Comments on: Benson voted next Prez of CU http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/20/benson-voted-next-prez-of-cu/ History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:22:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Historiann http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/20/benson-voted-next-prez-of-cu/#comment-1121 Historiann Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:53:15 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/20/benson-voted-next-prez-of-cu/#comment-1121 Call me a dreamer, GayProf--I expected that academic credentials and experience might count for something! But they obviously don't count as much as connections and the big buck$ in this hick state! Colorado is in fact Western West Virginia, Rad, because it's where cronyism and extractive industries reign supreme! The only difference is that there are more colleged-educated people in Colorado, but we're all from somewhere else--Colorado has to import its educated people because it's not making enough on its own. Now, on to cronyism in small states like West Virginia (and Colorado): this may or may not be the fault of the President of WVU that you cite, but check out this controversy concerning the fake-o MBA that was retroactively awarded to the daughter of the Governor of the state: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07355/843469-28.stm (If anyone has more updated information, please post it. I've seen more recent stories, but this one seemed to have the best overview of the situation.) Call me a dreamer, GayProf–I expected that academic credentials and experience might count for something! But they obviously don’t count as much as connections and the big buck$ in this hick state! Colorado is in fact Western West Virginia, Rad, because it’s where cronyism and extractive industries reign supreme! The only difference is that there are more colleged-educated people in Colorado, but we’re all from somewhere else–Colorado has to import its educated people because it’s not making enough on its own.

Now, on to cronyism in small states like West Virginia (and Colorado): this may or may not be the fault of the President of WVU that you cite, but check out this controversy concerning the fake-o MBA that was retroactively awarded to the daughter of the Governor of the state:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07355/843469-28.stm

(If anyone has more updated information, please post it. I’ve seen more recent stories, but this one seemed to have the best overview of the situation.)

]]> By: Rad Readr http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/20/benson-voted-next-prez-of-cu/#comment-1064 Rad Readr Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:48:46 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/20/benson-voted-next-prez-of-cu/#comment-1064 The university president is increasingly becoming like the CEO -- big salaries that are 1000X what the lowest paid workers earn, amazing fundraising expectations (this has been around a while). I wouldn't be surprised if more institutions begin to drop academic backgrounds altogether. Having said all that, I read recently about a president at West Virginia who also came from a kind of money/politics background rather than an academic one. The faculty senate voted a no confidence in the hire, but now it turns out he has worked really well with the faculty -- and seems to be much better than expected. Colorado, however, is no West Virginia. (I have no idea what that last comment means.) The university president is increasingly becoming like the CEO — big salaries that are 1000X what the lowest paid workers earn, amazing fundraising expectations (this has been around a while). I wouldn’t be surprised if more institutions begin to drop academic backgrounds altogether. Having said all that, I read recently about a president at West Virginia who also came from a kind of money/politics background rather than an academic one. The faculty senate voted a no confidence in the hire, but now it turns out he has worked really well with the faculty — and seems to be much better than expected. Colorado, however, is no West Virginia. (I have no idea what that last comment means.)

]]> By: GayProf http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/20/benson-voted-next-prez-of-cu/#comment-1062 GayProf Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:39:28 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/20/benson-voted-next-prez-of-cu/#comment-1062 Oh, HistoriAnn -- You aren't expecting university presidents to be qualified for that job, are you? Oh, HistoriAnn — You aren’t expecting university presidents to be qualified for that job, are you?

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