Rogers brings strength to UAF chancellor position
Published Sunday, July 20, 2008
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Stumble It!The appointment of Brian Rogers as interim chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a unique opportunity for the university faculty, staff, the community of Fairbanks and the citizens of the state.
The community of Fairbanks has a hometown UAF chancellor who wants faculty, staff, student and community assistance to set his agenda and has set up a formal transition team process to get input.
As I was participating in the initial meeting of the overall transition team and listening to comments from community members, faculty and staff, I was struck by how unusual a process that we, as a university, were about to embark upon. First, in more than four decades of my association with the university we have never had a chancellor on the ground, so to speak, intensely preparing for his first days and weeks in office six to eight weeks ahead of his assumption of the position. Second, we have never had, in that same period, an incoming chancellor actively solicit opinion from faculty, staff and the citizens of Fairbanks as well the Interior in an open and systematic way.
This is the unique opportunity and bodes well for a new style of leadership. I am excited about it.
With significant community support, University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton chose Brian Rogers as interim chancellor at UAF. President Hamilton chose wisely not only because of Brian’s Harvard education, his business acumen and his finance background. The choice was especially right because Brian Rogers the business owner, father and husband has the respect of the Alaska community and an especially acute understanding of Fairbanks and its university.
Chancellor Rogers brings to the task ahead a wealth of institutional knowledge. He is a former UAF student, adjunct faculty, vice president of finance, UA regent and UA regent chair who also served in the Alaska Legislature. Rogers understands Fairbanks and the university’s position within it as well as anyone in Alaska.
Having someone lead the University of Alaska Fairbanks who has spent his adult life here and raised a family here has its advantages. Before he answered the first phone call or sent an email as chancellor he knew much of the good, the bad and the ugly that would come at him. He knows much of the untapped potential at UAF and appreciates its difficulties. Hitting the ground ready to go to work is one thing, hitting the ground knowing intensely the political and economic climate in the university and the state is another.
A good leader also knows his eyes alone do not guarantee the best vision. As his first official act, a month before he took office, Chancellor Rogers set up a transition team process to help move UAF forward. Not only is the transition team process a first in my forty years associated with UAF, it is also a process that has engaged UAF advocates and critics alike both inside and outside the institution. It cannot help but make an immediate positive impact.
The transition process is designed to identify immediate decisions the chancellor needs to make and help him identify goals for his two-year appointment as Interim Chancellor. It is not about hiring and firing. It is about improving the institution and moving it forward.
The process is straightforward. Rogers established fifteen teams of about ten people (each committee includes community members and UAF staff, faculty and students) to look at issues from administrative services to economic development as well as community engagement, student success and sustainability. Each group is tasked with developing a four-to-six page report that includes an executive summary. The reports will contain a discussion of issues, identify decisions the chancellor should make and recommend immediate actions as well as two-year goals. The reports will be integral to the process Chancellor Rogers uses to develop his agenda.
All the meetings were open to the public and the notes from the meetings are posted on line at www.uaf.edu/transition. The reports will be available for public review in early August.
UAF has grown from several buildings to a world-class research institution over the last forty years, but over time has lost some of its connection to the communities it serves throughout Alaska. With the unique opportunity of a hometown chancellor and transition team, the future at UAF looks awfully bright.
Paul McCarthy has served as director of libraries and information technology and interim vice provost of research at UAF and holds the rank of professor emeritus. He also served as president and CEO of the Western Library Network. He serves on the Economic Development Transition Committee.
Community Discussion
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UAF has a top heavy staff of over paid, do nothing "hacks". This school has not grown in student population in forty years, just look at the number of dorm rooms, not a new one built in forty years!
Collecting grant money & "research" is a higher goal than educating students. If you want to see an education facility go to UAA, there students get an education.
The state university should put the money where the number of students are & that is not Fairbanks. All UAF does is warehouse administration & research types who do not educate anyone.
Dear Mr. "woodman,"
It is unfortunate that you seem to have such a low regard for UAF, but in truth there are many wonderful aspects of our university and I am sorry you can't see them.
I think Paul McCarthy did a good job summarizing some of the exciting things that Brian is trying to put in place, and there is a lot to look forward to in my view. We are lucky he took the job.
Terrence,
woodman is right. Paul McCarthy, for instance, was interim vice provost for research. Can you tell me one reason why he was chosen for this position?
