UConn @ AAC Media Days (July 23/24)

[JMick]

Humor me ... what is your preferred aggregation of Football playing universities to bring eyeballs to our Team?

Given we failed to be offered entrance to the B1G or ACC?

I suppose you are one of the rejoin the Big East gang ... and drop Football. Sorry. We (our administration) made a tough decision along this journey. We are best proceeding with Bigtime football given a enormous capital investment. This conference is Big Cities in Growth regions of the country. It gives us a chance. Unlike whaler11, I believe we can now see where AAC fits on the Football screen schedule. It is good competitive football and it has a audience that watches.

You talk out of both sides of your mouth. Stuck? Then about a dozen of you will rant about Herbst - who wasn't near our campus at the time our future was in crisis. Yet, you are frequently complaining about the conference in whatever way suits you ... in spite of your protestation that you don't.

that's an awful lot of words to say nothing.

personally? If the next deal isn't worth $6mm+ then dropping football is a no brainer. The Big East is getting $5mm/school and they don't have all the costs associated with football to worry about.

 

[whaler11]

Humor me ... what is your preferred aggregation of Football playing universities to bring eyeballs to our Team?

Given we failed to be offered entrance to the B1G or ACC?

I suppose you are one of the rejoin the Big East gang ... and drop Football. Sorry. We (our administration) made a tough decision along this journey. We are best proceeding with Bigtime football given a enormous capital investment. This conference is Big Cities in Growth regions of the country. It gives us a chance. Unlike whaler11, I believe we can now see where AAC fits on the Football screen schedule. It is good competitive football and it has a audience that watches.

You talk out of both sides of your mouth. Stuck? Then about a dozen of you will rant about Herbst - who wasn't near our campus at the time our future was in crisis. Yet, you are frequently complaining about the conference in whatever way suits you ... in spite of your protestation that you don't.

Yeah we saw again. ESPNU crapped on the AAC.

Comcast is willing to walk away from BTN and Big Ten games on FS1 - but keep
thinking someone is going to pony up for BIG CITY SCHOOLS like Tulsa and Tulane.

P.S. Herbst is useless at anything besides wasting money. She ran for the hills at the first hint of cutbacks.

In her new polysci class she should have Edsall come talk about how to get something simple done in the legislature - because she didn’t have the juice to get the tight ends coach hired permanently.

Five years from now when you Herbst fools are trying to figure out why the campus looks like ruins from ancient Greece I’m going to have hardy laugh. Spending money you don’t have has a habit of biting you in the rear....

 

[huskymedic]

 

[uconnphil2016]

So the ESPN U thing is actually complicated. Rumor has it that the one guy who was supposed to be doing the show is in the midst of a contract dispute and his agent made him refuse to do the show or something. I think that’s what happened, or something like that. I forget the guys name. It had nothing to do with the AAC screwing up

 

[Pudge]

that's an awful lot of words to say nothing.

personally? If the next deal isn't worth $6mm+ then dropping football is a no brainer. The Big East is getting $5mm/school and they don't have all the costs associated with football to worry about.

How do you amortize a stadium + Shenkman + Burton + a lot of fixed capital cost? That $5m or whatever is simply not the sole criteria to look at this.

 

[JMick]

How do you amortize a stadium + Shenkman + Burton + a lot of fixed capital cost? That $5m or whatever is simply not the sole criteria to look at this.

How do you pay for everything that we're already paying for with half the money?

 

[Pudge]

Yeah we saw again. ESPNU crapped on the AAC.

Comcast is willing to walk away from BTN and Big Ten games on FS1 - but keep
thinking someone is going to pony up for BIG CITY SCHOOLS like Tulsa and Tulane.

P.S. Herbst is useless at anything besides wasting money. She ran for the hills at the first hint of cutbacks.

In her new polysci class she should have Edsall come talk about how to get something simple done in the legislature - because she didn’t have the juice to get the tight ends coach hired permanently.

Five years from now when you Herbst fools are trying to figure out why the campus looks like ruins from ancient Greece I’m going to have hardy laugh. Spending money you don’t have has a habit of biting you in the rear....

You talk of nothing that standard University Presidents are measured towards. That's why we should just read your first words and spin on ... like others lately. The Athletic Department is the front porch and a lot of the Brand; not insignificant. But I bet the Board spends a ton of time on real core issues that most Presidents have in their portfolio. That campus is far better than 12 years ago. And she makes Hogan & Austin look like utter modest funtionaires.

