"A Gentleman's Agreement"?: there's gotta be a contract around here somewhere

by: Michael Bersin

Mon Nov 09, 2009 at 16:57:52 PM CST

We had previously asked for the contract the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors "authorized" with Hutchinson LLC for their services in the upcoming presidential search and had been informed twice that the contract wasn't "in" yet.

We sent a request again on Sunday (effective Monday morning):

[....]
date: Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 4:37 PM
subject: Request for information - RSMo 610

This is a request for information under RSMo 610:

A copy of the contract with Ken Hutchinson, Hutchinson Consulting LLC for the presidential search approved by the Board of Governors on October 29, 2009.

On November 1, 2009 I requested the following: "1. A copy of the contract with Ken Hutchinson, Hutchinson Consulting LLC for the presidential search approved by the Board of Governors on October 29, 2009."

On November 4, 2009 I received the following reply: "The contract has not been finalized and therefore, is not available."

Is the contract now finalized and available? If not, when do you anticipate that it will be?

Thank you for your assistance.
[....]

We promptly received the following reply:

[....]
date: Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 8:46 AM
subject: Re: Request for information - RSMo 610

[....]

In response to your request, dated 11/8/09 and received on 11/9/09, we anticipate the contract with Ken Hutchinson of Hutchinson Consulting LLC, will be available within the next couple of weeks.  Once all signatures have been obtained and the contract is completed, a copy will be provided to you.

[....]
Custodian of Records
[....]

Okay. Then what was the hurry in "authorizing" this contract for $80,000 on October 29th? Just asking.

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