Worst enemies for Saluki progress on Saluki campus

[Fraydog]

Some stories just put me at a loss for words. :no:

http://newshound.de.siu.edu/spring06/stories/storyReader$636

Protestors surround Chancellor's car
Zack Quaintance

Daily Egyptian


Protestors surrounded Chancellor Walter Wendler's car Monday evening, demanding the administration take student input more seriously and showing distain for proposed tuition and student fee increases that could become official today.

More than 30 people waited for Wendler in the parking lot on the east side of Anthony Hall where the chancellor's silver Crown Victoria was parked. They said they wanted to impress upon him that students opposed his actions.

The group's leaders said they would wait all night if need be, unaware the chancellor was at home. The crowd dispersed at about 8:30 p.m., after SIUC Police Chief Todd Sigler retrieved Wendler's car.

The Board of Trustees is set to decide on proposed tuition and fee increases today at a meeting on the Edwardsville campus, and the students said they hoped to make a statement before it began.

Jon Dyer, a sophomore studying environmental resources and a senator on the Undergraduate Student Government, organized the protest and said he spotted a briefcase in the chancellor's car that Wendler presumably needed for the board meeting.

Wendler answered his home phone at about 7:15 p.m., as nearly 15 students camped around his car. It is not known how Wendler left Anthony Hall.

The disputes started last September, when Wendler proposed "Saluki Way," a massive overhaul of the east side of campus that includes a new football stadium, renovations to the SIU Arena, a student services building and several classroom buildings.

The chancellor weathered immediate criticism that the plan heavily favored athletic programs over academics. Criticism intensified in February when Wendler proposed student fees pay for half of the project, contradicting statements he made saying the project would be funded through fundraising.

The chancellor recommended raising tuition 9.4 percent to pay for general costs. He also recommended adding $44 to the athletic fee to pay for the stadium and the SIU Arena renovations, in addition to creating a $20 fee for the student services building in Saluki Way.

Three constituency groups passed resolutions opposing the plans. The Faculty Senate, which represents SIUC's professors, and both graduate and undergraduate student governments demanded academics need to take priority over any athletic construction.

"This is not a representative democracy," Wendler said in response to the resolutions. "The student government is here to give us advice."

As Wendler later toured his ideas through campus, meeting with more than 2,000 students and faculty, the complaints were minimum. In fact, many who attended the Saluki Way meetings voiced support for Wendler's ideas.

But that did not stop Whitney Shalda, a junior from Chicago studying political science, from collecting 1,200 signatures in March demanding the chancellor put academics ahead of athletics in Saluki Way. Students continued to collect signatures on the petition Monday.

Jeremy Baiman, a junior from Oak Park studying political science, solicited more signatures as students walked past the protest Monday. His efforts were largely successful.

"I've been out here for about half an hour and I got 26 new signatures," Baiman said.

Dyer said he organized the signature collection and protest with two goals in mind. The short-range goal was to get trustees to vote against raising tuition and fees. The long term, and more realistic goal, Dyer said was to mobilize students and hopefully achieve more influence in future decisions.

Several students delivered fiery speeches at the protest Monday that drew applause from attendees. Phillip Garcia, a senior from Chicago studying creative writing, said administrators should focus on hiring the best faculty.

Garcia pointed to Black American Studies as one example of a department that would benefit from increased spending on faculty recruitment.

"These areas do not have money to pay teachers while we're trying to build a new football field," Garcia said.

Garcia also addressed detractors who say the student movement against Saluki Way is not large enough.

"For everyone of us here right now there's 19 of us in class or at work who couldn't be here," he said. "And for every one of them there's 20 students who didn't know about this."

Garcia went on to say hundreds of other students would oppose Saluki Way if they were better educated. Conversely, the chancellor argued the majority of students remain silent because they support Saluki Way and trust the administration.

For now the students plan to work at expanding several student groups aimed at increasing student representation at SIUC and fighting student apathy on campus. In last month's Undergraduate Student Government presidential elections less than five percent of undergraduate students voted.

Dyer, Garcia and others have already founded student groups for this cause, but Dyer said he has a larger goal in mind. According to SIUC's 2006 operating budget, student tuition and fees represent more of the University's revenue than state allocations.

Because students give the University more money than the state, Dyer said there should be more student representatives on the Board of Trustees. Currently, the governor appoints seven of the eight trustees who vote.

