December 1-6, 2014
Dec 01 17:24 SC Times' warped thinking Dec 01 23:15 Potter's apartment fiasco redux Dec 02 01:46 Benjamin Watson, civil rights leader Dec 04 00:32 MnSCU enrollment projections Dec 04 11:13 Torii's terrific Twins return Dec 06 06:01 Jeb Bush vs. conservatives Dec 06 12:19 Thoughtful MnSCU reform, Part I
Prior Months: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Prior Years: 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
SC Times' warped thinking
I've never accused the St. Cloud Times of highly rational thought. Our View editorials like this one guarantee that there's no chance I'll change my opinion on that anytime soon:
Then there was the Fifth Avenue Live project, which touted condos and apartment living along Fifth Avenue. Indeed, housing did happen along Fifth Avenue South. However, it turned out to be student housing. For the 2013-14 school year, occupancy was at 74 percent.
Now we have a new proposal for downtown housing on the site of the old Dan Marsh Drugs building at 523 St. Germain St., across from Herberger's. Here is hoping it becomes a reality. Let's hope it is only the first of several housing proposals for downtown.
The Times editorial board isn't too bright if they think this is worthy of serious consideration. The former Dan Marsh Drugs building is less than 100 yards from 5 major bars (the Red Carpet, the Press Bar & Lounge, DB Searles, The Office and MC's Dugout). There are other restaurants and delis within a stone's throw from where Dan Marsh used to sit. All of these businesses are open well past midnight.
Why would anyone aspire to live that close to businesses that will keep them up well past midnight?
Here's the title to the Times article:
Our View: Downtown needs upscale condos, apartments
I've lived in St. Cloud almost 60 years now. It's always been a blue collar city. It's never tried to be anything but that. With tons of farms within 10 minutes of downtown St. Cloud, it's difficult to picture St. Cloud changing its identity anytime soon. In this instance, the definition of anytime soon is 30-50 years.
St. Cloud had better hurry because a very attractive downtown with a grocery store, drug store, fitness facility, restaurants, coffee shops and stores is settled across the Mississippi River in Sauk Rapids. That city may indeed attract new, upscale housing.
The odds of Sauk Rapids attracting "new, upscale housing" is roughly equivalent with me getting hit by lightning while holding 2 winning lottery tickets. Within 5 miles of downtown Sauk Rapids are literally thousands of acres of farmland.
Downtown housing is included in the city's 2003 Comprehensive Plan. The city is starting to assemble information for an update in 2015 to the plan. Downtown housing must be included and moved up the list as a priority.
In terms of priorities to the city, downtown housing wouldn't make it into the top 100 projects. If investors thought they could make money on this type of project, they would've already jumped at the opportunity. It's insane to raise taxes or authorize TIF financing or make this a bonding priority.
If a local businessman or woman proposed this type of project, I'd ridicule them mercilessly. If a politician proposed including such a project in a bonding bill, I'd work for their defeat.
In 2007-2008 St. Cloud was told that a study showed a need for upscale apartments for SCSU students. I questioned that then. People insisted that that was a market just waiting to be tapped. That project was included in either the 2007 or 2008 bonding bill (I think 2007 but I'm not 100% certain.) Today, those upscale apartments are only 70% full. St. Cloud State is set to lose another $1,300,000 on those apartments this year.
Spending money on projects like this is foolish. It's time for the Times to pull its head out of its ass and think things through for a change.
Posted Monday, December 1, 2014 5:24 PM
Comment 1 by No confidence:EVERYWHERE at 02-Dec-14 04:41 AM
BRAVO!!!!! However the Times head is SO FAR ups its ass its non recoverable.
This "OUR VIEW" granted is one of the stupidest however it's simply another in the continuing chain of that same idiotic mindset. Next thing you know they will rally for a GOAT MARKET Super Store for our blossoming refugee population, foot baths at the new proposed High School etc.
So long to St Cloud as it was...... all because of the exact same crap over and over.
Potter's apartment fiasco redux
Coborn's Redux
by Silence Dogood
At the Budget Advisory Group meeting on November 13, 2014, Vice President for Finance and Administration Tammy L.H. McGee presented information in a PowerPoint presentation about the occupancy of the on campus dorms and the Coborn's Plaza apartments. The figure below comes from Vice President McGee's presentation:
The figure breaks out the occupancy by category. From FY14 to FY15, the breakdown shows fewer freshmen, sophomores, and juniors residing in Coborn's Plaza apartments. At the same time, there are more seniors, graduate students and 'other'.
The following plot shows the sum of all of the categories.
