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Post by class70 on Jul 6, 2014 11:39:29 GMT -5
Two disjointed thoughts prompted by some of the above posts: (1) For some reason I have the idea that Michigan has the highest percentage of Catholics of any state. I may not be right, but it is true that both Michigan and Wisconsin have a high percentage of Catholics who are used to snow and cold weather, so that is a viable recruiting area. (2) I suppose I am not the only one here who remembers SMAB, i.e. Sister Mary Anthony Brown. Say what you want about her elementary school teaching methods, there is something to be said after these many years that I remember: "Class repeat after me: Phenomena, things as they appear to be....Noumena: things as they are in themselves..."
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Post by fjs64 on Jul 6, 2014 14:17:58 GMT -5
Two disjointed thoughts prompted by some of the above posts: (1) For some reason I have the idea that Michigan has the highest percentage of Catholics of any state. I may not be right, but it is true that both Michigan and Wisconsin have a high percentage of Catholics who are used to snow and cold weather, so that is a viable recruiting area. (2) I suppose I am not the only one here who remembers SMAB, i.e. Sister Mary Anthony Brown. Say what you want about her elementary school teaching methods, there is something to be said after these many years that I remember: "Class repeat after me: Phenomena, things as they appear to be....Noumena: things as they are in themselves..." Remember her......nicknamed during my era as "motormouth"......boy could she talk.
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Post by az63 on Jul 6, 2014 15:44:33 GMT -5
Two disjointed thoughts prompted by some of the above posts: (1) For some reason I have the idea that Michigan has the highest percentage of Catholics of any state. I may not be right, but it is true that both Michigan and Wisconsin have a high percentage of Catholics who are used to snow and cold weather, so that is a viable recruiting area. (2) I suppose I am not the only one here who remembers SMAB, i.e. Sister Mary Anthony Brown. Say what you want about her elementary school teaching methods, there is something to be said after these many years that I remember: "Class repeat after me: Phenomena, things as they appear to be....Noumena: things as they are in themselves..." Remember her......nicknamed during my era as "motormouth"......boy could she talk. Right you are fjs - "Sister Mary Motor Mouth" was the official nickname
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Post by firstdev on Jul 6, 2014 20:16:39 GMT -5
Instead of honest debate we have the Carney plan - the Hilbert merger at all costs. We need the Hilbert campus like Lehman Brothers needed more repo's and subprime instruments. Yep, the Hilbert merger fiasco will generate lots of......................... debt, more aging infrastructure problems, more dis-satisfied and undercompensated faculty(is anyone delusional enough to believe that the faculty at SBU is not going come out of the proposal with even less salary and benefits), and a disconnected multi campus operational nightmare. We are being asked to accept sight unseen the spin from Sr. Margaret, no substance, no convocation, no public hearings, no input from the faculty, no input from alums or FOSBU, just her highly paid PR jockeys turning out more vague press releases. That is just the way the president and her advisors desire it, they do not want any community participation, they want only support from court partisans. This an example of just pathetic administrative policy. What we need is open and vigorous community debate on the most important issue to face this outstanding university since the great fire of the 1930's, and all we see is spin, pure spin.
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Post by firstdev on Jul 6, 2014 20:18:24 GMT -5
Let the great debate begin. Here, Here.
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Post by sbu79 on Jul 6, 2014 20:44:14 GMT -5
Instead of honest debate we have the Carney plan - the Hilbert merger at all costs. We need the Hilbert campus like Lehman Brothers needed more repo's and subprime instruments. Yep, the Hilbert merger fiasco will generate lots of......................... debt, more aging infrastructure problems, more dis-satisfied and undercompensated faculty(is anyone delusional enough to believe that the faculty at SBU is not going come out of the proposal with even less salary and benefits), and a disconnected multi campus operational nightmare. We are being asked to accept sight unseen the spin from Sr. Margaret, no substance, no convocation, no public hearings, no input from the faculty, no input from alums or FOSBU, just her highly paid PR jockeys turning out more vague press releases. That is just the way the president and her advisors desire it, they do not want any community participation, they want only support from court partisans. This an example of just pathetic administrative policy. What we need is open and vigorous community debate on the most important issue to face this outstanding university since the great fire of the 1930's, and all we see is spin, pure spin. Turning it up to 11, eh?
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Post by Pinnum on Jul 6, 2014 23:06:50 GMT -5
That is just the way the president and her advisors desire it, they do not want any community participation Her advisors? Do you mean the Board of Trustees? If you have a problem with the Trustees and the President then you have a problem with the school since they are the school and the direction. You're stuck in the past and even that may be a delusion. Community participation? You mean they don't want to listen to you? Good. They would be wise to ignore you.
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Friar
Junior Member
Posts: 309
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Post by Friar on Jul 7, 2014 6:55:58 GMT -5
It seems some people simply don't like Sister Margaret. I don't believe any of us on this board have all the facts to determine if the SBU - Hilbert alliance makes sense. Grants have been received to conduct a feasibility study to see if an alliance makes sense. In the meantime we are simply making assumptions. In the meantime we have to wait for this to all play out.
For the time being let's face a few facts:
1. The university is not meeting enrollment projections. Why? What can be done to increase enrollment? 2. In order to keep pace with other universities, what majors can be added without breaking the bank? 3. How can the university upgrade the rest of its sports facilities without breaking the bank (think girls softball, swimming and tennis)? 4. How can the university take advantage of government programs, Buffalo Billions, Start-up NY, etc. Daeman College did this earlier this year. Why can't Bonas do this? 5. How create a larger endowment?
These are challenging times. There are no easy answers. There are many opportunities out there but how can the university take advantage of them? It is my opinion in the next several years you will see smaller colleges and universities creating "strategic opportunities."
Here are some suggestions to improve the climate at SBU? Obvious, increase enrollment. Expand territory to make Bonas better known. Bring back the seminary. Add relevant and growing majors.
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Post by firstdev on Jul 7, 2014 7:02:21 GMT -5
The community is the school, the President and BoT only represent the vast community that embodies the school and its culture. The students, parents, faculty, our order, staff, alums, FOSBU - are what constitutes the community of St. Bonaventure University. Without the community there is no school, no institution.
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Post by firstdev on Jul 7, 2014 7:03:28 GMT -5
Friar - Very good post, could not agree more. Thank you.
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Post by Bona84 on Jul 7, 2014 7:16:52 GMT -5
That is just the way the president and her advisors desire it, they do not want any community participation Her advisors? Do you mean the Board of Trustees? Community participation? You mean they don't want to listen to you? Good. They would be wise to ignore you. Good advice for all of us.
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Post by gdub2009 on Jul 7, 2014 8:41:35 GMT -5
A law school in my mind really makes no sense. I would do three things.
One I would create more technology and healthcare majors. Having a campus near Buffalo sets up good internship experiences for students. Being near Olean, students lack good internship exposure except for their summer breaks.
Second thing would be to market the crap out of Holiday Valley. You want a top notch place to ski, students? Go to a school where a great ski resort is only a half an hour away.
Third thing would be to market the basketball game experience for students. Yes, we are D1 but we have a community and alumni base that really cares about basketball. Going to games is a great time. Also, once you become a Bonas alumni your school pride is just as great as a big state school.
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Post by Pinnum on Jul 7, 2014 12:23:30 GMT -5
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Post by jh on Jul 7, 2014 13:31:44 GMT -5
It seems some people simply don't like Sister Margaret. I don't believe any of us on this board have all the facts to determine if the SBU - Hilbert alliance makes sense. Grants have been received to conduct a feasibility study to see if an alliance makes sense. In the meantime we are simply making assumptions. In the meantime we have to wait for this to all play out. For the time being let's face a few facts: 1. The university is not meeting enrollment projections. Why? What can be done to increase enrollment? 2. In order to keep pace with other universities, what majors can be added without breaking the bank? 3. How can the university upgrade the rest of its sports facilities without breaking the bank (think girls softball, swimming and tennis)? 4. How can the university take advantage of government programs, Buffalo Billions, Start-up NY, etc. Daeman College did this earlier this year. Why can't Bonas do this? 5. How create a larger endowment? These are challenging times. There are no easy answers. There are many opportunities out there but how can the university take advantage of them? It is my opinion in the next several years you will see smaller colleges and universities creating "strategic opportunities." Here are some suggestions to improve the climate at SBU? Obvious, increase enrollment. Expand territory to make Bonas better known. Bring back the seminary. Add relevant and growing majors. Friar nice post and I agree with you on facing those facts... I have no dislike for Sr Margaret but in general for any University... Is it not the role of any College President to lead in exactly those things you mentioned? Increasing enrollment, endowment, strategic majors to fit the changing landscape. If its not - then whose role is it? I admit it was an eye opener to review the majors currently offered and see no new majors to meet the needs of the medical industry and aging baby boomer population - a scenario known about for decades. Dyouville, Daemen, Trocaire, Niagara (reopened its Nursing program to meet demand) have all done so with nursing programs, Physician Assistant programs, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy - I would have thought the new science building built 8 years ago was designed to be used for those type of majors requiring sciences and labs. Give Hilbert some credit - they at least jumped on the post 9/11 Homeland Security explosion and attracted students into their criminal justice/forensic science program and they have a 5 year Masters Health Administration.
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Post by firstdev on Jul 7, 2014 15:53:38 GMT -5
Health care majors - including nursing and a pa degree are a must. Computer science majors would be very helpful. A Catholic law school in line with our Franciscan values would be outstanding. Time to get a move on.
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