Kevin I applaud your column in the Northwestern this morning http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070924/OSH06/709240413/1189.
When this scandal first surfaced via the Milw JS we were all treated to this official comment from the university:
“Nonetheless, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article does raise some questions regarding costs to students who select the debit card service…. While recognizing that larger financial institutions typically offer a wider array of services and thus, may charge higher fees for some of those services, we will use this opportunity to review the fee policies associated with offering our students the best services for the best value.
In short, we will use this opportunity to continue to advocate for even better service at reduced costs for our students, faculty and staff.” Email from Tom Sonnleitner to university staff dated Monday June 18, 2007 in re: UW Oshkosh - U.S. Bank
Almost 4 months later, what has been done? One is tempted to think that the university has decided that as the university is getting paid by US Bank, it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Media Censorship
Yes, I’m in favor of it!
Last night while surfing the news networks while watching the Brewers lose (CNN, MSNBC, et al) I was left with the understanding that two of the most pressing issues facing our country, nay THE WORLD, are the child custody case of Britney Spears and the OJ Simpson, robbery case.
I almost sprained my thumbs trying to avoid that drivel. If there is such a thing as the v-chip can’t there be such a thing as the idiot celebrity news-chip? Bill Gates are you listening?
Last night while surfing the news networks while watching the Brewers lose (CNN, MSNBC, et al) I was left with the understanding that two of the most pressing issues facing our country, nay THE WORLD, are the child custody case of Britney Spears and the OJ Simpson, robbery case.
I almost sprained my thumbs trying to avoid that drivel. If there is such a thing as the v-chip can’t there be such a thing as the idiot celebrity news-chip? Bill Gates are you listening?
Monday, September 10, 2007
Osh NW Articles
This morning’s Osh NW had 2 interesting articles which shows, for us UWO folks, the differing priorities of our city.
One article, on the bailout of the 100 Main TIF shows that the city has had mixed success in revitalizing the downtown. On one hand, it physically looks good (I’ve been here for about 20 years so I remember what it looked liked pre convention center/hotel, the 100 Main project and Soldiers Square green space) but really it has just been window dressing as the 100 Main project failed from the beginning (which many thought it would).
The other article was on the state budget and the financial needs of the campus to continue expansion projects. What wasn’t mentioned in the article is the need for additional financial support from the community for the new academic building and the stadium complex.
What is interesting is that the university is a proven economic commodity. More so, we are an economic powerhouse. We bring students here, we bring staff here, we bring faculty here. They bring their money here, they put down roots here and they better the community.
A vibrant university fostered the development of the Pearl St corridor with business and apartment complexes paying God only knows how much in property taxes into city coffers. The university has made an effort to show to the community how the stadium complex will continue university growth but the city, via the school district which uses the complex and the community at large won’t help with financial support. The university is now trying to show the community at large how beneficial the new academic building will be.
100 Main was a pipe dream and got taxpayer support, UWO is a proven economic (and social) powerhouse. Which one gets the handout? Yep, 100 Main St. Yes I know, we can’t get TIF money but the school district which uses our facilities, can kick in money towards those facilities.
I’m not crying in my beer but, the university DOES make a tremendously positive (financial, social, intellectual) impact on this city. It would be nice to be recognized by the community at large for this.
One article, on the bailout of the 100 Main TIF shows that the city has had mixed success in revitalizing the downtown. On one hand, it physically looks good (I’ve been here for about 20 years so I remember what it looked liked pre convention center/hotel, the 100 Main project and Soldiers Square green space) but really it has just been window dressing as the 100 Main project failed from the beginning (which many thought it would).
The other article was on the state budget and the financial needs of the campus to continue expansion projects. What wasn’t mentioned in the article is the need for additional financial support from the community for the new academic building and the stadium complex.
What is interesting is that the university is a proven economic commodity. More so, we are an economic powerhouse. We bring students here, we bring staff here, we bring faculty here. They bring their money here, they put down roots here and they better the community.
A vibrant university fostered the development of the Pearl St corridor with business and apartment complexes paying God only knows how much in property taxes into city coffers. The university has made an effort to show to the community how the stadium complex will continue university growth but the city, via the school district which uses the complex and the community at large won’t help with financial support. The university is now trying to show the community at large how beneficial the new academic building will be.
100 Main was a pipe dream and got taxpayer support, UWO is a proven economic (and social) powerhouse. Which one gets the handout? Yep, 100 Main St. Yes I know, we can’t get TIF money but the school district which uses our facilities, can kick in money towards those facilities.
I’m not crying in my beer but, the university DOES make a tremendously positive (financial, social, intellectual) impact on this city. It would be nice to be recognized by the community at large for this.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Faculty Leadership
As we embark upon a new academic year with the promises of personal, professional and academic rewards to come, I thought about a character trait that is sorely lacking in many faculty members at many universities: leadership.
Too often, we choose our faculty for tenure track positions solely on the basis of their accomplishments within our discipline and we fail to look at them empirically. By this I mean the individuals are talented within their respective field but we should look at what else can they bring to the university and community.
This lack of leadership leads to failure by some tenure track faculty in the form of being denied tenure. Where am I going with this one may ask? Another Oshkosh blogger is decrying the denial of tenure, at other universities no less; of two rather well known academics/pseudo-political philosophers. The crux of the posting on the denial of tenure is that their political and social beliefs/positions are not in the mainstream and therefore these universities are effectively censoring them, and their beliefs, by denying them tenure. To quote an oft used trite phrase “the man is keeping them down”.
I really don’t think so. The universities I’ve been at are virtually the same for tenure track requirements: scholarship plus university and community involvement. We have freedom to teach, within reason, many different view points. I do not know the two individuals involved but, I’ve seen this type of faculty member before. Big “new” ideas (often poorly researched, too) and a lack of involvement in campus activities in favor of a preaching the “new” doctrine. Often times these individuals feel that their “message” is more important to get out than the actual business of learning students. I’ve seen these types of folks hold themselves up as too globally important to teach 101 courses, hold regular office hours or participate on campus committees.
Being a leader means looking forward and charting a course not only for ones self but for students and the university. We know in tenure track positions what we need to do in order to get tenure; please don’t whine when you so obviously miss the mark.
Too often, we choose our faculty for tenure track positions solely on the basis of their accomplishments within our discipline and we fail to look at them empirically. By this I mean the individuals are talented within their respective field but we should look at what else can they bring to the university and community.
This lack of leadership leads to failure by some tenure track faculty in the form of being denied tenure. Where am I going with this one may ask? Another Oshkosh blogger is decrying the denial of tenure, at other universities no less; of two rather well known academics/pseudo-political philosophers. The crux of the posting on the denial of tenure is that their political and social beliefs/positions are not in the mainstream and therefore these universities are effectively censoring them, and their beliefs, by denying them tenure. To quote an oft used trite phrase “the man is keeping them down”.
I really don’t think so. The universities I’ve been at are virtually the same for tenure track requirements: scholarship plus university and community involvement. We have freedom to teach, within reason, many different view points. I do not know the two individuals involved but, I’ve seen this type of faculty member before. Big “new” ideas (often poorly researched, too) and a lack of involvement in campus activities in favor of a preaching the “new” doctrine. Often times these individuals feel that their “message” is more important to get out than the actual business of learning students. I’ve seen these types of folks hold themselves up as too globally important to teach 101 courses, hold regular office hours or participate on campus committees.
Being a leader means looking forward and charting a course not only for ones self but for students and the university. We know in tenure track positions what we need to do in order to get tenure; please don’t whine when you so obviously miss the mark.
DB Cooper Lives
You’ll have to be of a certain age to get the reference about my last blog entry. If you don’t understand it, one can always google it. Back in my day, that was the use of the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature. I’m always amused by blogging gone bad i.e. the name calling, the finger pointing and recriminations not to mention the off topic responses.
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