Steven Jones created the Vision Task Force 2017 with more than 50 members. Now, Brian Rogers established 15 transition teams. Please do me a favor and ask who has chosen all these members of the Vision Task Force and the transition teams. What are the criteria for their choice?
If the choice is based on leadership ability of these members, then UAF has a lot of idiots in leadership positions. Please make a web search at UAF and evaluate member for member on commonly accepted standards.
Mr. Cole,
Please show us where education is viewed higher than research at UAF.
The super computer is used by the military, Gego-Physical Dept contracts out to NASA & does studies on Global Warming, etc, etc.
Research is fine, but education of students is the state goal of UAF.
Why not put education first, instead of last. And lets not forget the
large number of former elected officals who are given jobs at UAF: is that some sort of payoff for having funded the school???
Research drives education. Without the union of the two, both education and research would stall. You may not be aware, but research activities at the university do, at least in part, fund the education activity. Different parts of the university have different foci. For example, the Institute of Arctic Biology has a research mission while the Department of Biology and Wildlife has a teaching mission - they compliment each other.
Folks, just a little background checking does a lot... Of course, you can just throw out opinions without facts, but it sure shows through...
THe University of Alaska system has three fine universities, each with their own mission:
UAS, a primarily liberal-arts undergraduate university
UAA, a comprehensive (meaning up to Master's Degree) urban university
UAF, a doctoral research university
(This isn't to leave out the excellent rural and branch campuses of each institution, which do a great job of getting higher education and technical training out to Alaskans all over this state)
If you want a good bachelor's degree in a small school setting, go to UAS. If you are place bound (in the area where half our population is located) and want a good bachelor's or master's, UAA is a fine choice. If you are wanting a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, in a traditonal university setting with an exceptional research emphasis, UAF is for you.
UAF's research MORE than pays for itself - and helps subsidize a bit towards the educational side. Look at the numbers - they are accessible to anyone who wants them. Unfortunately, the state has not kept up its side of the bargain in terms of funding the educational side, and what has come through in that regard hasn't been flowing to Fairbanks...
And skewt - Paul McCarthy's credentials are at the end of his editorial, and easily expanded through a simple google search. He's a great example of those sorts of people who coem to Fairbanks, succeed, are hired away elsewhere - and then come back here to help once again. Although retired, he still helped out with the transition team (for no pay - these groups met without renumeration) and can be seen at many sporting events in Fairbanks - just look for the guy taking the pictures for teh Nanooks hockey team, the Grizzlies, etc.... Although if that is too much, perhaps the correct question would be to ask the credentials of the questioner? His role as interim vice-chancellor for research is another example of the fallacy of the "top-heavy administration" argument - it is yet another example of people at UAF wearing more than one hat (and getting paid for only one of them).
Rogers is doing an excellent job so far in his third week on the job. I suspect any anti-UAF folks making snide comments are probably still paying off student loans from wayward college years, blaming the institution for their own failures.
"The super computer is used by the military, Gego-Physical Dept contracts out to NASA & does studies on Global Warming, etc, etc.
Research is fine, but education of students is the state goal of UAF.
Why not put education first, instead of last."
Students do use the super computer for educational purposes.
Have you asked anyone up there about the super computer? What did you base your comment on? Woodman, these kind of posts lead me to believe that you're just making stuff up.
"woodman - ...Please show us where education is viewed higher than research at UAF."
Answer: the UAF Engineering Dept. A great bunch of professors that truly care for their students. While some research is done, the students remain the top priority.
J_Loury,
a Vice Provost for Research should be familiar with the basics of cutting edge research as indispensable in doctoral programs. Paul McCarthy has had no knowledge about doctoral programs. It seems that he has no doctoral degree. Take a look on his publication record, the common measure to assess a researcher. Now as a professor emeritus for library sciences he is a member of the transition team "Community Economic Development". That's great.
Also Brian Rogers has no doctoral degree like his predecessors Joan Wadlow, Marshall Lind, or Steven Jones. This is a awkward sign for the sole University of Alaska campus that offers doctoral programs.
UAF has eight vice chancellors including the its provost. These people are paid for doing their job, and their salaries are very high compared with the salaries of Governor Palin and many of UAF's full professors. Creating 15 transition teams with more than 100 members suggests that these vice chancellors need advice from Tom, Dick, and Harry. I am not smart enough to understand this signal?.