Dyer called it the "taxation with out representation theory." He said he plans to appeal to the governor next year.

For now, trustees will vote on whether to raise tuition and fees today at the board meeting in Edwardsville.



Did the other Valley schools have this happen when they proposed building new facilities?

[Aargh]

I cannot say "WOW!" on enough levels.

First, the students surrounded the Chancellor's Crown Victoria. That's a rather modest mid-range American car for a Chancellor.

Second, the students are getting a big tuition bump to pay for athletics? That never flies. I attended WSU recently when tuition raises for athletics was discussed. WSU students now fund about $500K a year toward athletics, but WSU students managed to get a lot of that money earmarked for parking improvements, which benefits the students as well as the athletic programs.

Third, the fact that there's even an Athletics/Academics conversation is absurd. Moving athletic upgrades into tuition is insane.

Those who can least afford it get tagged with the cost of upgrading athletic facilities and have to pay for it for years with their college loans? That's insane!

Fourth, the students ended up protesting the Chancellor's car - not the Chancellor.

[troutangler]

Political science and creative writing. This is all you need to know.

These people have nothing better to do than protest stuff they know nothing about.

Here at MSU we have the Feminazis that file lawsuits about anything and everything. It's different, but equally as annoying.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

Personally, and I am probably in the minority here, but using student fees to pay for 1/2 of the project is alot. A nearly 10% tuition increase at one time is rather large as well. Then adding another $66 in fees on top of that. I will be surprised if this gets through.

Trout, so students being concerned about there education and the usage of their funds means they have nothing better to do? Do you care how the government uses your tax dollars? I sure as heck do. They just want to make sure that the huge increase in tuition they are going to be paying is going to support the right things.

[XSaluki]

Sounds like a political science professor gave his class a project. Tens of protestors on a campus of tens of thousands isn't very impressive.

This is where having a 'huge' donor would get things moving in the right direction.

[SiuCubFan8]

Personally, and I am probably in the minority here, but using student fees to pay for 1/2 of the project is alot. A nearly 10% tuition increase at one time is rather large as well. Then adding another $66 in fees on top of that. I will be surprised if this gets through.

Trout, so students being concerned about there education and the usage of their funds means they have nothing better to do? Do you care how the government uses your tax dollars? I sure as heck do. They just want to make sure that the huge increase in tuition they are going to be paying is going to support the right things.


It will go through.

Remember this project(Saluki Way) is not just athletics. There are many academic and administration buildings involved.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Sounds like a political science professor gave his class a project. Tens of protestors on a campus of tens of thousands isn't very impressive.

I thought the same thing when I read the quoted article. Thirty whole people surrounded the car...:lol:

Sounds like a whopping majority to me !!!!!

[WSUfan]

Some stories just put me at a loss for words. :no:

http://newshound.de.siu.edu/spring06/stories/storyReader$636



Did the other Valley schools have this happen when they proposed building new facilities?

The SIU President is an idiot. It is not that hard to get support from the constituency groups; WSU did it and KU & KSU got students to agree to 25% tuition increases. This represents a long term problem for SIU: "Three constituency groups passed resolutions opposing the plans. The Faculty Senate, which represents SIUC's professors, and both graduate and undergraduate student governments demanded academics need to take priority over any athletic construction." The SIU President needs to get student and faculty support before moving on or this will be an issue for SIU for 20 years.

"Garcia went on to say hundreds of other students would oppose Saluki Way if they were better educated. Conversely, the chancellor argued the majority of students remain silent because they support Saluki Way and trust the administration."
Students ten years from now will be told that their tuition and fees are higher because of sports and they had no say in the decision.

I'm glad Beggs came to WSU. SIU is in trouble.

[XSaluki]

The SIU President is an idiot. It is not that hard to get support from the constituency groups; WSU did it and KU & KSU got students to agree to 25% tuition increases. This represents a long term problem for SIU: "Three constituency groups passed resolutions opposing the plans. The Faculty Senate, which represents SIUC's professors, and both graduate and undergraduate student governments demanded academics need to take priority over any athletic construction." The SIU President needs to get student and faculty support before moving on or this will be an issue for SIU for 20 years.

"Garcia went on to say hundreds of other students would oppose Saluki Way if they were better educated. Conversely, the chancellor argued the majority of students remain silent because they support Saluki Way and trust the administration."
Students ten years from now will be told that their tuition and fees are higher because of sports and they had no say in the decision.