 

[gioff23]

At some point, perhaps we can agree that the sun rises in the east, 2+2=4, and none of us is excited about being in the AAC. That way, folks won’t be compelled to remind us of basic facts at every chance, relevant to the discussion or not. Just a thought

 

[huskymedic]

 

[whaler11]

You talk of nothing that standard University Presidents are measured towards. That's why we should just read your first words and spin on ... like others lately. The Athletic Department is the front porch and a lot of the Brand; not insignificant. But I bet the Board spends a ton of time on real core issues that most Presidents have in their portfolio. That campus is far better than 12 years ago. And she makes Hogan & Austin look like utter modest funtionaires.

If the criteria is good at spending money she is excellent.

I wonder if the board noticed she cut and ran as soon as the money was going to get shut off?

Complete fraud.

 

[Pudge]

If the criteria is good at spending money she is excellent.

I wonder if the board noticed she cut and ran as soon as the money was going to get shut off?

Complete fraud.

What are your credentials for this critique? Seriously.

Susan Herbst has stayed slightly longer than the average tenure of a President of a top 80 Public University. From my interaction with people that know, the academic profile and recruitment of faculty is far higher. (reference is a Drexel Provost I know) From the major connectedness of UConn Health to the Jackson Lab; the STEM push; and the Technology center ... all is going well. Fundraising is far more focused and better than Austin or Hogan. Campus Infrastructure is on a massive uptick with the hiring of a master plan - Master Plan Presents 20-Year Vision for Storrs Campus - UConn Today ... and the execution is underway (often by third party money not from the State of Connecticut or bonding). Percentage of Valedictorians from High School; Honor Students from UConn going on to higher achievement; SAT scores.

You can't just sit back and say ... darn ... "WE aren't in the ACC." Because that one is not on her.

 

[Husky25]

At some point, perhaps we can agree that the sun rises in the east, 2+2=4, and none of us is excited about being in the AAC. That way, folks won’t be compelled to remind us of basic facts at every chance, relevant to the discussion or not. Just a thought

You are forgetting that we should all know what we are talking about given that we all have been fans since Tom Jackson roamed the sidelines at Rentschler and Hugh Greer built the fieldhouse with his bare (and bear) hands (Why else was it named after him?)...Wait. What?

 

[whaler11]

What are your credentials for this critique? Seriously.

Susan Herbst has stayed slightly longer than the average tenure of a President of a top 80 Public University. From my interaction with people that know, the academic profile and recruitment of faculty is far higher. (reference is a Drexel Provost I know) From the major connectedness of UConn Health to the Jackson Lab; the STEM push; and the Technology center ... all is going well. Fundraising is far more focused and better than Austin or Hogan. Campus Infrastructure is on a massive uptick with the hiring of a master plan - Master Plan Presents 20-Year Vision for Storrs Campus - UConn Today ... and the execution is underway (often by third party money not from the State of Connecticut or bonding). Percentage of Valedictorians from High School; Honor Students from UConn going on to higher achievement; SAT scores.

You can't just sit back and say ... darn ... "WE aren't in the ACC." Because that one is not on her.

My credentials? A taxpayer who understands economics.

I don’t expect out of state academic blowhards to agree with me.

I could waste a bunch of time going line by line on topics we’ve covered before but this guy hits the nail on the head.

Senate Republican leader Len Fasano of North Haven said Wednesday that “the extravagance and overspending we have seen at UConn” is the driving force behind rising tuition and fees.

“For years, UConn’s spending on questionable priorities with little oversight has been out of control,” he said, blaming what he called unaffordable contracts, exorbitant raises and unchecked spending. “The problems they face today were self-created by a university that has failed to live within its means and has shown questionable judgment, prioritizing administrative bloat over the needs of their students.”

Building out the physical infrastructure when you can’t afford to maintain what is already built is suicide.

Everything she did was a function of money they spent that is about to disappear. Horray we spent 750 million on UConn Health which loses tens of millions and is such a tire fire they paid an 84 year old man his 200k salary for 8 months after he was murdered and disappeared.

Editorial: Audits Show Need To Tighten Belts

They burned through money like drunken techbros - BUT BUT they went from 26 to 17 in US News!!!

Where the state budget is going the entire enterprise is build on sand with waves bearing down on it. But she personally gets credit from lame academics on her way out the door. Absurd.

