to place him on PAID leave are taxpayers whose tax dollars support the University. As such, they have every right to voice their criticism.

Is this a JOKE???

I'm sending my Resume to U of A.

SEE YOU AT THE BAR!! IT'S BEER:THIRTY SOMEWHERE!!! YEE HAW!

I don't understand why anything he does in his personal life has to do with his professional life. They are considered separate lives and he is made to take a leave? That is the biggest issue here. According to the story he did not get the DUI in a university car, on the "clock" or anything else that is related to the university which means it should not affect his professional life.

Jason12, I think that the State should reduce the Schools funding by $250,000; and I don't think that I'll be returning any envelopes with cash to the alumini Association. You act as if the school is a private entity. I would bet that you are very close to this drunk driver.

what a bunch of shi t!!!!!! If you or I did the same thing, we wouldn't get 10 months paid vacation! And if he ends up in jail, as well he should, he shouldn't be paid vacation for that! What a crock!

@UAEngineering You're right. DUIs ARE the least of Kent's basketball worries. The most would probably be our players who careen through the streets of the city shooting at police officers.

Oh wait. Rydell Brooks never went to Kent State. Where did he go?

Weighing the Board's determination to grant ten months' paid leave to Dr. Case in every direction, I still come to the unerring conclusion that the Board will end up regretting its action. In a slumping economy, with the school struggling to justify its new stadium, phenomenal land and property purchases, and dealing with a Board member recently convicted in a criminal trial relative to a shady land deal who refuses to resign, how can a publicly-funded state university that just raised tution justify paying $200,000 in salary, plus benefits (another $40,000) to fund an extended vacation for Dr. Case - and, presumably pay more to others to get his work done while he's on leave?

Competely unreal - in my book, at least. As an alum, I am not proud right now. In fact, I just ripped up my generous annual alumni donation, which was going out in this morning's mail. Dr. Proenza, you won't be seeing another donation from me, or my extended family, until this is put to rights.

This is absolutely outrageous. Someone should look into this to make sure this is legal and ethical for a public institution. Paid administrative leave for 10 months, after being on the job for 3 years? Come on, this is absurd. Unless he's in rehab for 10 months, there's really no justification for this. If you have a problem with this, then call Proenza and tell him so. 330-972-7074. Or, e-mail him: president@uakron.edu.

Hmmmmm.....read this article from Crain's Cleveland Business News, August 10, 2009, with Dr. Case commenting on UA's dire financial condition - just three weeks before he was picked up in Macedonia: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20090810/FREE/908109982n Macedonia:

Last week eveyone was complaining about police officers looking out for each other. Now it looks there are also perks for working at Akron-U. In every job there are benefits. Better start being more concerned about child molesters.

No wonder UA employees aren't getting raises this year.

i agree that a person's professional life and private life are separate. that being said, dr. case should continue to work for his $240K or he should be on UNPAID leave. this is totally outrageous. as an employee of UA making well, well, WELL under $240K i am sickened.

"...Police said Case declined to take a blood-alcohol test..."

Doubtful he was conciously exercising his Fourth Amendment Rights.

More probable that he was hammered, but had enough where-with-all to figure that if the alcohol percentage wasn't officially logged, he might have a loophole with a good attorney.

Either way, it appears as if another rich boy just dodged a bullet.

Enjoy your paid vacation, Case.

Lord knows you've earned it.

Drinking and driving is hard work.

I do not get the reasoning for the paid leave at all. IF he was going to rehab and not jail, it might be considered medical leave. How much consulting with the President can he do that would be worth that much?! It's insulting and disheartening to the other U of A employees who work hard for their money and are having to do more for less.

Jeff Fusco just got elected to Akron Council At-Large, and he has a drunken driver conviction, while in a City vehicle.

Akron residents shouldn't be surprised at this story. You elect drunks to represent you!

My biggest question is why someone who has a quarter million salary cannot call a taxi. I know it would be expensive to cal a taxi everyday from Akron to Shaker Heights everyday but better than the alternative.

@Betamax.
Boy you sure dont forget anything do ya?

I think they are unable to fire him if he states he has a substance abuse problem. He was given paid leave and will most likely not return. But in the meanwhile, I'll take over his position and I'll only charge $150,000 a year and I don't drink.
PS
FEAR THE BREW!

