Quote:
Originally Posted by Packer16
It's absolutely OK for people to disagree. I just feel that the approach of recruiting and growing the number of students who excell in academics will be great for the University in the long run. They are already on third base academically and have an excellent chance to excel in college and in life. They have a great chance of becoming successful alumni who will hopefully remember and give back to their alma mater. I feel that a larger number of honors students helps challenge the average students to be better. When I want to learn, I want to compete against someone who is better than me. I think it makes me better. I remember an old football coach who used to tell us, "Git with it or git gone!!!" In other words, don't run from a challenge. The fact is, some potential students are intimidated by other students who are ahead of them academically or are different from them culturally, geographically, racially, or some other way. Those students always seem to search for situations where almost everyone is like them. A University should provide a world (universal) experience. I believe in opportunities for students who come from school districts that are underfunded and don't provide the breadth of opportunities that wealthier districts provide. Standardized tests could become a dinosaur at most universities in the near future. UA and most other universities are not considering standardized tests, at least, through next fall. I feel that other measures, like GPA, high school courses, student activity should and will play a heavier role in admissions. The University of Alabama has been aggressively recruiting and rapidly growing academic achievers who could go to any University in the Nation. When we get them on campus and show them what we have to offer in academics, facilities, faculty, and hands-on experience, many are "wowed" by what we have to offer and climb on board. All quality measures are a moving target. We have to keep building and improving. But, there is no doubt in my mind that the University of Alabama is much better today than ten years ago and certainly light-years better than when I roamed the campus. We are in fantastic shape, financially, and the plan Dr. Witt brought to the campus years ago is continuing to bloom. I think we have the best and most supportive Board of Trustees we have ever had. All boats are rising and foundations are being laid to keep momentum moving in the right direction for decades to come. There are always things that can make us better and well thought-out input is always welcomed. I understand your frustration with the undulating ranking services. But, I think they have lost their way in determining what is a great University and I think they have lost a lot of influence on prospective students. The growing number of high-achieving students we are recruiting certainly don't seem concerned with them. I truly believe most of the students who didn't score as high on their standardized tests will be challenged in college and succeed or, at least, be better off for the experience. Call me an optimist, call me a fool, call me a son-of-a-bitch, I don't care. Just don't call me shorty. ROLL TIDE FOREVER!!!
|
We will have to agree to disagree over Finus St John and the rest of the Board. They are WAY overpaid and are obsessed with proving they aren't racists. In doing so, they are wasting precious resources as they pat themselves on the back.
I think you underestimate the harm that can come when the football program falters, as it inevitably will. Any plan that depends on enrollment growth, in an era of fewer potential students, is dangerous. We would do much better to follow Clemon's path. Not everyone belongs at the state flagship. Plenty of other schools in Alabama for those students.
And those students can always transfer to UA once they prove themselves. This is what Auburn does with AUM.
Prev
Linear Mode
