Weingarten out of the UofC

[Canada 02]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Busines...519/story.html

I haven't been at the UofC for a number of years, but this doofus was in charge for my last few years there. Sky high tuition, ridiculous faculty mergers, diverting government funds from intended departments and faculties, new buildings without new staff/faculty - thats his legacy

good riddance to this bum!

[MRCboicgy]

Maybe with MRC getting University status, his life no longer had meaning.

[Clarkey]

What was with the long hair and beard anyway? Was he trying to ingratiate himself to the university population?

They need an oil man in there running the show, someone who will clean house... cut the philosophy and fine arts departments, boost corporate sponsorships and build condo's on site.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

What was with the long hair and beard anyway? Was he trying to ingratiate himself to the university population?

They need an oil man in there running the show, someone who will clean house... cut the philosophy and fine arts departments, boost corporate sponsorships and build condo's on site.

Wow. EPIC FAIL.

It is a University not an opportunity to become whores to the Oil industry.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

Maybe with MRC getting University status, his life no longer had meaning.

Not to split hairs, but MRC does not have university status just yet. The fact is they are not even able to apply for university status yet. It all hinges on the proposed legislation being passed. It does appear likely but as has been shown ad nauseum over the years, predicting the actions of government is far from an exact science.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

What was with the long hair and beard anyway? Was he trying to ingratiate himself to the university population?

They need an oil man in there running the show, someone who will clean house... cut the philosophy and fine arts departments, boost corporate sponsorships and build condo's on site.

I hate opinions like these. I hope there was some intended sarcasm. If that's the way you feel, go to SAIT.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

What was with the long hair and beard anyway? Was he trying to ingratiate himself to the university population?

They need an oil man in there running the show, someone who will clean house... cut the philosophy and fine arts departments, boost corporate sponsorships and build condo's on site.

Having been privy to a few administrative meetings and listening to Big Harv, the problem was almost the opposite.

He seemed to be too busy trying to be Harvard with a second-rate public school, and not seeing the forest for the trees. His plans appeared halfwitted and expensive, the goal appeared to be to only try to increase the appeal of the school, rather than actually make programs better and increase prestige that way. He gave the appearance that he cared too much about donations from business, and only flooded Haskayne and Schulich with money, and let the grad programs and professional programs twist in the wind.

I'd also contend that they did an inadequate job convincing Farmer Stelmach and Dufus Klein that UofC needed equal funding to the UofA.

[burn_this_city]

nm, not going there.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

What was with the long hair and beard anyway? Was he trying to ingratiate himself to the university population?

They need an oil man in there running the show, someone who will clean house... cut the philosophy and fine arts departments, boost corporate sponsorships and build condo's on site.

Oh, as well (sorry if it seems I'm picking on you)... things like Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Communication and Culture, etc. are huge money makers. They can pack 400 kids in an theatre, and hit up each one for $500/course, plus the government funding, when the actual class should have a fraction of that.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Having been privy to a few administrative meetings and listening to Big Harv, the problem was almost the opposite.

He seemed to be too busy trying to be Harvard with a second-rate public school, and not seeing the forest for the trees. He plans appeared halfwitted and expensive, the goal appeared to be to only try to increase the appeal of the school, rather than actually make programs better and increase prestige that way. He gave the appearance that he cared too much about donations from business, and only flooded Haskayne and Schulich with money, and let the grad programs and professional programs twist in the wind.

I'd also contend that they did an inadequate job convincing Farmer Stelmach and Dufus Klein that UofC needed equal funding to the UofA.

Excellent post.

What Clarkey doesn't get is that the provincial government intentionally underfunds the U of C, in favor of the U of A. That is what we get for never voting anything but conservative. They know they'll win so they don't throw money at us.

And don't get me wrong I think the U of C is actually ok.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by flip

Excellent post.

What Clarkey doesn't get is that the provincial government intentionally underfunds the U of C, in favor of the U of A. That is what we get for never voting anything but conservative. They know they'll win so they don't throw money at us.

And don't get me wrong I think the U of C is actually ok.

Thanks.

The UofC is a solid regional school, and there's nothing wrong with that. Its not Harvard, Yale, Oxford or Cambridge, and it needs to stop acting like it to the detriment of the students. They should focus on getting local kids the best possible education to prepare them for the workforce. Whatever Alberta is short on (teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, etc.) should be well-funded and spacious for Alberta students first, and the world second.

I should also add, I'm not opposed to higher tuition. Education is an investment. An investment in Sociology might not be a good one, unless one plans to use it for education, law, or academic.

Lastly, Harv needed to take the fight to Ed/Ralph, and humiliate them until they cry uncle and pony out money. He didn't do it. Instead, he had ridiculous ideas like East Village Campus revitalization, which was a pipe dream at best.

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Not to split hairs, but MRC does not have university status just yet. The fact is they are not even able to apply for university status yet. It all hinges on the proposed legislation being passed. It does appear likely but as has been shown ad nauseum over the years, predicting the actions of government is far from an exact science.

I doubt they are changing their mind this time. The paperwork is all done, it just needs the 'John' Hancock. VP's words not mine.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

I doubt they are changing their mind this time. The paperwork is all done, it just needs the 'John' Hancock. VP's words not mine.

I don't think UofC views the Mount Royal University thing in an adversarial nature. In a city of a million people there should be three universities. Considering that the UofC already has the physical and human infrastructure in place, they can now stop focusing on trying to be everything to everyone and start becoming more of a place that attracts the top students in the Calgary area to top quality academic programs.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

I don't think UofC views the Mount Royal University thing in an adversarial nature. In a city of a million people there should be three universities. Considering that the UofC already has the physical and human infrastructure in place, they can now stop focusing on trying to be everything to everyone and start becoming more of a place that attracts the top students in the Calgary area to top quality academic programs.

I was told by someone very high up, not Harv mind you, that the UofC was looking forward to Mount Royal University, as it gives them the ability to raise tuition and shoot up the grade requirements for entry to give their prestige a boost. This was of course, off the cuff and after the official spiel, hence I won't name names.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by MRCboicgy

I doubt they are changing their mind this time. The paperwork is all done, it just needs the 'John' Hancock. VP's words not mine.

Well, that's not quite true, but I know what you're getting at. It's more likely to happen than not.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I was told by someone very high up, not Harv mind you, that the UofC was looking forward to Mount Royal University, as it gives them the ability to raise tuition and shoot up the grade requirements for entry to give their prestige a boost. This was of course, off the cuff and after the official spiel, hence I won't name names.

Haha, good thing that I'm out of there.

[Traditional_Ale]

Weingarten hey?.....

they should have got this guy....

[Clarkey]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I was told by someone very high up, not Harv mind you, that the UofC was looking forward to Mount Royal University, as it gives them the ability to raise tuition and shoot up the grade requirements for entry to give their prestige a boost. This was of course, off the cuff and after the official spiel, hence I won't name names.

Spill Trotta, spill!