[FlamingYalieWahoo]

I'm curious and entirely serious - instead of complaining - which is fun to do from time to time, do you all think alums could bring about some POSITIVE changes at LU? Academically, athletically, planning for campus construction and development, various policies. They have the ongoing self study but to what extent are alums included in making suggestions for changes or even given an outlet for commenting on current undertakings. We do have a vested interest in wanting our undergraduate institution to succeed for its fortunes do reflect upon us. I put this out there in the best spirit possible - to make LU the best that it can be - not to criticize but to make POSITIVE recommendations. Maybe alums would be more likely to support LU financially and in other ways if some of their suggestions and recommendations were at least considered - better yet if some were implemented. Some of us have moved off of the mountain and have seen the world in an up close and personal way in other words - we have broader experiences from which to draw. Why not tap into that energy and knowledge?

[Sly Fox]

In answer to you your question, I can tell you they won't respond unless alumni take a proactive approach. Unlike most universities of similar size, our alumni base is spread over a much larger are than just the Mid-Atlantic region. As a result its been tough to organize the grads. Without that in place, its tough to expect alumni collectively to be even thinking about helping out their alma mater.

I can speak from personal experience that when I have spoken with administrators and past ADs they have more than acknowledged my concerns and welcomed my insight. But I have to be honest in saying that I generally just mutter and complain to myself (or this board) and often don't take action.

[A.G.]

Only if a couple million dollars were attached. Change at LU is based on:
1. Numbers
2. Donor $$
3. Who can get in JF's ear

That's it! That's the list!

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

I should have included this in my initial post - I know it might seem like an exercise in futility but what would some of your suggestion(s) be and what's the rationale for your suggestion(s)? Go for broke!

[Sly Fox]

I'm not going to argue your pecking order, AG. But suffice it to say that #3 is possible when you come from a position of some standing. Jerry is a smart enough man to listen to people who are experts in areas other than his own.

Since I am so far removed from campus as an old hag, most of my suggestions have ocme in the marketing & athletics arenas where I have some deal of experience. I've divulged many of my ideas on this and the old Firehouse (as well as the now extinct alumni board) over the years. I'll rehash some of mine later int he thread. BUt let's see what some of you other self-appointed geniuses have in mind.

[PAmedic]

PAmedic memorial tower/observation platform. On second thought, I'd have to be dead- so thats out.

In all seriousness: pre-hospital emergency Advanced Life Support is NON-EXISTENT on campus. That is inexusable for a campus of this size, let alone when hosting events that draw additional thousands on site.

I would look to establish and operate a fully self-supporting paramedic department, w/ at least 2 MICU (mobile intensive care units, ie: Ambulances) as well as a bike team. Suppliment this with AEDs (automated external defibrillator) on at least 1 patrol car per shift, and in any supervisor vehicles (PD/EMS)

This could be quite easily tied into a nursing program, not to mention LU SHOULD ALREADY be offering EMT and/or PARAMEDIC training as an accredited program. Down the road you add a true healthcare facility, NOT that garden shed we used to call Health Services. (is it still in use?)

Conservatively, the equipment and start-up costs for the ALS ambulances and staff would probably be 500-750k. But you can and SHOULD cross-train LUPD for this as well. The whole program could be phased in over 5 years. WE NEED A $$$ BACKER! In light of what happened to Jerry last year, I'm amazed one has come forward already.

I'll stop ranting now.

[LUconn]

Is this for anything? because I have a ton of asthetic ideas. Although they won't make a lot of people happy based on what I read in the other thread about how we have a "fake" Jeffersonian look. Whatever that means.

[PAmedic]

go for it- we're all ears

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

For the record I should say that I have attended and have a spouse who has worked in administration at three different institutions of higher learning. One a private, religious school Liberty, one a major, private Ivy league (I hope this doesn't appear as tooting my horn - I grew up on a farm in NC and can shovel cow excrement with the best of them) and one a (barely) state-supported state university with a Jefferson complex. The later two have had and have their share of real problems - the Ivy was slow to change and was overly dependent on its historic reputation. One president allowed the physical facilities of the institution to deteriorate so badly parts of the campus should have been condemned because they were hazardous. It took 20 million to restore ONE classroom building and bring it up to 20th century standards, including heating and A/C. One alum took his 20 million gift back because the university wouldn't support a program dedicated entirely to Western Civilization. At the state institution a lot of money from various sources has been spent on new sports facilities (welcome to the home of the cavaliers - playing on Harrison field at Scott Stadium in the Carl Smith Center!!!) , the business school and the law school - the medical school had to use state bonds to build new buildings (until recently). The humanities did get a special collections library. But other facilities and new faculty for humanities and engineering are very slow in appearing. they've just started a 3 billion dollar capital campaign to upgrade academic buildings and to expand classrooms and office space. My department was moved into temporary trailers until the new facilites can be completed - in 2010? Everything dealing with procurement is excruciatingly complex and slow at these two schools and then there are the goof-balls in admin. I'm not saying that these aren't great schools but lest you think others operate at near perfection sometimes they succeed inspite of themselves. So for any school to actually listen to its alum would be a novel concept! But it never hurts to dream a little.