Oh and she ran the atheltic department into an iceberg - you know the purpose of this message board.

 

[FAIRTIDES]

If the criteria is good at spending money she is excellent.

I wonder if the board noticed she cut and ran as soon as the money was going to get shut off?

Complete fraud.

Herbst to Step Down as President in Summer 2019 - UConn Today

So, are any of the accomplishments noted in the above true? Pay particular attention to in-state tuition in comparison to what UConn may now describe as "peer" institutions. When I first saw the article I thought it might be a mis-print. But, two months later, and no change. It's also notable that the school can charge out-of-state folks a ton.

Also, unless SH's situation is different than other "civilians" that work for politicians, she has to beg and get prior legislative approval for every dime. The article states that approvals were provided on a "bi-partisan basis." QED, Mr. Fasano was in the minority. All the pols had to do was say "no." Maybe you should turn your fiscal complaint canon towards Hartford.

Finally, unless you know about secret accounts in the Caymans, skimming or kick-backs, the use of the word "fraud" is nothing more than unwarranted character assassination. She asked for money, received it from the politicians and spent the money on the projects/programs described in her request. Pretty normal stuff.

 

[CL82]

Oh and she ran the atheltic department into an iceberg - you know the purpose of this message board.

And how exactly did she do that? "By failing to get a P5 slot" really isn't an answer is it?

 

[whaler11]

Herbst to Step Down as President in Summer 2019 - UConn Today

So, are any of the accomplishments noted in the above true? Pay particular attention to in-state tuition in comparison to what UConn may now describe as "peer" institutions. When I first saw the article I thought it might be a mis-print. But, two months later, and no change. It's also notable that the school can charge out-of-state folks a ton.

Also, unless SH's situation is different than other "civilians" that work for politicians, she has to beg and get prior legislative approval for every dime. The article states that approvals were provided on a "bi-partisan basis." QED, Mr. Fasano was in the minority. All the pols had to do was say "no." Maybe you should turn your fiscal complaint canon towards Hartford.

Finally, unless you know about secret accounts in the Caymans, skimming or kick-backs, the use of the word "fraud" is nothing more than unwarranted character assassination. She asked for money, received it from the politicians and spent the money on the projects/programs described in her request. Pretty normal stuff.

I said she is a fraud not that she committed fraud.

Don’t worry I hold the legislature in even greater contempt.

It’s the temporary results of spending that can’t be sustained. Celebrate it if you like but she has set the stage for a collapse as every ‘accomplishment’ requires neverending funding which ain’t coming.

 

[whaler11]

And how exactly did she do that? "By failing to get a P5 slot" really isn't an answer is it?

You are joking right? And lol at being in the AAC isn’t partially her responsibility.

 

[CL82]

You are joking right? And lol at being in the AAC isn’t partially her responsibility.

Nope serious.

And lol at the "partially her responsibility" red herring/backtrack.

The question is what specifically Herbst do or fail to do that justifies the statement "Oh and she ran the athletic department into an iceberg"

Like I said "we're not in the P5" isn't an answer.

 

[whaler11]

Nope serious.

And lol at the "partially her responsibility" red herring/backtrack.

The question is what specifically Herbst do or fail to do that justifies the statement "Oh and she ran the athletic department into an iceberg"

Like I said "we're not in the P5" isn't an answer.

She never took it seriously and hired inept clowns who hired inept clowns.

Not being in the P5 is partially her responsibility - I never said she was fully responsible no matter how many times I have made it quite clear why I don’t believe she hasn’t done a good job. I didn’t walk anything back - you and Pudge said that not me.

We might not have a football program because of the people she hired. How can you possibly pretend she doesn’t own that?

 

[CL82]

She never took it seriously and hired inept clowns who hired inept clowns.

Ah got it. Thanks for that insight.

Still waiting to hear what you thing she could have done to get us into the P5.

So which hires upset you? Warde, Diaco and Benedict? Warde, as you know was a "superstar" who ended up at Michigan. Was he perfect, no not by a long shot, but he was an improvement over the Hathaway. Diaco was a nightmare of epic proportions but he seemed like a reasonable hire at the time coming off a Broyles Award and a great defensive season at ND. Benedict? The jury is still out. I will grant you that Ollie's contract was so one sided that we would have been stuck with him had he not violated NCAA rules triggering a just cause firing.