I'm glad Beggs came to WSU. SIU is in trouble.
I am pretty sure the Board of Trustees can do whatever they want. The rest is all politics.

So, let's take this to where the Shocker fans want it to go:

WSU students sit on gold chairs, the WSU Chancellor drives a ferrari, and Turgeon wipes with diamond studded toilet paper.

SIU is doomed, and the chancellor drives a crappy car....

[WSUfan]

Assuming the article does not contain factual errors, I get this impression:

1. Wendler is dishonest.
Criticism intensified in February when Wendler proposed student fees pay for half of the project, contradicting statements he made saying the project would be funded through fundraising.

2. Wendler does not understand universities. Students and faculty can vote with their feet. (Maybe WSU should recruit SIU faculty and existing and potential SIU students in about five years?)
"This is not a representative democracy," Wendler said in response to the resolutions. "The student government is here to give us advice."

3. Wendler is extremely naive (i.e. nobody trusts "the administration.")
Conversely, the chancellor argued the majority of students remain silent because they support Saluki Way and trust the administration.

4. WOW! Is SIU a "state supported institution"?
Dyer, Garcia and others have already founded student groups for this cause, but Dyer said he has a larger goal in mind. According to SIUC's 2006 operating budget, student tuition and fees represent more of the University's revenue than state allocations.
Because students give the University more money than the state, Dyer said there should be more student representatives on the Board of Trustees. Currently, the governor appoints seven of the eight trustees who vote.

I think this story will be with us for years. It should be interesting (if one is not in Illinois).

[SiuCubFan8]

Assuming the article does not contain factual errors, I get this impression:

1. Wendler is dishonest.
Criticism intensified in February when Wendler proposed student fees pay for half of the project, contradicting statements he made saying the project would be funded through fundraising.

2. Wendler does not understand universities. Students and faculty can vote with their feet. (Maybe WSU should recruit SIU faculty and existing and potential SIU students in about five years?)
"This is not a representative democracy," Wendler said in response to the resolutions. "The student government is here to give us advice."

3. Wendler is extremely naive (i.e. nobody trusts "the administration.")
Conversely, the chancellor argued the majority of students remain silent because they support Saluki Way and trust the administration.

4. WOW! Is SIU a "state supported institution"?
Dyer, Garcia and others have already founded student groups for this cause, but Dyer said he has a larger goal in mind. According to SIUC's 2006 operating budget, student tuition and fees represent more of the University's revenue than state allocations.
Because students give the University more money than the state, Dyer said there should be more student representatives on the Board of Trustees. Currently, the governor appoints seven of the eight trustees who vote.

I think this story will be with us for years. It should be interesting (if one is not in Illinois).

Our Bastard Gov does not help out in this situation at all.

[Shox21]

So, let's take this to where the Shocker fans want it to go:

WSU students sit on gold chairs, the WSU Chancellor drives a ferrari, and Turgeon wipes with diamond studded toilet paper.

SIU is doomed, and the chancellor drives a crappy car....

You're the only one taking it there. But I am sure there are those WSU fans that will bite. Congratulations.

[SiuCubFan8]

sometimes you have to do things that are not the most popular thing for the better of the university(or anything org). This will greatly benifit SIU in the present and in the future.

[Ricky Del Rio]

Political science and creative writing. This is all you need to know.

These people have nothing better to do than protest stuff they know nothing about.

Here at MSU we have the Feminazis that file lawsuits about anything and everything. It's different, but equally as annoying.

A dictator form of government has its advantages. Namely, the kooks can be shipped off to Siberia.

[SiuCubFan8]

People love to ***** and moan and always will.
Half the time they don't even know what they are bitching about!

[XSaluki]

You're the only one taking it there. But I am sure there are those WSU fans that will bite. Congratulations.

Re-read the thread. Thanks for biting. Irony is a great thing.

[WSUfan]

Re-read the thread. Thanks for biting. Irony is a great thing.
Could you address my first point?
1. Wendler is dishonest.
Criticism intensified in February when Wendler proposed student fees pay for half of the project, contradicting statements he made saying the project would be funded through fundraising.

I know nothing about the SIU situation other than what is here. Did Wendler say originally that it would be funded externally and then decide the students would pay for half? Is the article wrong?

