The (LA Tech/LSUS) Merger Thread II

[DQDawg]

I LOVE this thread!!!

[WWDog]

I guess the "do nothing town" is getting more fodder to continue to be a "do nothing town" with the LSUS graduate by catering to the traditional student they attract. If that is the case, TECH is probably better off concentrating on the industrial park in Ruston or starting our own satellite in SBC. It is really a shame that the opportunity to jump to Tier 1 almost instantaneously is wasted because of fear of positive change and Louisiana politics.

[dawg80]

As mentioned repeatedly, Tech would not take over LSUS to shut it down or to create a new separate satellite university. LSUS would be replaced with a branch campus of the Tier -1 national research university, Louisiana Tech University. Presumably the students that are currently at LSUS who can cut it at Tech would then go to this new branch campus. Those who can't or who need LSUS in the future don't, in fact, need LSUS. They need a community/vocational college.

No, they need a 4-year university that meets their needs. Which LSUS currently does.

LSUS can NOT be replaced with anything. You can mention it repeatedly all you want. But, that argument is EXACTLY the point of contention. It was also the tipping point with the state legislators I spoke to, and the very reason the votes for the merger were not there.

Your statement of suggesting future LSUS students should opt for a community/vocational college instead is pure lunacy. And it shows just how out of touch you are. Of course, you are not the only one to demonstrate how clueless you are on this subject. Fortunately, the legislature understood the truth. The pro-merger bunch knew the light of truth had been shined on their scheme, and that is the reason they quietly withdrew, not wanting to face a HUGE defeat on the floor.

I think the issue of a Tech-LSUS merger is dead. Based on the feedback I've gotten, it won't be brought back up in the legislature again anytime soon. It's unfortunate, if you support such a merger, that the wrong people were driving the bus. They have tainted the issue, and now, no sensible proposal of such a merger will get a chance to be reviewed. At least, that's opinion of one in-the-know person I have spoken to recently. But, we'll see.

[dawg80]

I guess the "do nothing town" is getting more fodder to continue to be a "do nothing town" with the LSUS graduate by catering to the traditional student they attract. If that is the case, TECH is probably better off concentrating on the industrial park in Ruston or starting our own satellite in SBC. It is really a shame that the opportunity to jump to Tier 1 almost instantaneously is wasted because of fear of positive change and Louisiana politics.

Bingo!

[LookingForResults]

You have more than embarrassed yourself on this subject dawg80. Had you stated your opinion and let it go, that could have been overlooked. But your inability to cease defending an indefensible position places you with the ranks of Peacock, Adley and Tarver. Your willingness to believe that they voted as they did because they "knew better" regarding this issue, or your desire to hide behind that charade, makes you a simpleton or as deceitful as they.

I heard from Tarver's mouth what he wanted from this "deal" and it had nothing to do with him "knowing better" regarding the merits of the merger. He also spelled out the motivation of other legislators, none of which had ANYTHING to do with the benefits of merger. It was an ugly scene of votes for sale and personal and emotional motivations, much the same as yours.

[The Historian]

You have more than embarrassed yourself on this subject dawg80. Had you stated your opinion and let it go, that could have been overlooked. But your inability to cease defending an indefensible position places you with the ranks of Peacock, Adley and Tarver. Your willingness to believe that they voted as they did because they "knew better" regarding this issue, or your desire to hide behind that charade, makes you a simpleton or as deceitful as they.

I heard from Tarver's mouth what he wanted from this "deal" and it had nothing to do with him "knowing better" regarding the merits of the merger. He also spelled out the motivation of other legislators, none of which had ANYTHING to do with the benefits of merger. It was an ugly scene of votes for sale and personal and emotional motivations, much the same as yours.

In the past week, I've spoken to a couple of legislative aides who claim Tarver and Adley were floating lists around with names of LSUS employees whose jobs would have to be protected in exchange for their votes. After the session ends, I suspect we will begin to hear just how ugly the process really became. Word tends to slowly seep out after a session ends and everything dies down. It appears this had little to do with LSUS and everything to do with protecting the jobs of friends and political supporters. For Adley and Tarver, it has to do with individuals at LSUS. For Peacock, it is about political support within the LSU system.