I can't believe this guy is getting paid over $200,000 for paid leave when he gets a dui!! Most people struggle to pay their court costs and get driving privelages to and from work.
Why couldn't he get the same as everybody else? There is no need at all for him to be on leave for 10monthes AND paid for it.
He would have driving privelages to get to work and back.
This is so rediculous!!

Isn't the University of Akron a STATE Funded University? Doesn't that mean TAX DOLLARS? So Ohio taxpayers are paying his salary for ten months!

Why is he off of work? Can some at Akron U explain this to me.

He refused the blood alcohol test. It will be a required mandatory 12 month suspension. With no driving privileges for at least 30 days. That is the requirement for refusal.

As a former Zip, I decided to cancel my donation to the Z Fund. This is an outrage. How in the world one can break the law by getting a DUI and then be given a "10 month paid sabbatical" is beyond belief.

I would hope that MADD would protest outside the new stadium on opening day.

I get that everyone is super mad that UA is handling this this way, but just imagine this:
how much do you think it costs to fire someone, pay a search commitee, and hire someone new? It would be more than the 200 k that they are paying him. Plus hes good at his job, and they dont want to lose a valuable administrator. ITS BUSINESS NOT PERSONAL. and hes probably not vacationing in Hawaii on his time off, dont be dumb and think he is just getting off the hook.

I am sure that in Mr. Case's contract there is a stipulation for Paid Leave for Medical Conditions and Alcoholism is a disease for which treatment can be effective.

Mr. Case's family is probably very grateful that he can still provide for them and that they will not lose everything because of his addiction.

Look at the big picture!

With people facing all sorts of financial difficulties under the Obama administration, this defies even drunken imagination! Giving paid leave to Mr. Case is more insane than Nancy Pelosi trying to get her own personal jet paid for by taxpayers. As a graduate of Akron University, I question the sanity of the officials who granted the paid leave and will do so of the Trustees if they pass on it. How can anyone have any respect for an institution of higher learning that seems not only to condone drunken driving, but actually REWARDS it?

Get rid of this drunk, before he kills someone.

Didnt Akron U.do a background check on this guy? Didnt that notice anything while interviewing him? Someone is not doing their job if this guy got thru their yellow tape!!!

@r m kraus, if he is receiving help, medical care can be "kept quiet".

Wow! And people wonder why a college education is so expensive.... This is a big joke on all of us tuition paying chumps! Do you think they will give me my books for free if I show up drunk at the book store? LOL!!!

this is a perfect example why our country is in such a horrendous economic crisis."old boy network",they will always take care each other financially no matter the situation.CEO', wall street,politicians,clergymen,etc.taxpayers will fund their missteps and mistakes thorough salaries being cut,jobs sent overseas for cheaper labor just to keep their outrageous salaries.the greatest fraterity in the world to be a member of a job with chairman involve another word for "old boy network".you and i have no vote!!!

Mayors court no less... He'll pay a fine and walk. No points, no OVI.

I am stumped as to the ratonale - if there is one -used by the Board of Trustees on this.

First, they keep Jack Morrison on the Board who has been convicted of criminal charges involving work perfomred by the Board. Now they PAY $200,000 to someone for leave while he combats crimianl charges. Great messaget o send to the students: CRIME DOES PAY.

I'm all for this guy getting help, just not on the taxpayer dime, especially after his second (at least) go around with drinking and driving. All of the Trustees should resign.

Id like to know where he is going to be for that 10 months,and why the 10 months.You never hear of rehab being for that period.,its either 3,6,9.or 12 months.not 10! So spit it out Action U..give us more details here.

AU should be on his doorstep everyday with some type of alcohol detecting device. If he shows any alcohol at all, he if fired as he already should have been. At the least, 10 months with no pay.

For Jason to say its not our tuition money that pays these people ... so PLEASE tell me HOW this university would run without students coming here for an education? Please this is really interesting.

The University of Akron's politics are to say the least messed up.

We have a 3.1 million (maybe higher maybe lower) stadium, President Proenza makes over $600,000 a year when I saw him on campus ONCE! He didn't even say hi, or shake hands or anything. There are students here that need money to go to school. They have to work 2 jobs just to pay bills and they're still struggling to make payments on their tuition. Plus no kids, his house is paid for by the university AND his blackberry is paid for ... so please tell me WHY someone needs to make over $600,000 a year. Oh and undergrad tuition is going up 3.5% ... ummm pay cuts maybe!?!? Oh thats right they are too stingy to give that up.

