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Post by donniesbu82 on May 17, 2006 20:24:52 GMT -5
Just went to the local mall and picked up a Barron's Admissions book. As an Alumni of Bonas I was totally upset. St Bonas was listed as less competitive, accepting 95 % of it's recent freshman class. Niagara and Canisus were listed as competitive and Seina college was listed as highly competitive with 4561 applicants for admission and accepting 2351. Manhattan college was listed as highly competitive as well as Pace University and Syracuse! What is wrong with St. Bonas ? Have we fallen that much? Why would I want to send my daughter to to St bonas? When are we going to get our act together? Our basketball team is in the crap-per and our school now is in the crappier!
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Post by sburizz on May 17, 2006 21:03:41 GMT -5
Looks like we have a negative nancy here! The reason that SBU accepts so many applicants is that it is located in an area that is extremely difficult to recruit to, Our signature programs are print journalism and business(majors that are common) and frankly we do a terrible job of marketing ourselves. The reason I went to bonaventure was talking to alumni other than that I had never heard of St. Bonaventure. I honestly believe that the best way to improve our competivness with other schools is by improving our science program(best way to increase test scores and overall student quality), Increase enrollment to 3,000+, get a niche that will attract students(broadcast journalism program) and most of all listen to students. I know that a lot of students are not pleased with the way they have been treated. The administration needs to realize what St. Bonaventure really is and identify the best way to succeed. I don't buy that Barron's admission crap an education at SBU is on par with if not better than one at Siena, Canisius or Niagara.
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Post by sbuSTUDent2005 on May 17, 2006 21:19:41 GMT -5
Not only did you provide us with an excellent example of how to use the phrase "negative nancy" rizz, but you're also dead on. As it stands now, our science program is a joke. My high school had better lab equipment. With the addition of the state of the art science center, we should attract students that we never would have attracted before. All that Barron's crap will change within the next 5-10 years with all the great improvements to the University. Go Bonas!
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Post by bringbacklanier on May 17, 2006 21:37:50 GMT -5
I would have to agree with the idea that SBU has dummed down its admission policies over the last four years. As a member of the class of 2006 I have seen the abilities of the incoming freshman steadily decline each year. I am afraid we are creeping ever so close to the slippery slope of no return. The writing skills of each of the last 3 incoming classes has declined annually, there is a total lack of awareness of current events or other worldly happenings, the "party hard" atmosphere has increased....etc etc etc.
An overwhelming number of graduates in the class of 2006 have had plenty to say about their time in Olean. Most of it great, some of it not. You'd be hard pressed to find a single recent graduate who doesn't have some beef with the way the administration has put a damper on things the past few years. It seems like kids who used to get the boot for failing grades or other run ins with authority are getting a 3rd..4th..5th chance. Is the school that desperate for the almighty dollar that they have lost all sense of complete discipline?
I loved my time there, don't get me wrong; but realistically speaking with tuition going up yearly and the aptitude of the freshman classes decreasing coupled with our lack of marketing in any key areas outside of 70 miles from campus where is SBU to go?
I'll write my check to the school every year in hopes of a rebound, but times have changed and who knows what the future holds.
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Post by brownglory on May 17, 2006 22:25:28 GMT -5
rizz-I totally agree with you. Comparing my time at Bonas (not too long ago) to another small private school where I was for graduate work, the academic facilities are extremely poor. The journalism/communications building is the only place even close to contemporary standards. The problem is you can't squeeze blood from a turnip. That's one reason why this new capital campaign is so important. Maybe a current student would know-does the campus have wireless capabilities? Have any remodels been done on the faculty offices in the cellar of Plassmann?
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Post by ripreilly755 on May 18, 2006 4:55:47 GMT -5
I don't mean to be a 'negative nancy' either, but, the general consensus among a few well respected indiduals I know, that have strong ties to SBU and are well-connected, is that in 5 to 10 years, it could become a community college, or be affiliated with the SUNY system in the state.
State University of New York at Olean, or SUNY Bonaventure, are two possible names.
SBU seems to be in a free-fall and the parachute won't open. Poor recruiting of new students is just one of the many areas that needs improvement, (along with some phone etiquette when calling admissions).
We're already SBJC (St. Bonaventure Junior College) when it comes to the hoops team, could SUNY Bonaventure be far off ? WHAT needs to be done to turn SBU around ?
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Post by jh on May 18, 2006 6:39:23 GMT -5
Nice to see you didn;t mean to be a negative nancy..
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Post by rimRocka44 on May 18, 2006 6:57:10 GMT -5
I can't believe this is even a topic of discussion. We are talking about admission rates? Who cares. Bonas has always had a little more leniency as it relates to admissions, but hell we're not Yale. Everyone needs a chance. I know of a recent grad who didn't do so hott in high school, had to write numerous letters just to get into Bonas but then ended up receiving the McGowan Scholarship, ended up at a Big Four Firm and now holds a CFO position. "It ain't how you start but how you finish". Put this topic to rest.
