Harry's Fan; Dumbledore, Snape and Fudge

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50464

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, eloiseherisson at a... wrote:

> blauemeanies:
> 
> >Actually, Fudge does not have the power to do that. The enigmatic 
> >Board of Governors are the only people who can do that, and when 
> >Fudge tried to stop Lucius and the board from sacking Dumbledore 
> >in CoS, he was told quite directly that there was nothing he could 
> >do to >stop the governors. 
> >- - - - - - - - - 

> eloise:
>
> ...edited...
> 
> The Board of Governors is, as you say, enigmatic. Who appoints 
> them? The MoM seems to regulate every aspect of wizarding life; I 
> find it hard to  believe that they do not appoint the Hogwarts 
> Governors. I also find it hard to believe that Malfoy would not 
> do his utmost to exploit his position to the point where he 
> assumed an autonomy which was not originally intentioned.
> 
> ~Eloise


bboy_mn:
Who appoints the Board of Governors? This is my theory; and I do have
a lot of them. We don't know where Hogwarts gets it's money. There has
been no indication that there is tuition to Hogwarts. So what are
possible sources of money? A grant from the Founding Fathers and
Mothers which has been carefully managed over the course of 1,000
years and has compounded into a tidy sum. Next donations from Alumni,
Philanthropist, businesses, and other benefactors. (and possibly taxes)

So... the question still is, who appoints the Governors? The govenors
are comprised off the 12 people who have made the largest donations to
the school and of course, who are also interested in the job. Big
donors may not want to bothered with being on the Board. 

If substantial sums have been donated either in a lump or over time,
it is possible the son (more than likely) or the daughter of a
benefactor may inherit the seat on the Board. Old rich families may
rule the board for years. The Head of the Board is probably the oldest
and largest benefactor.

We know from GoF that Malfoy got his top box seats because of a large
donation to the hospital, so it seems reasonable that Malfoy has
donated to the school. I suspect for no reason other than to gain a
seat on the board, and keep the school in his debt.

Of course, all this money is pooled with the Founder's money managed
and invested wisely, and as much as possible, the school tries to meet
expense out of the interest paid. Only touching the principle when
absolutely necessary. 

So, I killed two birds with one stone; where Hogwarts gets it's money,
and how the Board members are appointed.

As far as Fudge, even if he doesn't have direct authority over the
school, his position as Minister gives him a great deal of weight
should he ever petition the Governors over an issue like Dumbledore's
competency. Also, the Governor's are really on the outside of the
school. They probably get more information about how the school is run
from Rita Skeeter than they do from Dumbledore or the staff. I'm sure
you see the problem in that. After the article that Harry is unstable,
and now his claim that Voldemort is back, plus Dumbledore backing
Harry up in these claims, it might be relatively easy for Fudge to
convince the Board that the school is completely out of control.

Just a few thoughts.

bboy_mn