Then they are 'getting rid' of the retires - rehires ... but low and behold they are keeping the ones who retired and were rehired that are in higher status .. I will not say any names. But this just proves to me how low this university can go. They are just teaching people 'oh it's ok to drink and drive and you'll still get paid leave, go ahead do it, you'll just get a slap on the wrist.' This is disgusting! I cannot wait until I graduate from this college.

I am sorry that I put my money into this college.

My God........10 month vacation for a drunkin Driving at 2 a.m.......And This jason Chump is defending him.......If it said 10 months in a REHAB....I may agree......48 out at 2 a.m. is not be responsible....He's a reckless a-hole

Wow. Us normal people would be fired or suspended without pay. Well, that's okay. They'll just raise your kid's tuition.

The U of A is a TAXPAYER funded school - a S=T=A=T=E school charging exhorbitant tuition. If this man had KILLED one of your loved ones the night he was driving DRUNK, he would have been fired and in jail! Why the hell is anyone in a state funded college making $240K ?! Giving this man 10 months off WITH pay to get his sh*t together is an outrage and a slap in the face to every single one of us. And he was busted in Shaker a few months after AU hired him a few years ago?! Dude, you have a problem - the operative is YOU, not me. Get it under control on your dime, not mine. I'm sick of being treated as an ATM for every arrogant, entitled ignoramous in the U.S. And I don't want to hear about alcoholism being an 'illness'. If I tasered him every time he took a drink, I'll bet he'd stop. How effective could this drunk have been on a job paying $240K/year?! Seriously. This confounds common sense and I'm sick of picking up the tab for the likes of Big John Case.

As an alumnus, I received a support request from the college just two days ago, and was planning on mailing out a check tonight. I guarantee you that that check will not be written now, nor any future checks. They obviously have enough money, if they can burn through $240k to pay a drunk to not work.

Absolutely unbelievable.

Look at the big picture!>justamom

that is a bit hard to do when I am trying to help my kid thru AU on way less than almost the quarter of a million bucks this drunk is raking in. I am just a mom too and I think this is terrible. I understand about medical conditions and such, but he should have lost those rights when he refused a breath test.
What kind of message is he sending to the students he is supposed to be representing???

My question is...the person or persons that will have to do his job, now that he is on vacation, be getting a raise for being required to do the drunks work?

I also got the alumnus request and I will not be sending any more either!

He probably has a contract and they can not fire him except "for cause". I bet you one of the "for cause" definitions is conviction of a crime. That is how he gets a paid leave. He hasn't been convicted yet. Whatever it is, he will probably not have his contract renewed. My suggestion to Mr. Case is to freshen up that resume and use those 10 months to look for a new job.

There is a portion of the UA decision which wasn't reported. The 10 month paid suspension gets UA through until June upon which time Mr. Case's contract expired and will not be renewed. This was reported to staff via email today. Sometimes there is more information that we are aware and everyone should be so quick to jump at UA. Yes it sucks to pay Mr. Case for 10 months but that is better thant he cost of breaking his contract.

I THINK JASON IS 12......

Next time, Ruth, maybe we should have a 'drunk' clause inserted into anyone's contract - especially those making more than $5.00 and hour. Maybe we consider protecting the taxpayers' assets....for once! Do you think that might be a good idea? Huh? Huh?

Dr. Case is a CONTRACT employee. UA runs on a fiscal year which starts July 1. That means Dr. Case signed a new contract July 1, and is under an employment contract with UA that runs out in 10 months - on June 30, 2010.

UA must honor the contract, or they could be drug into court by Dr. Case for breach of contract. The resulting court battle would cost much more than the 10 months of pay.

Please people, do not stop donating to the university because of this. I am an alum, and established a scholarship for single parents. They need help more than ever, and do stop donating now because of this situation is only hurting the students.

Maybe the profits (HA!) from the bleachers, er, new stadium will offset this scammer.

Too late on that request, NuhUh. It's going around my office like wildfire. With 14 UA grads in my office, it's not going over well. UA definitely screwed up on this one.

On a side note, I wonder if UA is hiring. I have an accountant sibling that would probably love a job like that.

I am going to give this a try. I could use 10 months paid leave!

I too am an alumnus of the U of A class of 1994. I will never donate again. I haven't donated much over the years but, rest assured, they will never receive any further money from me.