From this plot, it is clear that the occupancy increased in years 2, 3, and 4 were followed by a decline in year 5. The original projection for FY15 was an increase in occupancy but the data provided shows that the projected occupancy will not be met and a decline will occur.
For FY13, Coborn's Plaza cost SCSU $1,300,000. The loss for FY14 decreased to $1,200,0000 as a result of increasing occupancy. For FY15, it is likely that the loss will again approach $1,300,000 as a result of the decrease in occupancy. Complicating this further is that the Wedum Foundation lease has a 2% annual increase in payments, which, unless passed along to the residents, will result in even greater losses.
As part of the 'bigger picture,' SCSU's annual loss on Coborn's Plaza represents 13.6% of the projected $9,542,000 budget shortfall for FY15.
From the data for the three categories of increasing occupancy in the Coborn's Plaza Occupancy by Student Composition, the figure below has been created:
Unfortunately, despite significant growth in these categories in the first five years, these three categories are all smaller than the Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior categories, which are all declining. For FY15, the declines were greater than the increases resulting in an overall decline in occupancy.
It's easy to figure out what is meant by the categories: freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and grads. However, what is this category "Other?" Clearly, the category is increasing as a percentage of the total occupancy as shown in the following Figure.
While non-students have been living in the Coborn's Plaza apartments from the very start, it has recently been learned that administrators, and perhaps others, have been housed in the Coborn's Plaza apartments. Interim Provost Richard Green and Dean of the Undergraduate College Bruce Busby are current residents. While this may seem an expedient way to find housing for new or interim administrators, it probably wasn't a part of the original business plan for Coborn's Plaza. Further, it is not known if using the Coborn's Plaza apartments as housing for non-students (i.e., other) puts the Wedum Foundation's tax-exempt status at risk. If the tax-free bonds for Coborn's Plaza were sold based on being used for student housing, having 10.8% of the residents as 'other' than students might not be a good idea. Conventional wisdom generally recognizes that involving lawyers is rarely a good idea!
It has also be recently been discovered that the latest guests from Turkey, which was over twenty individuals, were housed in the Coborn's Plaza Apartments. While administrators at the University and 'guests' certainly have a direct affiliation with SCSU and it might seem like an appropriate use of the excess capacity, I'm sure the local real estate moguls would not see it the same way. To them, it might seem that SCSU is in direct competition and in the market where there has been a 20% decline in enrollment at SCSU it might be viewed with hostility. However, even if it is ok to use the Coborn's Plaza apartments as a hotel for university administrators and 'guests,' it is difficult to understand how, when the newly appointed Chief of Police in St. Cloud came to the community, he stayed in the Coborn's Plaza. Clearly, this individual is not an SCSU employee so, other than getting the experience of 'dorm life' and President Potter doing a favor for Mayor Kleis, it might be hard to justify.
While all of the 10.8% of the 'other' residents of the Coborn's Plaza apartments are probably not be in this same category as the Chief of Police, it is an eye catching concern to see this category grow 289% in three years. I only wish my 401K was able to grow in three years by the same amount! Come to think of it, I wish my 401K had grown by 289% in ten years!
Perhaps this strategy of utilizing the empty rooms in the Coborn's Plaza apartments as essentially extended stay hotel rooms will allow SCSU to begin to fully recover its' Coborn's Plaza costs. We'll know this is a truly successful strategy when students are moved out of Coborn's Plaza and back into the empty dorm rooms on campus to make way for more well heeled paying customers.
Consider the advertising promising a true dorm experience without the students at the "SCSU Inn and Suites"! Believe it or not, this idea actually has some merit! The most expensive studio room in Coborn's Plaza is $4,075 per semester. For a fifteen-week semester this translates into only $38.81 per night! This rate is considerably lower than the current area motels and hotels! Perhaps the university could even start a hotel management/hospitality degree, which would boost enrollment while giving students in the program internships and providing them with some 'real world experience' and further reduce costs. Even all of the visiting athletic teams could stay there and save some money on their travel expenses. The possibilities are almost endless!
Back to reality, without realistic plans to eliminate the $1,300,000 plus per year loss on the Coborn's Plaza apartments, the university really needs to get out of the Wedum lease or at least raise the rates to brake even with a 71% occupancy rate. Another option might be to hire 130 more 'adjunct' administrators to fill the empty rooms. The recent trend to hire adjunct faculty might be extended to administrators. Currently, the yearly pay for an adjunct teaching 24 credits would be 86.4% of the lowest step on the instructor schedule, which amounts to an annual salary of $30,201. Since these individuals would be administrators, the 86.4% might be more appropriately applied to the lowest level on the administrator's schedule. Either way, this would significantly lower the salary costs of administration AND fill the empty rooms in Coborn's Plaza essentially killing two birds with one stone! What could possible go wrong with an additional 130 administrators?