[SiuCubFan8]

Could you address my first point?
1. Wendler is dishonest.
Criticism intensified in February when Wendler proposed student fees pay for half of the project, contradicting statements he made saying the project would be funded through fundraising.

I know nothing about the SIU situation other than what is here. Did Wendler say originally that it would be funded externally and then decide the students would pay for half? Is the article wrong?

Wendler put out some feelers to see what kind of external support he could get. It was not what was expected(unfortunatley). So he had to change the funding option of Saluki Way. I am not sure if this qualifies as dishonest. I guarantee you Wendler would love for this project to be done on the state and alumni dollar. But it wouldn't happen that way so he had to find another way to get it done. If this doesnt happen SIU will be in way more trouble than the trouble you think we will be in with Saluki Way(did that make sense?) I applaud Wendler for sticking to his guns on trying to get saluki way done. He is not very popular for it but it needs to happen.

[ten~39]

Jon Dyer, a sophomore studying environmental resources...........

.........Whitney Shalda, a junior from Chicago studying political science,.........

Jeremy Baiman, a junior from Oak Park studying political science.........

Phillip Garcia, a senior from Chicago studying creative writing.........

There, I condensed your problem in this issue and article.

People who major/are educated in these areas are generally fringe nutjobs who like to protest and march in parades with regards to anything far, far left.

If they really don't believe there's a connection between athletic prowess and academics then there's no use trying to salvage anything with students such as this. Let them protest, march, and beat their tamborines all to themselves.

Students/individuals like this go around LOOKING for things to protest, unfortunately this week it's the funding of a major step forward for SIU.:no:

[DawgieStyle]

Let me just say this...I feel so strongly that Saluki Way should happen, that I'm willing to renounce my affilliation as an alumni if it doesn't. The people protesting it, don't have a clue. Yes, this proposal is geared towards athletics in its first phase, but after that, its almost ALL geared towards academics. And yes, in this particular case, athletics at SIU should be addressed first. It's facilities are by far in the worst condition than any other department on Campus.

The students that complain about school should only be about academics and that they shouldn't have to pay for athletics, honestly, just get out of my school, get out, in fact let me help you move. If all you wanted was a college education, go to a community college, or a university with no athletic programs (yes they exist). You CHOSE! to come to state university, where for most students, its the college experience they seek in addition to academics. Part of that experience is college sports. Academics is the priority, but at a university you learn more than what's in books. Socilization, culture, sports, entertainment, etc. etc. All things positive to a persons development in addition to academics as well as important to ones quality of life.

For those students who don't get it: If a new football stadium is not constructed, the SIU football program will cease to exist in the near future. End of story, it will happen! If you truly cherish the idea of a full college experience and the benefits of having academeics in conjunction with athletics then Saluki Way makes perfect sense. For those that don't, get out, leave, you chose to come to this school, you don't have to stay. You chose to come to a school with a full college experience, and that's exactly what you are getting, academics and athletics. And for one person, that's a pretty cool thing.

[WSUfan]

Let me just say this...I feel so strongly that Saluki Way should happen, that I'm willing to renounce my affilliation as an alumni if it doesn't. The people protesting it, don't have a clue. Yes, this proposal is geared towards athletics in its first phase, but after that, its almost ALL geared towards academics. And yes, in this particular case, athletics at SIU should be addressed first. It's facilities are by far in the worst condition than any other department on Campus.

The students that complain about school should only be about academics and that they shouldn't have to pay for athletics, honestly, just get out of my school, get out, in fact let me help you move. If all you wanted was a college education, go to a community college, or a university with no athletic programs (yes they exist). You CHOSE! to come to state university, where for most students, its the college experience they seek in addition to academics. Part of that experience is college sports. Academics is the priority, but at a university you learn more than what's in books. Socilization, culture, sports, entertainment, etc. etc. All things positive to a persons development in addition to academics as well as important to ones quality of life.