By the way, Fannin had 60 "yes" votes in the House and at least two dozen "maybes". If he would have brought it to a vote, it would have almost certainly passed the House with the two-thirds it needed. The real trouble was in the Senate.

[dawg80]

You have more than embarrassed yourself on this subject dawg80. Had you stated your opinion and let it go, that could have been overlooked. But your inability to cease defending an indefensible position places you with the ranks of Peacock, Adley and Tarver. Your willingness to believe that they voted as they did because they "knew better" regarding this issue, or your desire to hide behind that charade, makes you a simpleton or as deceitful as they.

I heard from Tarver's mouth what he wanted from this "deal" and it had nothing to do with him "knowing better" regarding the merits of the merger. He also spelled out the motivation of other legislators, none of which had ANYTHING to do with the benefits of merger. It was an ugly scene of votes for sale and personal and emotional motivations, much the same as yours.

You are the simpleton if you think this issue hinged on Tarver, or even Tarver and few others.

As for my position, it is VERY defensible and I WILL NOT, not for a moment, stop. So.....in fact, I will make it a point to reiterate my position again to every legislator, House and Senate, I will be meeting with in the coming months. I will, in fact, be in BR next week for a meeting on the budget. And while the legislature ends its current session, tomorrow, I think. There will be staffers and key state gov-mint officials around for on-going meetings.

So, while you are posting on a sports' forum, I am making my point of view heard where it counts.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[dawg80]

You are the simpleton if you think this issue hinged on Tarver, or even Tarver and few others.

As for my position, it is VERY defensible and I WILL NOT, not for a moment, stop. So.....in fact, I will make it a point to reiterate my position again to every legislator, House and Senate, I will be meeting with in the coming months. I will, in fact, be in BR next week for a meeting on the budget. And while the legislature ends its current session, tomorrow, I think. There will be staffers and key state gov-mint officials around for on-going meetings.

So, while you are posting on a sports' forum, I am making my point of view heard where it counts.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Oh, forgot to add.... I would stand to benefit from the merger. I have hinted why that would be already. And, I won't elaborate further on it. But, the merger proposal was ill-conceived, amateurish, not worthy of Louisiana Tech University being connected with. Not in that form.

I am hoping two things happen:

1) Tech develops its enterprise campus and grows it and Ruston, thus giving everyone a look-see at what is possible
2) a new proposal is developed that protects the mission of LSUS' service it provides to that college-going sector

BTW, LFR, one who sits back and casts stones, what is your interest in all of this, hmmmm? What, do you stand to benefit from the merger? How so?

[Dawg06]

No, they need a 4-year university that meets their needs. Which LSUS currently does.

LSUS can NOT be replaced with anything. You can mention it repeatedly all you want. But, that argument is EXACTLY the point of contention. It was also the tipping point with the state legislators I spoke to, and the very reason the votes for the merger were not there.

Your statement of suggesting future LSUS students should opt for a community/vocational college instead is pure lunacy. And it shows just how out of touch you are. Of course, you are not the only one to demonstrate how clueless you are on this subject. Fortunately, the legislature understood the truth. The pro-merger bunch knew the light of truth had been shined on their scheme, and that is the reason they quietly withdrew, not wanting to face a HUGE defeat on the floor.

I think the issue of a Tech-LSUS merger is dead. Based on the feedback I've gotten, it won't be brought back up in the legislature again anytime soon. It's unfortunate, if you support such a merger, that the wrong people were driving the bus. They have tainted the issue, and now, no sensible proposal of such a merger will get a chance to be reviewed. At least, that's opinion of one in-the-know person I have spoken to recently. But, we'll see.

LSUS does not meet Shreveport's needs, but you wouldn't know that because you never read the Eva Klein & Associates report. Why not? Because you didn't like her recommendation.