Anyone who knows me is aware that I am not a UA(F) cheerleader. However...
The persistent blather promulgated here (and elsewhere) that research endeavors undercut students and the student experience is ignorant, uninformed, and just plain wrong. Virtually EVERY research project has a component to support Graduate and/or Undergraduate students. Research projects pay student salaries, pay student tuition and fees, and give students on the job training and skill development they wouldn't get elsewhere. Do you want your students (future employees/future professionals for hire) instructed by someone that can't be bothered to stay current and competitive in their field? I want professors that are intellectually curious and interested.
Brian appears to be the first Chancellor that is thinking about UAF's role and perception in the greater community. The transition and integration methods he has to go through are SOP for any large organization, so give the guy a break. For now. Keep an eye on things. Even though he's Chancellor, he's got a lot of institutional entropy to overcome, and it won't be easy.
Should've hired Wylie Rogers.
I've heard it all before. Each new chancellor recieved the same glowing praise when they took the position. Each one raised tuition, raised fees, undercut students at every turn.
I'll believe it when I see it and history is not on his side.
Glowing praise from who? Not me, and not many people I know.
Let's look at the Chancellors over the last 20 years
PJ O'Rourke - Good Ol' Boy
Joan Wadlow - well, they took what they could get. She could have been worse.
Marshall Lind - Good Ol' Boy that needed a job
Stephen Jones - well, they took what they could get and he immediately alienated the community
Brian Rogers - Good Ol' Boy that didn't need a job.
The fact that he didn't need the job is actually promising. It's not like he wasn't already doing fairly well for himself elsewhere, and this would turn out to be another form of politician welfare. UA has become a halfway house for oustered politicians, which is sad.
Chancellor's don't raise fees and tuition, the Board of Regents has that power.
Students allow themselves to be undercut by not standing up for their own rights and interests. Look how many members of student government (the ones that are supposed to be representing student interests) go on to be staffers for the same legislators that don't/won't fund the university. The same legislators/commissioners that seem to have UA System jobs magically created for them once they are no longer in office. Most of the "official" student reps are only looking out for their personal resumes and future job prospects.
The final thing to remember is that he's an Interim Chancellor. If you think he can walk in, kick butt and take names, you're deluded. Change is going to have to come slowly or it will freak people out, and they will do everything they can to obstruct him and wait him out. That's basic human nature, never mind that it applies to organizational mangement.
I'm not praising him or cheering him. I'm too jaded for that. But, he hasn't fell on his face yet, and is making an effort to improve. That's something. If you ever watched MadTv, this is time to cue the music for "Lowered Expectations"... Because after all these years, that is what I have.
I went to UAA for my first two years, and UAF my second.
UAA is a basic State University. You go in, take your test, and get your degree, nothing special. I had straight A's at UAA. Never attended a class, except to test or turn in work. UAF kicked my rear. I got a C in my first class that I had to be in for 6 hours a week and do about 10 hours a week of homework/studying. I worked my butt off, learned more and got lower grades. It brought me to a whole new level. The standards are higher. That is because the staff there are required to DO as well as TEACH. They require you to be able to actually do things in your field, not just spit out what is in the book. They are actual working scientists, engineers and such. UAA is NOWHERE near as intensive as UAF. I believe it is do to the staff being required to still do research and make relevant studies, as well as bring money to the school through grants. UAA is a party school. UAF is going to turn into UAA because of all the negativity and wanting to be Duke or something. UAF is not about sports, not about having the most students graduate, it is about being able to actually get a job in your field because you know what you're doing, from people who do it.
Also, it's about $2000 a semester for in-state. How is that high tuition? They have done a great job keeping costs down, because they require staff to get money from other places, not just the students.
Well, finally we're starting to see some folks actually talking about giving Brian a chance. How long since a Fairbanksan has been chancellor? Time will tell, but a note above is quite true...any major changes will come slowly and deliberately, especially in Brian's interim capacity. And as far as the comment above about Joan Wadlow...no, it really couldn't have been worse. She set the university back 15 years during her time here. Her systematic dismantling of the administration and infrastructure was to say the least, unwise and unsettling. It started an unfortunate downward spiral which the university has yet to fully recover from. Brian is the first ray of hope to come out of there in a long, long time. UAF is an incredible educational bargain for Alaskans.