For those students who don't get it: If a new football stadium is not constructed, the SIU football program will cease to exist in the near future. End of story, it will happen! If you truly cherish the idea of a full college experience and the benefits of having academeics in conjunction with athletics then Saluki Way makes perfect sense. For those that don't, get out, leave, you chose to come to this school, you don't have to stay. You chose to come to a school with a full college experience, and that's exactly what you are getting, academics and athletics. And for one person, that's a pretty cool thing.
You may have good arguments, in which case Wendler should be able to get the students and faculty to agree to support Saluki Way. People at SIU probably want SIU to improve. They might have a different vision but a good university president can show the students and faculty how Saluki Way helps them reach their goals. This is just good politics and good sense. A failure to get agreement will cause long term bitterness. My guess is that Wendler is not a good president but may have a good idea (i.e. Saluki Way). Delaying this project (say one year) and getting everyone on board would be a better idea than pushing it through over the objections of the students and faculty.

[Carrcar]

23 demonstrators...protesting in Spanish!

[Fraydog]

I think that these people should try surrounding Blago's limo. He's the one who's put in in the perilous situation noted by Jon Dyer (that tuition counts for a higher source of revenue than state appropriations). However, they listen to an "advisor" who's been bought by Blago.

I think it isn't good that we have to use this much money from students to do this project, but before we attack our own people let's look at the root cause of these problems first.

The problem is that we have a state that would rather spend money wastefully on pork than beneficial investments such as higher education.

We don't even need a tax hike to properly fund the state universities in Illinois. What we need are some people in State Government who have brains in their head. Unfortunately, people like Mike Bost and Dave Luchtefeld are in very short supply in Springfield. Instead, we have a bunch of pandering Machine politicans running this state, people like George Homer Ryan and Blago.

Also, note that student meetings were held and not many people voiced opposition to Saluki Way. In fact, a lot of students stated that it was a good idea in those meetings.

So to say that it's a slam dunk that all students are against this... I'm not going to take that leap.

[WSUfan]

23 demonstrators...protesting in Spanish!
If nobody objects, why did the student senates and faculty senate object? These are the representative bodies on campus; on the basis of their objections, one has to say that the students and faculty object.

[MSNSaluki]

SIU's athletic department has never had the full backing of the community or its alumni. Hate to say it but that's a fact and I don't know why.

Attendance for men's basketball games is always a hot-topic issue and it's hard to believe a program that's had as much success as it's hard over the past five years can only sell out one or two or three games a year. During the Sweet 16 year, some guy from a nearby town had to buy 100 tickets just before a tipoff to make it a sellout ... and that was against INDIANA.

Now, the football and basketball programs are the best the school's ever seen and there are still funding issues. Forget the students; if the school can't get the alumni on board en masse to make this happen, we're gonna be stuck with ****ty facilities.

If we are talking finances, it is a great day to be a Shocker or a Blue Jay and a not so good one to be a Salukis.:helpsmilie: :helpsmilie:

But if we are talking men's basketball only, SIU is still the best (sorry guys ... just having some fun).:grin: :grin:

[SiuCubFan8]

Well the increases passed so that part of saluki way is over.
Now let's get the darn stuff going!

[DawgFan]

I don't disagree with everything in this thread. Wendler has certainly not been blazing new trails in SIU history. But, the student bodies on campus don't have much voice, nor do they deserve much voice.

USG's president for next year was one of three supporting Saluki Way. He won while splitting his vote three ways. While the anti Saluki Way candidate didn't generate 600 votes on a campus of 16,000 undergrads.

Regardless, this was a late chance at headlines by two dozen loons as Saluki Way was headed for rubber stamping today.

And as a postscript, Saluki Way is going to happen. Tuition increases are in effect beginning in the fall semester and that will partially fund a new football stadium and renovations to SIU Arena. Per approval of SIU's Board of Trustees at their meeting today.

[Fraydog]

SIU has done a remarkable job competing with the resources it has. Yet, I don't think we're ever going to break the mid-major label off of us. Just a fact of life... also, schools like WSU, BU, and CU don't have football to worry about either. Even Mike Reis, the voice of the Dawgs, has said we're going to be a mid-major and we might as well embrace it (I'm paraphrasing what he said but it was very similar.)

[DawgFan]

The cost of football is substantial. You're funding 63 scholarships, coaching staffs, recruiting budget and not drawing 50,000 fans a game. But, the benefit is fall Saturdays outdoors cheering on your team, homecoming, family weekends, a group of young men, including walk-ons somewhere around 85 or so who have a chance to get a degree at your school that may have not went elsewhere if football was not on the menu.

[WSUfan]

It sounds to me like Wendler just failed Politics 101 and Management 101. However congratulations on getting Saluki Way going.