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Post by cosmonautlaunchpad on May 18, 2006 7:07:47 GMT -5
I've seen this theme frequently on this board and no one has done a good job of explaining why a high acceptance rate means St. Bonaventure is going down the tubes academically. The students who make it in that shouldn't have due to a high acceptance rate get weeded out in the first two or three semesters. I can only speak on the School of Business, but it certainly wasn't a cakewalk. And I feel I received a good education. Maybe the Science Program has problems, but Science really isn't what Bonaventure is known for. Sure they should beef it up, but I just don't see how having a weak Science Program spells doom for the University academically.
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Post by sbuSTUDent2005 on May 18, 2006 8:06:28 GMT -5
I don't mean to be a 'negative nancy' either, but, the general consensus among a few well respected indiduals I know, that have strong ties to SBU and are well-connected, is that in 5 to 10 years, it could become a community college, or be affiliated with the SUNY system in the state. State University of New York at Olean, or SUNY Bonaventure, are two possible names. SBU seems to be in a free-fall and the parachute won't open. Poor recruiting of new students is just one of the many areas that needs improvement, (along with some phone etiquette when calling admissions). We're already SBJC (St. Bonaventure Junior College) when it comes to the hoops team, could SUNY Bonaventure be far off ? WHAT needs to be done to turn SBU around ? That may be one of the most ridiculous things I've heard lately. I've said it before but I was quite skeptical of Sr. Margret Carney when she was chosen but since then she has done amazing things and I am fully confident that she is leading the University to great things. I also find it very difficult to believe that we would be turned into a junior college. I'd hope that these "ties" you have are just a couple bar fly's hanging around town and not people who actually have a say in the inner workings of the University.
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Wally
New Member
Posts: 23
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Post by Wally on May 18, 2006 8:34:38 GMT -5
The J/MC school is a big selling point for prospective students, however, it is not a "print journalism" school. It's a school of Journalism and Mass Communication. What plays out there is a situation similar to what Cosmo described in the business school. There's plenty of kids that attend as freshman and change majors or transfer entirely because they don't like the idea that the J school actually makes you take classes like (gasp) newswriting and reporting, editing and so on. They just think they should be stuck in front of a camera or a microphone and that's the only thing that matters. Eventually, they'll realize that it all goes back to writing.
As far as "broadcast journalism," the Koop Lab is a great place for future journalists to ply their trade at Bonas. But it's funded entirely by private donations, starting with the donation that got it all started from the family of the late Bob Koop. The university doesn't go out of its way to help the program, which is very ironic considering it's one of, if not the biggest drawing points it has.
On a side note, referencing back to the original post that got it all started, I remember as sitting in a University 101 class as a freshman in 2001 and listening to the instructor tell us that SBU accepted 98% of the applications it received for incoming students.
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Post by captainron on May 18, 2006 9:31:27 GMT -5
I blame a lot of it on...surprise, surprise...Wickenheiser and that idiotic Clare College curriculum he instituted. I mean, c'mon--taking classes on "how to study"? It's a watered-down curriculum. I still keep in contact with several professors and they all complain about the quality of student that are let in these days. I should also be quick to point out MOST students, not ALL.
Instead of accepting every warm body, be a little picky and get rid of Clare College. Build up your programs, such as science, arts, JMC, etc., keep the basketball team on life support and emphasize the college strengths--small classes, great professors, amazing atmosphere.
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Post by sburizz on May 18, 2006 15:55:59 GMT -5
Thanks for ripping that post STUD. It is obvious huskie is trying to get a rise out of people because SUNY Bonaventure would never fly because of the affiliation it has with Catholicism and a community college? Our school is in a much stronger financial position today than it has ever been in. The biggest problem is that when most colleges were increasing their endowments in the 1980s we weren't. We are a little behind the curve in that respect but Sister Margaret has been very good at fundraising, I don't know if she is the best leader as far as understanding the dynamic of St. Bonaventure but we are going in the right direction. And Huskie you need to turn from a negative nancy into a positive pete.
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Post by captainron on May 18, 2006 16:15:26 GMT -5
Thanks for ripping that post STUD. It is obvious huskie is trying to get a rise out of people because SUNY Bonaventure would never fly because of the affiliation it has with Catholicism and a community college? Our school is in a much stronger financial position today than it has ever been in. The biggest problem is that when most colleges were increasing their endowments in the 1980s we weren't. We are a little behind the curve in that respect but Sister Margaret has been very good at fundraising, I don't know if she is the best leader as far as understanding the dynamic of St. Bonaventure but we are going in the right direction. And Huskie you need to turn from a negative nancy into a positive pete. Having an opinion and posting it isn't being "negative." He has a valid concern, one that I share as well. As an alumnus, why shouldn't he state that?
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Post by sburizz on May 18, 2006 17:11:54 GMT -5
An opinion is one thing but that St. Bonaventure would turn it into SUNY Bonaventure or Bonaventure community college is a fairly outrageous statement. I too have concerns about the school but I try to be constructive about it not just negative. If Huskie has true concerns then make real arguements not state that we are going to become a community college.
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