Posted Monday, December 1, 2014 11:15 PM
Comment 1 by Patrick-M at 02-Dec-14 10:51 AM
If I was an owner or franchiser of a hotel I would be hopping mad!
Benjamin Watson, civil rights leader
I first heard of Ben Watson when he was drafted by the New England Patriots with the last pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. Thanks to this interview with FNC's Megyn Kelly, I'm seeing him in a different, more positive light than ever before:
Here's the text of Ben Watson's Facebook post :
At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:
I'M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.
I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios.
I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.
I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.
I'M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.
I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.
I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.
I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.
I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us against them. Sometimes I'm just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that's not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That's not right.
I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.
I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing.
I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope.
That's the message of a true 21st Century civil rights leader. Thank you, Mr. Watson, for speaking honestly about your thoughts. Most importantly, thank you for working overtime to be an inspiration to your family and your community.
Posted Tuesday, December 2, 2014 1:46 AM
Comment 1 by Erick at 07-Dec-14 09:43 AM
Its hard to put into words just how nice it feels to read or hear an honorable man's words expressed so well. Mr Watson has truly been blessed by God. God has blessed us with a true leader.
MnSCU enrollment projections
Enrollment Projections
by Silence Dogood
Periodically, MnSCU requires all colleges and universities to project their enrollments going out three years. The table below shows the latest projections from October 2014 for the MnSCU Universities for FY15, FY16, and FY17. Also in the Table are the actual FY enrollments from FY03 through FY14
It's a table with a lot of data. As it is, it doesn't tell us much. However, as it is sometimes said: "a picture is worth a thousand words." In this case, transforming the data in the table into a graph makes a very clear picture of what is really going on with enrollments at the MnSCU state universities.
Metropolitan (purple) is up a lot. Mankato (red) and Winona (yellow) are up. Bemidji (orange) and Southwest (blue) look pretty stable. Moorhead (green) and St. Cloud (black) are in decline. From the graph, it is clear that St. Cloud is not just in decline. Compared to the other MnSCU universities, it is more appropriately "in the toilet." Considering the projected enrollment decline at SCSU, enrollment will drop from its high in FY10 of 15,096 FYE to 11,279 FYE in FY17, which is a drop of 3,817 FYE and corresponds to a drop of 25.3%!
Looking at Moorhead, the enrollment decline from FY03 (6,993 FYE) to the projected enrollment for FY17 (5,661 FYE) is a drop of 1,332 FYE and corresponds to a drop of 19.0%. However, the enrollment drop at Moorhead took a total of 14 years to achieve. SCSU will accomplish its' 25.3% drop in just 7 years or perhaps earlier! As things now stand it is quite possible that SCSU's FY15, FY16, and FY17 projections for significantly under estimate the actual decline in enrollment. The FY15 fall enrollment is well below the original projection. Based on the recent history of projections made by the SCSU administration, it is highly likely that the projected decline will reach 25% in only 6 years.
When looking at the graph, it may be heartening to think, or more correctly hope, that the rate of enrollment decline at SCSU is decreasing. However, the experience of the past three years may make these projections more wishful thinking rather than responsible estimates. In FY12 the enrollment dropped 5.9%, in FY13 the enrollment dropped 5.4%, and in FY14 the enrollment dropped 5.1%.
In March 2013, the projection for FY14 enrollment was for a decline of 2.4% so the projection significantly underestimated the actual decline. This March, the projection for FY15 enrollment was 3.2%. Already we know that summer enrollment was down 9.4% and that fall enrollment is down as of 12/3/14 5.5%. Unless a miracle occurs and spring enrollment is up substantially, enrollment for FY15 is going to be significantly down from the March projection. Even this past October, the revised projection for FY15 was for a decline of 4.5%. Again, something that is not likely to be realized except in someone's fantasies.
If you look back to the projections this past March, the enrollment projection for FY16 was for a 2.3% decline and for FY17 a 1.3% decline. The administration revised these projections in October upwards to 3.0% and 1.7% for FY16 and FY17, respectively. Given the significant underestimation of the decline in enrollment the prior two years, it is hard to believe that the optimistic decline in the rate of decline of enrollment will be realized. More likely, the projections are going to be significantly in error - and not in a good way! Absent of hard evidence of a significant change in enrollment patterns, a 4-5% annual drop in enrollment might be more responsible instead of these "Pollyana-like" projections.