[C0|db|00ded]

SIU has done a remarkable job competing with the resources it has. Yet, I don't think we're ever going to break the mid-major label off of us. Just a fact of life... also, schools like WSU, BU, and CU don't have football to worry about either. Even Mike Reis, the voice of the Dawgs, has said we're going to be a mid-major and we might as well embrace it (I'm paraphrasing what he said but it was very similar.)

Even Mike Reis, the voice of the Dawgs, has said we're going to be a mid-major and we might as well embrace it

Don't ever embrace that title. You are whatever you believe you are. Start calling yourself mid-major and soon others will as well. Start calling yourself the "Class of the Valley" and soon others will as well. It works just like magic. :innocent:


T


...:cool:

[DoubleJayAlum]

The cost of football is substantial. You're funding 63 scholarships, coaching staffs, recruiting budget and not drawing 50,000 fans a game. But, the benefit is fall Saturdays outdoors cheering on your team, homecoming, family weekends, a group of young men, including walk-ons somewhere around 85 or so who have a chance to get a degree at your school that may have not went elsewhere if football was not on the menu.

I can't help but ask, "Is it really worth it?"

If football is holding back the athletic budgets at so many MVC schools, is just having football worth it? I know No. Iowa has FB championships at whatever level they play, but if additional money wasn't lost through the screwy playoff cost structure, they may have had enough money to hold on to McDermott. Obviously SIU also seems to have similar problems - maybe without football there wouldn't be such a coaching carousel. Is it worth sacrificing your other DIV-1 sports just to have football? Also is it just a coincidence that the two most financially healthy MVC schools have no football programs?

I am not ripping on any schools with football. I just wonder what students.alums think of the trade-off...

[SiuCubFan8]

Don't ever embrace that title. You are whatever you believe you are. Start calling yourself mid-major and soon others will as well. Start calling yourself the "Class of the Valley" and soon others will as well. It works just like magic. :innocent:


T


...:cool:


I agree.
Actually I think SIU is already a major program, along with CU and WSU. I could give two damns if ESPN still considers us a mid. A real bball fan knows we are not! Saluki Way is a good start to stop acting like a mid and get a nice new renovation arena.:valley: :braves: :jays: :bulldogs: :aces: :redbirds: :sycamores: :bears: :panthers: :salukis: :shockers:

[dogdays]

On the contrary , Wendler is clearly the best Chancellor since Delyte Morris was President....(35 yrs ago)...he has shown great leadership and vision and isnt letting 30 students and a handful of faculty members determine what is best for the University...things are dramactically improved at SIU since Wendler took over...It strikes me as somewhat funny that a couple of WSU fans , who my guess is , no nothing about SIU or its past are making judgements on here.....this woudlnt have happened without Wendler and his leadership...we are lucky to have him...

[WSUfan]

On the contrary , Wendler is clearly the best Chancellor since Delyte Morris was President....(35 yrs ago)...he has shown great leadership and vision and isnt letting 30 students and a handful of faculty members determine what is best for the University...things are dramactically improved at SIU since Wendler took over...It strikes me as somewhat funny that a couple of WSU fans , who my guess is , no nothing about SIU or its past are making judgements on here.....this woudlnt have happened without Wendler and his leadership...we are lucky to have him... I know that SIU didn't want to keep Beggs. That tells me a lot about SIU.

ADDED: This is a quote (about OU) on SN (http://www.shockernet.net/sn/viewtopic.php?t=3672).
"I think you just gave us an outstanding example of the way the OU athletic department and many of their fans think about ethics. Yes I understand you think it is okay to treat kids this way in the name of "big-time" athletics. Yes, I get that you feel justified because others do it too. No this does not make it right. Telling a kid that he might get screwed by the department's policies does not excuse them when they do it. And yes the stance that Gene has taken at WSU is an ethically superior one.

OU has taken a "win at all costs" approach in many sports (notably football) for many years. If you approve of that fine, just don't make an argument for it based on ethics. It is a way to win but it is a way that confirms the suspicions that BCS schools are athletic factories aimed at making almuni happy regardless of the cost to the student-athlete.

I suspect that you are fine with that. Many of us are not."

Considering how little SIU fans here value the opinions of students (& faculty), I wonder if Wendler represents the "making almuni happy regardless of the cost to the students" philosophy and SIU alums are loving it?

