5/6/2011: The economists say you learn what people want by watching what they do, not what they say. Here at UO the number of students is up 20% and tuition is up 30%, while the number of faculty is unchanged, we haven’t had a raise in 3 years, and the staff have to take furloughs.
And today we learn from Greg Bolt in the RG that the UO administration is hard at work on a plan to max out our debt ceiling, borrowing money to build 2 more swimming pools:
The University of Oregon could soon launch a huge overhaul of student recreation and activities facilities if it can win quick state approval of a $160.5 million plan to expand two key buildings.
The plan, which faces some challenges, would demolish and rebuild a substantial portion of the Erb Memorial Union, the central gathering space on campus for students and student groups. It also would add more than 100,000 square feet to the Student Recreation Center, including adding a two-pool swimming center. …
The work would be financed using $13.5 million the university previously set aside for the project, $35 million in private donations and the rest through bonds repaid with the new student fee. The fee would start at $30 per term in 2011-12, rise to $60 per term in 2012-13 and after that would remain at $100 per term — that’s $300 for an academic year — until the bonds were repaid.But the university system has never before allowed a school to begin collecting fees for a student building project before the building opens. The university system has figured that the students who will graduate before the project is done shouldn’t have to help pay for it. …
It looks as though the administration is building like crazy in hopes that one day someone will put their name on the building.
So with all this building of new buildings over the years…office up grades, kudos buildings for athletics, student housing, etc…etc how much “money set aside” do they have left?
I’m also wondering if the Faculty Senate votes on these wild ass decisions the administration comes up with.
Someone needs to step up and put these administrative people in their place…they have been out of control for far too long.
OAnon. should know that any member of the Faculty (active or emeritus) can introduce legislation to the Senate. In a matter of this sort (i.e., foolishly spending money) don’t expect the Administration to do it for you.
Does anyone know whether Rob Mullens plans to re-initiate swimming as a varsity sport at UO? Some people think that the plan to put swimming pools in the EMU is for the purpose of liberating the regulation-sized pools for team use. These same people think that would be another example of our Athletic Department dumping its financial burdens onto the backs of our students and our academic program. This Old Man doesn’t know what to believe.
Hi Old:
I hadn’t heard the swimming team story. Got any details? Makes total sense though. Mullens’s contract gives bonuses for adding more sports, via the inane “Directors Cup” competition – but nothing for getting athletics on a self-sustaining financial basis.
https://uomatters.com/2010/10/perverse-incentives-for-mullens.html