None of that seems iceberg worthy. What else do you have?

 

[Pudge]

My credentials? A taxpayer who understands economics.

I don’t expect out of state academic blowhards to agree with me.

I could waste a bunch of time going line by line on topics we’ve covered before but this guy hits the nail on the head.

Senate Republican leader Len Fasano of North Haven said Wednesday that “the extravagance and overspending we have seen at UConn” is the driving force behind rising tuition and fees.

“For years, UConn’s spending on questionable priorities with little oversight has been out of control,” he said, blaming what he called unaffordable contracts, exorbitant raises and unchecked spending. “The problems they face today were self-created by a university that has failed to live within its means and has shown questionable judgment, prioritizing administrative bloat over the needs of their students.”

Building out the physical infrastructure when you can’t afford to maintain what is already built is suicide.

Everything she did was a function of money they spent that is about to disappear. Horray we spent 750 million on UConn Health which loses tens of millions and is such a tire fire they paid an 84 year old man his 200k salary for 8 months after he was murdered and disappeared.

Editorial: Audits Show Need To Tighten Belts

They burned through money like drunken techbros - BUT BUT they went from 26 to 17 in US News!!!

Where the state budget is going the entire enterprise is build on sand with waves bearing down on it. But she personally gets credit from lame academics on her way out the door. Absurd.

Oh and she ran the atheltic department into an iceberg - you know the purpose of this message board.

Who is the BLOWHARD?

Clearly, as evidenced by the FAIRTIDES post ... and link ... Herbst has done a magnificent job. Her 8 years at UConn were transformational. I don't know which component you want to pick; however, the future of this institution has been significantly enhanced by her tenure. Engineering/STEM; Capital Improvements; UConn Health (and btw whether its Mayo or Cleveland Clinic or otherwise ... what they did at UConn was timely and hugely impactful); the advances in enrollment in quality and quantity; the affordability comparables; the upgrade of the faculty.

I would look Mr Fasano in the eye and say: "This is the Macro complaint of all Universities; all higher ed. It is not specific to UConn. They have had some poor decisions that have been costly. But ... this is the prime catalyst for Connecticut growth and the education of our/all children who attend."

I know it is easy for the TrumpLand folks to knock Higher Ed. It is OUR number One business in the World. Top 50 Universities on the Shanghai list of best: 38 are United States. Bloated? I would say it needs to be energized and re-directed; however, it still is our unique excellence globally.

And ... you don't have to be a Connecticut taxpayer to be a stakeholder; I can walk to the Connecticut line now. Son of an alumnus; father of an alumnus; cousin to 8 alumni; alumnus myself. I develop student housing ... so I know dozens of campuses and my view is not specific to this one in Storrs; my father was a college president, dean, professor. You can't just shoot a quick quote from a North Haven pol and impress me.

 

[whaler11]

Go to any function with high income earners in Connecticut and let me know how long it takes before the conversation turns to who recently moved, who is thinking about moving and who has their checklist before they bolt.

Around here it’s about 15 minutes.

 

[whaler11]

the "what do you do with the facilities" line was when I knew I was arguing with someone who was clueless. you're not going to change any minds here, regardless of how much better your argument is.

I get that people don’t like to face reality when reality is terrible.

The reality is that unless someone pulls a rabbit out of a hat the state is essentially insolvent.

My wife lied to me for two weeks that she didn’t know what a house sold for on our street last month. I almost threw up in my mouth.

 

[Pudge]

There was a well-written item by item list of accomplishments.

Then whaler11 came nowhere near addressing those specific things Herbst did during her tenure. So ... once again ... a dilettante demagogue.

As for the economics, we have the Rentschler Field, Burton, Schenkman and probably $30-40m more in Capital investment in Football. Why would you think a $5m to $15m deficit in revenue from broadcast pulls in a discussion of $200m of sunk costs? Sure, this is over a huge total AD budget.

I don't know what our next 10 years bring. If the point is that UConn has serious issues, I agree. In Athletics.

As for Student Housing ... too many Dads want their daughters to have their single room in a luxury building with their own bathroom. We lived on a floor with one gang bathroom. I do not think this is a large component of why students incurred massive debt. You can still go to the University of Arkansas where rents are $500 per bed instead of $1000 at the Oaks at Storrs Center.