I don't understand why they'd put him on paid leave? He should be required to come to work and do his job if he wants paid.

That being said, I don't think being charged with a misdemeanor traffic offense is grounds for being dismissed from your job unless you committed the crime while on the clock. Just my personal feeling.

I want this fools job!

Sounds like a great candidate for Czar of Alcohol in the Obama Administration.

JOKE!!!!

Once again the Beacon Journal published a one sided story leaving out many facts.
Like previous people stated above Case is under contract. if UA breaks that contract and fired Case today it would go to court and cost UA even more money to fight to get rid of him.

PAID leave ridiculous.
the University will get NO MORE donations from me.

10 month paid leave?? My employer would not do that-I would get put in jail for the DUI, get fired for missing work, etc. Really??!!!

The problem is that UA gave him a present in this. A HUGE present. Make HIM honor HIS contract by showing up at work each day. If he cannot, because he is in jail or unable to drive, then the contract is broken on HIS end. Not UA's.

andre

Posted 03:22 PM, 09/10/2009 Once again the Beacon Journal published a one sided story leaving out many facts.
Like previous people stated above Case is under contract. if UA breaks that contract and fired Case today it would go to court and cost UA even more money to fight to get rid of him.


Not altogether true.... although he may have a contract, most have moral clauses and such so when you break the law or cheat on your spouse your contract can be terminated. (Among other things)

OK, part of me wants to stop my donations and part of me wants to shake him until his teeth rattle. I am sick to death of no one being accountable and not understanding consequences. If he is going to rehab...great. Announce it from the top of the new stadium so that everyone understands. To heck with his "privacy" issues.

cassie - a judge would tell you otherwise. We have due process in this land and even if found guilty, he has his right to privacy. You may have an emotional need to know more but it's not a logical need. Whether we donate or not, it's none of our business.

duckster - when there is an alcohol addiction issue, that's a horse of a different color. You may not automatically fire someone for this particular offense. Most organizations and especially government ones have a legal obligation to help employees such as this turn their life around. It's common practice.

No more donations from me or my family because of this incident.

Do you people seriously think UA wouldn’t dump this guy in a heartbeat if they could? Do you really think they would choose all this bad publicity, especially days before the opening of the new stadium just so they could continue to pay a top administrator 10 months salary while he is on administrative leave????? I read the memo that was sent to UA personnel and it is clear his contract will not be renewed when it expires on June 30 2010. Perhaps Mr. Case will do the right thing and resign.

If he's getting paid make him work.Have him picked up and dropped off,and charge him for it.Maybe he did the right thing.I know more than a few people who didn't blow and a good(expensive)lawyer got the charges knocked down.Our system loves to plea bargain.

"but he should have lost those rights when he refused a breath test."

No. He has the legal right to refuse the test. Who died and made you our lawmaker?

BTW, the government agency from which I retired is not allowed to fire someone for getting a DUI and neither are school system. To say otherwise is a lie.

All of you idiots who like to foam at the mouth over this issue need to look in a mirror and repeat to yourself, "I need to STFU because I do not know what I am talking about."

Alcoholism is a disease. If he had cancer, no one would complain about his pay or taking a leave of absence. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone can throw stones. We are quick to vilify. Let's be just as quick to forgive.

I think its really sad that all of the Alumna that are now saying that they are not going to donate to their alma mater. Being an Alum, I would gladly give my money to the university that has made me so proud. Do you really think all your money is going to this guy? Get real. The students deserve dedicated alum that are not going to turn their backs on their school over this. Also, everyone complaining about the tuition..GET OVER IT. if you divided the 200 thousand among the 28,000 students...you would get $7.14 back. And according to my tuition bill...that doesn't help squat. And if you put the hard working faculty into that equation...you would MAYBE get 5 bucks. And for everyone complaining about am authoritative figure with a DUI, do you remember Bush get a DUI charge?? And he was your PRESIDENT!!

Think logically before you speak.

Well, at least one person at the University is breathing a sigh of relief over all of this -- Jack Morrison.

Seriously, you think making $242K a year, John "I Drank A" Case would be able to afford a cab home after an epic bender.

I wonder if "assist the president on special assignments as requested by the president" means scouting out the best happy hour in Akron.

Good points, Akrowdee.

AkRowdee - chances are that those who claim to donate, don't...as if any organization as large and complex as UA never had a problem such as this. One has to admit that the majority of people making immature and uninformed comments about this story are dime a dozen internet liars and losers. One can tell by their feeble thought process and arrogance. They know everything about everything. They would have us believe that the perform brain surgery on the weekends.

