Mystery, money and dubious dealings: The story of the Vinland map has it all. Author Kirsten Seaver will share the tale next week at California State University, Stanislaus.

What: Discovered in 1957, the Vinland map was originally thought to be a medieval chart of Norse explorations of the world. The excitement surrounding its discovery proved lucrative for some. Within a few years, however, skepticism mounted as to the map’s authenticity.
In response to this morning’s press conference hosted by Senator Leland Yee, Russ Giambelluca, California State University, Stanislaus Vice President of Business and Finance had the following to say:

“There is generally some staff working on campus on furlough Fridays.  That said, we should be clear that no one has been instructed to destroy vital documents on anyone’s behalf.”
California State University, Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani released the following statement today regarding intolerant messages received by Sen. Leeland Yee:

“Hate and intolerance have no place in our society or at our university. I condemn the use of hate, racial and intimidating communications as a means of protest. These types of inappropriate messages only incite intolerance and I strongly disapprove of these attacks.
The following statement was issued today by CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani regarding false allegations by state Senator Leland Yee:

“It is unfortunate that Senator Leland Yee is conveniently using a legal response from the University for further political gain. The fact is that the contract with the Washington Speakers Bureau to retain Gov. Palin is between the Bureau and the University Foundation. That is why in the response to the public records act request, our campus compliance officer stated ‘The University has no documents that are responsive to your request.’
CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani has issued the following information and statements in response to Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr’s announcement Tuesday evening that he has launched a broad investigation into the California State University, Stanislaus Foundation to include an examination of its finances and the alleged dumping of documents into a university dumpster.

“We welcome the investigation and expect it will clarify how a foundation document could have ended up in a state senator’s hands,” said CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani.