Can you say lawsuit?

"We want [Gov. Jim] Doyle to instruct them to fire Barrows.-- Assembly Colleges Committee Chair Robin Kreibich, on the saga of Paul Barrows, a UW-Madison administrator who received salary while on a seven-month leave of absence, then returned Monday to a $150,000 a year job before being demoted to a $72,881 salary and being placed on paid leave on Thursday. He'll be on leave while the university investigates conduct that could lead to his firing.

"I understand, but respectfully disagree with, those who are calling for the immediate termination of Dr. Barrows without due process. ... the university must follow very specific rules regarding the protection of an employee's rights."--UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley. See Wiley's statement from Thursday: http://www.news.wisc.edu/11305.html

Wiley is saying what should be obvious even to the most hard-headed legislators. Fire Barrows now, without due process, and the UW is inviting the mother of all lawsuits. Far better to have the trial before the hanging.