DocDementia: Is that your picture, the one with the horses' a because i know you can't be comparing cancer and drinking and driving with a straight face.

WOW!! I want his job. Just goes to show the students at UA that you are always rewarded when you have money. Good thing he didn't kill anyone, he would have been promoted I'm sure.

@unreal, tuition and fees only account for 40-45% of the revenue that is used to operate the university. Your education is subsidized by the state. In addition, research revenues are brought in by faculty to support the university. Our state keeps putting less and less value on education, and forces universities to increase tuition costs.

I think Jason12 is a Weeny. Anyone else agree?

@ohorfamily, UA followed the contract. They screwed up nothing. People are making judgment calls without getting the full information.

@dduckster, if it has a moral clause, it probably does not kick in until he is actually convicted. Until a conviction occurs, it would only be considered a medical condition.

People on this message board are making judgment calls without all the information?? Whoda thunk it!?

I'm not mocking you, GainSomeMoreReality. I'm just laughing at the cold hard truth you pointed out.

@cassie221, many people still believe in the right to privacy, especially as it relates to medical conditions. I do not think any organization should be violating people's right to privacy. If UA broke this person's right to privacy, they would jeopardize their ability to get and retain good employees and possibly students. It is sad you do not value your right to privacy.

It's amazing that this man hasn't killed anyone with his automobile yet. I hope he takes control of his alcoholism before it happens.

Anyone working for the U - Just curious as to what the ACE thought of the week from Dr. Case might be on this subject....

Akron U. is demonstrating a high, corporate philosophy. Their leaders can do what they want and have no responsibility to those that pay taxes to for them, and the additional payers of tuition.
The stadium didn't produce a single academic honor, never will.
Just don't let these "leaders" migrate to Stark State. They'll run it into the ground, also!
I've paid taxes for decades for these institutions, graduated from Stark State, U.of A. and K.S.U.
Akron has deviated from efficiency and effectiveness more than the others.

Dr. Case is paid by our state tax dollars and tuition from our hard working families. He absolutely is accountable for his behavior. What a sham that a senior administratior is allowed to remain on the university's payroll after this offense.

As a public official, He SHOULD be held to a higher standard - just as any teacher, police officer or fire fighter would be.

She said the university would be ''making no comment about John Case's alleged arrest and we do not comment on personnel matters.''

--No longer a personnel matter when a public employee gets paid for 10 months of no work due to being arrested.

I'm just glad I no longer pay tuition to AU and I stopped giving ANY support to AU when I found out the Prez gets over a half a million a year (plus a whole bunch of perks) and AU can't even rank in the top 100 public colleges in the U.S.
And Jason isn't just a wienie, he's a bleeding heart apologist who likes to think he's some kinda legal scholar. If anyone thinks ten months paid vacation on the taxpayers dime is justice for a DUI...they are idiots. And if AUs contract with any staff provides for such lunacy then Mallo had better start writing better contracts.

@UniontownOne, how do you measure that UA has been "run it into the ground"? Every measure of UA shows regular and constant improvement.

I think getting external sponsors and ticket sales to pay for a new stadium is the model of "efficiency and effectiveness".

@Marla B, he has NOT been convicted. People are innocent until proven guilty.

Dear Readers
You all need to wake UP. There is a double standard in this American society between the have and the have-nots. This is quite obvious with this article. I am a State staff employee at a university and if this happened to me. No I would not be fired but I would be forced to take sick leave and/or vacation time which I get as a benefit and after that is exhausted I could take UNPAID LEAVE till the end of the contract year if I needed more time to deal with my Personal or Medical condition. I am in a lower payed staff position so having at least the vacation and sick leave I would not get full salary till June 30th or the end of my contract. The benefit that Dr. Case gets and all the administrators and politicians in this state and country is a travesty to the TAX payer supported institutions. THis Privileged life does not get duplicated to the lower levels of employees or middle class citizens in country which should be protested in the streets. If we want this to change we have to be willing to take action either through our voting right of peaceful protesting. We need to stop this economic discrimination.

Hey U of A I know one very qualified person who is currently laid off due to this defunct economy. They'd be perfect for the job and as a bonus they are clean and sober!

Sarcasm aside, I hope this gentleman can clean up and get back to work! It sounds like alot of people depend on him. Godspeed Mr Case.

By the way Jason12, the ADA only protects "recovering" alcoholics NOT "using" alcoholics. It doesn't bother me that AU decided not to fire the guy, but 10 months paid vacation?! I've seen a lot of peolple go thru detox and rehab but none lasting more than a couple of months and NEVER with an employer allowing them to use anything but accumulated sick leave and vacation and then leave without pay.

Some of you need... I don't know... I can't even put into words how ignorant some of these posts are! It sounds very feasible to me that the U of A is going to let his contract run out to avoid a breech of contract by firing him. However, as stated by another poster, his firing could also be contingent on the outcome of his trial based on whether there is such a clause in the contract and what that clause states.

It is quite plausible that the man does have an alcohol problem. If so, I hope he takes advantage of an employee assistance program (which most employers have) and gets the medical/psychological help he needs. Long term drug and/or alcohol abuse changes the physiology of the brain, and you become 'hard wired' to that drug/drink. Many people successfully 'recover' from addiction, and hope this man can do the same so that he or someone else does not lose their life.

BTW ZipsBBFan - I never said anything about the ADA. However, now that you bring it up, they do protect non-recovering alcoholics. You also need to know that like most organizations, UA is obliged to help a possible addict of alcohol get into recovery. I suggest you do a little more research.

do you need help - you are bitter and not factual. Your contract doesn't have to match that of a university vice president.

Gerald - How was it at Ashland University?

TyDurden - It is a personnel matter. You don't get to fabricate the rules

dinnrbellmel - you can't handle intelligent people. I don't need to get anyone to agree with me to know that.

I will continue to support this fine institution with my hard earned dollars.

@Big L...

You'd think a $1/4 mil salary would automatically qualify for a free UA supplied vehicle and driver.

wtf, i have to pay 6$ for a pack of notes out of docuzip. Can we just give him unpaid leave and give free notes to students for 6 months. oops, i mean 10 months. I hope the judge throws the book at this guy. Perhaps this will make national headlines and something will be done about it. Words speak louder than actions. wait a minute.... this guy is a ahole

This is a total outrage!!! If you or I got a DUI, we would LOSE our jobs WITHOUT pay, period, end of conversation. What a horrible example for a university of supposedly intellegent educators. Doesn't Mr. Case have any shame? This is why our society is on the down slide.

@aliveinkent, you hit the nail on the head. Call a taxi, it's much cheaper for everyone and lest risky for the rest of us.

For the person that thinks this has nothing to do with tuition, try again. The university's costs has everything to do with tuition rates and last time I checked, their payroll is a cost.

What I think is missing in the story is that he may be entitled to a medical leave via FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) that protects your job for 12 weeks a year -- granted this is longer than 12 weeks but the university policy may be different.

Either way, it affects the costs cause this is factor in to everything. The students/parents/government grants are covering these costs.

I acknowlege my typos and grammer mistakes, I was too eager to post

BillyBob - this is not a freedom of speech issue. i just don't agree with you. that too is a part of freedom of speech. what you don't have is the right to dictate the outcome of this situation. blab all you want. you also have the right to be a stupid hillbilly.

@average86, you're in line with what I'm thinking. He's entitled to a leave (even paid) if it is for medical reasons and an addiction is a medical reason. It's a great benefit to have available. My only beef is with the person claiming this has nothing to do with tuition rates.

@Informed, it depends what your contract, union, or company policies say about the situation. Not everything is as cut and dry as some of you want to make it.

Informed - you are wrong. our society is on the downside because of stupid people like you.

angrystudent - just stay angry. it's all you have to offer the world

@jason12, I have to ask since no one else has, why are you so defensive of this situation? I understand you want to give your point of view but you make me wonder if you don't have a personal stake in this somehow.

Most people do not have these types of benefits and most people would lose their jobs. They're just stating that fact.

Everyone needs to realize though that we give these benefits to everyone on assistance every day. They can have life-long benefits with DUIs, etc.

My assessment seems even more true now than it did 3 1/2 hours ago: Jason12 is a Weeny. Come on, someone has to agree with me.

Perhaps if he would've also killed someone while driving under the influence he could've just been granted early retirement on that sweet income. Another case of someone being rewarded for irresponsible behavior.