 

[champs99and04]

Are we sure Herbst isn't getting credit for being in the right place at the right time? Her presidency coincided almost to the minute with the school's peak in athletic success. You're telling me that's not related to any of the academic jargon? Serious question.

My only real problem with Herbst - and it's a fatal one, as it turns out - is the inconsistency. I could have forgiven her for bringing down whaler's property value, so long as she was committed to a plan. To now have Benedict in here essentially committing armed robbery so the school can find enough money for a new coach kind of undermines everything she's been about.

 

[FAIRTIDES]

I get that people don’t like to face reality when reality is terrible.

The reality is that unless someone pulls a rabbit out of a hat the state is essentially insolvent.

My wife lied to me for two weeks that she didn’t know what a house sold for on our street last month. I almost threw up in my mouth.

So, your Boneyard persona in not an act. What could your poor wife fear?

 

[whaler11]

So, your Boneyard persona in not an act. What could your poor wife fear?

Same thing you Herbst dupes are going to fear in a few years. Having to admit I was right.

 

[whaler11]

There was a well-written item by item list of accomplishments.

Then whaler11 came nowhere near addressing those specific things Herbst did during her tenure. So ... once again ... a dilettante demagogue.

As for the economics, we have the Rentschler Field, Burton, Schenkman and probably $30-40m more in Capital investment in Football. Why would you think a $5m to $15m deficit in revenue from broadcast pulls in a discussion of $200m of sunk costs? Sure, this is over a huge total AD budget.

I don't know what our next 10 years bring. If the point is that UConn has serious issues, I agree. In Athletics.

As for Student Housing ... too many Dads want their daughters to have their single room in a luxury building with their own bathroom. We lived on a floor with one gang bathroom. I do not think this is a large component of why students incurred massive debt. You can still go to the University of Arkansas where rents are $500 per bed instead of $1000 at the Oaks at Storrs Center.

Please do yourself a favor and never post another number it makes you look like a complete fool.

I’ve explained to you where this is going and how it ends. You should start trying to identify who you are going to blame 5 years from now.

 

[Stray_Dog]

Who is the BLOWHARD?

Clearly, as evidenced by the FAIRTIDES post ... and link ... Herbst has done a magnificent job. Her 8 years at UConn were transformational. I don't know which component you want to pick; however, the future of this institution has been significantly enhanced by her tenure. Engineering/STEM; Capital Improvements; UConn Health (and btw whether its Mayo or Cleveland Clinic or otherwise ... what they did at UConn was timely and hugely impactful); the advances in enrollment in quality and quantity; the affordability comparables; the upgrade of the faculty.

I would look Mr Fasano in the eye and say: "This is the Macro complaint of all Universities; all higher ed. It is not specific to UConn. They have had some poor decisions that have been costly. But ... this is the prime catalyst for Connecticut growth and the education of our/all children who attend."

I know it is easy for the TrumpLand folks to knock Higher Ed. It is OUR number One business in the World. Top 50 Universities on the Shanghai list of best: 38 are United States. Bloated? I would say it needs to be energized and re-directed; however, it still is our unique excellence globally.

And ... you don't have to be a Connecticut taxpayer to be a stakeholder; I can walk to the Connecticut line now. Son of an alumnus; father of an alumnus; cousin to 8 alumni; alumnus myself. I develop student housing ... so I know dozens of campuses and my view is not specific to this one in Storrs; my father was a college president, dean, professor. You can't just shoot a quick quote from a North Haven pol and impress me.

Trumpland??? Hmmmm/ I wonder if out of the other corner of your mouth you tout that we are spending too much on defense. And the reality is we have the best military equipment in the world. Also, world class, I would say Electric Boat does more for our economy than all the spending at being done at UConn. And yes, I like the improvements to UConn - heck I like the stadium of the yard goats too but that doesn’t mean we didn’t pay too much in either instance!

 

[Chin Diesel]

Are we sure Herbst isn't getting credit for being in the right place at the right time? Her presidency coincided almost to the minute with the school's peak in athletic success. You're telling me that's not related to any of the academic jargon? Serious question.

My only real problem with Herbst - and it's a fatal one, as it turns out - is the inconsistency. I could have forgiven her for bringing down whaler's property value, so long as she was committed to a plan. To now have Benedict in here essentially committing armed robbery so the school can find enough money for a new coach kind of undermines everything she's been about.

So you're saying her WAR isn't that great?