MUNCIE — Ball State University trustee Matt Momper tried to prevent the final public forum on the presidential search from becoming a rally against alleged Koch brothers' influence over BSU.
After several students and a researcher from the anti-Koch activist group UnKoch My Campus expressed concerns about the Kochs' influence and search committee members' supposed ties to the right-wing billionaire Koch brothers, Momper, chair of the search committee, reminded the audience that the purpose of the forum was to get public input on the desired qualities for a new president.
He also said there was absolutely no financial interest or relationship between the Kochs, "Papa John" Schnatter and any members of the board of trustees. More specifically, he added there also was absolutely no conflict of interest between any university donors and the trustees, who are governed by a "clear policy of what constitutes a conflict of interest."
"So am I to understand that the committee right now is pleading its Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination?" BSU chemistry major Logan Edwards asked Momper, who responded, "I don't know where you're going with this but … we need to move forward."
Edwards earlier told the search committee he was looking for a next president of Ball State who does not have "problematic political ties" to the Kochs like trustee and search committee member Renae Conely, who was absent from Monday's forum. Trustees are appointed by Gov. Mike Pence, who has received more campaign contributions from David Koch than any other candidate nationwide, Edwards said.
Conley is a former executive at a utility company that created a partnership with Koch Industries and also has been a director at PNM, which holds a common interest in Arizona uranium mining efforts funded by the Kochs, according to UnKoch My Campus.