I like living in a town with a university and I suspect most do. That is why the problems at UAF are so disappointing. I lay the blame on the Regents and the bloated administration. I feel funding would flow more easily from the legislature if there was greater accountability. That said, I have hope that Brian Rogers will do some good if they don't quickly run him out. Good luck.
You all need to look at the company that Rogers is part owner. interesting to say the least. I am sure the public can find out what I am talking about. Then see what is really going on.
As a student I have complaints about different obstacles UAF seems to present from time to time- but as far as UAF only catering to researchers and 'non-educating' types, it's complete hogwash.
I've had great professors and thorough core classes up into my field of study. Two years in I was able to get exceptionally great experience in the field and working with many professors early on. I've also had a cousin go through the engineering department, and with the experience he had working with rockets, he was later able to rise above out-of-state competition and now works on telescopes for groups such as NASA.
I think students know UAF has a reputation of being a 'science school' and maybe take that in consideration when attending. Although I do like the liberal arts departments as well- it's nice to walk down from the office every now and then this month and hear whatever music is going on in the Hall for lunchtime.
As far as the new chancellor, it seems like he's at least trying to get a good amount of positive changes done now. Who knows if it'll last, or if they'll really turn out well, but at least he's doing stuff. The last chancellor tried making it a requirement to pay $100 for sporting events, couldn't believe that. I do hope that Rogers keeps education and research the main goal of the campus, and not make sports and elective costs requirements.
Moose- due to perceived & real conflict of interest he is not currently working in the company he has ownership in. That was dealt with months ago.
Really?? Is that why Jim Johnson is leaving and the redesign is not happening now??
where have you been?
UAF's last chancellor had no intention of making UAF more than a 'cup of coffee' stop, a rung on the ladder. He made no friends out of M.B.S. students with one of his selfish actions. I can't say I know much about Mr. Rogers, but UAF, and especially its current and future students, deserve much better than a mercenary chancellor. UAF needs to get one that'll stick; who's fully committed to the school, and willing to go to bat for it.
Oh, and thank you iwishiwereascientist; at least someone who actually takes classes up there piped up. Some people will BITCH about paying for anything that doesn't *directly* pay them back. I pay property taxes for schools, Woodman; got any kids? Why the +++ should I pay for them to go to +++ing middle school? . . . Because some things have to be done collectively, that's why. Use any services that *everybody* pays for? I use almost none; but I have *no problem* with contributing my part.
My only gripe with the transition teams were the few current students sitting on them. There are plenty of Alum. I wrote Chancellor Rogers and told him so when the News-Miner published the article that he was looking for community letters.
No response.
Chancellor Rogers has some work ahead of him, and I guess we'll see how he does during the upcoming year.
I just earned a degree from UAF and I couldn't be in a more polar opposite stance to those that say that UAF is just a research university and they don't care about the educational side. Yes, UAF was founded based on a research institution, it was originally the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines which was based in research. It has eveolved to include teaching and it is my opinion that all the faculty are excellent and need to be recognized for it. And as for the research side of things, UAF is one of the few institutions in the nation that allows for undergraduate students to become involved in research that has national applications and teaches those students about their chosen fields so they have some hands on experience. So how is the research component not mixing with the educational?
Oh also, TaniaC, as a former member of ASUAF, do you know what that is? It's the Associated Students of UAF, the student government. And as for not standing up against new fees and other actions I would ask that you sit in on a Senate meeting and see what happens and what they do. For the past four years they have dealt with a chancellor that couldn't care less what they had to say and didn't want to hear about it. Take the new sports fee that students are going to be paying starting this fall, the chancellor and athletics director pushed it through when students were taking finals and leaving for christmas break. I know the president of UAF at the time and when he heard about it he was under stress and did as much as he could with what little time and tools he had at his disposal. So did the student senate. Is that also why ASUAF sends almost 15 students to Juneau every year to lobby for full funding of the university? Also going to Board of Regents meetings and having prepared reasons why they shouldn't raise tuition isn't standing up for their interests? try going to one of those meetings and see how the BOR reacts to you and tuely listens to your words.
Next time you want to accuse ASUAF of not doing anything then go to a meeting and then maybe you can say something about it.
I am a consumer. My family is a consumer. We shopped around for post-seondary education when the time came. In the end, we opted for the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. It ended up as a good school with mostly good classes and staff. Like all public universities, it had its weaknesses. It has some teachers with their own agendas and some classes that don't even resemble their class descriptions. But, in the end, all of our family members who attended UAF got a solid college education for a whole lot less money than they would have paid anywhere else. And, we had the good fortune to have our kids around all through their college years. Now, we are interested in having a sound university for our grandkids when the time comes.
I know Mr. Rogers has been around Fairbanks for a long time in a number of different positions. Even if he is a well-known liberal politcal activist (surprise - surprise) maybe his business experience can help develop UAF into an even stronger school.
But, one thing for sure, our school, like all schools, needs input from more than the insiders normally named to study committees. Consumers need to provide input on a regular basis. And there is a difference between input and criticism. Hopefully, Mr. Rogers and other decision makers will listen - and then act appropriately.
Good luck Mr. Rogers. We, as alumni and future consumers, will be watching.
Has it occurred to any of you that Mr. Rogers will continue living in Fairbanks after his two-year interim chancellorship is up? Unlike Mr. Jones who came from outside and has fled back there, Mr. Rogers will still be shopping and living and working in this relatively small community after his work at UAF is finished. I would think that would be a powerful motivator to not mess up. Will we agree with everything he does? Of course not. But can we respect his attempts to move the university forward after some bad years? Anyone who is willing to tackle the tough sledding of this job deserves a fair chance. I would hope that people would work with him as a neighbor and not as a outside enemy.
Brian Rogers has a long history of being a collaborative leader. He builds coalitions, and he collaborates. What a contrast to the former chancellor whose favorite leadership tactics included raising fees and changing rules during semester breaks and summer breaks when students are gone, and most faculty and staff are off contract. Rogers will be good for our community and our university. The transition team process was a great idea, and a signal that Rogers will engage with all constituents. Now, let's see if he can clean up the Athletics Department and do some downsizing at the top of the organizational chart.
I disagree with glow. Brian Rogers brings absolutely nothing to the table and it is just more of the same BS. Education is a by-product and not an applied effort in Fairbanks. UAF is equivalent to a community college level outside. I attended both.
Being a world class research facility has nothing to do with the discussion ... UAF is an empire all it's own and has sucked off the community for 30 years that I know of personally.
Now they want free bus rides!
James...do you have any idea what you are talking about re: "free" bus rides? Did you not follow the story? UAF is subsidizing the pilot project this year with cash and if it is found to be successful, they will subsidize the project to the tune of more than $200K next year. Hardly sounds free to me. Besides...parking services is one of the most lucrative revenue generators on campus. Would they really be willing to give up some of that cash unless they truly wanted to try and help students, faculty and staff?
And again, another posting where the individual obviously has no clue about the type of person Brian is. Once again...give him a chance before raining on his parade. So far the days are (figuratively) sunny...keep the umbrellas in the closet for a while.
James: So THAT's why UAF is accredited by the...
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
American Association of Museums
American Bar Association
American Chemical Society
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
Council on Social Work Education
Federal Aviation Administration
National Association of Schools of Music
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Alaska State Board of Education
Society of American Foresters
It's just because it's a big ol' expensive Community College, right? Bunch of country rubes, right?
oldakcuss .... I respectfully disagree and your logic is fouled. You sound to be one who thinks there is free money in this world. You need to re-think this and get your facts lined up. It is appropriate to give this to the students, but not to employees or faculty. If UAF wanted really wanted to give students a break, as you are suggesting, they could simply remove the parking fee or lower the cost right? I didn't think so. What they are doing is looking for another handout in disguise and got the FNSB Mayor to sponsor it. Brian Rogers brings nothing new to the table.
I have nothing against the man but I just don't see the bargain or value for the $$. I posted on that story BTW ... how about you?
Where exactly do you think UAF gets this money to "pay as you say" for the rides? From the state and taxpayers of course. In the alternate I guess they could wave the wand and a pile of cash will appear ... is that what you're suggesting?
UAF is blowing smoke with the mayor and what is really going on is that they are looking for free rides to some of the highest paid groups in the area ... that is just plain STUPID. All because of the high price of gas ... give me a you know what break!
