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Post by ganyguy on May 3, 2016 14:17:43 GMT -5
to firstdev... You want to talk about this administration's performance....here you go: an increase in the endowment from $31M to $62M, the raising of $95M for the 150th anniversary campaign, raising another $15M for the new Swan Business Center, the construction of the the new Science Building, LaVerna café, the Rare Books Library, and the beginning this summer of the construction of a new Ministry Center...also the installation of a new softball and soccer/lacrosse fields, also an $8M renovation to Rob/Fal, new campus roadways...Continuing, a stellar accreditation visit by Middle States, the initiation of a new cyber security program with significant other new programs in various planning stages...the commencement of a university wide comprehensive strategic planning process and this year the recruitment of the largest frosh class in several years who will begin their Good Journey this September (and it's only May 3rd!)...all this after the worst period/scandal in Bonaventure history when it was very nearly lights out for this wonderful university....and all you and others can do is find fault and point fingers...seriously??? Unfortunately you honestly do not have a clue what the hell you're talking about...the accomplishments of Sr.Margaret and her staff over the past 10-12 years deserve the thanks and gratitude of all of us...yes, it's onward and upward from here but Margaret et al developed one heck of a springboard for all of us. Measure and balance is today's counsel for firstdev and others...
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Post by fan4ever on May 3, 2016 14:41:39 GMT -5
This Ft. Duquesne stuff is a waste of everyone's time. Sister Margaret and Brenda Snow are retiring and with them go the Fort (if indeed there ever was something like that). Let's look ahead to the new Prez and new CFO. Continually harping on what may or may not have happened in the past past is counter-productive. In other words just shut the **** up.
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Post by firstdev on May 3, 2016 17:31:00 GMT -5
Sneakers - yea anyone who expresses concern is disloyal. The fact is that the enrollment figure is historically low at 395, and has been trending lower each year is obviously the result of questions being raised by non loyal posters on this board - ok I get it. So the solution is to recruit in China and Brazil instead of recruiting in Catholic parishes, schools, high schools, communities, etc., etc. in the NE and MW? What kind of wrong way action is that? Totally legit concern here, and I make no apologies to the loyal circle of the fort who refuse to acknowledge the enrollment crisis. The eye was taken off the recruiting ball and was fixed on other "items" for far too long. Now we are paying the price. Certainly there are positive aspects to the last twelve years......increased endowment funds are one aspect, but alleviating falling enrollment numbers are job one. Fixation on one shot rescue items has been a costly detour of resources (see my previous detailed posts for specs).
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Post by sneakers on May 3, 2016 18:01:34 GMT -5
Sneakers - yea anyone who expresses concern is disloyal. The fact is that the enrollment figure is historically low at 395, and has been trending lower each year is obviously the result of questions being raised by non loyal posters on this board - ok I get it. So the solution is to recruit in China and Brazil instead of recruiting in Catholic parishes, schools, high schools, communities, etc., etc. in the NE and MW? What kind of wrong way action is that? Totally legit concern here, and I make no apologies to the loyal circle of the fort who refuse to acknowledge the enrollment crisis. The eye was taken off the recruiting ball and was fixed on other "items" for far too long. Now we are paying the price. Certainly there are positive aspects to the last twelve years......increased endowment funds are one aspect, but alleviating falling enrollment numbers are job one. Fixation on one shot rescue items has been a costly detour of resources (see my previous detailed posts for specs). I actually never said you were disloyal. You appear to love the University, in your own odd way. You lack facts so you make them up in order to criticize those against whom you apparently have a vendetta. Your postsinclude childish name calling, bombastic statements, personal insults, obfuscation of the facts, etc. You have multiple screen names and people compare you to Fromunga and others. I'm thinking they are wrong, and based on your debate style you could be THE DONALD. I also have no idea why you keep talking about China and Brazil. Whatever. Ganyguy's post above above, states that next year's class is the largest class in years. Wouldn't that piss you off. How could that be when those in the Fort obviously can't shoot straight? Go Bonas!
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Post by firstdev on May 4, 2016 7:11:43 GMT -5
If the frosh number for 2016-17 is substantially north of the all time low of 395 that is indeed very good news. But we were told the same story last year..........the proof will be in on 8/20/16.
My point is that we need realistic recruiting focus points - our Catholic communities in the NE and MW; not delusional focus points in China and Brazil. Really - any administrator who advocates for that kind of focus needs to the shown the door. We need to be proud of our Catholic faith and Franciscan heritage, not ashamed of our affiliation.
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Post by firstdev on May 4, 2016 7:32:40 GMT -5
Sneakers - the least you can do is get your story straight - first you called me a socialist for my review of the 2008 banking system collapse and general economic nosedive, and now you accuse me of being an acolyte of the Donald. Which is it? My focus was always on managerial problems at this university not on whether you are a liberal, conservative, socialist, communist, republican, democrat, unionist, fine gael, sinn fein, fianna fail or whatever.
We all need to focus on issues that impact our beloved university.....a university located on one of the most beautiful campuses in America, a Catholic university we all deeply love and cherish above almost all things in this world, electronic dasher boards or no.
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Post by sneakers on May 4, 2016 8:16:19 GMT -5
Thank you for taking your medication today.
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Post by fan4ever on May 4, 2016 8:18:00 GMT -5
I think that it is great that the new Worship Center be ecumenically neutral in its main meeting room. Look, there are PLENTY of signs and symbols of the Catholic faith and Franciscan heritage throughout the campus. What's wrong with one neutral area in one facility where non-Catholic members of the SBU community can pray and worship? In fact, I'd like to see regular Protestant, Jewish and Muslim services take place in the new Worship Center in addition to Catholic services.
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Post by wgt on May 4, 2016 9:03:09 GMT -5
Enrollment was mentioned in this thread. The long pattern of steady declining enrollment has been halted, turned around & headed North. Good job by the Administration, Bernard Valento, VP & Admissions staff. The efforts of MANY, including a few new members from the Bandwagon of SHARE, have achieved a much sort after & critical outcome. I anticipate continued efforts in the coming months to add to the number especially from transfers & JUCOS. Meanwhile work on the class of 2021 is well underway. I urge everyone to share info with families of high school students about this summer’s FOUR Open Houses. Never too early to plant the seed & get the name out there. www.sbu.edu/admission-aid/freshman-admissions/schedule-a-visit/summer-visits
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Post by firstdev on May 4, 2016 9:07:13 GMT -5
Dead wrong on that one fan4ever. If you are really a fan for ever you would be proud of our faith and not afraid in this time of religious repression to stand up for our Catholic faith and values, and our Franciscan tradition. Franciscans have preached the faith all over the world. Denuding our symbols from this building's main meeting room is just an indication of the degree of caving into the anti religious types now dictating the SBU agenda. This is a Catholic University, not a Presbyterian, Muslim, Anglican, Pagan, Buddist, or Methodist university (although all are welcome at our table).
For us to degrade ourselves by engaging in politically correct talk about "faith neutrality" is beneath us. Sounds like the Hillary crowd. We need to be committed to the proselytizing of our Catholic/Franciscan theology. Stand up and be proud. St. Francis too was criticized for his devotion - it did not deter him for one instant.
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Post by firstdev on May 4, 2016 9:13:48 GMT -5
Sneakers - and a man of your social position, high in the ranks of this university.....pathetic. I expect a far higher standard from you.
Start focusing on how many frosh will be enrolled on 8/20/16.....your crew will stand or fall on that basis. Time is ticking. We are all watching and observing closely. Have a good day!
Take plenty of time for rest and reflection.
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Post by Bona84 on May 4, 2016 9:18:40 GMT -5
Why can't the Catholics in the Bona community be proud of their faith and welcoming of other faiths at the same time?
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Post by agoo on May 4, 2016 9:37:06 GMT -5
Francis, lest we forget, was the guy who met the Sultan at Damietta. While the initial effort was to convert him to Christianity, Francis gave up that effort pretty quickly to focus on a peaceful co-existence during the time of the crusades and identified the Sultan as a man of strong faith. The Sultan was attempting to make peace with the crusaders who were coming with less positive intentions. Having a room on campus for persons of all faiths would be pretty well in line with our Franciscan traditions and very much following the example established by Saint Francis...and the one encouraged by the Pope who has taken his name. Additionally, with your obsession on focusing our recruiting efforts on parishes and catholic high schools, the numbers don't seem to indicate that students are coming from those locations. I'm not saying that we should abandon our Catholic Franciscan heritage, or not recruit from those places, but there are some interesting stats to consider. Check out these numbers.The number of students enrolled in Catholic colleges is going up, though it may be in the process of peaking with a very slow growth from 2010 to 2015. The number of students enrolled in Catholic secondary schools is rapidly declining with a near 30,000 drop over the last five years. If you're trying to recruit students, you should be seeking markets where they are...Catholic high schools are not one of them. The number of infants being baptized is also dropping rapidly with over 100k fewer in 2015 than 2010 and near 300k fewer than 2005. Opening new markets for recruitment of students is necessary in the changing landscape of college recruitment, particularly for Catholic colleges. All colleges are competing for the same students and Catholic colleges are finding their core demographic (Catholic kids) shrinking rapidly. Recruiting internationally presents challenges, but it also tends to bring in students who are paying the full rate out of pocket, which reduces demand for financial aid, while increasing its availability to other students. An international student paying $50,000 to attend and live on campus can off-set a student who can only afford to pay $15,000. If I could go on...investment in facilities is a major part of what makes colleges attractive to students. Better academic spaces, that prepare students for the work environment, will attract more students. Better housing will attract more students. Better dining spaces will attract more students. Better recreation spaces (Richter and the athletic spaces) will attract more students. For a tuition driven institution, which Bonaventure is, improving facilities will improve recruitment. The new business building is as much about improving student learning as it is about recruiting more students. No one is coming to college for a building like Plassmann, regardless of how strict or how loose our adherence to Catholic ideology is.
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Post by sneakers on May 4, 2016 9:40:48 GMT -5
To put a few facts out there. Below is a link to the press release for this new building. Jack McGinley, a former SBU Trustee and former Chair of the Board, is donating the majority of money for this new building (although there are other donors as well). 100% of the cost of the building is being paid for by donors (not the University budget). The project is more than a mere renovation of the Merton Center. It is a full replacement with a brand new building. Mr. McGinley did this in memory of his Uncle, the Reverend Silas Rooney, OFM, who served at Bonas for many years. Father Dan Riley, OFM, and Father Francis DiSpigno, OFM, are very involved in planning for the new ministry center, making sure that it meets all of the future needs of the University, the students and the Friars. Although there are not a lot of specifics on the web, I doubt that they have a plan to undercut our Catholic tradition and values. However, they also want to make spaces in the Center that are welcoming to people of all faiths. We have Jews, Muslims and Protestants as students at Bonas. They will be welcome to worship at the new ministry center along with the large majority of Catholic students. As Father Francis said “As a Franciscan university, one of the main charisms of Franciscans is to be bridge builders. (Saint) Francis did that in his life.” Here are some links to the University's web site that discuss. www.sbu.edu/support-sbu/make-an-impact-through-giving/impact-of-your-donations/mcginley-family-commits-$2-million-for-university-ministriesBelow is information on the Center for Arab Islamic Studies: www.sbu.edu/about-sbu/news-events/latest-news/news-release/2016/02/05/bonas-center-for-arab-and-islamic-studies-receives-nearly-$70-000-in-giftsAnd a recent Holocaust remembrance service: www.sbu.edu/about-sbu/news-events/latest-news/news-release/2016/04/07/st.-bonaventure-to-host-april-14-holocaust-remembrance-service
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Post by thesenator on May 4, 2016 11:17:56 GMT -5
Why can't the Catholics in the Bona community be proud of their faith and welcoming of other faiths at the same time? it's a good question, b84...of course, the way some on this board trash others and their points of view, it makes me wonder if some are capable of welcoming those of other faiths...here's hoping our current bona students are showing others franciscan catholicism in action...by being welcoming...welcoming of others and their different faiths...welcoming of their different points of view...etc, etc...
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