This is an outrage. O.K., give him his 12 weeks FMLA (paid or unpaid) and get him rehabbed and set him up with an Outplacement firm...after he gets his act together...then send him on his way. He could have killed someone with his recklessness.

Shame on Akron U. for rewarding bad behavior! But that seems to be the nature of things in our society today.

I know of at least 3 people that could fill this job (that this man seems intent on throwing away) and they are all responsible, accountable and sober!

Jason12
BTW I don't know what your talking about. I just posted a comment. I didn't even read the comments because one, there too many and two, I don't have time. My comment was very random and not directed at anything you may have said.

In all seriousness the U of A and the community should do what ever they can within their power to help this man. A dear priest and his associates in South Akron at the Interval Brotherhood Home would be a start.I hope he gets the help he needs.He is obviously an important asset to the U of A. He wouldn't be pulling that kind of salary to just push a pencil.

Zippy's embarrassed. They are trying to slide the guy out as quietly as possible.
Yes, UA has to help him for alcohol problems; yes, it's outrageous, but what else can they do? Bad press and maybe a lawsuit just when the shiny new stadium is opening? They should have addressed the problem the first time when he was a new employee - especially one in his position.

what the heck?! I think he should be fired, then a black mark against him for giving AU a bad name by his irresponsible behavior which teaches the students they too can profit from acting irresponsibly , why didn't he just become a theif, that would have been more honest than accepting a reward for bad behaviour at the expense of decent hardworking people who do not behave like him.

Will all other employees involved in alcohol related legal matters receive the same time off with pay?

Man, this sure got a reaction. It combines two of the 3 things ohio.com akronites love to complain about-- scandals and UA. All we need is some way to tie this to the Mayor and BOOM! 200 comments within the first day of publication..I can garuntee it.

ABJ, find a way to make it happen.(joking)

My grandson died on Aug.16 on Killium Rd with a man who had been drinking. They were all killed.now this man is given time off with pay,are you going to wait till he gets behind the wheel with his kid and a friend and kills them too and then someone will say "Gee I should have said or done something to stop him.

D*mn, I have to pull teeth to get my (very small salaried) 2 wk vacation! A 10 month paid vacation???? I am definately in the wrong profession!

The majority of working people (myself included) will never have benefits like this. Sounds like this man has an alcohol problem. Perhaps he will be seek treatment for this problem during the 10 months paid leave - it might even be required by UofA. If this would have been a medical leave for a stroke, heart attack, or cancer, many would say he should be paid. During his leave, he will still be assisting on assignments. To me, I believe he has proven himself professionally, and the school does not want to lose him when he needs help the most. I hope he finds the help he needs.

Can I get that kind of job with those benefits?

"Beers to you John Case" you'll have plenty of time to drink on your paid leave.
I wonder are the taxpayers, paying any part of your salary?

"... If this would have been a medical leave for a stroke, heart attack, or cancer, many would say he should be paid..."


big difference between those circumstances you mentioned and intentionally getting hammered and then getting behind the wheel.


The main difference, beyond the fact that many facets of the illnesses you mentioned can be out of one's control, is that they don't put OTHER people's lives in danger.

He got drunk and got into a car - and apparently not for the first time.

I don't understand why some people are trying to justify this - as if this behavior is acceptable.

Call it any way you want - but the bottom line is that he is being REWARDED for being irresponsible and stupid.

Opinions are like a--holes, everybody has one. Being this is his second offence he should get the max and not be paid for it. What if he would have killed someone,then WHAT!! It could have very easily have happened that way. What would U of A done then? Tatoo on his forehead ( instant a--hole,just add alchol)

What was donald rumsfield talking about on septmeber 10, 2001?

Check out Donald Rumsfield september 10, 2001.

The University of Akron is getting run into the ground. OK, that statement does need clarification, I admit !
It isn't true, if corporate sponsorships are your goal. If generating income streams are more important than the stated mission of the university. I was under the assumption this was a institution of higher learning, that academia and research would be their focus.
Also, being a state supported institution, that they would count accessibility (like in reasonable tuition) would be more important than the WOW and glitter of Awesome buildings of grandeur and sports of great notice.

Any way that you look at this situation it is bad publicity for AU. If this happened to anyone in a lesser position, I'm sure the punishment would have been much more severe. This is a public univirsity and YES our children's tuition does contribute to the salaries of the Board of Trustees. My guess is that his contract will be up soon and IMO they should not re-new it. There are plenty of qualified people out of work right now that would APPRECIATE a job with this kind of benefit. But why make any changes to the Board when apparently drunks and convicts (ie J.M. Jr) seem to be the status quo??