[dogdays]

Don Beggs is a good man , but the situation in Wichita is not the same as Carbondale....he has lots of money and options at WSU....thats not what he had in Carbondale...Don made several mistakes regarding the education dept, caving to the students on more than one occasion and a host of other issues...he is a great man to be heading an instituion with proper funding...that was not the case at SIU and he wasnt the right guy at the time.

[jelly_81]

First let me start by saying I think Wendler is a jackass. I've hated him since he was hired and I'm sure I always will. However. I do think Saluki Way is one of the best ideas that SIU has had in a while and I love it. It's going to do great things for the university.

Then let me get started on student goverment. The dumbest most self righteous(yeah I know I misspelled that) students on campus. Their frankly just idiots. All they do is b$tch and moan about things and never get anything accomplished, because they have absolutely no power, nor should they. And on top of it they think their important. The fact that only 5% of the student population voted proves it. NO ONE CARES ABOUT THEM. Their just a bunch of weinies who want something to put on their resumes. Dumbasses.

Sorry about the rant I just hate USG

:salukis: :valley:

[jelly_81]

One more think. The reason SIU doesn't get a lot of Alumni support is becuase very few alumni live anywhere even remotely close to SIU. There's nothing down there for most of them so the move far away and only visit occasionally at best. If people want to support something there is usually something closer to their homes that is in just as much need and its something they will get to reap the benefits of.

:salukis: :valley:

[XSaluki]

I wonder if Wendler represents the "making almuni happy regardless of the cost to the students" philosophy and SIU alums are loving it?
Sometimes a leader must lead; you should have stopped at "congratulations".

Making alumni happy at all costs? Have you visited the arena or the football stadium? Have you viewed the Saluki Way plans?

You admit that you know very little about the situation and then you go on to relate it to OU.

Quit arguing points on a topic that you admitted you know little about.

[ShockerEngr]

self righteous(yeah I know I misspelled that)

Nah, you got it right :original:

I am surprised though that such a large portion of this project is being funded by the students.

Does anyone know what percentage of Saluki Way will be towards academics and how much will be toward atheltics?

[DawgFan]

It's clear he knows little. But, as an esteemed non-donator to this board (that should change, pending results in Las Vegas this weekend) and vocal fan of what dogdays has to offer, I must say I find Wendler average at best, substandard at worst. Yet, the best SIU has had since Delyte Morris. That includes Beggs. I was a student when Beggs was interim and he is a good guy and was very loyal to SIU, but when his time came he didn't know which way to turn. Chalk it up to experience. He's done great at Wichita State.

[WSUfan]

Sometimes a leader must lead; you should have stopped at "congratulations".

Making alumni happy at all costs? Have you visited the arena or the football stadium? Have you viewed the Saluki Way plans?

You admit that you know very little about the situation and then you go on to relate it to OU.

Quit arguing points on a topic that you admitted you know little about.

It helps the Valley for SIU to have better facilities; SIU deserves to be congratulated. I have not been to Carbondale and have not viewed the Saluki Way plans (except as it has been presented here and on Salukitalk (where I lurk)). I was not criticizing the Saluki Way plans or the need for Saluki Way when I brought up the SN thread on OU. I was reacting to comments like:
DawgFan: "But, the student bodies on campus don't have much voice, nor do they deserve much voice."
If all the students left, SIU would close. If half the students left, SIU would have serious problems. I think students are important. They may be wrong but they should have a voice. A smart university president can persuade student organizations to support his/her plans or can listen to their comments and make a deal (e.g. longer library hours, more scholarships, a seat on the Board). It does not take specific knowledge of SIU to understand management, respect or politics.

[DawgFan]

wsufan, better post.

I stick by what I said. The 20 diehards who don't want to pay the $44 semester fee can pack it up and move on. Students are the life of the party and they will remain. Somewhere along the way, SIU will attract some students who find a major to their likin' and also look forward to watching football in a new stadium and Saluki basketball in a renovated facility,worthy of the program which has produced winners for decades and a recent stretch of postseason appearances and wins.

[Fraydog]

Cold,

I see your point. I just temper my expectations so that when SIU exceeds them, I can :banana:about it. I think we'll be pretty good next year, and with Fay coming in 2007 among others I think the future of Saluki Basketball (and Saluki athletics) will be just fine.

About Wendler: I think he's looking to move up and out. This could be a part of it.

