Public Relations Crisis At Oral Roberts University?
Some recently dismissed professors at Oral Roberts University have filed suit alleging financial improprieties at the school - mostly having to do with President Richard Roberts, his wife Lindsay, and their children. I’m an ORU graduate, and hate to see something like this at my alma mater, or with any nationally known non-profit organization. No matter what the outcome of the legal action may be, the PR damage will be serious. Non-profits are especially at risk because of IRS issues related to income through fundraising, and how that income is used. That’s why it’s imperative that non-profits, educational institutions, churches, ministries, and humanitarian organizations of all kinds be especially careful about financial issues – particularly when it comes to the organization’s leadership. We’ll see how the lawsuit develops. You can read about the situation from various Tulsa media outlets, and I’ve attached the actual lawsuit that was posted on Tulsa’s KOTV Channel 6 website.
| Attachment | Size |
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| oru.pdf | 685.5 KB |
My hope is that truth will prevail. Let's cut away the chaff...
This is a case where ORU should come out strongly against the allegations. Staying quiet, in the public’s mind equates with guilt. Without seeming to condemn the accusers, the University needs to state unequivocally that there is no malfeasance. If the allegations do have any merit then the University needs to make measured statements that address how they are rectifying the problem. Either way the best crisis management is the bright light of day. Our natural instinct when under siege is to circle the wagons and fire back at the enemy. Great strategy for pioneers with limited resources…bad strategy in an instant communication age. More information is always better in the public arena. The media hates silence and they will fill it with whatever information they can get their hands on. If it’s about you, then you better be the one providing the right information. If you don’t define yourself and the situation, you can count on others – the media, the accuser, other critics, to define you and even distort the situation to their advantage.
Can this situation that is complex be made more simple - like discussing the matter and finding a place of understanding where both parties can arrive at a win win situation?