[TIMSCAR20]

I suggested 2 things athletically that came to fruition. Field turf and a change in the mascot name. But then again I have a direct line to the athletic dept and to the good Dr. I like Medic's ideas. I would love to hear Luconn's aestetic architecture ideas as well.

[PAmedic]

I like Medic's ideas.

you are a very wise man, my friend

[SuperJon]

You are a very short man, my friend.

[A.G.]

PAmedic memorial tower/observation platform.

Would be the shortest "tower" on record.

[PAmedic]

technically, we have the 7 or 8 story tower- I just need a glass observation deck installed, complete w/ gourmet dining and big screen TVs

[A.G.]

Now THAT is an idea.

[4everfsu]

Medic, your dream for ambulance service, coverage may come to pass one day. But I am afraid it would take a tragedy on campus for that to happen, lawsuits, etc.

[PAmedic]

you are dead-on, EXACTLY right, my friend .

thats the ONLY way these things ever change.

[PeterParker]

Here's one to start:

Instead of remodeling the Lakin building, level the circle dorms and build an inspired building for the religion department there, then level the old 70's style lakin building and grass it over...more grassy knolls/malls a la UVA.

[Sly Fox]

Knowing B.R. as I did from my childhood, I can tell you he greatly appreciated anything that reminded him of his beloved West Virginia.

[Purple Haize]

This should not be a news flash, but the powers that be really do not hold the opinion of the alumni in high regard. Case in point: They don't bother to track them. I had a list that still had several former athletes, my wife/love kitten included, whose contact address was 1971 University BLVD. Her second address was in her mom's OLD house. Did I mention we were both working on campus at the time? Also, look who the BIG donors are. Do you see many if ANY LU grads? Even still, look at the respect (or lack there of) they pay to those that do donate big. Wasn't the LaHaye Center supposed to be a student activities center? Sure they "OK'd" the change, but there was some arm twisting (and some hurt feelings when they were asked to Pony up an additional Mil) Schilling Center? That guy had to SUE LU and they ddin't treat him very well. David's Place? Couldn't you come up with a better memorial?
For better or worse, the capital improvements are still controlled by The Big Fella (That would be Falwell, not the OTHER Big Fella) While he still does not take trips around campus saying "This should go here", whether it made sense or not, he still controls it. Once THAT changes, MAYBE the rest will follow. (Cue Song "Free your mind and the rest will follow.....)

[Sly Fox]

For a school that supposedly can't find its alumni, they sure can track us down for donation requests with amazing success. Its uncanny how they seem to get mail to me at new addresses faster than my current employers.

[Purple Haize]

Some they do, but most they do not. The best lists are those from JFM that don't necessarily make their way "down the ladder" to some of the other "Ministries". I am a big fan of the Liberty "National Equirer" Journal. But my folks in Ft Wayne In still get the solicitation letters from LU. Which is odd, b/c I hadn't lived with my parents for YEARS, nor ever put that address down. THankfully, they have moved so the letters should stop!!
Now the schools where I matriculated are VERY good at tracking alumni, and their largest donors ARE alumni.

[PeterParker]

With alumni money, comes alumni input/demands--this appears one reason of many why the outside heavy hitters are always tapped for big donations...as it stands right now, it appears that the PTB don't want to listen or acquiesce to the most important quotient of LU--the alumni who make up the majority voice. As the alumni base grows substantially and with the addition of the substantially increasing distance education degree earners who aren't part of the mountain bubble increases, the point of critical mass will be reached were the alumni voice won't be able to be ignored without a major struggle. It seems it would be beneficial for the PTB to build a bridge and tap into this base now before too much resentment builds between the alumni and the institution and the PTB. Ultimately, the alumni/students are the constituents and vanguard of an institution since they are the ones who have the vested interest in its success--academic quality, national prominence (not notoriety) and sustainable longevity (this was the original university model--students as the vanguard of the institution.) Also, the organization should rise to become bigger than any one individual.

[LUconn]

I don't think many of the alumi have any money yet. The oldest ones are all pastors or missionaries. Give it 20 years or so and I'm sure we'll get a couple.

[LUconn]

Oh hey but anyway one of my biggest things that I've heard from folks who just pass by on 460 is how out of place the Vines Center looks. It does have some very usable features for what we're going for however. A few of the hallmarks of a Jeffersonian look are already present. The pillars out front can be altered to be given the right look, The stairs out front could be altered to lead right up to the enterance, and the biggest feature it has, a giant dome, is charactaristic of the achitecture type. Brick up the sides much like they're doing over at ericsson, slap on some stucco on the dome and we've got something that looks like it belongs.