Let's look at the big picture. The enrollment decline at SCSU from FY10 to FY17 represents a loss of 268 FYE more than the total projected enrollment at Southwest State University (3,549)! Further, if you use an estimated revenue of $11,500 per FYE, a drop of 3,817 FYE represents a loss of revenue totaling $43,900,000! Importantly, this loss will have occurred within only six or seven years!
I hope that those who keep saying that the "demographics" are the reason for the enrollment decline at SCSU can explain how only two MnSCU universities have significant declines and that SCSU is the absolute leader with a 25.3% decline and projects a decline in absolute FYE greater than Southwest State's total enrollment. During President Potter's tenure, SCSU has gone from leading rival Mankato by 848 FYE to trailing in FY15 by over 2,121 FYE, a staggering reversal of 2,969 FYE!
At one time, SCSU bragged about being the "flagship" university in MnSCU. Looking at the data, it is clear that this is no longer true. I guess it's time to hire another consultant.
Posted Thursday, December 4, 2014 12:32 AM
Comment 1 by ReaderRedux at 05-Dec-14 12:38 PM
Dr. Dogood ends this article by associating the term 'flagship university' status with Saint Cloud State University.
Except for a few self-promoting members of SCSU, it has never been the 'flagship' of MNSCU. Nor historically was it known as one during the time before the MNSCU reorganization under which it belonged to the Minnesota State Universities system. It has been traditionally known both socially and formally as a 'party' school.
The problem with this fond 'memory' is that none of the MNSCU institutions are anywhere near the same classification/status as a true flagship such as the University of Minnesota. Additionally, flagships universities don't just erase bad grades from student transcripts randomly like the 2013 Scandal.
It would be beneficial for the entire state if the Charting the Future strategic planning process would acknowledge this issue and actually fund the state universities at a level where they could compete for students regionally against for example North Dakota State, University of North Dakota, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Iowa State, University of South Dakota etc.
Torii's terrific Twins return
Twins fans are celebrating today. That's because Torii Hunter signed to play with the Twins yesterday. In his press conference, Torii emphatically emphasized some typical Torii things:
Torii emphasized the fact that he's still "got some bullets left". Anyone that watched him the last 2 years in Detroit knows that Torii's got plenty left. Whether he's hitting second or fifth in the batting order, Torii will be a strong veteran presence for the Twins. He'll also be productive. This isn't just about Torii returning to the place he started his career.
It's about Torii mentoring players like Byron Buxton, Danny Santana, Oswaldo Arcia and Kennys Vargas. That includes teaching them how to be consistent, reliable professionals both offensively and defensively. Torii doesn't have the range in the outfield that he had during his Gold Glove years but he's still a better than average outfielder. Most importantly, his fundamentals are still outstanding.
When Torii and Michael Cuddyer played center and right field respectively, there were seasons when their throws never missed the cutoff man. At that time, the Twins had the best defensive team in the game.
Another point that Torii emphasized was that Minnesota is his last stop in the majors. MLB's Jeff Nelson made the point that it's quite possible that Paul Molitor would invite Torii to join his staff when his playing days are done. I can easily picture that. In fact, I'll state right here that I hope that's already been agreed upon. Having Torii coach the outfielders would be outstanding.
The Twins have an outstanding offensive lineup. The 2014 Twins had the second highest on base percentage in the AL , the fifth best OPS (on base percentage + slugging percentage) in the AL, too.
Clearly, the Twins will use the Winter Meetings, which start this Sunday, to fortify their starting rotation. If they accomplish that this offseason, there's no reason why the Twins can't contend for the playoffs in 2015. I know that's a bold statement but the talent is there or arriving soon.
Yesterday was a fantastic day for Twins fans because Torii has returned. He'll make them stronger offensively and he'll help the Twins young talent mature quickly into the team they should be.
Posted Thursday, December 4, 2014 11:13 AM
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Jeb Bush vs. conservatives
After watching this video, it's clear that Jeb Bush doesn't have a clue about conservatism:
This post shows that Paige Lavender, a reporter/commentator for Huffington Post, is utterly clueless. Before we get into Jeb Bush's statements, here's what Ms. Lavender said:
PAIGE LAVENDER: We've seen in the last 2 election cycles that the Republican primary tends to favor the more conservative candidate.
In 2008, there weren't any conservatives in the race. Of the liberals, John McCain was the most liberal. He got the nomination. In 2012, the GOP candidates were marginally more conservative. Mitt Romney wasn't as liberal as McCain but he wasn't a conservative, either. He was simply the least liberal of the liberals running.
