Gee apologizes for comments made about Marshall to faculty senate

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — WVU President Gordon Gee is apologizing for some comments he made earlier this week about Marshall University in connection with the campus carry debate.

Gordon Gee

Gee was speaking at a WVU Faculty Senate meeting Monday defending the university’s decision to try and work with the proponents of the campus carry legislation even though WVU was against he bill.

During that conversation with faculty members, Gee was talking about WVU’s influence at the legislature when he made a few comments about Marshall and Marshall President Jerome Gilbert.

“The president of Marshall speaks out (on campus carry), well, that’s because no one cares about Marshall,” Gee said. “I don’t say that negatively. I say that, you know, we represent, our budget is $4.5 billion and their’s is $250 million. We carry a lot of clout. We also carry a lot of responsibility.”

Senator Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, called Gee out on the Senate floor Friday morning. He said Gee may have been being Gee but there was no need for the comments he made.

Bob Plymale

“He can be loose and free on a lot of those things but don’t be loose and free on saying that no one cares about Marshall. I am a son of Marshall and I’m a proud son of Marshall,” Plymale said.

Plymale also questioned the financial numbers Gee used.

WVU released a statement from Gee Friday apologizing for his comments.

“In an attempt to inject levity into a high-tension conversation, I made an inappropriate comment, as I have been known to do, that I regret,” Gee said.

A WVU spokesperson said Gee has also reached out to Gilbert.

Plymale said he hopes it doesn’t happen again.

“I think that it’s important that we don’t get into this rhetoric of people going back to their home and making statements like that,” Plymale said. “I, for one, am not happy about that.”

The campus carry bill died on the House floor Tuesday night.

Gee’s comment about Marshall is at about the 7:30 mark, in the middle of his discussion of strategy on campus carry:





More News

News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 28, 2024 - 6:20 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm