UNA Board of Trustees: "Screw the students, faculty, and staff!"

I'm just really disappointed with the UNA I came back to last year. After taking a couple years off I returned as a "nontraditional" (ie older) student and will finish up my degree mid-2012. When I left I wanted nothing more than to return and I've just been disappointed with one decision after another. I no longer believe that student interest is at heart, and when they start sending me the glossy magazines hoping for my alumni dollars, they're not getting them if they continue down this path.

So does anyone want to move to Division 1? No? Okay move we will.

Notice the next meeting will be in June when classes are NOT IN SESSION and most students will be on vacation....great backbone there They will be disappointed when they bank on the students carrying the load and then enrollment drops. Kind of like me saying I'm going to base my budget for my house on $10,000 a month even though I don't make anywhere close to that.....it's stupidity at it's finest from our educational leaders.

quote:

Originally posted by Duckbutt:
Straight from the Times-Daily article:

"Having listened to the concerns of the students, faculty and staff, Pierce said the subcommittee would work to develop a strategic plan that addresses the financial issues as well as the other concerns that have been expressed.

In advance of the meeting, students voted on the potential move in athletics, and the faculty and staff addressed the issue as well. All three groups states opposition against the move."

In other words: "Don't bother us. We're going to do whatever the Hell we please."

UNA needs to get new trustees. My dog could do a better job!

I totally agree,... Steve needs to stick to insurance and leave the university alone...... I borrowed some of your thoughts for my blog.....

I believe this has fail written all over it. I just don't think this area can/will generate the money to support and grow a DI program. Hopefully the trustees see something I don't.

quote:

Originally posted by Eastside:
Kind of like me saying I'm going to base my budget for my house on $10,000 a month even though I don't make anywhere close to that.....it's stupidity at it's finest from our educational leaders.

It's more like even though I don't make close to that I will just demand a raise, I'm sure I'll get it

I never understood why Steve Pierce was ever put on the Board of Trustees or why anyone ever voted him onto the City Council. He's not very smart but very self centered.
Anyway, I had already said that it was a done deal. They do not care what is good for the future of the University or about the direction the students & faculty or the community wants to take the school. They have their own agenda and a make it or break it attitude.

quote:

Originally posted by Duckbutt:
In other words: "Don't bother us. We're going to do whatever the Hell we please."

UNA needs to get new trustees. My dog could do a better job!

Now that's a son of a ***** I could support!

quote:

Originally posted by wright35633:
So does anyone want to move to Division 1? No? Okay move we will.

A 5th grader wants to be a 12th grader but he's NOT ready. UNA is the 5th grader here...not ready for senior high.

This area has it's own certain FEW who make the rules. Yes, it is about the money. As far as the school, they will increase the foreign students to make up for the loss of locals,then recruit players from elsewhere. What is Florence left with, town of people they can control easy. Some foreign students who STAY for YEARS, cause no one follows their stay after the money has been gotten. But wait, they have money they spend on other things, like to see random drug screen on half the college. So don't worry the money will come. Championships, well can't have everything can we. Long as some get their pockets filled.

I know I should be more involved in this but for the life of me I can't get too excited about it either way.
My education at UNA has been one of economic necessity as in reality it is for most of the students.
Unless you are majoring in nursing, you know that your only chance of getting even a hint of a job after graduation is to do post graduate work at a more prestigious institution.
For what you get, UNA is NOT a good value for the dollar as is and will certainly not be with extra fees added on for athletics.

As for Steve Pierce, wasn't he the president of the Florence City Council when they built the Rennaisance Tower and the Convention Center that would be rusted today if it had not been saved by the Marriott Hotels?????

Not a very good track record.

It would be interesting to know which ones on the committee didn't want the move. What the university will be asking the students must seem monumental to them. $300/yr for four years--that's a lot of money. How many who have no allegiance to UNA will go elsewhere? Certainly NW/Shoals must look good for the first two years for many of these students.

Which is better: Little frog in a big pond or big frog in a little pond? I would certainly vote for the latter. Steve Pierce seems to think UNA is his personal video game... Robert Potts could keep Pierce under control; Cates seems enamored of him.

As for keeping up with other universities, this meme seems appropriate: You jump off a bridge, I gonna miss your emails.

Expect NWSCC to have increased enrollment. Expect more of your federal tax dollars to be spent on Pell Grants for UNA students. As to the board, "Isn't it fun to spend other people's money?

From the first time this was mentioned, I knew they wouldn't stop until they have ruined our college. They make me sick.

Remember the old saying "Timing is everything"? The directors obviously haven't. Even if this whole idea could be defended from an athletic/competitive angle, the board is choosing to ignore the current economic environment. Maybe they have been watching too many movies ("build it, they will come"). Bad idea, even worse timing.

Several things to say about comments regarding the move to D1 or as I see it a move that will inject dollars into our local economy by providing quality opponents that actually have fan bases that will travel to the shoals to see their teams play . As it is now when UNA plays football against lets say Delta St. we are lucky if we have 100 visitors . If UNA plays Jax St. or Troy or any team of that caliber not only will we see large numbers of visitors but they will eat at our restaraunts and possibly stay at our hotels .
As for the protesting students , lets not for get 42% were ok with the plan . Most any student I've ever asked what their future plans were they've told me they were to move from the shoals and work in another town and not stay in the shoals . As a lifelong resident with no plans to ever leave I see this as a chance to enhance the shoals and grow as a university . I've grown quite bored with UNA , Ouachita baptist games . I'm ready to see Braly stadium full with a UNA - Alabama a/m game .Students should always be informed but should'nt be the decision makers in the future of a university .

jfo -- One must look at who those 42% represents. I doubt the entire University actually voted because many of those knew the board had already made up their mind and there was no use wasting their time.

How many times to do "Alabama Tickets" for the crappy games like Kent State or Georgia Southern or some other "little frog" in a big pond games do you think any of these people will actually travel for let alone too? Not many. I have been able to get tickets to many Alabama games over the years -- just not the ones I would want to attend. It will be the same thing with UNA. You are still considering UNA a giant in the field. When you place UNA next to Jax State or other teams -- it's no comparison. It's like pitting the Pee Wee team against the Varsity. No one will come to watch those games anymore than they do now. You might get 200 people here instead of 100 but you are delusional if you think 1000s will come.

By the way, the only reason people come to see the Alabama A & M game ---- is for the band -- not the football game. How's being Div I working out for A & M? OH, yea, there is doubt as to whether the diplomas will be recognized -- UNA better make sure it's academics are up to par before they make this decision. It's not just about the athletics -- and your athletics certainly can't carry your academics.

If you think UNA is pee wee compared to jax or troy you are dead wrong . I think they are all the same . The mindset of this area has always been just stay the way we are . A good example is braly stadium . It would never have been improved had the ncaa not said fix it . People thought it was fine just the way it was and it still needs lots more work .I am all for growing and its time to stop playing in what truly is a pee wee league , the gsc .

As for a-m , you still have to have good leadership when you move to D1 . The move alone is not magical .

quote:

Originally posted by jfo1010:
If you think UNA is pee wee compared to jax or troy you are dead wrong . I think they are all the same . The mindset of this area has always been just stay the way we are . A good example is braly stadium . It would never have been improved had the ncaa not said fix it . People thought it was fine just the way it was and it still needs lots more work .I am all for growing and its time to stop playing in what truly is a pee wee league , the gsc .

Thank you confirming that UNA is in the Pee Wee League -- even if we go Div I we would still be JV at best. Don't get me wrong, I am all for growth and change when it will be a benefit. I don't see being Div I as being as benefit to UNA. It will not bring more students or visitors. Improvements to the facility -- yes improvement. Better instructors and course offerings at the University level -- yes improvement. Better campus offerings to keep the students in the community -- yes improvement. Div I just so we can get about 4 good weeks of football in our area -- fail.

I think you're assuming UNA is moving to the same D1 level that BAMA , Auburn paly in and if so thats not the case . The D1 level is the old D1 AA level that has a playoff like D2 . UNA would be able to play a roadgame once or twice a year against a big school opponent and pick up a hefty paycheck to do so .

This is a slap in the face to UNA students, faculty and staff.

I think there should be a rule that only those actually involved in education be on a Board of Trustees!

quote:

Originally posted by ARE YOU KIDDING?:
This area has it's own certain FEW who make the rules. Yes, it is about the money. As far as the school, they will increase the foreign students to make up for the loss of locals,then recruit players from elsewhere. What is Florence left with, town of people they can control easy. Some foreign students who STAY for YEARS, cause no one follows their stay after the money has been gotten. But wait, they have money they spend on other things, like to see random drug screen on half the college. So don't worry the money will come. Championships, well can't have everything can we. Long as some get their pockets filled.

I doubt they will attract enough foreign students, ever notice the nationality of the majority of foreign students changes every few years? For a while most were Turkish but having known some of the Turkish students the word around was that the people recruiting the foreign students had quickly gotten a reputation for partying and misbehaving in the countries where they try and recruit which prompted parents not to trust them.

quote:

Originally posted by jfo1010:
Several things to say about comments regarding the move to D1 or as I see it a move that will inject dollars into our local economy by providing quality opponents that actually have fan bases that will travel to the shoals to see their teams play . As it is now when UNA plays football against lets say Delta St. we are lucky if we have 100 visitors . If UNA plays Jax St. or Troy or any team of that caliber not only will we see large numbers of visitors but they will eat at our restaraunts and possibly stay at our hotels .
As for the protesting students , lets not for get 42% were ok with the plan . Most any student I've ever asked what their future plans were they've told me they were to move from the shoals and work in another town and not stay in the shoals . As a lifelong resident with no plans to ever leave I see this as a chance to enhance the shoals and grow as a university . I've grown quite bored with UNA , Ouachita baptist games . I'm ready to see Braly stadium full with a UNA - Alabama a/m game .Students should always be informed but should'nt be the decision makers in the future of a university .

I expect a sharp decline in enrollment, not sure if you aware of the habits of college students but they spend money in the community doing things like eating in our restaurants, renting apartments, spending money in our stores, and of course parents stay in our hotels when they come to visit their kiddos. If UNA were to loose even a handfull of students over this, students who live here and spend money 365 days a year (some go home for the summer, some take summer classes) compared to say extra fans who come to town for 4 games a year staying a total of 8 days each would mean that for each student that you loose then you would have to have at least 46 extra guests per game to offset the economic impact of just one student. To put that into perspective, if you loose 400 students over this then you would have to have an additional 18400 people per game coming into town just to offset the impact before you get ahead at all. .
Anyway, I would love to see UNA in D1 someday and to rekindle rivalries such as Jax State but the timing is wrong. The money is just not there to do it right now.
Oh, last but not least, we loose the D2 championship game to another venue.

quote:

Originally posted by Eastside:
jfo -- One must look at who those 42% represents. I doubt the entire University actually voted because many of those knew the board had already made up their mind and there was no use wasting their time.

This is very true, and of the vote, 70+% of us were not willing to see this major fee hike. That is very telling. I will gladly pay extra for my student health fee because with no insurance it is keeping me (and other UNA students) alive and healthy. I will gladly suffer tuition hikes and even additional fees if it meant my department was getting the attention it needs (I'm in history, so of course it isn't). I even support the current athletic fee and don't mind paying my share, but this is more share than we should have to give in this economy. The amount of money I'd have to give up out of my loan money for this equals a month's rent between its potential implementation and my graduation. That is ridiculous.

It seems that Jax State and Troy are mentioned quite often when discussing the Division 1 move. I will focus on Jacksonville State. Jax State made the move approximately 17 years ago. There were many people who thought the idea was foolish and there was no way Jax State could compete at the division 1 level. In 2010 Jax State does compete in Division 1!! They beat Ole Miss in Oxford to begin the season. The second game was in Jacksonville against UTC in which 24,000 fans attended to dedicate a $64 million stadium expansion. Enrollment has increased 39% since 1993. Just take a look at our nearest neighbor who has made the move and learn from it. It is nice to see your school play top tear division 1 schools and compete! It makes everyone proud and it creates excitement for the university as well as the surrounding community. Jacksonville State and Troy took the chance and it payed off. If you are satisfied with where you are that's fine. I'm glad the visionaries at Jacksonville State did not listen to students, faculty and staff. Now, I think everyone is happy with their decision!

were Polosi and Reed on that board?

At least Pelosi and Reed stood up and got counted for their votes, unlike the craven Board of Trustees we have here!

quote:

Originally posted by jfo1010:
I think you're assuming UNA is moving to the same D1 level that BAMA , Auburn paly in and if so thats not the case . The D1 level is the old D1 AA level that has a playoff like D2 . UNA would be able to play a roadgame once or twice a year against a big school opponent and pick up a hefty paycheck to do so .

No, I am not assuming UNA is going to the level that Bama is on. I am aware of the divisions even though I may not know all the teams in play. UNA is still going to be the little fish in a big pond and 1 game -- MAYBE -- 2 games a year is not going to fund this venture. This venture is going to cost students -- both out of their pocket and cause students to choose other school options -- which will result in lower enrollment at UNA. UNA trustees have images of grandeur in their heads that this community should not have to pay for. UNA doesn't even sell out home games but maybe once or twice a year NOW -- let alone when they are playing the likes of Troy or Jax State -- sorry -- that is not a game I'd pay to see either.

I agree with David -- this is a slap in the face to UNA students, faculty and staff who are against this move. If your own "people" aren't for it -- why will you not listen to reason. It's like Obama is running UNA and not listening to the issues with healthcare and the economy all over again.

quote:

Originally posted by blue angel:
It seems that Jax State and Troy are mentioned quite often when discussing the Division 1 move. I will focus on Jacksonville State. Jax State made the move approximately 17 years ago. There were many people who thought the idea was foolish and there was no way Jax State could compete at the division 1 level. In 2010 Jax State does compete in Division 1!! They beat Ole Miss in Oxford to begin the season. The second game was in Jacksonville against UTC in which 24,000 fans attended to dedicate a $64 million stadium expansion. Enrollment has increased 39% since 1993. Just take a look at our nearest neighbor who has made the move and learn from it. It is nice to see your school play top tear division 1 schools and compete! It makes everyone proud and it creates excitement for the university as well as the surrounding community. Jacksonville State and Troy took the chance and it payed off. If you are satisfied with where you are that's fine. I'm glad the visionaries at Jacksonville State did not listen to students, faculty and staff. Now, I think everyone is happy with their decision!

SEVENTEEN YEARS!!!! How much did it actually cost them OVER SEVENTEEN YEARS to make that $64 million expansion sound so wonderful? This is not a good move for UNA. In this economy, we can't afford to make this move. Ask us in 5 years and my answer might be different.

quote:

Originally posted by Eastside:

quote:

Originally posted by blue angel:
It seems that Jax State and Troy are mentioned quite often when discussing the Division 1 move. I will focus on Jacksonville State. Jax State made the move approximately 17 years ago. There were many people who thought the idea was foolish and there was no way Jax State could compete at the division 1 level. In 2010 Jax State does compete in Division 1!! They beat Ole Miss in Oxford to begin the season. The second game was in Jacksonville against UTC in which 24,000 fans attended to dedicate a $64 million stadium expansion. Enrollment has increased 39% since 1993. Just take a look at our nearest neighbor who has made the move and learn from it. It is nice to see your school play top tear division 1 schools and compete! It makes everyone proud and it creates excitement for the university as well as the surrounding community. Jacksonville State and Troy took the chance and it payed off. If you are satisfied with where you are that's fine. I'm glad the visionaries at Jacksonville State did not listen to students, faculty and staff. Now, I think everyone is happy with their decision!

SEVENTEEN YEARS!!!! How much did it actually cost them OVER SEVENTEEN YEARS to make that $64 million expansion sound so wonderful? This is not a good move for UNA. In this economy, we can't afford to make this move. Ask us in 5 years and my answer might be different.

Your point is well taken; However, UNA is dealing with a window of opportunity. The window of opportunity was open to UNA in the early 1990's when Troy and Jax State made the move. The attitudes were the same then as they are now! Come see me in five years and I will see if it works. It does not work that way. Conference expansions and team alignment come along on average every 10 years at best. UNA made the decision to stay division 2 and that's fine. All I'm saying is: The window of opportunity is now. In five years, it may not be here, and if it is, I promise the cost will be higher. I have no idea what it cost over 17 years to make the $64 million stadium expansion sound so wonderful. It doesn't just sound wonderful it looks wonderful, and it's impressive. There is no reason why this area can't have the same.