Im not gonna debate whether or not Proenza makes too much money. Since he has been President of the UofA that University has been one of the few bright spots in Akron. I do however find it appalling that the man Case fellow is being put on paid leave for ten months. Im sure there are reasons behind it. Certainly simple power greed and money make this situation complicated. There has to be a beeter alternative; it is completely unjust that this man could jeopardize his life and the lifes of others on the road, then be allowed to sit back and reap the financial benefits that he is. It seems apparent that he has alcohol related problems, and needs to get them addressed.

ZippyEm
This isn't a vacation for him...he's been publicly humiliated and his job is most likely on the line. I hope he works through his problems.


I would like to be humiliated like that..you gotta be kidding me..what is this your daddy or what..anyone who defends this guy is a knucklehead..if he didnt want to be humiliated drink at home...oh i'm sorry hard to drink at home with the strippers when your wifes there....WTF

also i agree w/dinnrbellme: Jason12 is a weeny

This action seems to be costing the U of A an awful lot of future donations. In many of the posts alumni are refusing to give any more cash now and in the future to the U. This should definitely reduce their cash influx from outside sources. I agree people should boycott the new stadium, not that I ever planned on going anyway. It would serve Proenza right to have an empty new multi-million dollar showcase sitting nearly vacant for all their home games. Maybe he would think twice before pulling another stunt like this one.

@Donny, actually alcohol in many rules, policies, and legal contracts is treated as a medical condition.

Pushing for the man to get help and saying UA is forced to respect his contract is not the same as "justifying the behavior as acceptable". I have not seen one post on here suggest his behavior is acceptable.

@voltman, first he has yet to be convicted on any crime. UA cannot take action on speculation. You cannot also convict someone based on something they did not do, like "what if he killed someone".

@UniontownOne, you still provided no proof of your statements about the decline of UA. Building a stadium does not prove they have deviated from learning. The fact that the stadium was funded by sponsorships and external funding proves they made the effort to not take a penny from the educational mission.

Also, tuition at UA has went up at the same rate as all the state schools, which is a result of the state reducing funding. UA's tuition is not out of line with other schools, and is actually cheaper than many of them. Tuition has not went up to support buildings as you will see at is consistent with all other schools and was increase the same amount annually even when no construction was occurring.

I guess the way to get your pay and still stay home and do whatever is to get so drunk they won't allow you come to work but will pay you anyway. This decision does not speak well for for the University upholding integrity and moral behavior. For the University to pay this man and then also have to pay someone else to do his work is ridiculous and is not a demonstration of the University's demonstration of financial responsibility and handling of the funds that taxpayers provide. I am an UA alum so they need not bother sending "cry letters" to alum begging for money. It's really great to know that their 419million dollar budget was being handled by an person with an alcoholic problem

so I read a poster claiming this has nothing to do with the cost of tution? where does his paid leave come from??? football ticket sales, a bake sale?
just a fine example to send to students who bong beer on friday nights....we can get a job for UA and stay drunk with pay......duh!!!!

"...@Donny, actually alcohol in many rules, policies, and legal contracts is treated as a medical condition..."

Perhaps. But I doubt highly that they also consider DRUNK DRIVING to also be a "medical condition".

I'm not denying that he needs help. He really should get it - because the life he saves could very well be mine or yours.


"...Pushing for the man to get help and saying UA is forced to respect his contract is not the same as "justifying the behavior as acceptable".


Sure it is, Gain. And your statement alone is one of those that is doing so.

To give him a paid vacation - almost a year of it -is nothing more than accepting his behavior.

He isn't being punished, he isn't being made an example of (except for here on this editorial forum) and he isn't being held to a standard that other people here would be held to.

Being a drunk is one thing.

Being a drunk while DRIVING is something else entirely.

i think the 240,000 dollars should go into a fund to help students who cant afford books!

@Donny, giving a person the rights provided to a person (innocent until proven guilty), policies provided in employment law, and those agreed to in a contract DOES NOT condone or accept is behavior. I think he is a fool and the law will handle the situation. Once the law acts, the university can act as well. You cannot just trample over someone's rights and agreements, because you disagree with their actions.

When the law talks action, he will be punished. Following the law and appropriate process to handle this situation is the correct way to proceed.