Herbst Talk's UConn's Path Forward In The Face Of Uncertainty

[Drew]

One-on-one: Herbst talks UConn’s path forward in face of uncertainty


Thought the journalist here was pretty ridiculous with very pointed questions but Herbst put him in his place. Decent read and confirms Herbst is great for this university

 

[pepband99]

Wow, this continued mantra that Herbst isn't student-friendly boggles the mind. The comments even point to this.

She's clearly trying to upgrade UConn into very rarefied air when it comes to peer universities. How a student could actually ask about "value of degree" and think they're a hero is really astounding.

 

[Drew]

Wow, this continued mantra that Herbst isn't student-friendly boggles the mind. The comments even point to this.

She's clearly trying to upgrade UConn into very rarefied air when it comes to peer universities. How a student could actually ask about "value of degree" and think they're a hero is really astounding.

For the most part- the students I dealt with before graduating in 2015 that didn't like her were the ones with "humanities" type degrees and feel as though she is "ignoring" them and their degrees in favor of other ones (which she is and quite frankly should be doing). These kids don't understand that the STEM and Business programs bring a lot more national recognition than the theology program (or something equivalent) and therefore get mad over every little thing that happens. Its quite frustrating.

 

[pepband99]

For the most part- the students I dealt with before graduating in 2015 that didn't like her were the ones with "humanities" type degrees and feel as though she is "ignoring" them and their degrees in favor of other ones (which she is and quite frankly should be doing). These kids don't understand that the STEM and Business programs bring a lot more national recognition than the theology program (or something equivalent) and therefore get mad over every little thing that happens. Its quite frustrating.

You mean, like journalism? (yes I'm taking the leap that the reporter was a journalism major).
This was a clear hatchet job. I'd also take the leap that the reporter was from Litchfield County.

 

[Palatine]

She should have just answered the questions instead of attacking the reporter. Poor kid.

 

[CL82]

She should have just answered the questions instead of attacking the reporter. Poor kid.

Not sure if you are flaming here, Pal, but I'm going to say it wasn't a good look for Susan. Now we don't know what set it up. Was he late? Did he stray from an approved script? We know he didn't do the prep that she requested. In the end though, she got played but a student reporter. Not horribly, but she was maneuvered into looking authoritarian and dismissive.

The rules for an interview is to always be polite and engaged. You can move people off a topic but be polite in doing so. Think Patrick Swayze from Roadhouse:



I get the sense that Susan is not the type of person to make the same mistake twice. So she'll either "be nice" next time or there won't be next time.

 

[Excalibur]

She could have handled this much better. I hate to agree with the ad guy, but he's right -- the last thing you want to do is be dismissive. If you don't like the questions or the kid's tone (which I can guarantee you was aggressive and accusatory), just give the fluff answer and move on.

 

[huskymedic]

You mean, like journalism? (yes I'm taking the leap that the reporter was a journalism major).
This was a clear hatchet job. I'd also take the leap that the reporter was from Litchfield County.

I'm guessing there is some history here...

 

[Fishy]

The kid looks dopey here.

Do the interview straight down the middle. It's either a transcript or it's not - the addition of his interpretation of her reactions is self-serving.

 

[John Greene]

Keeping in mind that unedited transcripts usually are tough reading, that was one of the worst I have ever read. The reporter's questions were almost filibusters and on many of her answers Herbst sounded more like a truck driver than the president of a major university.