You are truly clueless regarding every aspect of this issue. Your ignorance is astounding, and the sad thing is that your ignorance is your choice as you obviously haven't read any of the documents relevant to the merger. BTW it is duly noted that you have actually read and written reports in the past. That's wonderful.

[splicer]

2) a new proposal is developed that protects the mission of LSUS' service it provides to that college-going sector

My understanding was that this merger was to grow LSUS' mission. That was the reason this whole thing started, because LSUS' mission hasn't changed in 40 years, and while it's serving a small portion of SBC (~4000), it's not doing all it can, and isn't allowed to do all it can.

The attacks got personal on both sides, because we're all stupid humans, but this was about the future, and how SBC could have a top tier research university.

BTW, I only benefit by the community (North Louisiana) growing. I have no stake in anything. I live in Ruston, but I think it's silly for all the cities of North La to compete, when we should work together as a region.

[maverick]

First, as to the "studies." When you're the one paying the consultant, in this case Eva Klein, they will make the report come out whichever way you want. The pro-merger side hired EKA to produce a report to support their position. It is biased and without merit.

Interesting viewpoint, given that in another post you stated "...in fact, several reports have used snip-its from a certain marketing study I helped to develop. So, more than reading reports, I effing WROTE some of it!"

When you are hired to write reports, are they "biased and without merit?" Or do you have inside knowledge that EKA is unethical?

[LookingForResults]

You are the simpleton if you think this issue hinged on Tarver, or even Tarver and few others.

As for my position, it is VERY defensible and I WILL NOT, not for a moment, stop. So.....in fact, I will make it a point to reiterate my position again to every legislator, House and Senate, I will be meeting with in the coming months. I will, in fact, be in BR next week for a meeting on the budget. And while the legislature ends its current session, tomorrow, I think. There will be staffers and key state gov-mint officials around for on-going meetings.

So, while you are posting on a sports' forum, I am making my point of view heard where it counts.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

I have put it in my pipe and smoked it and have found to my true surprise and great disappointment that you have exposed yourself as angry, bitter, vindictive, selfish, and small. You have no interest in the betterment or well-being of NW Louisiana. In fact, you don't give a damn about anything except what YOU want; and then don't have the guts to be a man and admit your actual motivation. You've got issues. It's pathetic that you insist on inflicting them on others.

[LookingForResults]

In the past week, I've spoken to a couple of legislative aides who claim Tarver and Adley were floating lists around with names of LSUS employees whose jobs would have to be protected in exchange for their votes. After the session ends, I suspect we will begin to hear just how ugly the process really became. Word tends to slowly seep out after a session ends and everything dies down. It appears this had little to do with LSUS and everything to do with protecting the jobs of friends and political supporters. For Adley and Tarver, it has to do with individuals at LSUS. For Peacock, it is about political support within the LSU system.

By the way, Fannin had 60 "yes" votes in the House and at least two dozen "maybes". If he would have brought it to a vote, it would have almost certainly passed the House with the two-thirds it needed. The real trouble was in the Senate.

Thanks for the additional confirmation of my post.

[DQDawg]

This merger issue is LONG from over with 15 4 year state schools and a deficeit in funding. Issue will be solved when Legislators are elected that have both the brains and balls to stand up for what makes the most sense. Right now S'port is Status Quo, on the outside, looking in, and their elected Senators are looking for deals??? Damn.

[WWDog]

I guess the "do nothing town" is getting more fodder to continue to be a "do nothing town" with the LSUS graduate by catering to the traditional student they attract. If that is the case, TECH is probably better off concentrating on the industrial park in Ruston or starting our own satellite in SBC. It is really a shame that the opportunity to jump to Tier 1 almost instantaneously is wasted because of fear of positive change and Louisiana politics.

Bingo!

Unfortunately you didn't Bingo the parts this was qualifying. The fact that all of NW Louisiana doesn't get a Tier 1 university and thus SBC remains a "do nothing town" is the real tragedy in all this. The traditional students you are so worried about are also acquiring degrees that will continue the cycle of "do nothing" and these degrees will lock these students into that same cycle.