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With 1774 students voting, the UNA student body voted against moving UNA from Division II to Division I athletics.

Good for them! At least they have their priorities right, unlike those at some other instititions.

I hope the Board of Trustees takes heed of this expression of opinion by the students, particularly since they were to underwrite additional costs in making the move.
"The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected." -- Gilbert Keith Chesterton
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I am a graduate student in my last semester at UNA. In response to the article "UNA Students Vote "No" on Division I", it says:

"Board President Pro Tem Steve Pierce said he, too, was excited about the high voter turnout, but, without additional data behind the numbers, he couldn’t form an opinion.

“Sure, 58 percent were a ‘no’ vote, but I want to know more, like why not,” he said. “I think there’s more to it than ‘yes’ or ‘no. Of the ones who voted ‘no,’ I want to know why. We have to analyze that before I can say what’s actually happening.”

On the survey given to students to vote, it distinctly asks why and why not would you like to move to Division I. To me, it looks like Steve Pierce needs to pay attention, because the answer he is looking for is right on the student polling document. This is just a way for the University to push through with the plans they have already made to go to Div. I. It makes me mad!
This move has been a "legacy move" for two or three of the board members for some time, at most any cost. It is a "build it, they will come" idea that has no real basis in facts or reality. The idea of where the money will come from is beyond most alumni's imagination. Who are the likely suspects in the "corporate sponsorships"? How much will the usual athletic-contest attendee be willing to pay for a ticket? How do the people behind the move expect to attract the typical U of A and Auburn supporter out to the games? I can only see local fans getting excited about, maybe, a Jacksonville State or Troy game where there is a historical rivalry. I may be wrong, but I just don't see it.
quote:
Originally posted by roarlions!:
On the survey given to students to vote, it distinctly asks why and why not would you like to move to Division I. To me, it looks like Steve Pierce needs to pay attention, because the answer he is looking for is right on the student polling document. This is just a way for the University to push through with the plans they have already made to go to Div. I. It makes me mad!


Right?! When I read that I was boggled. I'm not sure how much more plain the survey could have been. I wish it had had an area where I could have added my general thoughts as well as the specifically led questions, but I was very plain and detailed as to why I thought it was a bad idea, and I'm sure I wasn't the only person who did so. I'm not sure what the deal is there.
If they go Div I, they will lose many students that will choose junior college or even online options where you don't have the extra fees for something that is irrelevant to their education like the entertainment fees. When I attended UNA, you could opt out of the entertainment fee and the parking fee. When I went back several years later, you had to pay both fees. I never attended games and there was no "pool room" or "entertainment/workout" area that we had access too at the time. We paid in so that the kids there now would have something apparently. I know if I were looking at college costs, I would reconsider.

UNA is perfect just the way it is. Bowden will leave the first opportunity he gets to go back to the "big time" and UNA will be screwed when it is all said and done. I think the board is as out of touch with the students and the community as the PResident/Congress are with the American People. There is a disconnect with reality and it makes no sense.

Well, the board ignored the feelings of the students, faculty and staff and voted to go forward with this.  Not sure how successful this will be.  Tuition is already going up.  Florence has no social activities whatsoever for students, unless they want to learn shuffleboard or canasta at the retirement centers.  If the expected increase in enrollment does occur, where do they plan on putting these folks?  Bad move on UNA's part, IMO.

I have to agree. So much for democracy. Why even ask for a
student vote if it is going to be ignored. I understand about other schools
dropping their programs and the shrinking DII schools to compete against but why put yourself in-line
for humiliation and failure just to satisfy the ego of a few on the board? Bad
move, one that is going to be regretted soon after the program starts. But,
keep a close watch on it, some ones pocket is going to get filled by the time
the deal is completed and you can take that to the bank.

UNA students voted no to Div I. It is nice to know that UNA does no care about their students. I will be transferring out. Athens State offers a more affordable degree without all the athletic fees. If I wanted to pay DIV I tuition I would have gone to UAH or UAB. It is apparent that the Board, UNA, and City of Florence cares little about the working class going to college. College students have little entertainment in the Shoals, little job opportunity to commensate for the higher cost of education. Wasted my time taking poll.

 

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