The good news is that Republicans will have a handful of conservatives to pick from in 2016, starting with Scott Walker, then adding John Kasich and possibly Mike Pence. GOP activists won't have to hold their noses when supporting one of these candidates. Conservatives will be able to enthusiastically support one of these three candidates.
The last 20 seconds of this video will hurt Gov. Bush:
Here's what Gov. Bush said:
GOV. BUSH: I kinda know how a Republican can win, whether it's me or somebody else and it has to be much more uplifting, much more positive, much more willing to, you know, to be practical now in the Washington world, to be willing to lose the primary to win the general without violating your principles.
Jeb Bush, like Mike Huckabee before him, doesn't have a clue about conservatism. True conservatism has a healthy libertarian streak to it, mixed with a healthy skepticism of Washington, DC-run programs. We prefer smallish programs administered at the local level because that's the best way to ensure accountability. Gov. Bush enthusiastically supports Common Core, which is federalizing education curriculum and standardizing tests nationwide. It's even telling school boards which text books fit with Common Core's curriculum.
Conservatism is about giving people lots of positive options, whether we're talking about families' health care decisions or telling parents that they can send their children to schools that aren't failing students.
For the last 6-8 years, Republicans had to play defense because Democrats controlled the agenda. The next Republican president will work with GOP majorities in the House and Senate. That means they'll be setting the agenda. Their first assignment must be to fix the messes created by President Obama, Sen. Reid and Nancy Pelosi. That means finally getting the fed to shut off the QE2 spigot. That'll require the GOP to starting over with health care reform. This time, it's imperative to get it right. Getting America's economy requires siding with construction unions while ignoring environmental activists on pipeline projects.
There's no shortage of things that need fixing. When a Republican governor is elected to become the 45th president of the United States, he'll have lots of things to fix or to get started on. Hopefully, the 45th president won't be Jeb Bush.
Posted Saturday, December 6, 2014 6:01 AM
Comment 1 by Bob J. at 07-Dec-14 10:18 PM
Scott Walker supported the Senate immigration bill favoring a path to citizenship: i.e., amnesty. He is also on record with a campaign ad during his re-election campaign as saying that 'reasonable people' can disagree on abortion, which is a decision left 'to a woman and her doctor'.
If he is the 2016 GOP nominee, this conservative's support will not be 'enthusiastic' unless and until he recants both positions.
Thoughtful MnSCU reform, Part I
Darrell Downs' article is must reading for the House and Senate Higher Ed committees, the MnSCU Board of Trustees, Gov. Dayton, Commissioner Pogemiller and every taxpayer whose son or daughter is attending to thinking about attending a MnSCU university. Here's the opening of the article:
The icy standoff between campus faculty and the leadership of the Minnesota State College and Universities (MnSCU) needs to end - but let's first get to the root of the problem.
MnSCU has been leading an experiment to change campuses into quasi-private franchises for years. Producing more degrees more quickly and more cheaply has been its hallmark. Never mind that the quality of the education may suffer when change is put in the hands of political appointees and corporate advisers.
To gild the lily of misguided privatization, MnSCU also pays for multimillion-dollar consultants, such as McKinsey and Co., to manage system planning, regardless of faculty and student objections. And it's only a matter of time before we learn how much is being spent on consultants to 'rebrand' the system.
It's long past time for MnSCU leadership to step outside of its ivory towers. I've followed the higher ed reform beat for the better part of 4 years. I've seen documentation that verifies as fact that none of the MnSCU Trustees has ever held a townhall meeting in their congressional district. They certainly haven't met with faculty members.
It's foolish to think that an outside consultant is better equipped to suggest improvements and implement changes than are the people within the system. If the people that make up the system aren't qualified for that initiative, then that's a management failure to hire high quality administrators.
For the record, I'm positive that some of the universities' administrators are more than qualified for putting a plan together while working with faculty and listening to students' concerns. It's just that Chancellor Rosenstone picked the wrong people for putting the reform package together and implementing that package.
Instead, Chancellor Rosenstone brought an adversarial attitude to the project. That attitude led to him secretly hiring McKinsey's consultants, which spent $2,000,000 that shouldn't have been spent. Chancellor Rosenstone decided that Charting the Future was the right initiative without meaningful input. Then he hired expensive consultants to implement his initiative.
Isn't it a bit ironic that a reform initiative is implemented by doing what past administrators have done for decades? When the CEO of MnSCU puts the 'reform' package together, why should I think that he's on the right path?
Downs is exactly right in highlighting expensive consultant-driven 'reforms'. Nothing about that process sounds like a process that produces thoughtful, forward-looking reforms. Check back to LFR on Sunday for Part II of this series.
Posted Saturday, December 6, 2014 12:19 PM
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