As far as USG goes, their perception is not very good to say the least; they're seen as being very ineffective by the vast majority of students on this campus, that's why people don't really take any stock in what they say. Perhaps "cutting some deals" as WSUfan has pointed out might lead to some tangible gains in reputation and perception, which would help with dealing with the SIU administration at the next go around. Until they do that, as a unit they will continue to struggle. I say this as someone who's been involved in USG on this campus for three years. I care about my fellow former Senators on a personal level, but as a group changes have to be made.

[valleyclimber]

Hopefully SIU students pony up the money because the b-ball facility at SIU is pretty sad compared to many in the Valley. The first time I attended a game there I was suprised in the wrong way. Thought the Salukis would have a nice arena, but everything takes time and it looks like the dawgs will eventually be playing in an arena befitting the quality of the team. :valley:

[Aargh]

I understand Saluki Way is needed. I understand it will help Valley athletics overall.

I hate to see hitting up the students to pay for it.

I've seen posts in this thread that say it's about $44 per semester for 16,000 students. Also reports that students are paying for half of a $60 Mill project.

$44 times 2 semesters times 16,000 students equals about $1.4 mill per year from the students. The interest on $30 mill at favorable interest rates is $1.2 to $1.5 mill a year. $44 a semester is a 30 to 40-year plan to pay off Saluki Way.

A new football facility for a 1-AA program is less than a brilliant move. WSU has the largest and possibly most modern football facility of any school in the Gateway or the MVC.

The only reason Cessna Stadium still exists is that it was cheaper to maintain it than to tear it down and build parking spaces - and provide the track team an alternate facility for events. WSU has a great track and field facility that can hold 30,000 people whenever track events start pulling those kinds of crowds.

Even without a football team losing money, WSU's stadium requires about $100 - $200 per person who walks in there per year to cover the maintenance costs. BCS schools can only barely manage financing football stadium improvements.

[DawgieStyle]

I understand Saluki Way is needed. I understand it will help Valley athletics overall.

I hate to see hitting up the students to pay for it.

I've seen posts in this thread that say it's about $44 per semester for 16,000 students. Also reports that students are paying for half of a $60 Mill project.

$44 times 2 semesters times 16,000 students equals about $1.4 mill per year from the students. The interest on $30 mill at favorable interest rates is $1.2 to $1.5 mill a year. $44 a semester is a 30 to 40-year plan to pay off Saluki Way.

A new football facility for a 1-AA program is less than a brilliant move. WSU has the largest and possibly most modern football facility of any school in the Gateway or the MVC.

The only reason Cessna Stadium still exists is that it was cheaper to maintain it than to tear it down and build parking spaces - and provide the track team an alternate facility for events. WSU has a great track and field facility that can hold 30,000 people whenever track events start pulling those kinds of crowds.

Even without a football team losing money, WSU's stadium requires about $100 - $200 per person who walks in there per year to cover the maintenance costs. BCS schools can only barely manage financing football stadium improvements.


Aargh you don't quite get it do you. If they don't build a new football facility. There simply won't be any more football at SIU, they will cut the program because they won't be able to compete with other Gateway schools, its been documented. Now I know some of you, and maybe even you, are OK with losing the football program, as is its only Div I-AA, and for some of you that's just not an acceptable level of football. But for me and many morel like me, losing the football team would be a severe blow to the university, maybe not finacially, but certainly perceptually and emotionally. Eliminating a perinally top 10 football team would be like putting up a big red flag, hey over here, our school is so bad we can't even keep a successful football program afloat. It would be a huge embarrasment, Public relations problem, and severe scar in the SIU tradition and image. Losing the football program maybe an athletic cut, but it would sting the entire university including academics, and leave a stigma that SIU is not a quality institution.

[MikeKennedyRulz]

There simply won't be any more football at SIU, they will cut the program because they won't be able to compete with other Gateway schools, its been documented.

Where has this been documented? Not saying it hasn't, I would just like to see this.

[DawgieStyle]

it's been a while since I read that the football team couldn't sustain itself if a new stadium wasn't built. Honestly I can't point you to an exact article or website, but I can assure that it has been in the media and discussed amongst local school officials. Sorry I can't be more exact, but I know its been researched. If you do some internet searches you might come across some of it, I'll see what I can dig up, but it's been a while since I've actually seen it.