Henry, you are blinded by the smoke screen. Being accredited by any other group means very little today. At best, it offers a starting point to decide it one will look at the credentials closer., As you know, it is relatively easy to get those endorsements because it is in their own self interest that they are given. Even with them in place they have nothing to do wit the quality of the education received.
It is like going to law school. You have to come from an "accredited" school and guess who controls the accreditation .... surprise.
Same with FAA ... surprise?
You can get an education at UAF but it is not a quality one and it is not a bargain, even for residents, by any stretch. UAF is just too big on the empire side of things. A good community college offers an equivalent level of education at a fraction of the cost ... they don't have empires however.
James: What are you basing this claim--that a UAF education is equivalent to a community college--on?
James. You are so caught up in your anti-UAF sentiment that you miss another key point to this program...and one that hasn't been widely publicized. By giving away the "free rides" as you call them, not only is UAF providing people a savings on fuel consumption, but with the number of faculty, staff and students that drive to campus each day...it could also have an impact on the amount of emissions during the season when Interior air quality is compromised the most. I'm not saying UAF is going all "green", but there are other benefits to the program from a borough perspective aside from the cost savings to the riders who take advantage of this. If it was just a cost-savings for UAF employees...do you really think the borough would be as "gung-ho" to participate in this joint venture? Your negativity clouds your pespective.
James:
I totally agree with you! It says that Rogers has groups to study what is happening at UAF to help it along. Funny how that works, the people in this group are people that are high in the food chain.
Get rid of the decal costs that would help everyone! Get rid of the execuatives that get vehicles to drive around in. Get rid of the relocation allowances that these people get yet others don't. Do you see any one receiving them? NOT!
What a joke UAF has become!
James...how can UAF recieve taxpayer money when you (and everyone alaskan) do not pay any state taxes? The $20k paid and the future committment of $200,000 comes from the fees the EMPLOYEES and FACULTY pay to park on campus (which is 2 timmes as much as students pay). They pay it from the majic pile of money each one gets every other Firday
woodman...if your wish comes true, and UAF leaves Fairbanks, the 2500 employees and 10,000 students will leave with it. Short of the Army post closing, it would cause an unbelievable economic hole, the equivalent of the 1929 Great Deparession in Fairbanks.
Give UAF a chance! They have great people, Fairbanks people. Great programs... from welders to engineers. Why is the community so against this agency? The bloated part is the statewide administration, not UAF. If you want to bang on someone, make it the Regents. Most of them are Murkowski's legacy so that is where complete overhaul needs to start.
And ohh, by the way. Tuition could be ALOT higher if it were not for research. For every dollar that comes from the state coffers, UAF can turn that into 6 dollars in external funding (most of that being research grants, and private donations.) UAF research subsidizes the entire operation (financial, academic, community service, etc) so don't knock it!!
Well this isn't about the "individual people" at UAF. It is about a misguided give-away with a hysterical mayor. Giving freebies to one of the highest paid work groups in Fairbanks is just ludicrous and irresponsible. If it is necessary then give it to people who deserve it and can use it the most.
Increasing rider ship is the boroughs angle so they can get more federal money.
duramax as you well know working people pay taxes and these programs are paid for with a substantial amount of federal dollars. Additionally, the state funds which will actually pay the bill could be better spent on something that the entire community could use instead of the select few. This is elementary common sense duramax. It is also the crux of the discussion.
Henry I started in community college after I got out of the Marine Corps ... then went to UAF and then went to UCR ... total of 6 years. That’s how I know
Research grants is just another fancy way of saying a federal program of some sort ...lol.
I tried to hire a couple of engineering grad students for the summer years ago and the first thing that happened was the faculty wanted me to jump through a bunch of hoops so they could get a grant. They would pay me as an administrator too ... what a crock and it certainly does cost the taxpayer someplace down the line.
fsjlp18 - It's entirely likely we've met, but so you know...
I'm a former senator, former member of multiple boards, former club president, a current officer of the Alumni association, and recently spent time observing ASUAF as part of class on group communication. I've been to plenty of ASUAF meetings, of all types, over the years. I've had students that worked for me on the senate, boards, and other student organizations. I have a basis from which to form an opinion, even if we agree to disagree.
I appreciate your zeal and passion, that's good. But don't tell me to go do something that I've been involved with directly and/or peripherally since 1989. First, ask me if I know what I'm talking about. If I don't and I'm pontificating ignorantly, then rip me a new one, that's fair. Heck, that's deserved!
If you're at the fair on Friday, stop by the Alumni Burger Booth, it's always nice to meet a new grad.
Oh, and AK is the 2nd worst state in the union at supporting it's college system, Woody (behind only MS). Guess where that lands? Yeah, it lands with a *thump* on Alaska students who (1) pay massively increasing tuition, and (2) maybe don't get admitted because UAF needs more high-tuition out of staters. What a deal for such a rich (yes RICH) state.
James, do you really think that attendance at a single community college, UAF, and UCR for a total of six years really makes you qualified to state that UAF is essentially a community college? Go to about 10 other state universities of similar size to UAF. That ought to change your tune.
If UAF wanted to ease the pain of travel, they should wave the parking fee. They won't, because no parking fee means no decal which means no tickets for not having the decal.
There will be a new fee or an increase in an existing fee to pay for the "free" busrides. That is just how UAF operates. Taking money from students is the first order of business. Teaching them is probably around 100 on a list.
I know this from having attended UAF and having friends who work at UAF. The school is a joke.
All the previous people to hold Mr. Rogers position did nothing for the students but make sure their bank accounts got lighter and lighter each year.
I loved my prof who had office hours at 6 AM, taught 1 class (macroecomincs at 9 AM) 3 days a week. He was NEVER at his office. Complaints were made by most of the class, the dean let us know that we should drop the class if we don't like how the prof is teaching it.
UAF is a (barely) glorified community college with 3rd rate atheletics (except rifle, which they are awesome) that they force the students to subsidize.
Pavel, aren't you the same fellow who claimed GVEA was "the worst utility company on the planet, bar none?" I think that was you. What does that say about your ability to judge the quality of an organization?
If it wasn't you who said that, I apologize.
UAF a "community college"? It's hard to believe you've BEEN 'outside' if you think that, James. UAF has strengths and weaknesses like any other university, but at some of it's strengths it is a World Class institution (and recognized as such).
I think it says a lot, as GVEA is the worst utility company. In the lower 48, I couldn't find a single utility company that creates as much energy from diesel generators as GVEA. GVEA built a that new diesel plant to supply their 5 largest customers yet we are footing the bill for the diesel. GVEA didn't hedge against the rising cost of oil, unlike every other utility I could find information on in the lower 48. GVEA spent millions of our dollars for a battery backup system that doesn't work. GVEA wasted millions of our dollars on HCCP. GVEA did nothing, NOTHING, to prepare for the rising cost of oil except become more dependant on it. We will be getting a new rate increase of 7% next year and as soon as GVEA line workers join the IEBW we'll get an even larger one to pay for it.
I didn't speak blindly on GVEA, I did do the research. If I didn't believe this current energy cost problem in the Interior was their fault, I'd say that just like I do for Flint Hills.
UAF has some world class programs. Engineering, biology, wildlife management, geosciences to name a few. But overall, it is a terribly run institution. Their financial aid department is missing tens of thousands of dollars which might cost them ALL federal aid. That would force many students to withdraw. Simple accounting should't be an issue, but it is. New fees to subsidize an atheletic department that is largely undeserving of support. Yearly increases in fees and tuition to offset the horribly bloated administration costs. Professors who are there simply to collect a paycheck, evidenced by the student reviews that blast them for poor teaching skills and bad attitudes.
I don't have anything against Mr. Rogers, I don't know anything about him. What I do know is that every chancellor in recent memory has failed to address any of the problems that erode student confidence and bank accounts. They allow the waste to continue unabated. They allow programs to lose accreditation, to go on probation for improvement (SOM and Pyschology).
The chancellor, the Board of Regents, all of them just plow ahead with the destruction of UAF. In my experience with UAF, so long as tuition checks clear and their paychecks keep coming then they see no problems and no reason to change the status quo.
UAF has its share of problems, but it's also got a new chancellor who has new ideas and a different leadership style. Give Rogers a chance to tackle the problems he inherited from previous leaders before bashing him. To those who criticize UAF for being "just" a "glorified" community college... remember that UAF offers a range of degree options. A community college degree is among them, along with certificate programs, BA/BS degrees, MA/MS degrees, and PhD degrees.
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